[wai2sexy]

Anybody get the chance to drive both the regular auto (aka no paddle shifters) and the sport auto (2tb option)? Bmw literature simply indicates that the 2tb option offers faster shifting. However, bmw doesn't indicate separate 0-60 times for both options. has anybody gotten a chance to test drive them back to back?

from the various posts from forum members, everybody seems to universally love the 8speed and some have indicated that paddle shifters are completely unnecessary since the 8sp does such a great job left on it's own. i plan on doing a test drive this weekend but i thought i'd pose the question since i haven't seen any information regarding a direct comparison between the two.

[justinnum1]

if you are getting sporltine, why not get the sprot auto?

[wai2sexy]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

if you are getting sporltine, why not get the sprot auto?

while 500 isn't a lot on a 40k+ car, i'm trying to understand whether it makes sense to get 500 dollar paddle shifters. paddle shifters on the e90 were only 100 bucks so i'm trying to figure out what the additional 400 buys.

[spark58]

In the UK there is only £135 difference between to standard auto and sports auto. My dealer said the only difference was the paddle shifters and the selector but recommended the sports auto over the standard on the basis of resale value.

The dealer believes when it comes to part exchanging or selling the car that the sports gear box will be more sought after and therefore will hold its value better and the difference in the second hand prices between the sports auto and standard auto will be far greater than the £135 premium you have to pay when ordering the car new.

That was the advice I was given anyway. It may not apply in other markets and it's purely speculation anyway so it might not even hold true here in the UK either!

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by wai2sexy

while 500 isn't a lot on a 40k+ car, i'm trying to understand whether it makes sense to get 500 dollar paddle shifters. paddle shifters on the e90 were only 100 bucks so i'm trying to figure out what the additional 400 buys.

In the US, its more than just paddles, which i look at as a throw in. You get a sportier transmission, more aggressive shift patterns...it really makes a difference imo. The paddles are nice to play with, tho i prefer bmw's old style where each paddle will do both functions.(thumb down/pull up)

[wai2sexy]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

In the US, its more than just paddles, which i look at as a throw in. You get a sportier transmission, more aggressive shift patterns...it really makes a difference imo. The paddles are nice to play with, tho i prefer bmw's old style where each paddle will do both functions.(thumb down/pull up)

well the purpose of my post was to solicit feedback regarding this supposed "sportier transmission, more aggressive shift patterns" you speak of. i've already read the bmw PR. i'm trying to get user experiences.

are you saying you've had a chance to try a car equipped with 2tb and one without?

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by wai2sexy

well the purpose of my post was to solicit feedback regarding this supposed "sportier transmission, more aggressive shift patterns" you speak of. i've already read the bmw PR. i'm trying to get user experiences.

are you saying you've had a chance to try a car equipped with 2tb and one without?

I have tried one with it, and was very impressed. The regular ZF8 i have not tried but would probably be fine. $500 just seemed very worth it when i was ordering def test them.

[E30M3Driver]

BMW literature describes it as "sportier programming" but doesn't say exactly what that is. I have driven them both back to back, but unfortunately one was in a 335 the other in a 328. Both gearboxes performed very well in all modes. I didn't detect any shifting speed differences between sport and sport+ mode, but because of the manual override features in Sport+ it is hard to compare them.

With 2TB you get for sure:

- Paddle Shifters
- Sport+ mode (you can mimic this in the regular auto by selecting sport mode and manually selecting DTC to on)
- No automatic upshift in manual mode when DSC is off, DTC on, or sport+ selected
- Automatic kickdown is deactivated when DSC is off, DTC is on, or sport+ is selected

The manual control features around automatic upshift and kickdown are IMO worth the cost of the 2TB alone. The paddle shifters are great when you are driving aggressively - on the track, mountain road, etc., and are an added bonus.

[JoeyO]

In the USA, the Sport+ mode automatically comes with Sport line or M-Sport line, regardless of the 2TB option. However you cannot purchase the 2TB option without the Sport line or M-Sport line.

[emranc]

Originally Posted by wai2sexy

well the purpose of my post was to solicit feedback regarding this supposed "sportier transmission, more aggressive shift patterns" you speak of. i've already read the bmw PR. i'm trying to get user experiences.

are you saying you've had a chance to try a car equipped with 2tb and one without?

I drove both, regular city driving... minimal to no difference. Shift both the transmissions into sport mode without using padels, barely noticeable.
Key difference with the paddle shifters is that you can be in regular D, not DS, use the pedal shifters and can easily very quickly drop a couple gears, pass the car you want to, ease up on the throttle and the car is back into regular D.

I think the pedal shifters are definitely a nice toy... if you get the sports line definitely get it.. If not, you wont really miss them. Good luck!

[RPM90]

Yet another feature that BMW can make money on.
Paddles and some altered software for the trans = $500
Come on already!

Then, if you want xenon's in your 328i, it's not just the extra $900.
You also have to pay for the $3600 premium package.
Ridiculous!

Since the prem pkg is required to get xenons, why not just bundle the freaking xenon's into the expensive prem. pkg. and then lower the overall price of the xenon's within the pkg? Make the prem pkg $4000 and include the xenons.
It's called "incentive" to purchase something you may not want to.
Bad decision on BMW's part.

