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      04-29-2012, 01:22 PM   #1
Kmm
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8 speed steptronic vs 8 speed sport steptronic

Is the only difference the shifter paddles on the steering wheel?

Thanks!
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      04-29-2012, 01:37 PM   #2
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The sport auto shifts more quickly as well.
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      04-29-2012, 01:39 PM   #3
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Is it enough to really notice? Is the quote of the 5.4 sec 0-60 with the sports automatic.
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      04-29-2012, 02:13 PM   #4
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Rumours have it that the only differences are looks: leather beneath the stick, different stick shape and paddles by the steering wheel.
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      04-29-2012, 02:35 PM   #5
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http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683337
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=674338
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=660335
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      04-29-2012, 02:42 PM   #6
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Different gear change mapping in my opinion. I have driven both and the sports auto is more aggressive I.e. changes down quicker, plus it provides the sports plus mode which means the car will hang on to a gear without changing up/down without human intervention when in the sports plus mode
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      04-29-2012, 02:55 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kiforrest
Different gear change mapping in my opinion. I have driven both and the sports auto is more aggressive I.e. changes down quicker, plus it provides the sports plus mode which means the car will hang on to a gear without changing up/down without human intervention when in the sports plus mode
Out of interest, is the Sport transmission similarly aggressive in both modes? I am guessing you would drain a lot of fuel if it was. I am aware that the sport auto holds the changes in Sport mode which is pretty cool, but I wondered if it was still more aggressively mapped in standard mode when compared to the standard box.

Would be great if someone could get some facts & stats from BMW on the real differences between these transmissions.
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      04-29-2012, 03:51 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Autumn View Post
The sport auto shifts more quickly as well.
Yep, sport auto shifts quicker (200ms), you get flappy paddles, a nice leather surround around the improved "gear stick" and slightly different software. For what it's worth (£150 difference in the UK) go for the Sport Auto. I drove a 328i with the standard auto and it wound me up because it had constant power interruptions and the lack of flappy's to control it was a hindrance. Therefore I feel the Sport Auto is smoother.
Oh and it adds the Sport + mode!
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Last edited by SomeRandomer123; 04-29-2012 at 03:57 PM..
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      04-29-2012, 04:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123
Yep, sport auto shifts quicker (200ms), you get flappy paddles, a nice leather surround around the improved "gear stick" and slightly different software. For what it's worth (£150 difference in the UK) go for the Sport Auto. I drove a 328i with the standard auto and it wound me up because it had constant power interruptions and the lack of flappy's to control it was a hindrance. Therefore I feel the Sport Auto is smoother.
Oh and it adds the Sport + mode!
The shift speed for the ZF 8HP is 200ms but it's the same hardware in both the standard and sports auto so my conclusion is that the shifts must be the same for both gearboxes, unless the software can actually control the shift speed, which I doubt.

Not to doubt your experience of the two systems though (I haven't tried either yet). I just wondered if the shift mapping is consistently more aggressive for the sport auto in both comfort and sport modes. For example, is the sport auto in comfort mode equal to, say, the standard auto in sport mode?
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      04-29-2012, 04:27 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrinceBarin View Post
The shift speed for the ZF 8HP is 200ms but it's the same hardware in both the standard and sports auto so my conclusion is that the shifts must be the same for both gearboxes, unless the software can actually control the shift speed, which I doubt.

Not to doubt your experience of the two systems though (I haven't tried either yet). I just wondered if the shift mapping is consistently more aggressive for the sport auto in both comfort and sport modes. For example, is the sport auto in comfort mode equal to, say, the standard auto in sport mode?
Aah you could be right. Although I have tested both, the Sport Auto was in the 320d and the Standard Auto in the 328i, both of which are massively different engines from what I have grown accustomed to, although I am more familiar with the 320d. I think there definitely needs to be more clarity from BMW as to what the differences are! Couldn't comment on the aggressiveness of the shift, I can't recall!
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      01-14-2016, 02:18 PM   #11
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I refresh topic.

