Automatic versus manual transmission

L

Lotus1

Member
 Cheshire
Hi folks,

This is my first post - I'm just deciding which Z4 to purchase and have found this forum very informative. :thumbsup:

One thing I haven't managed to find out yet is what people think about the pros and cons of manual versus automatic transmissions. I quite fancy an automatic for a change - any details regarding relative performance/economy figures would be welcome.

Thanks,

Steve
 
It depends if you want to simply "get from A to B" or whether you really want to drive the car. If you really want to drive it you HAVE to get manual. In my mind these cars can be manual or automatic depending on the driver... For example you simply would not have an automatic S2000.

There is a certain satisfaction from getting every gear change right and learning how to get the most of the car that you will never get from an auto. That said, if you are doing a lot of cruising, or likely to be stuck in traffic a lot then there is no comparison.

I'll take the manual thanks! :D

I don't know about the economy side of things really... never been interested in that :evil:
 
Thanks Sp3ctre - I understand the difference and I do like to 'drive' a car. I have an Elise at present...one of the purest sportscars you can buy..I just fancy something different. You obviously know what the British traffic is like so an automatic seems kinda logical. I just wanted to know how much of a performance hit I would be taking - anyone have relative 0-60 times?

Steve
 
I've got a steptronic, so I can shift if I want to, but... It just isn't the same, there's always a delay in the shift, even in sport mode, so if you really like to drive and be in control, i'd get a manual. I like my step for the most part and I'll be doing a 35 mile commute with a lot of stop and go soon over a mountain highway, so i'm glad that i've got the step instead of a real manual.
 
It depends how old a car you are looking to buy really.

The pre-facelift 2003-Feb 2006 was 231bhp with a 5 speed auto, the facelift 2006 onwards has 265bhp and a 6 speed auto. Think the post-facelift times are 5.7 and 5.9 so nothing in it really, and I'm struggling to remember but I'm sure the pe-facelift auto was 6.1 and the manual is definitely 5.9, so again nothing in it.

The final drive in the auto is quite a bit (numerically) higher, so although the torque converter robs a bit of power, you won't notice it as the torque at the wheels will be pretty similar.

My Z4 was manual, but now I have an auto I don't think I would go back, not unless I had another car as a daily driver.
 
Wondermike said:
My Z4 was manual, but now I have an auto I don't think I would go back
Click to expand...

It's ok Wondermike, you're gettin old and we understand that :oldman:
 
so now that he has hairdryers in his car, he's going to start losing his hair???? I'm starting to worry about my own hair. I have a dash mat that accumulates all the hair that i'm losing and the air swirls around the cockpit and the amount is getting a bit worrisome.
 
:lol: auto rocks,even for a young 'un like me !!!! :fuelfire:

The hairdryers do wonders for me first thing in the morning, especially with winter coming up :hairdryer:
 
question ... what made you want a Z4 after you already have an elise? y have 2 cars that are so similar?
 
E85 said:
question ... what made you want a Z4 after you already have an elise? y have 2 cars that are so similar?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I wouldn't say they are all that similar - have you driven an Elise? I'm actually switching from 2 cars to 1 - I'm doing less miles these days so can't justify running 2. The Elise is not practical enough for an everyday car and my Alfa GTV isn't enough fun :P - so they're both going!

Steve
 
Lotus1, Welcome to the forum... :thumbsup:
Yes, drive both as that is what I did and then without hesitation I went with with stick.... :driving:
 
I run with steptronic on the 3.0i. Given our UK traffic it makes it so much more sensible. Coupled to part of the deal on the Z was that my wife wanted to drive it and she loves the steptronic on our X5, so it was a reasobable compromise to be allowed another toy.

OK if it were a pure fun car and no compromise then I'd go manual for the involving experience of the gear changing, holding specific gears on bends, etc.

As an aside in my experience few manuals actually go much better point to point than latter day autos, except in the pure circuit conditions because the drivers are not up to the job. (all board members excepted of course :wink: )
 
BMW: Manual
Merc: Auto

Pretty simple really :D

We had a Merc CLK320 for a while. I'd never have another slush-box. I'd like to try a semi-automated manual, like the Aston one, though.
 
Even though that we have a really bad traffic here in Miami, I wouldn’t change my stick shift for a slush box for anything! :driving:
 
Love the stick....wouldn't want a "sports car" without having the fun part of it which is shifting. Yes, I'm a girl...just for clarification. I have a 2.5 5 speed and love it. However, if I had a commute with a lot of traffic I would get a manual and have to forgo any of the fun that the stick offers.

I use the top air vents to dry my hair in the am's while on my way to work...YAL. Unlike you..I have tons of it. I just turn the ATC way up and bake my top half to get my hair semi dry in my 10 minute commute.

Rosie

:driving:
 
It's suicide on your leg to drive a manual in ATL traffic. I drove a manual in this traffic for a year and I couldn't deal with it any more. So I went with an auto this time. I don't really believe in a performance loss considering I'm not tracking the vehicle. Most people "think" manuals are faster but their not. So minus the sporty feel of driving an the tired left leg. I enjoy driving an auto now. I have three cars though, an they're still manual. So if I'm really missing it I can still switch.
 
Hi Lotus1, I'd like to think I can offer some relevant advice here !, I owned an elise for 18 months then an SLK 320 auto :cry: and now have a 3.0si sport coupe. The merc auto box was a real smooth slush box and never felt like a sports car, however the Z4 box is far superior. I has the choice of a manual or auto z4 coupe and chose the auto without driving one as the 100 mile daily communte in a manual 525d became a chore.

I am very pleased with my decision as in sport mode and with the paddle shifts (which I use 90% of the time) the change can be very snappy and it feels like a good racer ! (albeit not a patch on an audi DSG box). However even in sport mode it still will often give slushy up changes, particularily at the rev limiter, :evil:

Also it is very frustrating on down changes when you are hustling along, I think some of it relates to the very short 1st (30mph) and 2nd (58mph) gears and it will often not use 1st at all in full auto even when stopped, rather it will stay in 2nd and take off in that.

I do miss the ability to feather the clutch on a down change from 3rd but as a daily driver the auto is a must for me, and afte 13,000 miles in 6 months I never tire of the kick down and perfect up shifts ! :driving:
 
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