[Scottus3]

Considering whether to get the sports transmission on a 328i. Seems that there isn't too much discernible difference in shift speeds/points over regular transmission from what I've read. Coming from a manual, so am interested in the manual-like feel of having the paddle shifters. However eight gears is quite a bit to "row" up and down. So, those that have them - do you use them and is the sport transmission worth the extra $500?

[yerffejleahcim]

I question myself in paying extra for these... I have used them twice so far in almost a month of ownership...

[ƒ°]

I use them all the time. I drive in manual 90% of the time. And 60% of the time I use the paddles. I love them.

[Bmwphile]

The 8sp auto is excellent in sport and comfort mode. So in these modes I rarely use the paddles. However, if I'm in a miserly mood and using Eco Pro mode, it is reluctant to kick down when I need a burst of acceleration so I use the paddles to change gears. They work a treat with near instantaneous shifts.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by yerffejleahcim

I question myself in paying extra for these... I have used them twice so far in almost a month of ownership...

don't forge the sport shifter looks awesome that comes with the sports transmission (paddles).

[BMWinGE]

I used them all the time. Not so much in manual mode, but every time I get a chance to accelerate or decelerate hard. I was unsure whether to get but its paid off for me.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

don't forge the sport shifter looks awesome that comes with the sports transmission (paddles).

+1. The boot that comes with the Sport Shifter is worth the price of admission by itself, as others have mentioned.

[Kronk]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

+1. The boot that comes with the Sport Shifter is worth the price of admission by itself, as others have mentioned.

+2

The sport shifter is worth the $500 for aesthetics alone.

[lbahoshy]

Anyone have a picture of the shifter that comes with the "sport auto" and the one that comes with the "standard auto" ? What's the difference? Thanks !!

[Kronk]

Originally Posted by lbahoshy

Anyone have a picture of the shifter that comes with the "sport auto" and the one that comes with the "standard auto" ? What's the difference? Thanks !!

Automatic:

Sport Auto:

[Mahzari]

You absolutely have to get sport automatic if you're coming from a manual car. I drove a 328i Luxury Line with the regular transmission and liked it, but completely forgot about that car when I drove a 328i Sport Line with the Sport Auto. The shifts are quicker, it sounds better on upshifts, the paddles are nice, and the knob looks better. I loved the car in Sport mode and D when driving normally; it seemed to hold gears well and shift smoothly. Once in Sport+ and DS, the shifts give you a nice kick, which add a nice degree of involvement when driving a (usually) feeling-less torque converter.

I'd gladly pay $1,000 or more for that transmission over the regular 8AT

[jzcrna]

I use the paddle shifters all of the time. I think that once you are used to them you will love them. I couldn't imagine not having them now (on my BMW).

PLEASE NOTE, do not compare the BMW paddle shifters to any other brand. I had an Acura TL and those paddle shifters were abysmal!!!. The transmission sucked, the paddle shifters had delay, they felt terrible in your hands as if they were not even meant to be there.

The paddle shifters were well thought out in the BMWs.

Not to hijack, but has anyone else had a brand with paddle shifters and then went to BMW paddle shifters?

[yerffejleahcim]

Originally Posted by sjohal

+2

The sport shifter is worth the $500 for aesthetics alone.

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

+1. The boot that comes with the Sport Shifter is worth the price of admission by itself, as others have mentioned.

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

don't forge the sport shifter looks awesome that comes with the sports transmission (paddles).

Originally Posted by CoolDude196

+3

Thanks guys for shedding more light on this. I did not notice the sport shifter is different. I am only at 500 mile at the moment. It might change my perception on this option after break in. :-). Gotta love this forum.

[LAnderson23]

Until BMW use a dual clutch system like Volkswagen it's just an automatic transmission with a gimmicky 'game' you can play.

