Need some expert advise - edited

[ajayp]

Hi all,

Some of you may remember me. I joined this forum nearly a year ago as at the time my gf was looking to change her E85 to E89 model. I have now been bitten with the zed bug and want one! Currently driving a 3.2 TT S-tronic roadster.

Looking to get a 3.0 auto. Spec wise the minimum it must have is electric heated M sport seats and xenons. Preferred colour sterling grey, however I would consider other colours. Any other options would be a bonus as buying a used car is about compromise.

I have learnt the changes between the post/pre facelift models both on the cosmetic and under the hood.
From searches it seems that there are not that many face lifted 3.0 auto roadsters out there especially in that dark grey.

The questions are:

1. Would consider the M version but is it available as a auto?

2. Earlier cars are 5 speed compared to the face lifted 6 speed. Which is the better box to go for an whats it like to drive?

3. From the above, would there be a big difference in economy between 5 speed vs 6 speed?

4. Are xenon lights standard on 3.0 cars?

5. Is the facelift car the better bet to go for?

I would be keeping the zed for a long time so need to make sure I get the right one.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Carol M]

I messaged you about your parking sensors problem and you never answered. :telloff:

 

[danmiddle2]

When you say Auto... what about SMG?

 

[andya1]

Xenon lights are an option on the 3.0

 

[Woots]

///m is manual only

 

[aquazi]

All 3l (pre and post) are 6sp.

The pre has sport suspension as standard... The post you'll need a sport spec.

And all 3l have electric seats....

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

 

[aquazi]

All 3l (pre and post) are 6sp.... Edit just realised you are talking about the auto only :?

The pre has sport suspension as standard... The post you'll need a sport spec.

And all 3l have electric seats....

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

 

[ajayp]

I messaged you about your parking sensors problem and you never answered. :telloff:

Hi Carol, I am sure I had answered you, if I didn't sincere apologies.
Will check now as I have only just logged back onto my account.

 

[ajayp]

All 3l (pre and post) are 6sp.

The pre has sport suspension as standard... The post you'll need a sport spec.

And all 3l have electric seats....

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

Cheers, however parkers car guide states early 3.0 autos were 5 speed, facelift became 6 speed.

Can somebody confirm this?

 

[ajayp]

I messaged you about your parking sensors problem and you never answered. :telloff:

Hi Carol, I am sure I had answered you, if I didn't sincere apologies.
Will check now as I have only just logged back onto my account.

Pm'd

 

[ajayp]

When you say Auto... what about SMG?

Hi mate, from searches seems like the SMG cars are rare and still trying to work out how the SMG box works.

Any ideas?

 

[ajayp]

Hi all,

Some of you may remember me, I joined this forum nearly a year ago as at the time my gf was looking to change her E85 to E89 model.

Alot of you kind folk helped out. As a result I did a deal on a new E89. The gf didn't enjoy the 4 pot E89 as much as her 6 pot E85. therefore we sold it a couple weeks ago and picked up a lovely 3.0 si E85 and she is loving it.

Having driven it a couple of times, I have now been bitten with the zed bug and want one! Realistically I would be looking to buy in spring 2014, unless I find the right car. Currently driving a 3.2 TT S-tronic roadster. Despite being a while away I am the type of guy who researches his cars in advance to be fully aware with what's available, known issues and all the options etc etc.

I have gone as far as I can with the research but have now hit a wall. I now need some help from you zed gurus out there to answer a couple if questions that could decide the way I go.

Okay, so in its basic form I want a 3.0 due to back surgery it needs to be an auto. Spec wise the minimum it must have is electric heated M sport seats and xenons. Preferred colour sterling grey, however I would consider other colours. Any other options would be a bonus as buying a used car is about compromise.

I have learnt the changes between the post/pre facelift models both on the cosmetic and under the hood.

From searches it seems that there are not that many face lifted 3.0 auto roadsters out there especially in that dark grey.

Having said that I prefer the styling on the pre face lift car. The fogs in the front bumpers, round rear lights an so on.

