[HELP NEEDED] 3.0si manual vs tiptronic

A

alexstr

Member
Hello forum,

I am considering in buying a 2006-2008 3.0si but it's very hard to find one with a manual gearbox. What are your experiences with the tiptronic gearboxes? I want a manual because i like to doubleclutch when downshifting and i feel that a manual gearbox offers more control over the car.

I also want a fast top because I have read that they are more rigid and stable that the convertable version.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex
 
Think you have probably answered your own question there, if you like the feel of a manual then why consider an auto. I personally would always go for a manual especially in a sports car but I am biased as ive never driven an auto z4, I just dont like an auto box in anything ive ever driven. Im sure there will be somebody along who has driven both who will share their opinion on the two variants.
 
I would go for manual.

I would not have a coupe :poke:

Softtop is fantastic driving experience IMO with ample torsional rigidity
 
No doubt the coupé is has a more rigid body than the roadster but the roadster is already exceptionally stiff. Unlike most soft tops the roadster came 1st and isn't just a tin top left all floppy after having had its roof cut off. I doubt you would notice any difference unless you are planning on pushing to the limit on the track in which case I doubt you'd be asking the Auto question!

I'd buy a Coupe if I wanted to keep it for long enough for it to become an appreciating classic, if I was only influenced by looks or I had already owned a string of drop tops and only had the roof down once every 2 years. On the basis of overall driving pleasure I'd go for the ragtop. Nothing beats getting the roof down! :thumbsup:

Gearbox wise, If you want an Auto get a 330i conv and cruise around. The Z4 should be manual and hooned everywhere! :thumbsup:
 
i have the auto coupe

the auto box is very good, its very smooth and probably changes gears faster than your average manual box driver can do

the coupe is far more a coleectors car than the ragtop, and far better looking, the ragtop owners are just not man enough to admit it :P
 
I would go for one of each (a manual and an auto) :oops:

Manual feels faster and more involving, but so marginal, and I manage to keep up with most things in the auto, especially with sport mode engaged and using the flappy paddles :)
 
Nobody can advise sensibly on the gearbox. It's a personal and emotive issue. I drive an auto with paddle shifts and love it.

That said it seems you have already stated you want a manual so get one, rahter than a compromise you won't like...
 
Hello,

Thank you all for the replies.

I have another question on the soft top: Is it hard to take care of it? Does it require special treatment in the winter or in rainy seasons? How much is a hardtop and is it worth changing the soft top with a hardtop in the winter? Is it colder in the car in the winter compared to the hardtop or fast top?

I don't know how much effort is involved in taking care of the soft top, that's another reason why i steered away from it.

Best regards,
Alex
 
Lol , I bought an auto once as it was the right car spec, first and last, I sold it on within 6-8 weeks as I could not get used it.

I just love the feel of a manual so my lesson was not to buy an auto again. This is of course IMO but I had a little niggle about buying an auto but thought it would be ok as the car was otherwise perfect, should of followed my head on this one.

Either way best of luck :thumbsup: .. :driving:
 
Auto for me for now, and the Z4 box is very nice - I do lots of motorway / M25 miles, stop/start driving so easy on my short legs. When you fancy a hoon, stick it in sport, floor it and use the paddles - great fun :evil:

Soft top cleaning - loads on here about this, not done it yet myself but think consensus is to use a proper cleaner and treatment 3 or 4 times a year, and simply wash with water and a cloth every other wash or as dirt requires. Not really a great hassle. Hard tops are apparently a good choice if you can afford one (recent ones going for about £900 on here) ; temperature is irrelevant with heated seats which are a must-have on a roadster.

:thumbsup: Hope that helps - both are a personal taste choice, so make sure you drive both and buy what you love most.
 
alexstr said:
Hello forum,

I am considering in buying a 2006-2008 3.0si but it's very hard to find one with a manual gearbox. What are your experiences with the tiptronic gearboxes? I want a manual because i like to doubleclutch when downshifting and i feel that a manual gearbox offers more control over the car.

I also want a fast top because I have read that they are more rigid and stable that the convertable version.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough double clutch is not necessary on modern cars, revmatch is sufficient.

Me personally, I'd only get an auto for my daily. If this is your daily, then it's a tough call but I'd still probably go the manual route. These cars are all about the driver experience, connection to car/road, etc - none of which can be emulated with an auto - my humble opinion.

