Well, once in a while I do miss the automatic. But they are getting old and they were never a very efficient transmission. But they are an easy drive and they are still rebuildable- always will be I think. But with the hp or lack of it in the 240D/300D Turbo, I really just prefer the easy shift. With healthy big V8 power, I would prefer the automatic. I have all new bushings in my conversion and it does shift like a dream.

Oh wow - I didn't realise you'd finished it. Was the conversion worth the hassle?

Anyway - back to automatics - yeah they aren't always ideal especially in very hilly country at low speeds (not that I have the hill problem here in Holland)... that's why I think a 7 speed DSG would be great.

Yeah, they're forever in the wrong gear, probably because the shift points were picked for economy. I've driven some on very steep gravel roads and I spent a lot of time rowing between L and S.

You're right there. No hills in Holland. :)

Where I live, we have some hills though. I like the manual because I can put the car in the gear I want when I want it with little if any delay. Also, if my battery runs down, I can push start the car. Usually, better fuel economy... yada yada yada

You guys uh.... ever jump the dikes? Or go muddin' in the polders?

It is best not to jump dikes they tend to get upset with you - you're quite likely to get a good old kick between the legs (ha ha)...

The Dutch tend not to have many sports that interfere too much with "the nature" as they call it - there isn't all that much of it left here. They are really keen on pimping (much like most of the world) and there is a seriously dedicated tractor pulling culture outside of the major cities. There's a fair amount of arsing about with water here but that tends to involve jumping in and out of canals. The best thing associated with canals in Amsterdam is drunk people throwing those stupid little smart cars in the drink. You only need four drunk blokes to pick 'em up and chuck 'em over the railings...

It took me a minute to work out what you were talking about Army! :P
Do they, the dykes, all drive pick ups or Subaru's? ;)
Wasnt there an old children's story about a boy that stuck his hand in a leak in one to stop the country from flooding? :confused:

Indeed - sorry bad bad bad spelling => 0 out of 10...

The dykes I know don't have that outback image - so no you'd probably be confused if you came here. Amsterdam can be tricky - if you visit you might even end up having to resort to ye olde Crocodile Dundee grope test!

Well Army, it is really not up and running yet, but very close. Close enough that I can tell that the little four speed shifts very nice. And I will be 79 in a week or two, and all that bending around and getting under the car is difficult and it takes time. And that work with the switch and putting in those gauges was a *****. I wanted to get it finished the week of spring break, but my Dear Wife was still getting Chemo and every day it was to the Dr. or Dentist for one of us. Now school is out, ( I drive school bus & love it) but Indiana it hot and humid much of the time, so if I get 3 hours in early in the day a couple of days a week, that is about all I can accomplish. Then my little cat, Michelle Obama II, wants to be out there with me. And there are some nasty pups around and she has back claws only and is pretty defenseless, so I really keep my eye on her. You should know by now how the Dutch like their cats. Well the Dutch in the US pretty much still all love there cats and I am no exception. The only thing rare about me with cats is that I only have one. Michelle is the sweetest, least demanding little creature you could imagine, and we hung that name on her. But she's happy and she don't care. I don't know but she might well be a registered democrat. It's OK it they tell you, but it is not polite to go right out and ask!

Wow Jim - it sounds like you've got your hands full. I hope the car brings you therapeutic escape once in a while - mine does for me.

Have you posted any pictures of the project anywhere?