your transmission of choice is....(poll)

Originally Posted by rohde88

If you have a BMW you have steptronic.

Ron

i hate it so much i dont even know what its called lol

my fault. went by what the OP listed in the poll

i can't stand not having a clutch in anything I own. I'm so happy i've got one.

Originally Posted by jiggynites

thats the problem i was having when I was shopping
too many slushboxes and manual box were rare.
I was a step away from buying a M3 smg at a good price
but the smg held me back
I need my clutch...

The M3 still has a clutch in the SMG tranny its just electronicly controlled instead of a third pedal...a slushbox has a torque converter

I Luv my "Step" and I ordered it that way

If you have steptronic, try this:

When you want to go down a gear, lift your foot off the gas and tap the gas pedal, then get back on it. The car will shift to a lower gear. Works in both sport and regular mode. Great for passing, way faster than stomping it and waiting for it to downshift. I have yet to try it on the track, but might.

I have a step, but i want a SMG bad.

Originally Posted by 04_325xi_ED

If you have steptronic, try this:

When you want to go down a gear, lift your foot off the gas and tap the gas pedal, then get back on it. The car will shift to a lower gear. Works in both sport and regular mode. Great for passing, way faster than stomping it and waiting for it to downshift. I have yet to try it on the track, but might.

reset your throttle response and then do that FTW. but still, i prefer hitting the clutch and throwing it down a gear with an old fashioned manual

I love manual even when caught in heavy traffic. It's NOT that bad.

Originally Posted by xSTRYKERx

reset your throttle response and then do that FTW.

uh oh might have blown the o2 sensors doing that acutally time to cash in my bmw credit card points for servicing!

I learned to drive manual using the Bimmer I currently own. Just bought it in October 2006. Actually, my husband picked it out for me without me being there . I was so mad while I was learning (kept stalling) I hated him for not getting an automatic. He left to North Carolina and I was forced to drive it.

Now, I absolutely love it. It makes driving fun.

I'm comparing this to an automatic though. I never tried the other two options.

Originally Posted by silvermachina

Porsche's Tiptronic is a different animal. Especially in the newer models...faster than stick. Eventually BMW will catch up and the newer Step boxes will lag less and less, and pull harder... ie. in 2010 maybe?

Stick is more fun to drive by far though.

Agree wholeheartedly - except with the "stick is more fun to drive by far". Anyone who bashes auto/tip as a slushbox will reconsider after driving any new Porsche that is equipped as such.

You have functionality at the wheel or at the gearbox/shifter - which still brings a big smile to my face when driving a Targa 4S or Cayenne Turbo (which I have added sereval performance mods bringing it to about 530HP) both of which will do sub 5.0 sec 0-60 launches, both auto/tip hmmm - that doesn't sound like fun?

You can make an auto 3 series fun too with some software and performance mods.

Not downplaying the thrill of stick at all - Just defending us automatic peeps

The poll is flawed - I've got two manuals, but I couldn't vote twice

old school 6spd man the best

I wish I had a manual. I live in the LA traffic but I still miss it especially when the roads open up .

Originally Posted by bimmer07

The M3 still has a clutch in the SMG tranny its just electronicly controlled instead of a third pedal...a slushbox has a torque converter

oh yeah I should have said I cant live without the clutch pedal.
there is nothing like banging gears and if your an automatic guy and have never banged gears omg you dont know what your missing. I would never replace that feeling for a little more comfort in traffic.

Originally Posted by franz

I love manual even when caught in heavy traffic. It's NOT that bad.

Originally Posted by frobie15

Depends on the situation. Living up in the middle of nowhere without traffic, give me a manual eight days a week! LA traffic or in a commuter car, give me an auto.

+1
Absolutely. I too love a manual when on the open road. Reality is most live urban areas and why cars sold today are easily 90% auto.
George

Originally Posted by halik

heh i think BMW is first and foremost upper class luxury car.....

This is the problem. That is not what it is really supposed to be. In the US, it is more about brand prestige than anything else.

Originally Posted by Kooser

Agree wholeheartedly - except with the "stick is more fun to drive by far". Anyone who bashes auto/tip as a slushbox will reconsider after driving any new Porsche that is equipped as such.

You have functionality at the wheel or at the gearbox/shifter - which still brings a big smile to my face when driving a Targa 4S or Cayenne Turbo (which I have added sereval performance mods bringing it to about 530HP) both of which will do sub 5.0 sec 0-60 launches, both auto/tip hmmm - that doesn't sound like fun?

You can make an auto 3 series fun too with some software and performance mods.

Not downplaying the thrill of stick at all - Just defending us automatic peeps

+1
There is nothing as much fun as driving a big horsepower car with an auto.
Kooser...your Cayenne sounds like a hoot. Is your E-46 Cabrio a Step?
Also, do you still get a kick out of driving the E-46 even though it is way down on power to the Cayenne?
Thanks,
George

Originally Posted by curious_george

This is the problem. That is not what it is really supposed to be. In the US, it is more about brand prestige than anything else.

Not really. It is what it is. There is brand elitism all over the world. In Germany a BMW trumps a VW for example. But if you want a car with more of a performance versus luxury orientation, buy a Porsche. The BMW has broad appeal because it is an amalgam of each.
George