159 JTDM Auto | That bad?

[soakk]

I'm on the lookout for a cheapish estate car to use for family runabout.

I've seen a couple of low mileage 159 JTDM's around but my knee jerk reaction is to avoid 939 Auto/Selespeeds like the plague.

I haven't got any first hand experience, having only driven my 159 V6 Manual. Are the 939 Selepeeds as bad as their reputation suggests?

Keen for some honest opinions here.

[matty-o]

Hey Soakk,

I've got a 2007 2.4 auto wagon. I've owned it for nearly a year now, in that time I've had zero issues with it. The auto box will shift when it needs to, in either D or using the lever, putting it into Sport mode it will hold onto the revs a bit longer before shifting, and will shift down earlier as well. Mine lives in Sport.

For a daily commuter, it's fantastic, but I do miss having a third pedal at my feet.

[afelice001]

I think the general consensus about the 159 selespeed is that they're okay, but require specialist skills to maintain and troubleshoot as they're quite complex.

The conventional 6 speed auto (Aisin - Toyota) available in the 159 is probably a better option maintenance and reliability wise.

Also worth noting that I don't think any of the diesel's came with the selespeed box, they have the 6 speed auto.

[soakk]

Thanks for the feedback Matt.

I've been doing some more research and it appears the 159's use the newer "Q-Tronic" system which is not the same as the "Selespeed" used by the 156, which is where I think a lot of the bad rep. comes from. In fact this system looks to the same generic auto in a lot of cars from the period (see below).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AWTF-80_SC

This gives me more confidence

[soakk]

Also worth noting that I don't think any of the diesel's came with the selespeed box, they have the 6 speed auto.

Yes I just figured this out in my research. Looks like the diesel in fact come with a generic auto which was shared with a lot of cars from the period. A couple of which I've driven (Citroen C5) and were perfectly normal.

[bonno]

I have owned a 2006 Peugeot 307 auto for close to 10 years, which my wife uses as a daily driver. In that time the only issue with the gearbox at just over 100K was faulty solenoid/s, resulting it to go into limp mode and trigger engine light. The solenoids replaced and gearbox serviced by Auto G/box specialist. This was just on 3 years ago and now has 130K on the clock and had no further issues. Researching various forums, this appears to be a common fault with these Aisin gearboxes and it's like anything automotive, you can be unlucky to get one of the bad ones manufactured.

[pasey25]

recommend a change of fluid in the 6 speed auto when you get it.

I had a low km example and changed the fluid out which resulted in smoother shifting.

[bonno]

NOTHING IS MAINTENANCE FREE !! (refer extract from wiki)  "It is a sealed for life unit, using proprietary transmission fluid which is labelled as being maintenance free. However, for vehicles used primarily for towing, taxi or in mountainous environments transmission fluid change every 60,000 km is recommended. Transmissions made before year 2011 (generation 1) use JWS 3309 standard oil, while transmissions made from year 2011 (generation 2) use JWS 3324 standard oil".
All wheel drive transfer cases can be fitted to the AWTF-80 SC.
My recommendation is to have the auto gearbox serviced at intervals of 60K whatever the driving conditions, or you will more than likely suffer gearbox issues down the track (it is not a matter of if, but when).

[bazzbazz]

My recommendation is to have the auto gearbox serviced at intervals of 60K whatever the driving conditions, or you will more than likely suffer gearbox issues down the track (it is not a matter of if, but when).

And for Dogs sake, make sure who ever does it DOES NOT DO A POWER FLUSH!

It WILL completely FUBAR the transmission.