auto owners.

[firebobby]

I have a 3.0 auto and love it, the power delivery is just smooth and constant. When I want to push on and have fun, I press the mad button and it's an animal. What I like is I don't have to take my hands off the wheel and feel in full control through the twisty bits.
I have plenty of manual vehicles in my fleet, for that gear change fix.
Also, you don't get clutch judder and no DMF woes with an auto

 

[STUBOY2UK]

I had a 54 3:0 auto for 2.5 years before I got my ///M early last year. Absolutely loved it, seamless gear changes and immense power off the line I would even go so far to say it would beat my ///M off the line. If I ever sold the ///M but still wanted a Z4 I wouldn't think twice about getting in one and it would have to be an auto.

I just posted in another thread that this is my favourite thing about the auto. Racing off the line, you're a car's length away before the other person has even started moving

Must say that I find the manual more involving when on a run though.

 

[GuidoK]

Wasn't the zed 4 smg box based on the e36 smg and apposed to the later e46 smg2,

No, the e46m3 has basically the same getrag 420 box as the e36m3. The z4 smg is a redesign. The box is smaller in dimentions and lighter, and the actuator solenoids are moved more to the side for a more compact footprint in the car.

I doubt the e46m3 smg would even fit the z4, as the z4 is obviously smaller than a e36 or e46. The space in the transmission tunnel is limited.
So thats probably the reason of the redesign.
The z4m also doesnt have a gearbox based on the e46 m3 line, but it also uses the z4 (gs6-37) gearbox.

 

[markplant]

Wasn't the zed 4 smg box based on the e36 smg and apposed to the later e46 smg2,

No, the e46m3 has basically the same getrag 420 box as the e36m3. The z4 smg is a redesign. The box is smaller in dimentions and lighter, and the actuator solenoids are moved more to the side for a more compact footprint in the car.

I doubt the e46m3 smg would even fit the z4, as the z4 is obviously smaller than a e36 or e46. The space in the transmission tunnel is limited.
So thats probably the reason of the redesign.
The z4m also doesnt have a gearbox based on the e46 m3 line, but it also uses the z4 (gs6-37) gearbox.

I knew I'd go wrong at some point

 

[Ducklakeview]

I had a 54 3:0 auto for 2.5 years before I got my ///M early last year. Absolutely loved it, seamless gear changes and immense power off the line I would even go so far to say it would beat my ///M off the line. If I ever sold the ///M but still wanted a Z4 I wouldn't think twice about getting in one and it would have to be an auto.

I just posted in another thread that this is my favourite thing about the auto. Racing off the line, you're a car's length away before the other person has even started moving

Must say that I find the manual more involving when on a run though.

Yup, agree with this.. Don't forget, you've also got the torque multiplication effect of the torque converter too when pulling away, so the auto is probably putting a fair bit more through the rears when you hoof it off the line than the manual 3.0. In this respect, I think mine would benefit massively from an LSD.

Mike

 

[ronk]

First E85 was a manual box - changed to an E89 with an Auto box and now onto a DCT 35is - I can't ever see me wanting a manual ever again.

I can't see any advantages of a manual 'box. Perhaps I'm missing something?

I dont intend that this is any criticism of any who love their manual gearbox and admit its a personal choice but my my choice is Auto every time.

 

[Mactran]

Ive had a smg (not a z4) but now have an auto z4. I find the gear changes a lot faster and smoother using the paddles on the auto than the smg. Especially when pulling away. The smg used to take a sec to get into first as when u are in standstill (red lights etc) it drops to neutral only when u engage the the accelerator it changes to first.

 

[Machine monkey]

I have heard a few m owners who had or have a 3.0 auto say the same thing about the feeling of speed of the line feeling similar.

I always said I wouldn't have an auto. But I have done a complete 180 on that and wouldn't have a manual daily car now. Not that I have a daily car. The bus that takes me to work is an auto though

Go try one buddy bet you will like it

Mike get a LSD great mod you will love it.

 

[Wondermike]

...you've also got the torque multiplication effect of the torque converter too when pulling away, so the auto is probably putting a fair bit more through the rears when you hoof it off the line than the manual 3.0. ...

I think I prefer a torque converter 'box over a DCT - especially when moving off the line.

 

[ronk]

The more modern Autos have "launch control" thats a treat I tell you!

 

[Ducklakeview]

...you've also got the torque multiplication effect of the torque converter too when pulling away, so the auto is probably putting a fair bit more through the rears when you hoof it off the line than the manual 3.0. ...