[SCBimmerKid]

I had paddle shifters on my previous car, and I never used them! It wasn't as involving as a manual transmission, so it felt like it was a little pointless. If I could have them for less than 500 bucks, I would. But for the little amount I'd use them, the price didn't seem worth it to me.

[TEAShea]

Paddle shifters were essential to me. I use them about 70% of the time. Of course most people don't care and that is fine - to each his own.

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

Until BMW use a dual clutch system like Volkswagen it's just an automatic transmission with a gimmicky 'game' you can play.

You sir are incorrect. The new ZF 8spd actually shifts faster than a SMG and rivals that of a DSG. The added efficiencies have also been coupled to a new ECU which processes shifts as fast as a DSG. It is pretty clear by your statement that you either have not driven the car or you just haven't looked into this transmission but I promise you as a manual driver typically that this is not just a slush box transmission.

- I use the paddles all the time, I like them a lot and the speed at which the shift is made is just unreal... Its pretty damn nice for a $500 option if you like controlling the car.

[huskercubfan]

The BMW paddle shifters are better and more well thought out than the Porsche Panamera 4 that I had the opportunity to drive for a couple days.


Not only that, the 8 speed auto is smoother, more responsive, and rows through the gears much faster than the DCT on the Porsche.


You HAVE to spend the $500 if you get an automatic on the new 3 series. That's my opinion.

[LAnderson23]

Originally Posted by 1.fresh.f30.335

You sir are incorrect. The new ZF 8spd actually shifts faster than a SMG and rivals that of a DSG. The added efficiencies have also been coupled to a new ECU which processes shifts as fast as a DSG. It is pretty clear by your statement that you either have not driven the car or you just haven't looked into this transmission but I promise you as a manual driver typically that this is not just a slush box transmission.

- I use the paddles all the time, I like them a lot and the speed at which the shift is made is just unreal... Its pretty damn nice for a $500 option if you like controlling the car.

I personally drive a manual, and have no desire to have an auto DSG or otherwise. I have test-driven the sport-line with the paddle shifters, it certainly seemed better than my wife's gimmicky Acura shifting, I'll give it that, but from everything I've read until you actually go dual-clutch you can't really rival a standard. Perhaps BMW has massively improved their system compared to others, if so, good for them. I personally still want the standard manual transmission but as someone else has said, to each his own.

[huskercubfan]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

I personally drive a manual, and have no desire to have an auto DSG or otherwise. I have test-driven the sport-line with the paddle shifters, it certainly seemed better than my wife's gimmicky Acura shifting, I'll give it that, but from everything I've read until you actually go dual-clutch you can't really rival a standard. Perhaps BMW has massively improved their system compared to others, if so, good for them. I personally still want the standard manual transmission but as someone else has said, to each his own.

I agree to each his own but the sports auto tranny tests out faster and more fuel efficient than the new manual. And I agree with previous posters, this doesn't feel like a slush box at all... more top-of-the-line DCT than slush box.

[SL01]

I'm coming from a manual 135i to a 328i with the sport auto. It shifts fast - very fast, much faster than I could shift. But not having a clutch gives me a slightly disconnected feel.

I use the paddle shifters quite often - either full manual mode, or to temporarily enter manual mode when I know the auto will get it wrong (e.g., entering a turn - pull either paddle and it goes into manual mode for several seconds).

IMO, definitely tick the box.

[STAT1]

Originally Posted by SL01

I'm coming from a manual 135i to a 328i with the sport auto. It shifts fast - very fast, much faster than I could shift. But not having a clutch gives me a slightly disconnected feel.

I use the paddle shifters quite often - either full manual mode, or to temporarily enter manual mode when I know the auto will get it wrong (e.g., entering a turn - pull either paddle and it goes into manual mode for several seconds).

IMO, definitely tick the box.

Even though you can't quite shift that fast, you actually accelerate faster with a manual because power isn't sapped by the hydrodynamic fluid coupling of a torque converter. The 6MT gets to 60 a few tenths quicker.