Automatic Trans.

L

Liquidcell

Member
Is it a logical/style/fashion crime to drive an automatic Z4 (If they only love the style w/ no intentions of racing)? Thoughts? :|
 
nope, my z4 coupe is an auto and i bought it with the intention of cruising rather than racing

my last z4 roadster was a manual and i hated it in stop/ start traffic and finding the balance when moving off from the hill was also a bit of a pain. an auto is just as quick, if not quicker as it takes away any manual mis-shifting
 
I agree- depedns what your doing- for traffic or leisurely cruise auto is great! In any case just get what YOU want and enjoy yourself- doesnt matter what others do!
 
I deliberately went for an auto on my Coupe. As the car is my everyday driver it was an essential factor for me when searching for the car. I can leave it in auto for the communte to work and then stick it in sports mode and use the flappy paddles for the more spirited sunny drive home :driving:

If I was buying the car as a weekend "toy" for hoons and trackdays then I would go for a manual everytime. But by the same reckoning I wouldn't have bought a Z4 for that purpose.
 
A Z4 isn't a racing car nor overly quick so for enjoyment of driving either would suffice - mine's an Auto and I find it fine..... Esp in traffic.
 
dave_5150 said:
I deliberately went for an auto on my Coupe. As the car is my everyday driver it was an essential factor for me when searching for the car. I can leave it in auto for the communte to work and then stick it in sports mode and use the flappy paddles for the more spirited sunny drive home :driving:

If I was buying the car as a weekend "toy" for hoons and trackdays then I would go for a manual everytime. But by the same reckoning I wouldn't have bought a Z4 for that purpose.
Click to expand...

^^^^ this, except i would have bought an ///M if it was a 'toy'. I have an auto and love it. To get the most out of it though you need to practice with different styles of driving and shifting
 
Psy said:
Auto for cruising, flappy paddles for noisy fun time. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, see I am beginning to love the stick for shifting for some reason...
 
My Zed's a manual, but I've driven some automatic sports cars, and they can be driven in a very dynamic manner (although there is a bit of lag with the hydrokinetic tranny). It just needs adapting to another mode, but the fun is almost the same once you've mastered it. The Zed is a bit of a luxury gentleman's car, it has a certain panache, so I think the auto would suit it. It's also easier on the engine. Just have a test drive.
 
I do like to think I have panache and am quite the gentleman, especially on glorious days like today :lol:
 
For me, there's a mechanical connectedness that can only be achieved via traditional clutch and old fashioned gear-shift. Nothing about driving is more thrilling to me than the perfect corner entry. Staying on throttle till the last possible moment, then stabbing the brake while blipping the throttle to achieve a perfect, smooth rev-matched downshift. All perfectly timed to be off the pedals just as turn-in begins. :thumbsup: Then flying around the curve towards the perfectly picked apex, then ... well, no doubt everyone gets this part.

If you don't get that and think shifting is just a bother, then you need an auto box. Forget style and fashion. Which ever gives you the most enjoyment of your car. To hell with what anyone else thinks. :evil:

@Bing, Pfft with your glorious day. Don't want to hear it. It's freakin' snowing here! :thumbsdown:
 
mines a daily driver and i regularly sit in traffic. i have no problems changing gears all the time. it makes the journey more interesting. it's also much more manly than sitting there like a sissy letting the car do everything for you.
 
Sissy ?
Now Now Ben G ... Play nice.
I can't speak for the footballers on here..
But North American Footballers don't age well.
And sometime around their late 40's, for sure by their late 50's,
There occurs a realization of the perils of their misspent youth.
Arthritic knees and ankles ?

Nope ..

SWMBO is what Im talking about !
And I understand that many here are cognizant of that unstoppable force that draws us towards an earlier grave.
Statistics don't lie !!!

So if you prefer a standard, but are influenced to consider a slush box ...
How many of us would deny ourselves some pleasure for none ?
You got that right !
Domestic bliss is one of those destinations that starts out amazingly simple
and somehow evolves into being extremely elusive.
The Ol' Timers here will completely understand ..
Youngsters will be scratching their heads in bewilderment ...
Enjoy yourself it's later than you think !

Cheers
Bumpy
 
Having had knee surgery (rugby, not football related) in my 'later' years, I can appreciate the benefits of an auto box. And for any other car than the zed, it would be a consideration. However, the zed was bought as a fun car, and whilst I still have movement in whatever remains of the join, I will always choose stick/manual over auto. As has been pointed out before, it just makes me feel far more connected with the car, when you hit the sweet spots, when you drop from 6th to 4th to shoot past someone (yes, I know auto-boxes have kick downs but its not the same)..... it just adds to the overall grin factor.

So to answer OP question, IMO, no, it isn't a crime/fashion faux pas etc., its all about what floats your boat.
 
Bumpy said:
Sissy ?
Now Now Ben G ... Play nice.
I can't speak for the footballers on here..
But North American Footballers don't age well.
And sometime around their late 40's, for sure by their late 50's,
There occurs a realization of the perils of their misspent youth.
Arthritic knees and ankles ?

Nope ..

SWMBO is what Im talking about !
And I understand that many here are cognizant of that unstoppable force that draws us towards an earlier grave.
Statistics don't lie !!!

So if you prefer a standard, but are influenced to consider a slush box ...
How many of us would deny ourselves some pleasure for none ?
You got that right !
Domestic bliss is one of those destinations that starts out amazingly simple
and somehow evolves into being extremely elusive.
The Ol' Timers here will completely understand ..
Youngsters will be scratching their heads in bewilderment ...
Enjoy yourself it's later than you think !

Cheers
Bumpy
Click to expand...

SWMBO has her own car. a painfully slow 2011 1.25 fiesta. i wouldn't let her near the Z4 after what she did when i let her drive my focus st :lol:
 
Ben ...
You are one of the lucky ones.
Although you had to sacrifice a Focus ST to arrive at that blessed state.
You have the upper ground when it comes to guilting !
Real Men will always look up to you !

My 3.0si has the Sport Package with the automatic tranny.
I chose it cause I was unsure about my clutch foot.
I know about the zen state achieved with the standard.
I learned on an 850 Morris Mini,
so I've heard about the 'sweet spot'.

I am still getting to know my Z.
But I thoroughly enjoy having 3 ways to shift it.
Add in the Sport button and it ramps up the grins, and lowers the mpg.
(Worth every drop of petrol I must say)
Have never felt such behaviour and luxury was a slight to what's left of my manhood.
You gotta treat yourself !!!

Cheers
Bumpy
 
My other car is a tiptronic (auto) and I've suffered the ridicule (more banter really :D) of other forum members but wouldn't change it for the world (it's my backup for when my knees give up).

My Zm is a manual and it's a blast.

I can see both sides of the manual v auto argument.

All I can say is buy what you prefer and don't let anyone sway you otherwise.
 
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