Zafira - horrible gearbox

[benz0]

Hi all,

Currently have a fairly new Zafira as a hire car. It's done less than 40k but the gearbox is the worst I've ever experienced on any car.

It's so clunky and requires quite a lot of effort to change gear, to the extent it made my wrist ache driving it earlier.

I'm no fan of vauxhalls/opel in general but cannot believe a new car would have such a terrible gearbox.

Are they all like this or is it just faulty?

[Wacky Racer]

benz0 said:

Hi all,

Currently have a fairly new Zafira as a hire car. It's done less than 40k but the gearbox is the worst I've ever experienced on any car.

It's so clunky and requires quite a lot of effort to change gear, to the extent it made my wrist ache driving it earlier.

I'm no fan of vauxhalls/opel in general but cannot believe a new car would have such a terrible gearbox.

Are they all like this or is it just faulty?

Which model is it, the current "Tourer" or the old (smaller) shape "B" series made up to a two or three years ago?

I have had both (From new) and the gearboxes have been 100% fine....very smooth in fact.

[glasgow mega snake]

are you possibly forgetting to use the clutch?

[benz0]

It's a 1.6 petrol turbo tourer.

Definitely using the clutch

It's most noticeable when changing between gears on the upper and lower end of the gear stick. It does take a lot of effort!!

[Jimmy Recard]

That would be the M32, I think. They're normally not a particularly bad change (I have one in my car and it's very light and easy)


It sounds like it's faulty to me

[M32Guy]

All the 1.6 turbo tourer's are M32's. They are good gearboxes when they work but are very prone for failure, hence why I specialise in repairing them. Sounds more like a clutch issue to me

[benz0]

Could be. . the bite point is a bit tricky

[benz0]

so the car just broke down on the motorway with my mrs at the wheel. clutch has gone.

rental company suggesting she did it!!!!!

[SickAsAParrot]

Yeah we've got a 50K 2010 Zafira B and the gearbox is heavy as hell, compared with my daughters Corsa anyhoo.

[Andeezegirl]

I am a big fan of Vauxhall Zafira’s they are great handlers on the roads and are very safe.

Don’t get me wrong, cars are as safe in most cases and comes down to the person behind the wheel. What I mean is it grips the road brilliantly round corners as people carriers go.

I’ve had my vehicle for nearly 20 years from brand-new, and I have noticed that the gearbox has got very clunky in the last five years and just wondered if there was anything you can do to rectify this? I’ve just had an oil change on the gearbox but is still clunky and hates going into first gear, you have to really fight with the gearbox, I’m very puzzled by its performance, because it wasn’t like it when I bought it.. has anyone got any idea how to rectify it please?

[Deranged Rover]

Firstly, let me make it clear that I'm a Vauxhall fan. My father never drove anything else, I've had three and have driven many more.

I'll be honest, though, gearboxes have never been their strong point IMHO. They're always a bit rubbery, vague and long-throw. The best one I've driven was in my Senator and that was automatic...