Hi, I am a commodore owner RWD fan who does not like FWD, but simply have to have one of these brilliant under rated 3rd gen magnas, in performance comparison in magazine road tests the standard automatic 3.5 TH/TJ does not out perform a VS commodore V6 auto...the acceleration times are in the commodore's favour but in the real world once the magna is properly run in I think the auto 3.5 would have the upper hand.
Yet when I read road tests on the tiptronic TJ auto 3.5 they are quoted as far quicker than the standard auto 3.5, is this due to the transmission or do they have a more powerful engine? My plan is to have a commodore VS wagon RWD as a work horse for my business and a Magna TH\TJ auto (the car I really want) anyone out there know?

Well I can help you out with exactly the information you want to know. I drive both a VX II 4 speed auto for business car and I own a 5 speed tippy and I must say I love driving the Magna . Even when I bought it without any mods added the takeoff and acceleration were second to none. Standard at the flywheel the Common*hore is 152 kw compared to my 163 MagnaCarta ( well its about 200 kw now). And knowing that you can pick up a Sports or VR-X with 5-speed tippy with low km's for about $17,000 or less for a 2002 model go the Magna! The AWD Version has a little bit less power but better grip of course.
Note: Dont go for the 03/04 update as it has no bodykit and looks ugly compared to the 2002 model but then its personal choice isn't it. :)

Thanks which year did the TJ have tiptronic? Did the TH ever have T\tronic? My budget would not allow for a sports or a Vrx but I may be able to get into a TJ (my favourite) with the tiptronic option fitted, I know the manuals are really quick but I prefer the smooth auto's, even the standard non tip auto is nice, what would 2002 TJ exec\advance cost me auto cost me now pref. with T\tronic ?
I know what you mean about the VX, they are very heavy 1600kg and the gearbox is a f*****g shocker, they still go ok once moving but the weight combined with ultra tall gearing really affects them. A VS is much lighter about 1395kg and go far better than my VX, I think the road test magazine reports 16.3 400m and about 8.6 0-100km or something like that, but no match for a VRX, no way. Thanks ilike3.5

Oh, sorry I got away completely from my original thread question, Is a standard 155kw TJ tiptronic quicker than a standard 155kw TJ non tip auto???

Oh, sorry I got away completely from my original thread question, Is a standard 155kw TJ tiptronic quicker than a standard 155kw TJ non tip auto???

UMMMMMM....... I think you'll find that it's only the TJ series II's that come standard with the 4spd tippy transmission - presuming I'm correct in saying this - all series I TJ's (excluding the VRX) have the older cam profile (149/147KW or something) and if they are the base model, they would have std 4spd transmission.

I'm pretty sure there are some TH/TJ I's that have the tippy (sports/vrx/verada???) but the TJ series II is the only with the 155kw cam and 4spd tippy as STD.

Forgive everything i just wronte.....
I've had a few drinkes.

Ilike3.5, next time try posting multiple questions in one thread.

Cheers Leigh

TJ2 sports/vrxs/awds have 5 speed tiptronic (cf to execs 4 speed tip).

(well my tj2 awd does... i gather its across the board)

SMurf

Ilike3.5, next time try posting multiple questions in one thread.

Cheers Leigh it would be a long thread, I'm just finding my way around Magnas at the moment :cool:

TJ2 sports/vrxs/awds have 5 speed tiptronic (cf to execs 4 speed tip).

(well my tj2 awd does... i gather its across the board)

SMurf
Thanks for the info, excuse my ignorance but what does 'cf ' stand for?

I have a TJ series 2 (02 model) exec, it's got a 4spd auto, with tippy, which was standard I'm pretty sure. In terms of power I believe what is said above is correct. In other words, I have taken a common*hore (an exec model of course) without any other mods fitted to my car, stock.

As far as power from the tippy? May as well go manual, but if you wanna go auto cause you're lazy like me and don't feel like changing gears all the time, tippy is good - means you can rev a lot higher then the ecu would normally let you, though that isn't always a good thing. My auto decideds to change gears at about 5000rpm when I've got it floored, but with my tippy I like to go to 5500 or just over before changing...

