E89 35i M Sport Manual

[R60BBA]

There’s 3 ‘modes’ with my 8 speed ZF Box, I’d think the DCT is the same but then they each behave differently depending on Comfort / Sport / Sport + modes.

I’ll happily explain each of the differences but basically, shifter pushed left, manual mode engaged by pulling a paddle or pushing / pulling the shifter forwards / backwards and in Sport + mode the car will not change up for you. It will sit on the rev limiter. It will change down to second if you’re below 15mph ish and first when you stop.

In manual and Sports mode it will only change up at max revs.

There’s 3 adjustable parts to the way the car changes gear.

1) Gear lever
2) Comfort / Sport / Sport + button
3) Use of paddles

This is my first auto, I’m completely converted. Engaging when wanted, cruise when not. Perfect.
Cliche but it’s definitely like having 2 cars.

Once you know what mode to use you will love it.

Cheers for the in-depth explanation.

I like to be open-minded and so I will give one a try. But my current preference for a sports car is still manual.

[SteveSmith]

There’s 3 ‘modes’ with my 8 speed ZF Box, I’d think the DCT is the same but then they each behave differently depending on Comfort / Sport / Sport + modes.

I’ll happily explain each of the differences but basically, shifter pushed left, manual mode engaged by pulling a paddle or pushing / pulling the shifter forwards / backwards and in Sport + mode the car will not change up for you. It will sit on the rev limiter. It will change down to second if you’re below 15mph ish and first when you stop.

In manual and Sports mode it will only change up at max revs.

There’s 3 adjustable parts to the way the car changes gear.

1) Gear lever
2) Comfort / Sport / Sport + button
3) Use of paddles

This is my first auto, I’m completely converted. Engaging when wanted, cruise when not. Perfect.
Cliche but it’s definitely like having 2 cars.

Once you know what mode to use you will love it.

Cheers for the in-depth explanation.

I like to be open-minded and so I will give one a try. But my current preference for a sports car is still manual.

I wouldn’t of thought in my wildest dreams I’d own a 28i auto it started off on a whim, local dealer, great spec, I just went for a look. Turned out it was a little cracker! Engine is fantastic and the ‘box suits the car so well.

Now it’s mapped it’s great fun.

I’m not sure how the chassis deals with 400bhp, down a country road mine feel skittish!

Good luck!

[tomscott]

Have to say when I test drove a 35i it was a DCT and thought it was a fabulous gear box.

In comfort mode it will do exactly that keep the revs low and be a little less ferocious. In sport plus it almost read my mind and sport plus is full manual control really enjoyed it. Infact I think its almost as good as the Porsche PDK. On the other hand after 2500 miles round Europe in the 911 I would have taken the manual all day long so much more fun regardless of how good it is. But for everyday the PDK is the best of both worlds.

I can understand the want for a manual but the gearbox in the E89 isnt the best on earth wasn't overly impressed compared to the DCT it just seems to fit the character of the E89. Its heavy and not the most engaging car to drive on earth. Saying that the manual is better than in the Z4M, although again that gearbox suits the car but it takes so long to warm up it can be a real pig for the first few miles. Once it warms up its very nice indeed but much prefer the manual in the Porche its like a well oiled rifle very satisfying.

[john-e89]

The biggest killer of my test drive of the 35is with DCT was that it decided to shift for me on roundabouts at the most inconvenient times leaving the car "dead" in third gear, even though I had manually selected 2nd on entry of the roundabout. It kept doing that as well in bends when slowing down that it would just go to fourth / fifth gear even though I wanted to keep it in third.

Others have said that they don't get that situation, but it drove me mad enough on a test drive that I never wanted the car.

They don’t stay in manual unless you’ve shifted the lever to the left Paul, you can briefly use it as a manual without shifting it but as you found it’ll quickly shift back itself back to auto if you don’t use the paddles or lever quickly enough.

[R60BBA]

The biggest killer of my test drive of the 35is with DCT was that it decided to shift for me on roundabouts at the most inconvenient times leaving the car "dead" in third gear, even though I had manually selected 2nd on entry of the roundabout. It kept doing that as well in bends when slowing down that it would just go to fourth / fifth gear even though I wanted to keep it in third.

Others have said that they don't get that situation, but it drove me mad enough on a test drive that I never wanted the car.

They don’t stay in manual unless you’ve shifted the lever to the left Paul, you can briefly use it as a manual without shifting it but as you found it’ll quickly shift back itself back to auto if you don’t use the paddles or lever quickly enough.

As someone who’s owned both an E85 si and an E89 35is, which do you think is the better car (in a nutshell if possible)

[john-e89]

The biggest killer of my test drive of the 35is with DCT was that it decided to shift for me on roundabouts at the most inconvenient times leaving the car "dead" in third gear, even though I had manually selected 2nd on entry of the roundabout. It kept doing that as well in bends when slowing down that it would just go to fourth / fifth gear even though I wanted to keep it in third.

