[Guvernator]

I certianly agree that usage patterns will determine what type of gearbox suits your needs and it's certainly true that for the majority of people and for the majority of the time, an auto box is ideal. The autobox in the BMW is by far the best auto I have used so far but I just feel with all the modern technology available to us these days, they could make the manual mode in an auto a bit more exciting. Ideally I'd like to see throttle blips on the downshift and the ability to set shift speeds\aggresiveness with shift programs like you can in the DCT boxes.

It's wierd but for me when you want to "get on it" the auto box is almost too smooth and doesn't provide enough feedback. In normal driving sure smooth out or slur the gears as much as you like but in spirited driving I want to feel the gearshifts.

Perhaps DCT is the answer although I am not convinced about the long term durability or running costs of those systems either. Can you even still get normal auto in newer BMW's now that DCT is available?

[335tim]

To me, the auto is the best of both worlds. I came from a Honda s2000 which was obviously a very hands on, driver orientated car. It goes without saying you dont get the feeling of control you get with a clutch and gearstick but I now prefer the control I have with the paddles. They are great fun and very responsive.

Then when you are feeling lazy or stuck in traffic, you just stick it in D and relax. No brainer for me really.

[Gra]

I leave mine in D pretty much all the time. When I bought it the salesman who I went out with in the car told me that DS wasn't great for town driving due to the gear change, and when I tried it I could certainly tell the difference, DS seems to be more for when you want to get your right foot down.

The way I see it is that D is for everyday driving, DS is for when you want to get somewhere in a serious hurry. In the 335d it's rare that I need to be anywhere in a hurry so it's left in D 99% of the time. Actually, thinking about it, D is more than quick enough anyway!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Guvernator

Perhaps DCT is the answer although I am not convinced about the long term durability or running costs of those systems either. Can you even still get normal auto in newer BMW's now that DCT is available?

DCT/DSG type boxes are not the perfect solution for everyone, although the concept is brilliant.

We run two VW DSG boxes in the family. Still have some of the auto issues like a bit of hesitation, lurching and not knowing which gear it wants. The models are only about a year old, so not first generation, but even with software revisions on one of them, there are still flaws in the delivery.

The latest 8-speed slush boxes in the BMW range are a step forward, IMO. Really slur the changes, but perhaps a little more detached than the boxes with less ratios. Revs can be dropping not much more than 500rpm a change, as you stride through the box in moderate driving. So not quite what a manual driver would be used to, or likely prefer.

Will take a bit of effort to be in the correct gear for any situation, if you drive in manual mode. Too many gears....

HighlandPete

[mv57]

i have heard somewhere on here you can reset the memory on the autos gearbox if you believe that it is not quite right. Not sure if this is a wifes tales.
With engine off put key in slot put foot flat to the floor on accelerator (instead of break) and press and hold the start stop button for 20 seconds.



on the 320d both are smooth but then again the power is nowhere near that of the 6 pots.

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by mv57

i have heard somewhere on here you can reset the memory on the autos gearbox if you believe that it is not quite right. Not sure if this is a wifes tales.
With engine off put key in slot put foot flat to the floor on accelerator (instead of break) and press and hold the start stop button for 20 seconds.



on the 320d both are smooth but then again the power is nowhere near that of the 6 pots.

Think it's an OWT. I seem to remember Highland saying once before that the box resets every time you turn the car off.

[Mart1000]

I very rarely use DS unless I'm on for an overtake or fancy a spirited blat. At work I use it most of the time as it affords much more flexibility. If I had paddles though I'd probs use it far more often.

I'd love to have a go in a gold gti or something with a proper dsg box though.

[MKII]

Hi guys,

I still have the impression that DSmode is more economical than the D,has anyone ever compared the two?

Cheers

[Mikael.Aribo]

Yes they have and no its not. Standard D is max economy mode.

[briers]

D is definitely more economical but the car can feel slow in this mode with too many forced down changes.

I find the best compromise is keeping it in D to avoid wasting fuel at stable speeds and flicking the paddle to change down when needed, although it flicks back to D too quickly for my liking.

1 or 2 changes down can normally also be replicated with 80% throttle press kick down or full throttle kick down but i just prefer controlling it myself.

[BanziBarn]

Its pretty clever though because the box does a good job of guessing why you over rode the box and in a lot of cases won't revert back to D until it thinks you're cruising along again.

For example, if you change down to use engine breaking on a hill the box will maintain that gear on manual over ride unit you get to the bottom.

[MKII]

I drive a 320i and my experience is that in D it feels really sluggish
so that I have to push pedal harder without getting any increase in speed,
and consumption needle at max. Wish I had bought a manual...

[MrBen]

Originally Posted by MKII

I drive a 320i and my experience is that in D it feels really sluggish
so that I have to push pedal harder without getting any increase in speed,
and consumption needle at max. Wish I had bought a manual...

Mine is a 325i but I felt similarly for a while after I got it. Now I'm more used to it, I find it's a great combination and the benefits in town more than outweigh the slightly less involved drive when out for a bit of fun!

I tend to drive in D most of the time, just over-riding with the paddles as necessary (overtaking etc) to avoid those feelings of lack of power whilst you wait for it to drop a gear, but if I'm on a full on blast on some country lanes etc then it goes in DS, and I rarely need to take control manually.

DS is most definitely less economical, but worth it for an occasional blast!

[EQUANT]

My gearbox used to jolt a lot in DS but, after i drove in DS (in city) for a longer period, i noticed the shifts had noticeably improved in DS. Not as smooth as is D, but still ...