My auto decideds to change gears at about 5000rpm when I've got it floored, but with my tippy I like to go to 5500 or just over before changing...

try dropping back to 2nd at around 80kmph and planting your foot - I think you'll be pleasantly surpised. I've taken her to 110 in 2nd (not on a public road of course) - and it felt like it still had plenty of pull in that gear.

I don't use the tippy all that often - but when I do, i've found it doesn't seem to mind going to 6000rpm and probably a bit beyond. I'm sure as long as you don't do it every day - there's no real harm.

try dropping back to 2nd at around 80kmph and planting your foot - I think you'll be pleasantly surpised. I've taken her to 110 in 2nd (not on a public road of course) - and it felt like it still had plenty of pull in that gear.

I don't use the tippy all that often - but when I do, i've found it doesn't seem to mind going to 6000rpm and probably a bit beyond. I'm sure as long as you don't do it every day - there's no real harm.

Thanks, so really there is no more actual performance, just more user flexibility and convenience, as holding a standard auto back in lower gears can be a pain,
If the standard TJ 2002 series 2 came out with 155kw and 4spd tiptronic that makes them a good buy, the tiptronic wasn't still an option was it? what are they worth now as a used car? Not that new one with the ugly front.
Someone on a previous thread commented that with the 4 spd tippy the 2nd gear is too tall.

yeah I like3.5 I think you will find that the 5spd tippy only comes on the models with the 163 kw engine eg.sports,vrx and veradas (please correct me if i am wrong someone) so maybe this is why they are faster.but meh just my thoughts btw i have a tj sports with the 5 spd tippy and i like it !!!!!! lol :cool: :cool:

Thanks, so really there is no more actual performance, just more user flexibility and convenience, as holding a standard auto back in lower gears can be a pain,
If the standard TJ 2002 series 2 came out with 155kw and 4spd tiptronic that makes them a good buy, the tiptronic wasn't still an option was it? what are they worth now as a used car? Not that new one with the ugly front.
Someone on a previous thread commented that with the 4 spd tippy the 2nd gear is too tall.

I'm pretty certain 4sp tippy is std in the base TJ series II - as far as I know, mine was a bog stock Exec (ex govt when I got it). Like sLug said, I've never heard of an exec with a 5sp tippy - must be only sports and beyond.

It was me who commented on the 2nd gear being very TALL - but IMO, it's not so bad if your at a standing start and you want to hoof it - cause 1st has a fairly nice ratio (read: launches hard) and if you take 1st to the death, by then 2nd's not too bad. Just don't expect anything special if you drop to 2nd and plant it at any less than 70kmph.

But back to the topic - you should be able to pick up a good TJ series II executive for around 16,500 - 17,500 at a car yard nowadays. I paid 19,500 back in april. When you really weigh it up - thats damn good value for money, mine still has 10 months of factory warranty and when you compare it to the featurs/model/age of car you would get for the same price range at a holden/ford/toyota car yard - you just can't beat them.

blackbeard: The 155kw motor was released from late 2001 as well as all the series 2 changes (such as different instrument cluster and relocating the trip computer) excluding the tippy shift for autos and improved hubcaps.

blackbeard: The 155kw motor was released from late 2001 as well as all the series 2 changes (such as different instrument cluster and relocating the trip computer) excluding the tippy shift for autos and improved hubcaps.

See there you go..... i don't know everything either.

ah yes.... improved hubcaps - what a big improvement

blackbeard: The 155kw motor was released from late 2001 as well as all the series 2 changes (such as different instrument cluster and relocating the trip computer) excluding the tippy shift for autos and improved hubcaps.

