auto owners.

Ducklakeview said:
Beedub said:
how responsive are the paddles and is this an easy retrofit???
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And that - Was my next question...

Mike
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I actually retrofitted them in mine. Easy enough once I worked out how the auto box shift worked. 2 wires a new slip ring and wheel with paddles.

In sport mode the change is instant and a lot of fun but in reality most of the time I press the sport button and leave the box alone. It holds gears longer and shifts down sooner and quicker.
 
If I had to replace my manual with another zed now I would consider an auto, I do like the involvement of a manual but sometimes the ease of an auto definitely appeals. If it was a daily I would probably go auto but the difference in fuel economy (especially for a daily) puts me off somewhat. Around town my 05 3.0i manual gets about 30mpg rising to 36 or so on a weekend/week away. How do similar vintage autos fair in this respect?

The whole auto/manual debate has changed over the years and 25 years ago when I started driving I definitely wouldn't have gone auto (even if I was old like I am now!) due to the drawbacks/limitations of the auto boxes back then. More modern boxes, particularly Merc/Bmw ones are light years ahead of things back then. I recently drove a multitude of different 1/2 series cars (petrol/diesel/manual/auto) as the missus was looking to buy one. Honestly the auto box was brilliant and it left me questioning the need for the DCT box used in the M2 etc. I remember back in circa 2004 when one of the first of these dual clutch boxes arrived in the Audi TT. I loved it and it was a much better proposition than their auto box of the time. Now with the latest breed of autos I'm struggling to see a future for DCT etc.
 
I have a 54 3.0 auto. Love driving mine on twisty country roads where you accelerate hard from 30 to 70. I just pop it in manual and flick between 2nd and 3rd, it's always on the power.

The only downside is can think of in my car and it maybe because I need the vanos seals changing but lack of torque on a motorway when you want to get from 60 to 80. Fifth seems too high to do it quickly so sometimes a down change to forth is needed.

Apart from that I love it. In full auto it is always I the right gear and I am never left waiting for it to change down or feel that it's in too low a gear.

As others have said getting off the line is awesome. Absolutely perfect at roundabouts.
 
Over 8500 miles my worst was 24.74mpg over a whole tank and my best was 34.4mpg over a whole tank. Average over all is 30.16mpg.

I live in a rural area and drive mostly A and B roads. Rarely go into towns or cities.
 
MACK said:
If I had to replace my manual with another zed now I would consider an auto, I do like the involvement of a manual but sometimes the ease of an auto definitely appeals. If it was a daily I would probably go auto but the difference in fuel economy (especially for a daily) puts me off somewhat. Around town my 05 3.0i manual gets about 30mpg rising to 36 or so on a weekend/week away. How do similar vintage autos fair in this respect?

The whole auto/manual debate has changed over the years and 25 years ago when I started driving I definitely wouldn't have gone auto (even if I was old like I am now!) due to the drawbacks/limitations of the auto boxes back then. More modern boxes, particularly Merc/Bmw ones are light years ahead of things back then. I recently drove a multitude of different 1/2 series cars (petrol/diesel/manual/auto) as the missus was looking to buy one. Honestly the auto box was brilliant and it left me questioning the need for the DCT box used in the M2 etc. I remember back in circa 2004 when one of the first of these dual clutch boxes arrived in the Audi TT. I loved it and it was a much better proposition than their auto box of the time. Now with the latest breed of autos I'm struggling to see a future for DCT etc.
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30 & 36 mpg??? I wish... I'm happy with the 20 odd I get, for the fun I have in dragging it down from your levels :)

Mike
 
That's kinda of my point. I get about 30mpg and I'm not exactly hanging around. It has always surprised me how well the zed does when compared to the missus old e46 330i cab which was also a manual. That used to get around 22mpg and 23mpg once I'd replaced the vanos seals. I know the zeds a fair chunk lighter but even so I wasn't expecting 7mpg for similar driving
 
The facelift 3.0Si Sport auto has the paddles already. Not sure if the smaller engines do, or if it's related to SE/Sport designation.

I loved mine. Floor it and the gear changes are pretty much seamless, it pulls like a train - relentless. Lots of options as said around how you use it. I actually used the manual stick shift more than the paddles when on a hoon. I love the M and wouldn't swap back, but I do use it for 'ordinary' driving a lot and I definitely miss the ease of the auto in heavy traffic. I had no issues with mine at all from 56k to 96k miles.
 
owning both an auto and a manual for me there is no choice, i would pick the auto any day

in reality i never use the paddles, if i am feeling enthusiastic i just stick the sports but on a welly it, it flies like s**t and so much smoother than the manual, auto will never miss a gear
 
I have had an E85 3.0 manual and currently own a 3.0 smg. The smg took a while to get used to driving but I do enjoy using it I drive it using the paddles but the wife always drives it in auto mode.
 
Mactran said:
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.
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That's strange my smg never drops into neutral unless I select it
 
the idea of having one alongside my z4m is too alluring...

think I'm going to start looking properly..... think ill be looking for a coupe however.... so i literally have both ends of the spectrum...
i want low miles, 3.0, low owner count if possible as this one will be used and kept, HAS to be auto... this sounds expensive.
 
MACK said:
How do similar vintage autos fair in this respect?
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My 1988 E30 325i Convertible Auto can do 28mpg on long motorway runs. Round town probably a lot worse but i never check as I didn't buy it for it's economy.
My 2000 E46 328i Touring Auto manages 30ish on long runs, 20-25 in town traffic. Is an E46 vintage yet ?
My E86 Auto does high 20s in the same town traffic.
 
Wow some of you guys must be booting yours cars most of the time as I can get low 40mpg on a run
 
My 3.0 si is auto and I really really like it!

For the daily grind I just stick it in drive and I don't have to worry it really is super smooth

On a hoon I have the flappy paddles which maybe not as fast to change gear as a more modern dual clutch setup are still faster than doing it manually and are very satisfying to use
 
Ducklakeview said:
firebobby said:
Wow some of you guys must be booting yours cars most of the time as I can get low 40mpg on a run
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I like to erm, take advantage of the power lol..

Mike
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I know what you mean, but these can be very frugal too :rofl: :thumbsup:
 
I didn't buy mine for the econonomy either - but its nice to know that you can stretch a cupful of petrol when miles from home and running low!
 
Ducklakeview said:
firebobby said:
Wow some of you guys must be booting yours cars most of the time as I can get low 40mpg on a run
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I like to erm, take advantage of the power lol..

Mike
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You sure yours is running right, or don't have a major fuel leak? :poke: :rofl:
 
Would consider DCT or ZF-8 for an auto car only really. My C63's 'MCT' is fine when going for it, but not that fast to respond for downshifts. Works great around town though.

There is one exception i'd put up with.. V12 Vantage S.
 
jabber said:
Mactran said:
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.
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That's strange my smg never drops into neutral unless I select it
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Well it says its in 1 but if i let go of the brake it will roll backwards if on a hill. So i guess technically it was in 1 with the clutch down.
 
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