Steptronic/automatic owners unite

Originally Posted by Wickedly

steptronic is like M1-M4 If I'm correct?

1-5 you have use of all the gears

This is confusing me

Originally Posted by Crestwood1001

1-5 you have use of all the gears

Yep you are right

D is regular driving mode. S is a sport mode where it revs higher before it shifts. Both D and S, the car shifts for you. In M mode (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), you push the lever to indicate when you want to shift, so in theory it gives you more control.

My issue is that when in M, it doesn't shift as quickly as you want it to so you have to actually "shift" earlier than you would and then the car responds. Also, eventually, if you don't shift in M mode, the car will shift for you to not over-rev the engine.

I'd be a much bigger fan of STEP if the shifts in M mode were more crisp. One thing it does give you is the downshift when wanting extra oomph to pass, for instance. But, that's a whole different topic and I don't want to detract from the original post.

EDIT: Oh, and to answer the question, I mostly drive in S mode, except for those few times I'm downshifting (which automatically makes it M mode) for passing power. I eventually go back to S mode.

Originally Posted by johnrando

D is regular driving mode. S is a sport mode where it revs higher before it shifts. Both D and S, the car shifts for you. In M mode (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), you push the lever to indicate when you want to shift, so in theory it gives you more control.

My issue is that when in M, it doesn't shift as quickly as you want it to so you have to actually "shift" earlier than you would and then the car responds. Also, eventually, if you don't shift in M mode, the car will shift for you to not over-rev the engine.

I'd be a much bigger fan of STEP if the shifts in M mode were more crisp. One thing it does give you is the downshift when wanting extra oomph to pass, for instance. But, that's a whole different topic and I don't want to detract from the original post.

EDIT: Oh, and to answer the question, I mostly drive in S mode, except for those few times I'm downshifting (which automatically makes it M mode) for passing power. I eventually go back to S mode.

How do I get into S mode?

shift from drive over and dont move it up or down

Originally Posted by PrecisionX

How do I get into S mode?

you move the selector to the left once you're already in D and on your dash you will see S D.

Originally Posted by tock172

you move the selector to the left once you're already in D and on your dash you will see S D.

I was used to being in D or switching it over for M, rookie move but in other news S mode is way better than D and I'm not crazy about M now that I know either

Originally Posted by Stickbuilder

Bought my 2000 Touring new. If I had wanted a manual transmission, I could have saved myself about 1700 bucks. I happened not to want the cheap way out. Mine has 74K on the clock. Oh, no mods, now or ever. Why? I doubt if either you are I are as good as the factory designers or engineers. They didn't create the Ultimate Driving Machine by accident. Why would you want to fuk up what they did?

The easy way out? Nobody buys a stick to save money. Last time I checked an auto was easier to drive than manual.

Originally Posted by Nick_M3

The easy way out? Nobody buys a stick to save money. Last time I checked an auto was easier to drive than manual.

I don't buy in to the ultimate driving machine crap but I do believe that autos are cheaper than manuals in the enthusiast secondary market segment, I would have had 30,000 miles more on a manual car identical to mine than my auto for the same price due to fanboi manual following, I bet that most of the manual nazis would get smoked by a good driver in a step.

Originally Posted by PrecisionX

I don't buy in to the ultimate driving machine crap but I do believe that autos are cheaper than manuals in the enthusiast secondary market segment, I would have had 30,000 miles more on a manual car identical to mine than my auto for the same price due to fanboi manual following, I bet that most of the manual nazis would get smoked by a good driver in a step.

I completely understand what your saying but the guy bought his car brand new. And was making the argument that from the factory manuals are cheaper. He didn't buy used so the mileage would be irrelevant. Plus I would think that with a short shifter and aftermarket clutch/flywheel combined with the lag of a step that a manual would still be quicker. But even if not its the control and driving experience that come with a stick. BMWs aren't about practicality they are machines designed for the driving enthusiast. Ok I'm done don't wanna hijack the tread anymore than I already have. My apologies op.

Originally Posted by PrecisionX

I was used to being in D or switching it over for M, rookie move but in other news S mode is way better than D and I'm not crazy about M now that I know either

Yup, once you go left in to S mode, you just don't shift and it stays in S mode. If you start shifting, that makes it M. To get out of M or S mode, just shift it back right into D. If I go into M mode and I want to get back to S, I just go right to D, then quickly left to S and I'm set again. The tranny doesn't care when you move between the modes.

Originally Posted by Afternoongamer

Bought myself out of high school and has become my project ever since.

2001 330ci 135k step

Other mods not seen in pictures:
M3 cluster
CF trim
Bimmain Autocarbon wheel
AA chipped
AA performance water pump
AA headers
UUC TSE3 full
Upgraded fan clutch
ZHP headliner
+ many other things I can't remember now.

Mods on my to do list:
Csl CF trunk painted
GTR CF hood painted
Vented front fenders ( not m3 ones )
Full suspension
Rims
Auto to 6 speed. ( in a very long time )
AA stage 2 with meth posabbly

Well that's an interesting engine bay...

Here's my step. Old photos when it was sorta dirty

Someone really created this thread...

Originally Posted by PrecisionX

I don't buy in to the ultimate driving machine crap but I do believe that autos are cheaper than manuals in the enthusiast secondary market segment, I would have had 30,000 miles more on a manual car identical to mine than my auto for the same price due to fanboi manual following, I bet that most of the manual nazis would get smoked by a good driver in a step.

So you just said that you wanted a manual but got the auto because it was cheaper, yet you think people who prefer manual are stupid? Manual is more fun than auto, it has little to do with speed. Auto's are fine if all you want is a sit in and relax car, as a sports car, I don't get it. As for mileage, who cares? I would happily buy another BMW with 250k or more miles on it... these cars run forever.

I'm really not trying to argue manual over auto, just saying that your argument doesn't make any sense...

Originally Posted by Zell

This will turn into an auto vs. manual thread in 3...2...1...

LOL Zell. You might have been a couple of posts to early. Hopefully it won't fully get there.

Another steptronic right here. Just smoked corners and sidemarkers. Also a slight drop on springs. No major future mods other than maybe tints, clear taillights, and maintainance. And i usually drive in manual mode

Current mods: smoked corners and side markers, MTech 2 front and rear, Bilstein PSS and shocks, powerflex FCABs, M5 fog lights, tint.

Future mods: launch control.

Anyone want to make a launch control retrofit DIY?

Yeah that's one reason why I don't manually shift because of the half a second delay in shifting gears.

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

So you just said that you wanted a manual but got the auto because it was cheaper, yet you think people who prefer manual are stupid? Manual is more fun than auto, it has little to do with speed. Auto's are fine if all you want is a sit in and relax car, as a sports car, I don't get it. As for mileage, who cares? I would happily buy another BMW with 250k or more miles on it... these cars run forever.

I'm really not trying to argue manual over auto, just saying that your argument doesn't make any sense...

When did I say that people who pref a manual are stupid? I was talking about the guys post and people who actually buy in to the ultimate driving machine stock is the best it can be crap.

I don't care what anyone says, to get the right car for the right price you need time, if you don't want to over pay for a nice 3er you need time which not a lot of people have, just like time not a lot of people can travel a long distance to get to one, not everyone has a infinite level of cash.

I bought my car because for the mileage, condition and price it was a stand out winner over what the other stuff available was. Not everyone buys a car for one reason and 50 went through my head when picking this one but I'm happy with it. No one said people who pref manuals are stupid