SSG decision...

Herminator

Senior member
 Edinburgh
Following on from my thread in the Newbie section, I went to see a 2003 3.0i Z4 today which I was really impressed with.
The condition was much better than the Z4's mentioned in my previous thread, with the body looking perfect and the red leather seats had no marks at all, which really shocked me. The alloys have all been curbed but there's a spare in good condition and I don't mind having them refurbed. They're 108's but they show no signs of corrosion.

The price it's at is very reasonable but the last service was not done by a BMW dealer. I am very tempted to buy it apart from one thing I'm not sure about.

It's got an SSG gearbox. I have driven a TT with DSG (aswell as a Seat Leon) and thought it was great, I'm almost considering a TT instead of a Z4 just for the DSG which would be handy in commuter traffic.
The SSG seems quite poor in comparison though, there seems to be a massive delay in geaar changes, especially at low speeds. Making driving smoothly impossible. I've read the Z4's SSG is a fairly old system, with other BMW models having newer better systems.
Do you get used to the SSG eventualy? can it be smoothed out with throttle control? I pretty much left my foot where it was on the throttle when changing gears, should I have lifted?
Or is it always irritating and something to be avoided all together?
 
try this...

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4925

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3666&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
 
Thanks, I knew I'd spotted a thread somewhere, I must have half read it whilst at work and not managed to get to the end.

The contradicting opinions don't make the decision a lot easier though, although it's nice to see some positives.

I'm very tempted to go for a second test drive this weekend to see if I can try and smooth things out or try the sport mode.
 
no prob, man.. remember... just let go of the accel. when it's shifting and then give it some gas again. it's just someone else shifting for you. there IS a learning curve... i got used to it quick though
 
Herminator said:
Thanks, I knew I'd spotted a thread somewhere, I must have half read it whilst at work and not managed to get to the end.

The contradicting opinions don't make the decision a lot easier though, although it's nice to see some positives.

I'm very tempted to go for a second test drive this weekend to see if I can try and smooth things out or try the sport mode.
At the end of the day, if your partner wants an automatic, smg/ssg is a good compromise. I personally would consider it again - especially with the newer dual clutch and upgraded electonics with the latest systems.
 
I bought one with it, and was worried about it before I picked it up. The test drive was as you said, slow & jerky.

Within a day I adapted to it, knowing when to lift off & reapply - and knowing when/how to make the auto mode shift.

Stick it into sport mode when you want a fun drive, and the shifting is much sharper.

Great compromise between a manual for fun, and auto for traffic.
 
Herminator said:
...something to be avoided all together?
TBH it isn't a patch on DSG/S-tronic and is a much older type of system. If you're unsure, there are loads of Z4s about so you'll soon be able to find one you are really happy with. Failing that, if you think you do want it, I would definitely take it out again, maybe for a longer test drive, and see if you would be able to live with it.
 
I think I'll have to go back for another test drive, the price and condition are very attractive and if I can get used to the gearbox, it would turn into a positive.

I've sat in both kinds of seat but not imediatly after each other and found both comfortable but I'm not sure how each would feel on a long drive. Are the standard style seats slightly softer? makig them better on a long drive?
I do like the leg support adjustment on the M sports seats and the side support is of course nice when things get more interesting.
 
I find no problem with the m-sports seats on a long drive, but then I havent ever sat in one without them...
 
Yep, the M seats are quite sought after so if it has them that's a bonus. They were fine for me on a run.
 
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