328i and 335i, Once optioned as equal as possible, the price difference isn't even $4000.
When reading all the info before the actual launch of this new 3 series, I thought that a 328i sport with premium pkg. would make for a great value to get a BMW sport sedan, if one doesn't want or need the 300/300 power of the 335i.
As I prefer to lease, it really doesn't make sense for me to get a 328i, other than slightly better MPG.

Also, they bring a new, high tech, costly 8spd auto, that is included in the price. Yet, MT drivers don't even get a break when not selecting the AT. Jeez.
At least give MT customers wider tires and unique wheels, or something.
Basically, if we choose a MT we get nothing for paying the same price as the costlier new AT.

[Autumn]

Does the sport auto transmission lower fuel economy? is my question.

Seeing as it shifts more aggressively, would that be the case? Or perhaps when you set it in Eco Pro mode the transmission goes back to the normal efficient shifting?

[matt_435xi]

i think its worth the $500 for the aesthetics, let alone the other features. paddle shifters look cool and are fun to play with, and don't forget about the bad@$$ sport shifter!!!! (see pics to compare)

[jzcrna]

Originally Posted by wai2sexy

Anybody get the chance to drive both the regular auto (aka no paddle shifters) and the sport auto (2tb option)? Bmw literature simply indicates that the 2tb option offers faster shifting. However, bmw doesn't indicate separate 0-60 times for both options. has anybody gotten a chance to test drive them back to back?

from the various posts from forum members, everybody seems to universally love the 8speed and some have indicated that paddle shifters are completely unnecessary since the 8sp does such a great job left on it's own. i plan on doing a test drive this weekend but i thought i'd pose the question since i haven't seen any information regarding a direct comparison between the two.

I bought my first BMW with it and will not buy another one without. Love the shift paddles and feel that I use them pretty well. I also like using the gear shift lever from time to time.

Totally worth it IMHO. Lastly, the sport auto gear shift lever looks totally awesome. How can you not splurge for the extra $500?

[volsfan0911]

Originally Posted by jzcrna

I bought my first BMW with it and will not buy another one without. Love the shift paddles and feel that I use them pretty well. I also like using the gear shift lever from time to time.

Totally worth it IMHO. Lastly, the sport auto gear shift lever looks totally awesome. How can you not splurge for the extra $500?

the shifter does look better and yeah, I'll get it on mine when I order. For a 335i it's a whopping 1% add-on. How do you 'use a paddle well'?

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by volsfan0911

the shifter does look better and yeah, I'll get it on mine when I order. For a 335i it's a whopping 1% add-on. How do you 'use a paddle well'?

lol, the only benefit i see from the paddles is you can keep your hands on the wheel. But i am not a fan of the new paddles. I dont like when the left is down and the right is up AND they are connected to the wheel instead of the column. Can be hard cahgning gears in a turn...one of the reasons i prefer the old style where each paddle served both functions

[Nero7]

Originally Posted by E30M3Driver

BMW literature describes it as "sportier programming" but doesn't say exactly what that is. I have driven them both back to back, but unfortunately one was in a 335 the other in a 328. Both gearboxes performed very well in all modes. I didn't detect any shifting speed differences between sport and sport+ mode, but because of the manual override features in Sport+ it is hard to compare them.

With 2TB you get for sure:

- Paddle Shifters
- Sport+ mode (you can mimic this in the regular auto by selecting sport mode and manually selecting DTC to on)
- No automatic upshift in manual mode when DSC is off, DTC on, or sport+ selected
- Automatic kickdown is deactivated when DSC is off, DTC is on, or sport+ is selected

The manual control features around automatic upshift and kickdown are IMO worth the cost of the 2TB alone. The paddle shifters are great when you are driving aggressively - on the track, mountain road, etc., and are an added bonus.

What does automatic kickdown mean?

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by Nero7

What does automatic kickdown mean?

when you stomp on the gas peddle it will automatically downshift for more power, this does not happen in sport manual mode, the driver has complete control like driving a manual transmission.

[wilsonko]

Sadly, I won't be able to get the sport transmission in Canada for my 328i sport line.

[E30M3Driver]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

when you stomp on the gas peddle it will automatically downshift for more power, this does not happen in sport manual mode, the driver has complete control like driving a manual transmission.

And that manual control alone is worth $500 to me!

[Nero7]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

when you stomp on the gas peddle it will automatically downshift for more power, this does not happen in sport manual mode, the driver has complete control like driving a manual transmission.

Ok, thanks for the info.

[wagz0627]

This may be a little off topic, but its been discussed in the thread a bit already. I'm getting a 335i Luxury Line so no Sport Auto for me. What I am curious of though, is what differences are there between using the "Sport Mode" vs using DS? It seems like both kind of do the same thing without knowing all the details. I know DS adjusts the shift timing for higher revs before upshift, and earlier downshift. It kind of sounds like Sport Mode does the same thing, although I'm guessing Sport Mode also adjusts the steering and suspension as well?