[hotrod2448]

I own both and the step is definitely faster and more consistent down the 1/4. I still prefer driving the stick everywhere but the strip and heavy traffic though.

I mean lets be honest if we were looking for the fastest thing down the track none of us would own a BMW. It's all about enjoying driving it.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by Mattscott

1/4 mile times seem to disagree.

Mr. 5 and Shiv did pretty good job on dragtimes comparing to autos

[Mattscott]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Mr. 5 and Shiv did pretty good job on dragtimes comparing to autos

and the fastest drag time? Terry, step.

/argument

[TheAcAvenger]

Originally Posted by Mattscott

and the fastest drag time? Terry, step.

/argument

+1. I was going to bring up Terry. Granted, his car puts down more power than generally anyone elses. Shiv's times actually weren't all that impressive. He'll be the first to tell you that.

[Amer]

BMW stick shifts have long throws maybe a short shift kit can improve shift times?

[AndreyATC]

LOL, nice argument
Terry's car is just a really fast car, with a lot of mods and very good drag-strip setup, plus it is tuner's car
If we get another car like this in MT, who knows

At this point we are comparing apples to oranges and it happens to be an auto that did better time for now.
Majority of 335s are auto and possibly majority of MT drivers are not perfect shifters

To sum it up: Good MT driver vs good AT driver should be about the same through 1st 3 gears, after that it's MT ahead

P.S. OP wasnt really asking for 1/4 times. So faster in what range?
From 80 and up i'll kill any stock auto, but does this prove the point

[Amer]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

P.S. OP wasnt really asking for 1/4 times. So faster in what range?
From 80 and up i'll kill any stock auto, but does this prove the point

I didn't clarify in my original post but I'm talking about piggyback modded 335s on the 1/4 mile track.

Many here posted that the steptronic has better gear ratios for 1/4 mile times and others posted that after 3rd gear stick shift has the advantage.

I'm guessing 335s end the 1/4 mile runs in the middle of 4th gear.

[Mattscott]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

LOL, nice argument
Terry's car is just a really fast car, with a lot of mods and very good drag-strip setup, plus it is tuner's car
If we get another car like this in MT, who knows

At this point we are comparing apples to oranges and it happens to be an auto that did better time for now.
Majority of 335s are auto and possibly majority of MT drivers are not perfect shifters

To sum it up: Good MT driver vs good AT driver should be about the same through 1st 3 gears, after that it's MT ahead

P.S. OP wasnt really asking for 1/4 times. So faster in what range?
From 80 and up i'll kill any stock auto, but does this prove the point

And Shiv's isn't?

We're comparing apples to apples 335's to 335's auto to stick green apples to red apples

To sum it up: Due to gear ratios the auto will be FASTER not the same in gears 1-4

P.S. I brought up 1/4 miles. And yes you will kill an auto past 80, cuz thats where the MT's gear ratios are better

[AndreyATC]

I got the gear ratio thing, thank you
I also believe MT makes up for its gear disadvantage in less drivetrain loss
I've run few autos and we would always be head to head until 4th gear
There goes your gear ratio

To sum it up: Good MT driver vs good AT driver should be about the same through 1st 3 gears, after that it's MT ahead

[Mattscott]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

I got the gear ratio thing, thank you
I also believe MT makes up for its gear disadvantage in less drivetrain loss
I've run few autos and we would always be head to head until 4th gear
There goes your gear ratio

And is drivetrain loss that much where an MT which has to let off the gas inbetween shifts, can keep up with an AT which doesnt and the turbos stay spooling inbetween gears?

[Amer]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

MT makes up for its gear disadvantage in less drivetrain loss

Forgot about the whole drivetrain loss

For those who are curious, I am leaning towards MT due to it being my preference.

[BayerischeMW]

one of the reasons the step has more aggressive gear ratios is because of more drivetrain loss, although the ZF autotranny in the 335i loses less than the older automatics.

seeing as the 335i step fastest shifts are done at 100 m/s (E46 M3 SMG is at 80 m/s), it takes a lot to shift faster. and you have the advantage of the step that it stays on boost, as said earlier..

[b335i]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

I consider myself a good stick driver. I have owned nothing but manuals all my life and tracked cars for 3 years. I test drove both the manual and the step 335 and chose the step for a couple reasons. I could tell there was no way I was as fast with the manual, and I personally felt the manual felt a little "slushy" oddly enough. However I was coming from a modified STI that had a great short shift kit on it.

I still think manuals are more fun to drive and fortunately I still have a car with a manual transmission. I do have no regrets at all in choosing the step on the 335.

+100

[A418t81]

The auto is QUICKER in the 1/4 mile. Trap speeds between the two have always been equal with equal tunes for the most part, which says a lot for the auto. From a roll, if the manual guy knows what he is doing and the roll is to 100+, the 6MT will pull.

Will be interesting when parts become plentiful enough that 6MT guys start dropping auto rear ends in their cars and we're making a lot more power (the getrag MT in the 335 is identical to the one in the M5, previous M3/M5, etc and shown to handle a LOT more power without problems).

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Why do these threads always pop up?

Right now, yes the AT's are slightly faster. Why fight it? They dont lose boost, have better gearing, and dont miss shifts. Any moron can step on a pedal and go. No skill. However once we have more aggressive gearing it won't matter anymore.

Lets not even get started on which can handle more power. Most lease anyways and will only be here for another year or two before moving onto something else. Those with MT's and keeping their cars will not have nearly as much to worry about as AT guys will if/when the turbo kits start being sold.

[dr.roro]

Originally Posted by BayerischeMW

one of the reasons the step has more aggressive gear ratios is because of more drivetrain loss, although the ZF autotranny in the 335i loses less than the older automatics.

seeing as the 335i step fastest shifts are done at 100 m/s (E46 M3 SMG is at 80 m/s), it takes a lot to shift faster. and you have the advantage of the step that it stays on boost, as said earlier..

What is your source for that #? I'm very skeptical about 100ms shifts on a slushbox tranny. That's how fast the Ferrari F1 tranny is in the 599GTB.

[down4it]

Originally Posted by Mattscott

And is drivetrain loss that much where an MT which has to let off the gas inbetween shifts, can keep up with an AT which doesnt and the turbos stay spooling inbetween gears?

Mine keeps boost when im racing my 6mt cause i just dont let off the gas when i shift...

[Mattscott]

Originally Posted by down4it

Mine keeps boost when im racing my 6mt cause i just dont let off the gas when i shift...

you keep it floored the whole time?

[b335i]

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

Any moron can step on a pedal and go. No skill.

Sounds like the words of a moron to me!

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Originally Posted by b335i

Sounds like the words of a moron to me!

Wow. Didnt mean to hurt your feelings sweetheart. Ok, so explain how much skill goes into driving an automatic for all to understand, plz.

[RMcoolX]

Originally Posted by down4it

Mine keeps boost when im racing my 6mt cause i just dont let off the gas when i shift...

You MT boyz are gonna break something trying to keep up with my skill-less arse! Keep it up...

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by down4it

Mine keeps boost when im racing my 6mt cause i just dont let off the gas when i shift...

Nice! You must be really quick to not hit the rev limiter at each shift.