Is an automatic Z4 a NO NO, might go auto.
- Thread starter G-A-R-Y
- Start date
As to auto v manual in general, I'd say if you are going to commute with it then an auto might be a good choice but if the car is for fun, then it's surely got to be a manual just for the involvement?
As to whether the auto is any good, I have never had a Z4 with an auto but I had an E46 330CI M sport convertible back in the day and presume they are more or less the same auto / engine combo as the Z4 (non Si) and it was pretty good. Well judged gear changing and suited the laid back nature of the car.
As to whether the auto is any good, I have never had a Z4 with an auto but I had an E46 330CI M sport convertible back in the day and presume they are more or less the same auto / engine combo as the Z4 (non Si) and it was pretty good. Well judged gear changing and suited the laid back nature of the car.
The BMW Automatic 'Steptronic' gearbox is a fully automatic gearbox that can be put into 'Steptronic' mode thereby enabling you to select gears by moving the gearstick + or -
The SMG gearbox (mine above) is a 6-speed manual gearbox with clutch but no clutch pedal. Gears can be selected sequentially by paddles or gearstick. When the paddle or stick is operated by the driver an electronic control unit hydraulically operates the clutch and selects the chosen gear. Also on the SMG is a fully automatic mode...should you feel lazy !
I bought my Zed because it had SMG. I have driven other SMG equipped BMWs in the past and I love it. Once you 'understand' how it works, how the clutch is being operated and when you learn how to use it correctly then it is superb. In Sport mode and the higher up the revs you are when changing up then the more 'aggressive' become the gear changes. If you bury your right foot in the carpet then lightning fast, full throttle with no lift changes are awesome. I have had the car for 15 months now (2003 model) with absolutely no SMG related issues.
The SMG gearbox (mine above) is a 6-speed manual gearbox with clutch but no clutch pedal. Gears can be selected sequentially by paddles or gearstick. When the paddle or stick is operated by the driver an electronic control unit hydraulically operates the clutch and selects the chosen gear. Also on the SMG is a fully automatic mode...should you feel lazy !I bought my Zed because it had SMG. I have driven other SMG equipped BMWs in the past and I love it. Once you 'understand' how it works, how the clutch is being operated and when you learn how to use it correctly then it is superb. In Sport mode and the higher up the revs you are when changing up then the more 'aggressive' become the gear changes. If you bury your right foot in the carpet then lightning fast, full throttle with no lift changes are awesome. I have had the car for 15 months now (2003 model) with absolutely no SMG related issues.
patriot66 said:The BMW Automatic 'Steptronic' gearbox is a fully automatic gearbox that can be put into 'Steptronic' mode thereby enabling you to select gears by moving the gearstick + or -
I bought my Zed because it had SMG. I have driven other SMG equipped BMWs in the past and I love it. Once you 'understand' how it works, how the clutch is being operated and when you learn how to use it correctly then it is superb. In Sport mode and the higher up the revs you are when changing up then the more 'aggressive' become the gear changes. If you bury your right foot in the carpet then lightning fast, full throttle with no lift changes are awesome. I have had the car for 15 months now (2003 model) with absolutely no SMG related issues.
I really like the sound of this - thanks for the detailed explanation. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds. You say its a 2003 model? :?
I had a 3.0si Auto for a year.
Brilliant fun.
The gearbox is decent as well. Occasionally slightly jolty on a low rev slow pace 1-2 change but otherwise very smooth and still quicker than I can change a manual.
Most important thing to me was you can't miss a gear!
She was basically a giant go-kart and I loved it.
Obviously it is down to personal preference but for the driving I used to do, a mix of long distance motorway trundling and forum/car group speed runs (70 of course), it was perfect.
Brilliant fun.
The gearbox is decent as well. Occasionally slightly jolty on a low rev slow pace 1-2 change but otherwise very smooth and still quicker than I can change a manual.
Most important thing to me was you can't miss a gear!
She was basically a giant go-kart and I loved it.
Obviously it is down to personal preference but for the driving I used to do, a mix of long distance motorway trundling and forum/car group speed runs (70 of course), it was perfect.