New 320d LCI (190hp) with normal steptronic.
BMW claim 7.2 sec 0-62 (or 0-100km/h).

Real results (with GPS)
7.7 sec
8.2 sec
8.0 sec

Look 21m27s:



Is normal steptronic so slower than sport version?
BMW claim 7.2... The same results with sport steptronic...
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      01-15-2016, 12:15 AM   #12
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Having the sport auto in the 3 series and the numerous loaners that didn't have it, there was a very clear difference in shift speed and aggressiveness. The normal steptronic was smoother but the sport auto gave you a very clear kick in the pants when it shifted. While I realize the underlying transmissions are the same, the programming is very different.
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      01-15-2016, 06:28 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pz619 View Post
Having the sport auto in the 3 series and the numerous loaners that didn't have it, there was a very clear difference in shift speed and aggressiveness. The normal steptronic was smoother but the sport auto gave you a very clear kick in the pants when it shifted. While I realize the underlying transmissions are the same, the programming is very different.
Absolutely. I would go for the sport auto all the way now that I've tried both and I have the sport version in my 320d M Sport.

The paddles are a huge amount of fun. I originally thought they would be a gimmick but if you're giving your car a bit of welly, they can transform the driving experience and I even find myself driving in Comfort mode with the sport transmission engaged for quick gear changes. Especially up mountains....
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      01-15-2016, 11:09 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kmm
Is the only difference the shifter paddles on the steering wheel?

Thanks!
Different software too. Yes, noticeable. Worth it. Get it, no questions asked.
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      01-15-2016, 11:15 AM   #15
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more aggressive gear changing. holds gears longer in sport mode...
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      01-15-2016, 11:24 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrinceBarin View Post
The shift speed for the ZF 8HP is 200ms but it's the same hardware in both the standard and sports auto so my conclusion is that the shifts must be the same for both gearboxes, unless the software can actually control the shift speed, which I doubt.

Not to doubt your experience of the two systems though (I haven't tried either yet). I just wondered if the shift mapping is consistently more aggressive for the sport auto in both comfort and sport modes. For example, is the sport auto in comfort mode equal to, say, the standard auto in sport mode?
The software definitely can affect the shift speed. Our Q5 has the same ZF 8 speed and it does shift significantly slower.
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      01-15-2016, 12:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crono06 View Post
The software definitely can affect the shift speed. Our Q5 has the same ZF 8 speed and it does shift significantly slower.
Not only that, but you have to deal with the lame Audi boards. I've been there a few times thinking about getting cars for my daughter or myself. I found the number of knowledgeable enthusiasts very limited.
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      01-15-2016, 01:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x986 View Post
Not only that, but you have to deal with the lame Audi boards. I've been there a few times thinking about getting cars for my daughter or myself. I found the number of knowledgeable enthusiasts very limited.
Completely agree with the fact that the Audi online community support is severely lacking. I was considering an S4, and when I browsed the boards, was mildly disappointed. It's my folks who drive the Q5 though. For their needs and wants, it fits the bill perfectly.
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      01-15-2016, 01:32 PM   #19
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With the sport steptronic I think flipping the gear selector to the left results in much quicker shift in addition to holding higher revs. There's more of a thunk on upshifts during throttle. During WOT it kicks you in the face moreso than whatever type of shifting it's doing in sport mode without the gear select shifted to the left.
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      01-15-2016, 01:35 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by felixo View Post
Is normal steptronic so slower than sport version?
I think it is possible to code in the sport settings.
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      01-15-2016, 02:38 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x986
Quote:
Originally Posted by crono06 View Post
The software definitely can affect the shift speed. Our Q5 has the same ZF 8 speed and it does shift significantly slower.
Not only that, but you have to deal with the lame Audi boards. I've been there a few times thinking about getting cars for my daughter or myself. I found the number of knowledgeable enthusiasts very limited.
That's what happens when you share platforms. Dilutes the waters.

I kid
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      01-15-2016, 02:46 PM   #22
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Pretty sure exact same minus paddles and software.
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