The difference between them from the engine and box wise is the issue.
Pre face life I understand is 5 speed auto. Post face lift is 6 speed and provides a little better economy and a better stronger engine.

The questions are:

1. Is the M car available as a auto? I don't think it does as I can't find one but would like it confirmed.

2. What would be the better drive from the auto box? The 5 speed or 6 speed? Coming from the Audi stronic what's it like? Can you still drive the car properly?

3. From the above, would there be a big difference in economy?

4. Are xenon lights standard on 3.0 cars or an option?

5. Is the dark grey colour available in post face lift cars?

6. Is the later engine stronger and a better bet to go for?

I would be keeping the zed for a long time so need to make sure I get the right one.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I may be wrong insomeof these so sorry if i am:
1. M models manual 6 speed only
2. 6 speed, more gears the better
3. Cant see any
4. Xenons option on facelift Zeds only
5. Dark grey as you put is classed as Sterling grey and is available in both pre and post facelift
6. Any engine that has been looked after and not thrashed around tracks all its life is a good engine.
Hope this helps but im not 100% on all answered and im sure i will be corrected if i am :roll:

Hi mate, cheers and thanks for answering.

p.s nice zed

 

[danmiddle2]

When you say Auto... what about SMG?

Hi mate, from searches seems like the SMG cars are rare and still trying to work out how the SMG box works.

Any ideas?

They're not that common, but I saw a few when I was looking.

When you ask how it works?... basically, despite BMW's protestations otherwise (SMG=Sequential Manual Gearbox)- it's legally classed as an auto.. but it has the manual "paddles" to select gears sequentially. There is no clutch pedal to worry about, so could even be driven with an auto only license. Definitely preferable to a regular auto in a sports car, I would have thought?

If you mean technically how it works, I have a vague idea, but will handover to someone more knowledgable to save me embarressing myself with inaccuracies.

 

[ajayp]

When you say Auto... what about SMG?

Hi mate, from searches seems like the SMG cars are rare and still trying to work out how the SMG box works.

Any ideas?

They're not that common, but I saw a few when I was looking.

When you ask how it works?... basically, despite BMW's protestations otherwise (SMG=Sequential Manual Gearbox)- it's legally classed as an auto.. but it has the manual "paddles" to select gears sequentially. There is no clutch pedal to worry about, so could even be driven with an auto only license. Definitely preferable to a regular auto in a sports car, I would have thought?

If you mean technically how it works, I have a vague idea, but will handover to someone more knowledgable to save me embarressing myself with inaccuracies.

Hi mate,
Just read up all about it here on the forum.

I mean given the choice I would love a manual any day for spirited driving times and connecting with the car but my back wouldn't cope with the pressing of the clutch pedal. However this sounds like the perfect solution for me.

Yeah, seems like a few have given it a hard time while others love it. I would need to find and test drive one to see.
Definite a serious consideration when come time to buy.

 

[bcworkz]

If you mean technically how it works, I have a vague idea, but will handover to someone more knowledgable to save me embarressing myself with inaccuracies.

I think I have the technical viewpoint to answer. SMG is exactly the same box as a full manual. In addition it has a sort of robot to operate the clutch and shift gears. This is done through a computer controlled hydraulics system. Each actuator has a sensor so the computer always knows what position each component is at. This gives you most of the advantages of a manual, but no special skill is required and the shifts, in theory, are always fast and precise. The only real drawback is there are more things to go wrong compared to a straight manual.

 

[ajayp]

If you mean technically how it works, I have a vague idea, but will handover to someone more knowledgable to save me embarressing myself with inaccuracies.

I think I have the technical viewpoint to answer. SMG is exactly the same box as a full manual. In addition it has a sort of robot to operate the clutch and shift gears. This is done through a computer controlled hydraulics system. Each actuator has a sensor so the computer always knows what position each component is at. This gives you most of the advantages of a manual, but no special skill is required and the shifts, in theory, are always fast and precise. The only real drawback is there are more things to go wrong compared to a straight manual.