I think I prefer a torque converter 'box over a DCT - especially when moving off the line.

TC boxes are definitely smoother when pulling away, the early DCT's can be a bit jerky, especially when low speed maneuvering, try reverse uphill parking in one! I know the later ones are much better, and the speed at which they swap cogs is something else, especially considering there is no lapse in power whilst they do it.

Having said that, I was out for a drive in a 2008 E63 a few days ago, and again tonight, hence my mention of it, and it has the 7 speed traditional auto, BLOODY HELL, it's fast off the mark, and everywhere else.. (neighbours new toy )

Mike

 

[cj10jeeper]

Well Beedub you know I love the auto and have seen first hand how quick they can be.
Coupled with sports mode and paddle shifts you can have a lot of fun and then for the boring traffic jams just leave it to sort itself out.
Bigger engines work best with performance autos so I'd always suggest a 3.0
Purists will always want a manual as do I which as others have posted as satisfied with other cars

Feel free to swing by anytime to try mine.

 

[NickDE]

I've been driving Auto for about 15 years now due to a dodgy knee, plus swapping between LHD and RHD. I love the auto on my E46, and the one in the E86 is even better still. I appreciate that I can use it in different ways - normal for pottering about :| , sport for being silly , paddles for being very silly .
I'm suprised no one has mentioned kick-down. Any time I feel the need I just press down and BOOM, all hell breaks loose :evil:

 

[Paulr]

I like my 2003 auto 2.5 a lot. Kicks down well and gives a good push in the back, very smooth changes, so much so I often don't notice them.

Makes it juicier though, easier to get mpg into the teens, no flappy paddles but there is the ability to select your gears with the gear selector. Shame there was flappies, I liked them in my Smart Roadster.

 

[Beedub]

Well Beedub you know I love the auto and have seen first hand how quick they can be.
Coupled with sports mode and paddle shifts you can have a lot of fun and then for the boring traffic jams just leave it to sort itself out.
Bigger engines work best with performance autos so I'd always suggest a 3.0
Purists will always want a manual as do I which as others have posted as satisfied with other cars

Feel free to swing by anytime to try mine.

thank you very much... i may well take up that offer!

and yes they auto z4 is fast so quick off the mark... i was genuinely shocked... as said before my off boost z was a sitting duck! no other way of putting it.

if you come across an auto Z and dont take it serious I'm pretty certain they'd drop most things off the line.


how responsive are the paddles and is this an easy retrofit???

 

[Ducklakeview]

how responsive are the paddles and is this an easy retrofit???

And that - Was my next question...

Mike

 

[ronk]

I wouldnt worry about the paddles - i think they're a bit of a toy/gimmick.

 

[NickDE]

how responsive are the paddles and is this an easy retrofit???

I'm very happy with the responsiveness of mine. Remember that compared to manual or SMG you can't get it wrong - if you upshift too late it doesn't matter as the gearbox will step in and protect the engine. You can't over or under rev the engine, I've tried.
Sorry, no idea on retrofit ease.

 

[mattyp]

Due to a breaking my left ankle early in 2016 I had t move to an auto after being steadfastly a manual car owner. Always considered them an old mans car option.

Now though after 7 months with an E86 auto I would only have a manual in a special 2nd car.

The auto as many have said is smooth, and rarely outwitted, changing up and down quickly and smoothly. If I want to press on then the paddles and sport button work really well. I have only occassionally used the tiptronic part of the box, either full auto or paddles covers all situations.
Defo for the auto...

Doesn't stop me considering and lusting after a Z4MC though for weekend hoonery

 

[stevespg]

my daily drives have always been autos 740 , 540 BMW, volvos, audis etc. always bigger 250+ hp engines. soo much easier for bigger daily mileage and traffic.

The weekend toys have always been manuals, with even bigger motors, (400 to 650 HP.) but this time round i decided the weekend toy would be an auto too, as i just decided it was time i took things a little more gently. But in honesty, I'm having a great time with the auto Z. The 3.0si seems to really suit the auto, so easy to drive around in a chilled manner, then sport mode and lots of right foot, and it is fast enough round the twists and if anything, 2 hands on the wheel and paddles makes a different driving style which is quite fun. I've no doubt the engine is having a easier time in an auto too.

an auto might not suit everyone. but i think the auto box in the z, with sport and paddles, is a pretty nice combination