Others have said that they don't get that situation, but it drove me mad enough on a test drive that I never wanted the car.

They don’t stay in manual unless you’ve shifted the lever to the left Paul, you can briefly use it as a manual without shifting it but as you found it’ll quickly shift back itself back to auto if you don’t use the paddles or lever quickly enough.

As someone who’s owned both an E85 si and an E89 35is, which do you think is the better car (in a nutshell if possible)

Ah...you’ve noticed I ramble....

Very different cars, very hard to compare. If you mean E85 auto then the 35is is a big step up in every department bar the looks, which is always subjective. So much more smooth power, DCT is awesome, adaptive suspension, much better interior, no sticky steering problems etc.

If you mean a manual E85, all the above except you have the pleasure of changing gear yourself.

The manual E85 Si remains one of my favourite Zeds, good power, good handling, a fun car and not costly to run.

If you don’t mind an automated manual and have the funds a 35is is an awesome small GT car, but it ain’t a sports car.

[mr wilks]

You can bat the manual V DCT ball back & forth as long as you like , they can never be all things to every owner & are by definition totally different driving & ownership experiences .
Its probably better if considering a step into a E89 to factor what style of miles you cover & what you really ask of the car .
For me i was switching directly from a full on , hands / brain required experience of a ZMR , all miles covered being pleasure ones so zero town / commute . I wanted the involvement , ive had enough DSGs , autos , manuals to work out whether i wanted to be the one moving gears up / down or allow a cars ECU to decide .
As for the Si to E89 or Si to twin turbo 89 , there is no YES NO answer , two totally different drives , cabins & cars , they might share the "Z4" badging but any other similarity or connection ends there

[Nick9one1]

The biggest killer of my test drive of the 35is with DCT was that it decided to shift for me on roundabouts at the most inconvenient times leaving the car "dead" in third gear, even though I had manually selected 2nd on entry of the roundabout. It kept doing that as well in bends when slowing down that it would just go to fourth / fifth gear even though I wanted to keep it in third.

Others have said that they don't get that situation, but it drove me mad enough on a test drive that I never wanted the car.

Yes this is exactly what I mean!

I've noticed the same on my DCT35i, but realised its actually by design.

If you're in 'D' and manually downshift, the car will drop back into auto once you start cruising again (or take too long to accelerate).
If you're in 'S' this isn't the case. The car will remain in the gear you manually selected until the redline.

[ronk]

DCT - love it and would not go back to a manual!

The Dct is a step change from a torque converter Auto and as for “engaging” - does that mean being in the wrong gear at times or missing a cog ? The Dct never does that.

[R60BBA]

DCT - love it and would not go back to a manual!

The Dct is a step change from a torque converter Auto and as for “engaging” - does that mean being in the wrong gear at times or missing a cog ? The Dct never does that.

Engaging can be explained by answering the below question.

Does a perfect shift feel better in a manual or a DSG?

[ronk]

Changing gear is a necessity - it just needs to be done but does it feel better I would say better with a DSG because while the man with his stick is fumbling about, the DSG has changed gear without a pause in acceleration - it does that every time and never misses or fluffs a change. . But I do understand what you mean

[Pbondar]

Changing gear is a necessity - it just needs to be done but does it feel better I would say better with a DSG because while the man with his stick is fumbling about, the DSG has changed gear without a pause in acceleration - it does that every time and never misses or fluffs a change. . But I do understand what you mean

I find on my remapped 2.0 that it goes through the gears so fast that I need both hands on the steering wheel on a twisty road to keep on top of the driving so very grateful the box does it’s thing...

I detested with a passion the old auto boxes that never seemed to be in the right gear ever..the ZF has its quirks but once you know them and how the engine interacts with it I would never go back to a manual..

The ZF to me gives you the best of both worlds...

However as they say maybe it’s an age thing..

[R60BBA]

An age thing? Mate I just turned 24

[R60BBA]

Changing gear is a necessity - it just needs to be done but does it feel better I would say better with a DSG because while the man with his stick is fumbling about, the DSG has changed gear without a pause in acceleration - it does that every time and never misses or fluffs a change. . But I do understand what you mean

I find on my remapped 2.0 that it goes through the gears so fast that I need both hands on the steering wheel on a twisty road to keep on top of the driving so very grateful the box does it’s thing...

I detested with a passion the old auto boxes that never seemed to be in the right gear ever..the ZF has its quirks but once you know them and how the engine interacts with it I would never go back to a manual..

The ZF to me gives you the best of both worlds...

However as they say maybe it’s an age thing..

Also no offence but 280bhp isn’t ‘crazy numbers’ and I believe it is relatively easy to manage that kind of power with a manual box.

However with a 6/700bhp M5, I think a DSG box would be mandatory in order to put the power down and handle the car at the limit.

[ronk]

There’ll be peace in the Middle East before there’s a conclusion to the manual v auto issue!!