I used one for the first time yesterday, and I’m back in it again today. It’s an 07 plate Premium 450 and I’ve no complaints so far, seems pretty good to me. As I understand it you are correct in thinking that the engine and gearbox are just slightly tweaked Volvo ones so I suppose that would explain why they work pretty well.
Paul
Yes Denis, same with me a 57 450 Premium. Not much difference in operation, slower change if anything, but the controls for it are worse and hidden from view. The dash instruments are horrible on them too. Also, the 450 seemed very tame to me and I couldn’t help thinking the 420 Volvo had more grunt. 
DAFMAD:
The last I-shift I drove when going up long steep inclines would get down to 4th or 5th then couldn’t make its mind up what to do and then often would either stall or give up altogether and let you roll back with full weight on. This was after a long run up to said inclines too. Also, when full weight again even crawling along and you had to make a sharp turn, therefore creating much drag pretty suddenly, it would also either give up or stall. Bloody auto rubbish.
You’re not using it correctly…There is the manual option that you can flick into, also the hill start thingy that stops you from rolling back.
Next time you use one Dafmad try using the manual bit if you think it won’t cope, I do now and again especially around Cinderford!!!
First time I used a Auto box was the early 80s, funnily enough in a Daf, they have come on in leaps and bounds since then, I would be really miffed if I had to change gear again 
Deepinvet:
DAFMAD:
The last I-shift I drove when going up long steep inclines would get down to 4th or 5th then couldn’t make its mind up what to do and then often would either stall or give up altogether and let you roll back with full weight on. This was after a long run up to said inclines too. Also, when full weight again even crawling along and you had to make a sharp turn, therefore creating much drag pretty suddenly, it would also either give up or stall. Bloody auto rubbish.You’re not using it correctly…There is the manual option that you can flick into, also the hill start thingy that stops you from rolling back.
Next time you use one Dafmad try using the manual bit if you think it won’t cope, I do now and again especially around Cinderford!!!
First time I used a Auto box was the early 80s, funnily enough in a Daf, they have come on in leaps and bounds since then, I would be really miffed if I had to change gear again
I used manual, power and auto all just as bad - crap. Admittedly I do believe their was something wrong with it.
BTW its an auto that means its automatic that means …
DAFMAD:
BTW its an auto that means its automatic that means …
It might be an auto, but it doesnt have eyes. 
I guarantee you, that if you drive it correctly, it will change gear smoother than you ever could in a manual.
Honestly, tanker work is the hardest test an auto box will ever have to pass and my I-Shift performed faultlessly.
Previous to that particular motor I thought I-shifts were ok as such for an auto. But this one was so slow changing it confused itself getting to the nitty gritty part of a steep hill 44 tonne up. In other words it could not change down and let the clutch out quick enough before it was too late and that gear was too high for the situation, It then, either gave up and would do nothing or would persist in using the wrong gear and stall.
I do believe there was something wrong with it, not sure what though.
Wheel Nut:
It might be an auto, but it doesn’t have eyes
Exactly, that’s why they can never beat a good manual box and driver.
Wheel Nut:
I guarantee you, that if you drive it correctly, it will change gear smoother than you ever could in a manual
When an ecu controlled gearbox has more control over the throttle than a manual version and takes an age to change and then let the clutch out, I would expect some smooth changes.
Anyway, my point to Denis is this, these gearboxes can and do go wonky, and your mpg will suffer as well as your nerves driving it and then your pocket trying to get it fixed no doubt.
Dafmad and I could sit here all day typing opposing riposte.
The fact was that his gearbox must have had a serious fault. Another fact is that all gearboxes & clutches, manual or auto can develop faults.
In my experience, fuel economy, maintenance costs and driver acceptance all improved when the whole fleet (600) was changed to I Shift.
DAFMAD:
Wheel Nut:
It might be an auto, but it doesn’t have eyesExactly, that’s why they can never beat a good manual box and driver.
Maybe that mythical top notch driver who can select the correct gear everytime, day after day, without fail, could be better, but I reckon I shift with a good driver who understands it and will use manual on those rare ocassions that it’s needed would be the best combinations.
It’s new technology and if used properly doesn’t take away the driving skill, just means developing new skills to use a different type of gearbox, but with the advantage stopping loads of clutch and gearbox wear from those numpties who would missuse manual boxes.
DAFMAD:
Wheel Nut:
I guarantee you, that if you drive it correctly, it will change gear smoother than you ever could in a manualWhen an ecu controlled gearbox has more control over the throttle than a manual version and takes an age to change and then let the clutch out, I would expect some smooth changes.
