Quote:
Originally Posted by NISFAN
Hi Derek
Hmmm, this is a toughy for me, I am the biggest manual fan going.
I won't lie, there are some aspects of the ZF8 that I don't enjoy, well not a ZF8 failing, more an automatic box fail. Most notably the approach to a stop situation. When in a manual I would downchange which controls the speed, and gives you a heightened sense of appropriate speed, there is also zero 'drive on' when getting to the last maybe 10mph. On an auto you are conscious on the amount of extra braking required in this last stage. The ZF8 does downchange and gives engine braking, but not as much as if you were doing non heel and toe type braking in a manual, where you have allowed the engine revs to drop significantly below the driving speed in the lower gear, and have to drive the engine revs up.
The second area that you might miss is the ability to use revs to launch the car, only really required in cut and thrust town driving. On this point the 330D makes up for the 'starting from idle' disadvantage due to it's strong grunt, but in say 320D/320i form could be a bigger factor.
Now for the plus sides.....
Firstly got to say you can't tar the ZF8 with the typical 'auto' brush, it really is a next generation device. It locks up really quick so you don't get the slush feel much at all. Sport mode seems to lock it out almost always.
As mentioned it does quite abrupt downchanges which aids engine braking.
It does silky smooth upchanges in comfort mode, but when in sport mode the changes happen very fast, almost DSG like, and gives you that satisfying bang with slushless upchanges. I have got to say, very intoxicating, very sporty.
In manual mode it does exactly what you want it to do, other than selecting and staying in a too high a gear for the speed (If you select 8th at 40mph for example it will change into 8th then drop back to 7th).
Contrary to what anyone might think, I certainly did, 8 gears is not too many.
To sum up, as an avid 'manual guy', yes there are some areas that I don't enjoy (but am becoming used to), but on balance I am so happy I was forced into this box, overall it is a winner. In certain situations it allows even more sporty driving than a manual.
I have no hesitation in recommending the ZF8sport in 330D format.........I wasn't quite so convinced in 320D format.
Hope that helps.
|
Excellent that has helped greatly as i want to have an open mind on my back to back test drive, i felt a little pushed into a corner after having a new e46 330d m sport touring , then current e90 330D M sport , i would have just ordered another , if it had manual option , but my mind has been playing games on me have been looking at 328i and even M135i as only do approx 9 to10K miles a year know, great to hear the engine slowing down on quick down shifts , used to love my e30 325i sport in 1988 it was fantastic for this could lock up the back wheel and take you round s harp slow corner, lets hope BMW go back this direction super lite and power to use the chassis , one trip each year to my cousin in Ware just down the road from you been, up to Bedford a few times to the indoor skydive and surfing play.
I was at Brands Hatch last year with BMW at an Ultimate even when we drove all the cars and i liked the Auto a bit then and my mate has current M3 and liked the box on it and he said i would get used to it , just felt i'm only 46 and not ready for auto yet but BMW are going more down this route , as like new M5 i drove down at Goodwood For last year auto only and very good it was ,i believe , but America is getting manual i heard.
Do you work with Palmer as one of the guys from there was at the Brands Hatch event last year, thanks again for your time.