Coupe vs Roady, been beaten to death, different strokes for different folks. I like the aggressive lines of the coupe, and (at least in the states) how rare they are. Roady's are awesome if you live in an area that allows you to drive top down for more than half the year. Why not get the best of both - roady and purchase the oem hard top? Those look fantastic...
 
Dubbedown said:
alexstr said:
Hello forum,

I am considering in buying a 2006-2008 3.0si but it's very hard to find one with a manual gearbox. What are your experiences with the tiptronic gearboxes? I want a manual because i like to doubleclutch when downshifting and i feel that a manual gearbox offers more control over the car.

I also want a fast top because I have read that they are more rigid and stable that the convertable version.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough double clutch is not necessary on modern cars, revmatch is sufficient.

Me personally, I'd only get an auto for my daily. If this is your daily, then it's a tough call but I'd still probably go the manual route. These cars are all about the driver experience, connection to car/road, etc - none of which can be emulated with an auto - my humble opinion.

Coupe vs Roady, been beaten to death, different strokes for different folks. I like the aggressive lines of the coupe, and (at least in the states) how rare they are. Roady's are awesome if you live in an area that allows you to drive top down for more than half the year. Why not get the best of both - roady and purchase the oem hard top? Those look fantastic...
Click to expand...

Have you ever tried double clutching ? It's much faster than what the revmatch, your car does not speed down and you get an instant speed boost once you press on the gas.
 
Coupe and Manual are the only options for a pure drivers car/experience.

If you want a slower, less involved option then go Auto and go Ragtop.

Simple!
 
alexstr said:
Dubbedown said:
alexstr said:
Hello forum,

I am considering in buying a 2006-2008 3.0si but it's very hard to find one with a manual gearbox. What are your experiences with the tiptronic gearboxes? I want a manual because i like to doubleclutch when downshifting and i feel that a manual gearbox offers more control over the car.

I also want a fast top because I have read that they are more rigid and stable that the convertable version.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough double clutch is not necessary on modern cars, revmatch is sufficient.

Me personally, I'd only get an auto for my daily. If this is your daily, then it's a tough call but I'd still probably go the manual route. These cars are all about the driver experience, connection to car/road, etc - none of which can be emulated with an auto - my humble opinion.

Coupe vs Roady, been beaten to death, different strokes for different folks. I like the aggressive lines of the coupe, and (at least in the states) how rare they are. Roady's are awesome if you live in an area that allows you to drive top down for more than half the year. Why not get the best of both - roady and purchase the oem hard top? Those look fantastic...
Click to expand...

Have you ever tried double clutching ? It's much faster than what the revmatch, your car does not speed down and you get an instant speed boost once you press on the gas.
Click to expand...

Yes I have, and you're wrong.

Double Clutch
In gear
Clutch in
Neutral
Clutch out
Blip
Clutch in
Downshift
Clutch out

vs

Revmatch
In gear
Clutch in
Blip / Downshift
Clutch out

I'm pretty sure the latter is quicker. Sure if you're quick at double clutching, which I am, it'll reduce the timing but it's still not as quick as someone who's efficient at revmatching.
 
alexstr said:
Hello forum,

I am considering in buying a 2006-2008 3.0si but it's very hard to find one with a manual gearbox. What are your experiences with the tiptronic gearboxes? I want a manual because i like to doubleclutch when downshifting and i feel that a manual gearbox offers more control over the car.

I also want a fast top because I have read that they are more rigid and stable that the convertable version.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex
Click to expand...

I drove about 6 roadsters over 2 months before I bought mine with the auto tiptronic. I didn't like the manual version. My view- get the auto, then fiddle with shifting when I feel like it (not often), and leave it in auto when I don't (most of the time). Mine is a DD, not a Sunday driver, only-if-the-weather-is-perfect, museum piece, and it has never yet seen a track, so that makes a difference in what to buy, I suppose. Know that you can manually shift the tiptronic either using the wheel paddles or the floor gear selector. Another factor for me: I run, play tennis, ski, etc., so a twisted left ankle means I can't drive a manual. Just something to consider.
 
Hello Forum,

I have found a nice z4 3.0si, ragtop, manual gearbox. If everything goes well, I will see the car this weekend. Thank you all for the inputs, I still think the coupe is better looking than the ragtop but since it's so bloody hard to find a manual coupe i'm going to get the ragtop. Worse case scenario: i'll trade it for a coupe if I don't like driving with the top down.

Stay safe and drive safe!

Regards,
Alex
 
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