 | |
Z4 automatic vs. stick
BMW BMW General Discussions (alt.autos.bmw)
 |
| | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#21
 
| |||
| |||
|
Re: Z4 automatic vs. stick -
11-23-2006
, 05:21 AM
|
Eisboch wrote: You can also shift "manually" with the BMW Steptronic (or whatever they call it) but I was very impressed with the auto/sports mode. BTW ... this is an '06 model. I don't know about earlier years. Eisboch I have the step-tronic in my 740 and it makes the car a totally different animal so if you can get one with the manual option I'd recommend it. I often use it to lock the car in gear on twisty roads etc so it's not running away or doesn't kick down on a corner. I have the regular torque converter and I'm sure one with a lower stall speed (like in the sport model) would reduce the slushiness feel. Mine has the adaptive box and it's alright but it takes a while to learn. I'd prefer a manual override other than the full sports mode. |
Obviously, both had the Steptronic automatic transmission with the "manual"
shifting capability and both had a "sports" mode that modified the shift
points and suspension dampening settings. They worked, but neither of these
sport modes had the same effect of the sports mode in the Z4si. Using
sports mode in it has a much more pronounced effect and makes it feel like a
true sports car. It doesn't simply modify the shift points ... it will hold
the car in the appropriate gear to maximize engine RPM in the power curve
and maximize responsiveness for a given speed. You can do the same thing
with the manual shifting setting, but I found the automatic mode (in sports
mode) to be very effective and fun.
Eisboch
#22
| |||
| |||
|
|
I agree. Until BMW join the 21st century and use a twin clutch SMG the rough changes when in auto mode just ain't acceptable. It's one thing having 'punchy' changes when enjoying a country road, but not when trickling through traffic. You must be driving a different SMG than I am. I can choose the 'roughness' of the shifts. 1-2 means smooth. |
isn't in the same class, smoothness wise. And I've driven a recent M5.
--
*Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? *
Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
#23
| |||
| |||
|
|
Have you any experience of decent autos? Not being funny, but the SMG isn't in the same class, smoothness wise. And I've driven a recent M5. |
Shifting manually with the SMG III takes some getting used to but in S5 and
S6 modes, it is very smooth and fast.
I recently found out that you can re-calibrate the amount of clutch slip in
the M5 (or M6) with the SMG. You drive at least 20 mph ... put the
gearshift in neutral so you are coasting and pull up on both paddle
shifters. This procedure is recommended whenever you change tires also.
Eisboch
#24
| |||
| |||
|
|
In article <Pl69h.16552$lD6.5 (AT) tornado (DOT) tampabay.rr.com>, Tom Scales <tjscales (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote: I agree. Until BMW join the 21st century and use a twin clutch SMG the rough changes when in auto mode just ain't acceptable. It's one thing having 'punchy' changes when enjoying a country road, but not when trickling through traffic. You must be driving a different SMG than I am. I can choose the 'roughness' of the shifts. 1-2 means smooth. Have you any experience of decent autos? Not being funny, but the SMG isn't in the same class, smoothness wise. And I've driven a recent M5. |
You want it to be as smooth as an automatic? Then buy an automatic.
That's not what it is.
And yes, I've experienced a decent automatic. The one in my 540 isn't bad
#25
| |||
| |||
|
|
"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote in message news:4e89f644a2dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk... In article <Za39h.2125$sf5.870 (AT) newsread4 (DOT) news.pas.earthlink.net>, grinder <seagle (AT) earthlink (DOT) invalid> wrote: The M3 would be too much money for a weekend car. And I am kind of old school. Automatic or manual. The SMG may be nice but I prefer tried and true technology. I agree. Until BMW join the 21st century and use a twin clutch SMG the rough changes when in auto mode just ain't acceptable. It's one thing having 'punchy' changes when enjoying a country road, but not when trickling through traffic. -- *A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory * Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. You must be driving a different SMG than I am. I can choose the 'roughness' of the shifts. 1-2 means smooth. 4-6 means fun. Tom My Z4 did have a different SMG - There were no options other than the |
#26
| |||
| |||
|
|
Have you any experience of decent autos? Not being funny, but the SMG isn't in the same class, smoothness wise. And I've driven a recent M5. |
Quote:
|
You want it to be as smooth as an automatic? In auto mode, yes. Different when doing the selection yourself and in a |
when they adopt a twin clutch SMG shortly.
Quote:
|
Then buy an automatic. That's not what it is. |
an auto. There is no argument possible about that. An auto isn't defined
by the presence of a torque convertor.
--
*With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.*
Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
#27
| |||
| |||
|
|
In article <42i9h.10057$y92.7015 (AT) tornado (DOT) tampabay.rr.com>, Tom Scales <tjscales (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote: Have you any experience of decent autos? Not being funny, but the SMG isn't in the same class, smoothness wise. And I've driven a recent M5. You want it to be as smooth as an automatic? In auto mode, yes. Different when doing the selection yourself and in a hurry. The two aren't mutually exclusive - Audi manage it. As will BMW when they adopt a twin clutch SMG shortly. Then buy an automatic. That's not what it is. If it can change gear without any action on the part of the driver, it's an auto. There is no argument possible about that. An auto isn't defined by the presence of a torque convertor. |
#28
| |||
| |||
|
|
You must be driving a different SMG than I am. |
less robust version of the SMG used in the M-class cars.
epbrown
--
"Everybody wants a normal life and a cool car;
most people will settle for the car." Chris Titus
2003 BMW 325i Black/Black, 2003 BMW Z4 Black/Black
#29
| |||
| |||
|
|
If it can change gear without any action on the part of the driver, it's an auto. There is no argument possible about that. An auto isn't defined by the presence of a torque convertor. |
offer three different transmission types for the Z4?
Manual
Automatic
SMG
Eisboch
#30
| |||
| |||
|
|
If it can change gear without any action on the part of the driver, it's an auto. There is no argument possible about that. An auto isn't defined by the presence of a torque convertor. Dave, you can take that position if you like, but why does BMW (and others) offer three different transmission types for the Z4? |
auto. Nor does it give the same driving satisfaction as a true manual.
Things may change, though. If you require a 'clutchless' change with total
control over the gears, both automated synchromesh boxes and torque
convertor autos are improving all the time. I'd not take a bet which will
win - although my money says the TC auto since it's intrinsically more
reliable.
--
*Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
|
« Previous Thread
|
Next Thread »
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
| Display Modes | |
Linear Mode
| |
Powered by vBulletin Version 3.5.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.