Marlon said:patriot66 said:The BMW Automatic 'Steptronic' gearbox is a fully automatic gearbox that can be put into 'Steptronic' mode thereby enabling you to select gears by moving the gearstick + or -
I bought my Zed because it had SMG. I have driven other SMG equipped BMWs in the past and I love it. Once you 'understand' how it works, how the clutch is being operated and when you learn how to use it correctly then it is superb. In Sport mode and the higher up the revs you are when changing up then the more 'aggressive' become the gear changes. If you bury your right foot in the carpet then lightning fast, full throttle with no lift changes are awesome. I have had the car for 15 months now (2003 model) with absolutely no SMG related issues.
I really like the sound of this - thanks for the detailed explanation. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds. You say its a 2003 model? :?
Yes it is. Built May 2003.
I kept an open mind about whether to go for an auto or manual Coupe. I just decided to buy on condition and price, and whatever it was, it would be. The car I ended up with was the auto, and I have to say, 3 months on, I don't regret it.
If all I ever used the car for was for hooning, then I would have gone for the manual; however, it wouldn't have been a Z4 I chose to buy either.
This was to be an enjoyable car for any occasion, even the really dull stop/start stuff, as well as hooning and everything in between. It had to be a car that could be used in the real world and not get on your nerves. For this, the auto is basically a perfect fit in a car like this.
The Z4 Coupe to me feels like a Sporting GT car - sort of a halfway house between pure sports car and small grand tourer. Even the auto mode eventually becomes fun when you get used to how to get the best from it. The manual mode sealed the deal for me though, without that, I would have gone manual, no question. The manual mode is hilarious fun in a non-purist way.
Bottom line, love it. Sometimes wonder what the manual felt like, but overall, very happy with my choice, really seems to suit the car.
If all I ever used the car for was for hooning, then I would have gone for the manual; however, it wouldn't have been a Z4 I chose to buy either.
This was to be an enjoyable car for any occasion, even the really dull stop/start stuff, as well as hooning and everything in between. It had to be a car that could be used in the real world and not get on your nerves. For this, the auto is basically a perfect fit in a car like this.
The Z4 Coupe to me feels like a Sporting GT car - sort of a halfway house between pure sports car and small grand tourer. Even the auto mode eventually becomes fun when you get used to how to get the best from it. The manual mode sealed the deal for me though, without that, I would have gone manual, no question. The manual mode is hilarious fun in a non-purist way.
Bottom line, love it. Sometimes wonder what the manual felt like, but overall, very happy with my choice, really seems to suit the car.
TameRacingDriver said:
absolutely spot on
I was in exactly the same boat and kept an open mind... bought my auto because it was the right car at the right price and absolutely love it... certainly a car that is as much a pleasure hooning around using the manual steptronic as it is full auto commuting to work... and after test driving 3 manuals with gearboxes that at best can be described as "a bit agricultural" it only enhances the satisfaction as owning the slick auto, bmw definitely seem to be able to put a better auto box than they do a manual imhomr.tourette said:TameRacingDriver said:
absolutely spot on
+1 x2 :?
These sum up my experience as well, although admittedly I was more closed minded and had gone to see the Auto with the assumption that it would be awful and that a manual would be better. I can honestly say after about a month of ownership I love it and the strange thing (to me anyway) is that I dont miss the manual box, I drove my manual MX5 the other day and changing gears felt more like a hassle
These posts make me much feel better because I think the Auto pretty much ruins the N52 engine in my 330i, but reading this gives me a little bit more faith, although everyday I get in mine I do still wish it had the manual gearbox instead.Flyingfifer said:mr.tourette said:TameRacingDriver said:
absolutely spot on
+1 x2 :?
These sum up my experience as well, although admittedly I was more closed minded and had gone to see the Auto with the assumption that it would be awful and that a manual would be better. I can honestly say after about a month of ownership I love it and the strange thing (to me anyway) is that I dont miss the manual box, I drove my manual MX5 the other day and changing gears felt more like a hassle
I'm quite happy with my auto.