I spoke to a Mitsubishi used car salesman today (wasn't a bad fellow actually, didn't try to sell me a car and was happy to just help) apparently the series 2 TJ had LCD odometer in place of the analogue from series 1, climate control with small screen in place of conventional rotary controls, 155kw cam in the engine over the previous 150kw from series 1, he was certain that the 4 speed tiptronic was still an option then but a popular one which explains the amount of exec\advance TJ 2's which have it. He also went on to say that he has driven both series 2 TJ's with plain auto and tiptronic auto and they go about the same, there is no actual performance increase with the tiptronic just more convenience and flexibility in holding lower gears, he seem to know his magnas he also confirmed that the 1st 3rd gen magna the 96 TE only had the 140kw 3.0 engine as well as a 2.6 litre 4, the TE did not have the same 120kw 12v engine which the previous TR\TS had. Another salesman had just said stay away from the TE 96 model it has the old V6 120kw from the TS, which prompted this salesman to correct him. With or without tippy I love the TJ :badgrin:

My cars a april '02 build series 1 exec manual. My car came with all the s2 features apart from the hubcaps and badging (the s2 magnas werent out for at least 3-4 months later)

electronic odometer & trip computer in the instrument cluster
electric aerial
abs
155kw motor
cant remember if there was anything else that they changed for the s2.

Nah in the s2 magnas they stopped making non-tiptronic versions. It was standard accross the whole range.

Yep thats the job of the tiptronic.. allows you to hold gears for longer (just more user friendly than using L, 2, 3, D. Since its easier to use its presumed car would be a bit quicker with tipronic compared to a normal auto.

I spoke to a Mitsubishi used car salesman today (wasn't a bad fellow actually, didn't try to sell me a car and was happy to just help) apparently the series 2 TJ had LCD odometer in place of the analogue from series 1, climate control with small screen in place of conventional rotary controls, 155kw cam in the engine over the previous 150kw from series 1, he was certain that the 4 speed tiptronic was still an option then but a popular one which explains the amount of exec\advance TJ 2's which have it. He also went on to say that he has driven both series 2 TJ's with plain auto and tiptronic auto and they go about the same, there is no actual performance increase with the tiptronic just more convenience and flexibility in holding lower gears, he seem to know his magnas he also confirmed that the 1st 3rd gen magna the 96 TE only had the 140kw 3.0 engine as well as a 2.6 litre 4, the TE did not have the same 120kw 12v engine which the previous TR\TS had. Another salesman had just said stay away from the TE 96 model it has the old V6 120kw from the TS, which prompted this salesman to correct him. With or without tippy I love the TJ :badgrin:

Only thing in the above statement (from the salesman - not Ilike3.5) is the bit about the climate control as std - cause I'm pretty sure mines a series 2, and climate control definetly isn't part of the package.

Only thing in the above statement (from the salesman - not Ilike3.5) is the bit about the climate control as std - cause I'm pretty sure mines a series 2, and climate control definetly isn't part of the package.

Sorry I was wrong, I remember he said climate control in Advance not exec, I noticed one magna ser 2 TJ had the rotary dials (exec) and another had a little square screen which I think was an Advance, I think this was my error not his.

Only thing in the above statement (from the salesman - not Ilike3.5) is the bit about the climate control as std - cause I'm pretty sure mines a series 2, and climate control definetly isn't part of the package.
yeah I don't have climate control either.

As for ^^ I took my car out today for a bit of a test, if you push 1st to about 5500, it drops back to 2nd at about 3300 or 3500 - which isn't too bad really, just really starting to get into the power range.

As for going to 110 in 2nd, yeah mate, I have done that legally on normal streets - gotta love the M1 Pac highway between GC and brissy. Come on to the highway from smith st goin' south , 80km until about 100m before the highway. I must admit it can annoy some ppl behind me when I stay at 80 until it changes, but I just drop back from 4th to 2nd and leave them for dead :D

EDIT: AFAIK, 5 gears means a better start off, that's all - the first gear becomes extremely good ratio for standing starts, with 2nd gear being equivalent to 1st gear in a 4spd, 3rd gear being eqv to 2nd gear in 4spd, etc. So basically you'd get off the line quicker in a 5spd, though I reckon I get off the line just quick enough as it is.

My cars a april '02 build series 1 exec manual. My car came with all the s2 features apart from the hubcaps and badging (the s2 magnas werent out for at least 3-4 months later)

electronic odometer & trip computer in the instrument cluster
electric aerial
abs
155kw motor
cant remember if there was anything else that they changed for the s2.