I reckon you had a duff one. As you are one of the only people I’ve heard who’s used ishift that has a bad word for them.
DAFMAD:
Anyway, my point to Denis is this, these gearboxes can and do go wonky, and your mpg will suffer as well as your nerves driving it and then your pocket trying to get it fixed no doubt.
Agreed all mechanical and electronic parts can fail, but it’s just a normal gearbox really so those costs should be similar and they don’t fix electronics, just replace the black box and it really should be more reliable than a manual box after years of drivers pulling away in to higher gear or forcing changes.
Hi Dennis, on my second Merc Actros autotrans, had a spell with a manual Axor loan truck for a couple of weeks 
in between swapover, was glad to get an auto back, and an Actros 
. Like any auto they’re good on the flat, but on the hilly bits freighted up they need a bit of guidance, this can be done in full auto mode by moving the lever to initiate a change, or switch to manual and make clutchless changes when you decide Clutch bite is controlled by the accelerator pedal, once you get to know where the takeup point is, you get used to pushing the pedal down to the exact position and waiting for the clutch to bite, rather than slowly continuing to press the accelerator down which results in full take up and a faster than required takeoff 
All i know is ,i’ve drove an auto for almost a year now and on the rare occasion i have to get into a manual truck it’s feels like a step backwards.
Auto’s are the future (embrace it)
Denis F:
anyone used a Renault auto box ?I’m told it’s an I shift with different software - is that a load of bull ?
magnum 480dxi optidriver2 gearbox running at 44t constantly,only complaint is it seems to want to change too quickly for me,but i’m guessing that’s down to my right foot,i get it just about right sometimes 
heres an offer for you;p.m. me if you fancy a test drive any weekend,i’m usually home and loaded on a friday p.m.,your shout…p.s. i do own the kit,so no worries,she’s just 2yrs old.
andy bilton:
Denis F:
anyone used a Renault auto box ?I’m told it’s an I shift with different software - is that a load of bull ?
magnum 480dxi optidriver2 gearbox running at 44t constantly,only complaint is it seems to want to change too quickly for me,but i’m guessing that’s down to my right foot,i get it just about right sometimes
Thanks Andy, but I get dizzy going that far north 
Renault are bringing a Premium optidriver out tomorrow to play with , OK, it’s an artic but I can hitch up to a loaded trailer that belongs to the workshop that does my repairs.
ok denis,let us know how you get on,i mean first impressions etc,smoothness,ease of use,i was’nt convinced at first,but me dad who run’s an i-shift fh convinced me to go for one,would’nt have owt else now.
first impressions were good, had a bit of a drive yesterday, couldn’t hitch the trailer as the demonstrator was a very long wheelbase unit with the 5th wheel too far forwards for the tipper trailer we were trying to get under (don’t think the rep really wanted us to knock the lights and wings off !) but the 5 minutes shunting and 1/2 hour going up the ND link road was enough to get the feel of it !
basically it was a nice truck, gearbox did everything we asked it, engine brake was good, comfy well equipped cab with plenty of space and storage.
all I need to do now is sort the wheelbase and rear axle loadings with the techies, if that goes well I guess I’ll be driving a Renault next year
hope Alan the rep isn’t reading this 
or if he is - it’s too expensive I need more discount
Denis F:
I guess I’ll be driving a Renault next year
Good luck Denis, hope you’re not keeping it long.
Optidrive 2 (II) is basically a re-mapped version of the original Optidrive they sped up changes added hill start . Alot smoother than the original with better control in reverse tended to be a bit all or nothing not good in tight spaces.
Andy try the 500dxi M8 the extra horse power IMO smoothes the changes out, it is intelligent however so if you have a heavy foot it will change sooner as it gets to know your driving style.
You’ll love the new Cab design, the old was good but the new is fantastic.
PM Sent
DAFMAD:
Denis F:
I guess I’ll be driving a Renault next year
hopefully 5 years
Daf need to get their pricing and reliability issues sorted before I start looking there again
What are you driving at the moment ?
Denis F:
What are you driving at the moment ?
I’m not. No work at present.
DAFMAD:
Denis F:
What are you driving at the moment ?I’m not. No work at present.
ive driven volvo 480 with i shift for last 2 yrs tramping alot of off road work when the going got slippy the tech stuff took over and your going no where was next to useless was running with my mate in my old wagon scania with manual box drove past many a time waving on the road 2hr ish runs cant fault at all however night trunking in it now n sorry but it is totaly boring good but boring no wonder drivers fall asleep at the wheel 56mph cruise control auto done if you like driving i would get a manual but if you like to just go along for the drive cos thats what it feels like once the newness wears off get the auto