hypothetical auto on track question

[Machine monkey]

A few years a go I would have been one of the people to say if it isn’t a manual it’s boring!

But I only had my dads old merc auto as reference. Our last 2 family cars have been DSG autos and I wouldn’t dream of getting a manual daily or family car now.

 

[brillomaster]

manual for track work or weekend driving, but when I'm schlepping to work every day on the motorway, or crawling through town, auto is way more relaxing.

I can see the appeal of an SMG box for track work, proper responsive paddles can be fun. but a normal slushbox on track, definitely not.

 

[andyj007]

ha ha right o, sorry i never ment it to get to if we like one or the other better, but clearly it did and i certainly added to the fire

i guess what i really ment to ask in my odd way, is what limitations would the auto with paddles have against a manual on the track.
the comment about heel and toe is very valid. impossible with auto. so thats one for the manual,
im not that good to be able to utilise that method, so its actually not going to help me go faster against a auto...
but thats a defo point for the manual for sure...
quite happy to balance sideways sliding on the power, in fact all my track cars have been with normal road tyres rather than track specials its more fun
would the auto let you do this, ie sport mode, manual mode holding the gears? i suppose, if you get to the rev limit it would auto change up anyway or, soes the manual mode hold it..

 

[brillomaster]

certainly my 335i with the paddles in manual mode, it would still change up when it approached redline. Also all autos I've come across are way too lazy on the downshift - a manual allows you to heel and toe as soon possible on the downshift to keep the revs as high as possible, an autobox downshifting wouldn't put the revs back any where near the red line.

 

[Anonymous]

Next time I see you boy :telloff: :telloff:

Hahahah ,)

Auto faster than a manual?
Obviously can't heel and toe, as I can go into and out of a corner whilst braking steering and still change gear

Auto I'd rather cut my nuts off than listen to a lazy box change plus never fully in control of car
Auto boxes are simply for those that can't drive manual end of

You look like a shire horse with those blinkers on Marc
Horses for courses mate

Hahahah
I taught on track for years buddy
And have never heard or seen anyone rush over to an auto box

 

[brightonbimmer]

I no longer have my Z4 but would like to comment on paddle shifting and SMG as well. I never got to drive my Z4 on a track or even put it to its limits on the road. My previous car was a Boxster S with Tiptronic transmission, and although the rocker switches were not as easy to operate as paddles, they worked well and I enjoyed using them. I found that I could blast into a tight corner and downshift while at a speed far in excess of what was allowable, resulting in preselecting a gear for accelerating out of the corner without having to change gears while negotiating such corner with both hands and both feet busy. I am sure that the Zed would perform similarly.
re the SMG transmission, that is what I have now in my 2006 M6 coupe. The ratios (7) seem OK, but I find that I have to back off the throttle a bit at each transition in order to get a smoother change. This defeats the purpose of having a potentially fast-changing transmission. I just don't think that having things go "CLUNK" under me is not going to be expensive some day in the future. I have only had the car about six weeks so far, so the novelty has not yet worn off and the fuel bills are still horrendous. Maybe if I can leave that "M" button alone for a while, the consumption may improve a bit. But, it is fun to play with 507 HP, and at age 77 now, in three years or so, I may not be allowed to do so ?
David, in Brighton, ON, Canada

 

[andyj007]

with 507 HP, and at age 77...
you sir, are my new hero

 

[Anonymous]

As above hahah

 

[Paulr]

I no longer have my Z4 but would like to comment on paddle shifting and SMG as well. I never got to drive my Z4 on a track or even put it to its limits on the road. My previous car was a Boxster S with Tiptronic transmission, and although the rocker switches were not as easy to operate as paddles, they worked well and I enjoyed using them. I found that I could blast into a tight corner and downshift while at a speed far in excess of what was allowable, resulting in preselecting a gear for accelerating out of the corner without having to change gears while negotiating such corner with both hands and both feet busy. I am sure that the Zed would perform similarly.
re the SMG transmission, that is what I have now in my 2006 M6 coupe. The ratios (7) seem OK, but I find that I have to back off the throttle a bit at each transition in order to get a smoother change. This defeats the purpose of having a potentially fast-changing transmission. I just don't think that having things go "CLUNK" under me is not going to be expensive some day in the future. I have only had the car about six weeks so far, so the novelty has not yet worn off and the fuel bills are still horrendous. Maybe if I can leave that "M" button alone for a while, the consumption may improve a bit. But, it is fun to play with 507 HP, and at age 77 now, in three years or so, I may not be allowed to do so ?
David, in Brighton, ON, Canada

Sounds like you had an old Wilson Pre-Select gearbox in that Boxter! I jest, they last used those on Routemasters and old Daimlers. Actually I think the Tiptronic is much quicker because it is a dual clutch system, pre-selecting the gears automatically before you do, so it is in the gear already. BMW is a standard single clutch with a mechanical, err, mechanism to change gear instead of you doing it. Or I could be talking cobblers, it has been known.