Nah in the s2 magnas they stopped making non-tiptronic versions. It was standard accross the whole range.

Yep thats the job of the tiptronic.. allows you to hold gears for longer (just more user friendly than using L, 2, 3, D. Since its easier to use its presumed car would be a bit quicker with tipronic compared to a normal auto.

So in closing 2 magans both 155kw engines both flat out in straight line left in drive (not held) should be almost identical in acceleration, and if they were both held in the lower gears, they should also be pretty much identical bearing in mind the easier up shifts and the fact that the non tippy would be less convenient and not as ergonomic?.....So verdict is No actual power difference? A Dyno run would yield the same results technically????

So in closing 2 magans both 155kw engines both flat out in straight line left in drive (not held) should be almost identical in acceleration, and if they were both held in the lower gears, they should also be pretty much identical bearing in mind the easier up shifts and the fact that the non tippy would be less convenient and not as ergonomic?.....So verdict is No actual power difference? A Dyno run would yield the same results technically????

I think that's pretty much correct. Or if there was a difference it would probably be so incredibly small it wouldn't matter too much.

Though I like tiptronic - much more convenient IMO.

yep thats 100% right :)

just did a bit of research...
all series 1 magna exec.'s were 150kw with 4 speed auto (not tip) and had ****e all extras

all series 2 magna exec.'s were 155kw with 4 spd tippy as standard and had manual air cond. they also had standard power windows all round
advance got the climate control and cruise etc...

Mines a TJ series 1 Sports with 5 Speed Tiptronic. As a side note he tranny died at a little over 105,000 and had to be replaced.

just did a bit of research...
all series 1 magna exec.'s were 150kw with 4 speed auto (not tip) and had ****e all extras

all series 2 magna exec.'s were 155kw with 4 spd tippy as standard and had manual air cond. they also had standard power windows all round
advance got the climate control and cruise etc...

Nup, my series 2 exec don't have power windows...
EDIT: ^^ What did you replace it with?

Ilike3.5 I think you would be happy with an AWD. Faster than any other Magna up to 80kmh and the 5 speed tippy makes it move very fast when needed.

Comes with Mags and the sports comes with lots of goodies.

Ilike3.5 I think you would be happy with an AWD. Faster than any other Magna up to 80kmh and the 5 speed tippy makes it move very fast when needed.

Comes with Mags and the sports comes with lots of goodies.
AWD faster than other magnas up to 80? sure? i think its just my machine as it feels quite heavy. i say its got crappy oil in engine.

AWD faster than other magnas up to 80? sure? i think its just my machine as it feels quite heavy. i say its got crappy oil in engine.

I think it'd be "faster" to 80 cause of the 5 speed auto ratio in comparison to the 4spd which is standard in non-sports models. But I tend to think that the kW hit that the AWD takes and the extra weight would make it a tad slower then a 5pd auto sports or vrx.

makes sense, thanks for the clarification. :)

hay buddy i have a tj 2001 with a normal auto in it not triptronic and the triptronics i have raced i have beat every one i manual shift my gear normaly when racing but even in drive i seem to beat then and i only have a tj advance and i beat the vrxs all the time and even keep up with the ralliart i dont know if my car is a freak but it might be so i have been told
and i have only got these mods pod filter and cat back exhaust too so i dont know you be the judge

oh and for your thoughts allso i had mine dynoed and i have 127kw at wheels with those mods

hay buddy i have a tj 2001 with a normal auto in it not triptronic and the triptronics i have raced i have beat every one i manual shift my gear normaly when racing but even in drive i seem to beat then and i only have a tj advance and i beat the vrxs all the time and even keep up with the ralliart i dont know if my car is a freak but it might be so i have been told
and i have only got these mods pod filter and cat back exhaust too so i dont know you be the judge

oh and for your thoughts allso i had mine dynoed and i have 127kw at wheels with those mods
good work. the tiptronics certainly look better on paper but there's always exceptions & 127kW is a very good result - all tribute to a very well looked after and maintained piece of gear :) well done.