2011 auto box on 3litre

M

mwadZ4

Member
 Norfolk
Hi

I'm considering a 2011 sdrive 30 m sport with an auto box (and flappy paddles). Normally I'd prefer a manual.... So... Is the auto box any good? I know it's a normal auto and not a dct. I presume a 6 speed?
Being auto, is it/does it seem much slower than a manual?

Thanks
Mark
 
I was one of those people that said I'd never get an automatic, you know, a car needs to have 3 peddles etc. That said, I ended up with one when I bought the Zed and I love it. Not to everyone taste, each to their own, but I think it suits the car perfectly as I think the E89 is more of a cruiser than a sports car. (I've come from years of kit car ownership.)
It can feel quite lazy in Normal mode and can be caught out in the wrong gear, then the flappy paddles come to the rescue, but in Sport it feels sharper.

Like I said, I think it's great but you have to decide whether it's for you.
 
I own and drive a 2010 s30i with this same auto as used in 2011 (my understanding). I believe they changed to an 8speed auto for 2012.

I do not find mine to be slower than a manual, actually I think speed is pretty much a wash between the auto and manual, yet many feel disconnected from the car when they drive auto. That's understandable but speed often is not their issue.

If you prefer a manual, find a manual car. * While I love my n52/auto, I often wish I'd followed advice to instead get the n54- 35i/35iS (but still with auto or DCT).

The s30i you mention will probably be a great car, but look further,and find exactly the car you want- if you want a manual. The manual modes with this tranny are great, but not like a 3 pedal manual- if that's any help. I now prefer an automatic much more percentage of time over having a manual. The gain beats the loss (to me).

I ALWAYS preferred manual trannies before. I like my automatics now. YMMV
 
I've got a 2010 - 3.0l Auto and wouldn't swap it for a manual! I feel that mine is always in the correct gear and never fluffs a change - in 'sport' the changes are much sharper.
As for the paddles - I rarely use them - I think they are a bit of a gimmick because if tootling along in top gear then using kick down, it swaps to the lowest gear and off you go, whereas using the paddles, it's flap flap flap to drop down thro the 'box.
 
This is the first auto car I've ever owned, really enjoying it, you have different options in sport or sport+ it changes a lot quicker or you can select manual and change using the paddles. In traffic it's a pleasure
 
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