 

[NickDE]

The Z4C auto with paddles is a blast on the track. Try it before commenting.

 

[firebobby]

The Z4C auto with paddles is a blast on the track. Try it before commenting.

D4dawg knows all about being whooped by an auto, the amount of times I have to slow down to let the M catch up :roll:

 

[GAZA62]

And why in God's name would you want a lazy assed boring as f auto ?

Auto boxes are simply for those that can't drive manual end of

What about us disabled drivers don't talk bollocks mate :thumbsdown:

I have a manual license but driving in the real world with a fucked left arm is a lot different to passing a test

 

[Zeld4]

Auto boxes are simply for those that can't drive manual end of

What about us disabled drivers don't talk bollocks mate :thumbsdown:

I have a manual license but driving in the real world with a fucked left arm is a lot different to passing a test

I don’t think this thread is about disabled drivers and I’m sure no offence was intended towards anyone of disability by any one taking part or expressing their views on this thread.

 

[GAZA62]

What about us disabled drivers don't talk bollocks mate :thumbsdown:

I have a manual license but driving in the real world with a fucked left arm is a lot different to passing a test

I don’t think this thread is about disabled drivers and I’m sure no offence was intended towards anyone of disability by any one taking part or expressing their views on this thread.

None taken but I still get stick from people for driving an Auto which tends to wind me at times

 

[Twin Turbo]

A mate of mine has an M135I Auto, and we did a few track days, seriously driving in Auto is dangerous and no involvement - almost driving an arcade game.

Upshifting mid corner under hard acceleration was not a fun experience as a passenger.

I agree with the above comments, a manual give you greater driver involvement = more enjoyment.

The Auto's I have owned have been very sluggish in gear change, but the newer versions are very quick and responsive.

 

[Anonymous]

The Z4C auto with paddles is a blast on the track. Try it before commenting.

D4dawg knows all about being whooped by an auto, the amount of times I have to slow down to let the M catch up :roll:

Hahah en route to Ace
Have to be honest you weren't hanging about buddy and tbh you never do hahah

 

[Anonymous]

Auto boxes are simply for those that can't drive manual end of

What about us disabled drivers don't talk bollocks mate :thumbsdown:

I have a manual license but driving in the real world with a fucked left arm is a lot different to passing a test

Gaz you have taken my comment and twisted it to suit you
No where have I said anything about nor would i regarding an auto and a disabled driver let alone saying a thing regarding some one of whom is disabled

God we went on a road trip at Oxford with monkey at the lead point and Steve was behind me in an adapted car and not only a lovely guy but bloody quick too

So relax buddy and stop looking for grief from those that wouldn't give it to you

 

[GAZA62]

What about us disabled drivers don't talk bollocks mate :thumbsdown:

I have a manual license but driving in the real world with a fucked left arm is a lot different to passing a test

Gaz you have taken my comment and twisted it to suit you
No where have I said anything about nor would i regarding an auto and a disabled driver let alone saying a thing regarding some one of whom is disabled

God we went on a road trip at Oxford with monkey at the lead point and Steve was behind me in an adapted car and not only a lovely guy but bloody quick too

So relax buddy and stop looking for grief from those that wouldn't give it to you

D4dawg I had no intention on twisting your words or insulting your views and I am sure you would not insult a disabled driver but its the last 2 words that wound me up (end of) these are words that come up in arguments at work if a task is not completed a case of I don't want to here excuses no matter what they are I don't care what they are it did not get done and add to this I still get stick from people about driving an auto even after they know the reason as if I have not got the skills or can be bothered to drive a manual car which I have done in the past but found it uncomfortable and dangerous at times.

When I read this post I was not looking for grief from anyone there is enough of that in the world these days without looking for more and admit I did over react but its a touchy subject with me at times and yesterday was one of those times.

 

[Anonymous]

Mate it's all good with me
But if were you I'd learn to simply ignore a few words and their insinuation or will be wound up alot

And ref auto, that is a must for you and your use of one is necessary so to get angry over others saying about your using an auto is their ignorance so rise above it buddy

 

[GAZA62]

Mate it's all good with me
But if were you I'd learn to simply ignore a few words and their insinuation or will be wound up alot

And ref auto, that is a must for you and your use of one is necessary so to get angry over others saying about your using an auto is their ignorance so rise above it buddy

Cheers Mate and apologies for my bad language and yes I do need to ignore peoples comments its something I have struggled with all my life and seems to be getting worse as I get older(Victor Meldrew) think I need to move to a private island somewhere just me and my Z.