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Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23608
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
My memories of Autos date from torque converter 3 and 4 speed boxes so I've steered clear of them ever since! And I don't think an Auto would really suit an S54 engine - despite the SMG offered on the E46 M3.
I've never driven anything with a modern Autobox but I'm sure it would be a totally different experience, although giving buyers a choice can only be a good thing.
I've never driven anything with a modern Autobox but I'm sure it would be a totally different experience, although giving buyers a choice can only be a good thing.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14199
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
I remember the Borg Warner three speed box and it was awful
The torque converter box in my 335 and the DCT in my 35is are both an absolute dream. They are both always in the appropriate gear and the charges are lighting fast.
I hear the driving experience and proper gear changes a lot but don’t really understand it - I never heard of anyone objecting to synchromesh
Each to their own and If you like a manual then go for it!
The torque converter box in my 335 and the DCT in my 35is are both an absolute dream. They are both always in the appropriate gear and the charges are lighting fast.
I hear the driving experience and proper gear changes a lot but don’t really understand it - I never heard of anyone objecting to synchromesh
Each to their own and If you like a manual then go for it!
Last edited by ronk on Fri Sep 23, 2022 11:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23608
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
That's probably what my 1978 Granada Ghia had, and it was pretty hopeless!
But my 1980 Mercedes 280e and 1994 C280 weren't much better, although my 1985 Scorpio was better than I expected.
I only bought them because I wanted the cars and manuals were virtually non-existent.
Every other car I have owned has been manual, and my MC and 330i are always in the right gear anyway - because I chose it.
But my 1980 Mercedes 280e and 1994 C280 weren't much better, although my 1985 Scorpio was better than I expected.
I only bought them because I wanted the cars and manuals were virtually non-existent.
Every other car I have owned has been manual, and my MC and 330i are always in the right gear anyway - because I chose it.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14199
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
I don’t think either camp will. be swayed by discussion somehow .
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:04 pm
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:04 pm
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
Just putting it out there. Don’t get me wrong. Driver involvement is a different argument.
https://youtu.be/3fHCkw3FV2c
https://youtu.be/3fHCkw3FV2c
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- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:04 pm
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
The ZF8 gearbox is nothing like a slush box. It’s actually completely different. The way it works is really quite impressive, but it’s the first auto I’ve driven that actually feels like a DCT. In sports and sports plus, it’s super fast on the shifts and while it might be fractionally slower than a dct on the changes, it isn’t really noticeable and is smoother in traffic.Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 23, 2022 10:37 pm My memories of Autos date from torque converter 3 and 4 speed boxes so I've steered clear of them ever since! And I don't think an Auto would really suit an S54 engine - despite the SMG offered on the E46 M3.
I've never driven anything with a modern Autobox but I'm sure it would be a totally different experience, although giving buyers a choice can only be a good thing.
The only advantage of a manual in todays world is small cars and driver involvement. Nothing feels as good as a perfectly timed downshift before a corner.
Performance…..auto wins.
Economy…….auto wins.
Comfort……..auto wins
Plus clutch plates are so expensive on powerful cars and flywheels aren’t cheap either!
- N4LLY
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2020
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:11 pm
- Location: Kent
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
ori wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:45 pm
The only advantage of a manual in todays world is small cars and driver involvement. Nothing feels as good as a perfectly timed downshift before a corner.
This is so true. I have some step hill's round here with some serious corners half way up them. Is a joy to drop a cog as you enter the bend
- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14199
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
If the ZF8 gearbox is fitted to the 335 (I think it is) then I can compare it directly to the DCT fitted to the 35isori wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:45 pm
The ZF8 gearbox is nothing like a slush box. It’s actually completely different. The way it works is really quite impressive, but it’s the first auto I’ve driven that actually feels like a DCT. In sports and sports plus, it’s super fast on the shifts and while it might be fractionally slower than a dct on the changes, it isn’t really noticeable and is smoother in traffic.
I would say the differences are at best minimal.
The TC box will find a forward gear after a neutral Pause much faster than the DCT
Normal gear changes are slightly softer in the TC box which is more comfortable in traffic but switch into sport and both will swap a cog faster than the blink of an eye - every time !
The DCT will give a throttle blip on the way down if in Sport. I dont know about theTC as mine is attached to a Diesel lump.
I don’t intend this to be an argument for or agin an auto box of any kind - purely my observations of the two BMW offerings. However I cannot imagine a time that I will ever contemplate buying a car with a third pedal again..
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23608
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
I know, but Autoboxes don't seem quite as robust and if they go wrong repairs soon get very expensive! But then G29s are all still pretty new.ori wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:45 pm The only advantage of a manual in todays world is small cars and driver involvement. Nothing feels as good as a perfectly timed downshift before a corner.
Performance…..auto wins.
Economy…….auto wins.
Comfort……..auto wins
Plus clutch plates are so expensive on powerful cars and flywheels aren’t cheap either!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14199
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
How many people have you seen who drive along resting their hand on the gearstick, riding the clutch or sitting with the LH pedal depressed at traffic lights?
Misuses are less likely on an auto - no doubt possible but less likely I would think.
Misuses are less likely on an auto - no doubt possible but less likely I would think.
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26155
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
I can only compare the Porsche boxes where the PDK is more expensive to maintain due to the services required, breaks more often than a manual. The top speed is also lower than a manual but that is really irrelevant those few mph.
Having just returned from an Alps run, the enjoyment with the manual box in the hairpins is so good that I would have hated doing the same in the PDK version.
My X5M was not available as a manual, but it is nice for the performance etc but the involvement is virtually non existent. The playing with the pedals and the performance settings is ok for a bit, but you soon stop doing that.
Having just returned from an Alps run, the enjoyment with the manual box in the hairpins is so good that I would have hated doing the same in the PDK version.
My X5M was not available as a manual, but it is nice for the performance etc but the involvement is virtually non existent. The playing with the pedals and the performance settings is ok for a bit, but you soon stop doing that.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14199
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
The first time I drove the 3.0 auto down the Autobahn at 90 / 100 mph it surprised me when I floored if and it dropped down the box - i don’t know how many? - I wouldn’t have done that on a manual box
It confounds the “always in the correct gear argument “
It confounds the “always in the correct gear argument “
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23608
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
When I felt the need for speed in my Coupes I'd often change from 6th to 4th at those sort of speeds - on a private road obviously!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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- Lifer
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- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:27 pm
Would you trade in for a manual M40i...?
I don't think that's the issue though Ronk, it's the fact that with a manual you can be in the wrong or right gear and it doesn't matter, physically using a shift and pedals is the fun. I have to admit as much as I liked my G29 it was just steering, even with paddles, just not enough driver input. I'd happily have another but only if, A, I had a manual M or something for pure fun, or, B, a manual G29.
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29