[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Westsider45

I was blitzing CA highway 25 in my now-sold 228i ZSP 6MT, and realized I had carried WAY too much speed into a curve.

Slammed the shifter into 2nd, scrubbed off a MASSIVE amount of speed in about a second with SIMULTANEOUS pedal and engine braking, and didn't t-bone a tree.

There isn't really anybody else on that highway for miles and miles, so I might not be here today, if it weren't for the ULTIMATE Control of the car you can only wield with a true standard transmission.

Now some might say that they could do the same with the Sport Auto, but when certainty is called for - as in my situation - a *hopeful* pull-back on a flappy plastic paddle has nothing on a metal rod being forced into one of six, predetermined positions(!)

I should note that the brain operates much more comfortably at a car's limits, when it knows there is as close to zero a chance as possible of its instructions being ignored by a predictable mechanical system that unfortunately happens to be controlled by an *un*predictable, "rival" computer...

5th to 2nd on off-ramps probably requires sufficient brakes while downshifting(either rev match in MT or paddles on 8AT). In my mind the braking is primary to maintain control with engine braking(either MT or 8AT) being secondary.

Having said that, engine braking is quite useful on descents, but it is not easy to be smooth with MT alone(lots of brake actions too), while the 8AT and its close gear ratios make the descents relatively stress free(and brake free too).

[bhawkdrvr]

Here's an explanation of how an automatic transmission works and the reason why I chose a manual again. I've owned modern autos, DSG, and still love a manual the most.