Audi Repair: Manumatic, driving a stick shift, manual capability

Question
Hello, Jan.
Manumatic (Audi), or an electro-hydraulic manual transmission, is said to have the unpleasant characteristics of hard shifting as an automatic have when changing gears, and difficulty operating the vehicle in reverse. Would you please explain the reverse part too?

I've been driving a stick shift, but now I'm looking for a vehicle that would have automatic transmission with manual capability. It feels great to drive a stick but some times in a traffic jam ... an automatic is desired. Would you please suggest a transmission and a make? I drove Mercedes when you strike a stick left or right to up or down shift a gear. It feels very weird.

Thank you,
Allen


Answer
Hi Allen,

This is more of a recoommendation request than a question, but I have tried the Tiptronic transmissions in both Audi's and Porsches, and although they have significantly improved over the last few years, and some people really like them, I still love my S4 6 speed and my 930 4 speed...  Difficult to recommend something different for you, the best advice I can give you is take a weekend and drive a selection of these cars; dealerships have enough stuff to try right now!  Good luck,  Jan