Originally started out looking for a manual, folding top, tho the ones closest to me were in poor shape, extreme mileage, and ticked none of my wants.
One popped up near me, a coupe, had all the bells except heated seats (M-sport suspension, M seats with memory, auto wipers, cruse control, auto dimming rear/side-view mirrors/blah blah) but was an auto/steptronic. I winced, drove it, considered.
Went back, told the guy I was going to romp on it during another test drive, as I did a little research on the auto/steptronic and had a blast.
I had yet to try sport mode till a month after i got it and taking care of issues that it had.
I have to say, with DTC off, in Sport mode and using the paddles, this auto box is fun as hell when I wish it to be.
I can putter about, or I can play it hard as I want.
I have had it up to 150MPH a couple times. It defiantly did not hesitate or cry doing it. Have hit 130mph several times (kids wanting to race late night on 1-70 and they lost while I was just driving home..was fun). Often find myself hitting 100mph when doing a pass on a 2 lane, and only because well, the car can, and I got road..
So, to answer your question. There is no right or wrong to a Z4.
Purists will say no no. Explorers will say auto is ok, if that's all you can afford., but the Auto has its place in my heart after driving the one I own.
Auto or manual is a personal taste.
I prefer a manual, but I'm driving an auto, and loving it.
Originally started out looking for a manual, folding top, tho the ones closest to me were in poor shape, extreme mileage, and ticked none of my wants.
One popped up near me, a coupe, had all the bells except heated seats (M-sport suspension, M seats with memory, auto wipers, cruse control, auto dimming rear/side-view mirrors/blah blah) but was an auto/steptronic. I winced, drove it, considered.
Went back, told the guy I was going to romp on it during another test drive, as I did a little research on the auto/steptronic and had a blast.
I had yet to try sport mode till a month after i got it and taking care of issues that it had.
I have to say, with DTC off, in Sport mode and using the paddles, this auto box is fun as hell when I wish it to be.
I can putter about, or I can play it hard as I want.
I have had it up to 150MPH a couple times. It defiantly did not hesitate or cry doing it. Have hit 130mph several times (kids wanting to race late night on 1-70 and they lost while I was just driving home..was fun). Often find myself hitting 100mph when doing a pass on a 2 lane, and only because well, the car can, and I got road..
So, to answer your question. There is no right or wrong to a Z4.
Purists will say no no. Explorers will say auto is ok, if that's all you can afford., but the Auto has its place in my heart after driving the one I own.
Auto or manual is a personal taste.
I prefer a manual, but I'm driving an auto, and loving it.
G-A-R-Y said:
Let me go ahead and give you a swift direct answer before you make a grave mistake, or you may have allready for all i know.
if you are buying a 2.0 2.2 or 2.5 then go ahead and get what ever gearbox you like, because all those engines aint worth the piss in the snow they were written in.
if however you are thinking of a 3.0 3.0si or M, then you need a swift smack accross your chops!.
im soon on the hunt for another 3.0 and auto would not even be an option.
i was quite popular around these parts a while back
coaldust said:G-A-R-Y said:
Let me go ahead and give you a swift direct answer before you make a grave mistake, or you may have allready for all i know.
if you are buying a 2.0 2.2 or 2.5 then go ahead and get what ever gearbox you like, because all those engines aint worth the piss in the snow they were written in.
if however you are thinking of a 3.0 3.0si or M, then you need a swift smack accross your chops!.
im soon on the hunt for another 3.0 and auto would not even be an option.
i was quite popular around these parts a while back
really? Because you sound like a bit of a knob :?
mr.tourette said:coaldust said:G-A-R-Y said:
Let me go ahead and give you a swift direct answer before you make a grave mistake, or you may have allready for all i know.
if you are buying a 2.0 2.2 or 2.5 then go ahead and get what ever gearbox you like, because all those engines aint worth the piss in the snow they were written in.
if however you are thinking of a 3.0 3.0si or M, then you need a swift smack accross your chops!.
im soon on the hunt for another 3.0 and auto would not even be an option.
i was quite popular around these parts a while back
really? Because you sound like a bit of a knob :?
