Since you are from the UK I can see your question I lived there for 2 years and it seems very few cars were automatics, and the ones that were had troubles. I love the Autostick!!! The nice thing with all DaimlerChyrsler automatics is they have what are called "adaptive transmissions" which means that over time the transmission automatically adapts to how you drive. My wife can always tell when Ive been driving the XF hard and fast with the autostick because when she gets in and drives in normal automatic mode (my wife isn't much for the autostick) the car is quicker off the line and accerates at a high rate of speed.