[poser]

I have a steptronic in my car and recently have been using it a lot because...well its fun!

1. Are there any cons to using it all the time than the normal automatic (D) mode?
2. Does it hurt the car when downshifting and ("riding the clutch"?) on a hill so you dont have to brake as much?

poser

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by poser

I have a steptronic in my car and recently have been using it a lot because...well its fun!

1. Are there any cons to using it all the time than the normal automatic (D) mode?
2. Does it hurt the car when downshifting and ("riding the clutch"?) on a hill so you dont have to brake as much?

poser

There is no clutch; it's a regular (torque converter) automatic. Using the "manual" mode to shift gears won't do any harm to the car, but if you're driving aggressively and revving hard you'll obviously see poorer fuel consumption.

[thekurgan]

You may see a little more fuel usage, but other than that, it's a tough transmission. Using the engine to brake on hills is advised as opposed to overheating the brakes, absolutely should have no harm.

[Joonsup]

+1 on the fuel consumption. Used almost half a tank of gas in one day when i was going through the canyon to and fro Santa Cruz.

[Year's_End]

It's perfectly fine to drive in M all day long if you want. If you shift properly you'll achieve equal gas mileage, but I find myself holding revs that little bit longer in manual mode. You can engine brake if you want, I do it sometimes, but consider the fact that you get free brake pads under warranty, so use em!

[TheAcAvenger]

I've driven in D one time.. and thats because I was trying to find a new CD.

[jaespark87]

sorry to jack the thread. But when i shift the auto stick to the left, it show DS. What the hell is DS ? I know what you guys are talking about Manual shiftiing M1, M2 bla bla. But what does DS mean ?

[TheAcAvenger]

It's "sport" mode. It shifts itself later and slightly quicker/less smoothly, and if I recall correctly, it doesn't shift into 6th.

[BK]

Originally Posted by poser

2. Does it hurt the car when downshifting and ("riding the clutch"?) on a hill so you dont have to brake as much?

It's called engine braking and it doesn't hurt the car and saves brake life. Riding the clutch is entirely different -- driving with the clutch half-engaged, which will wear out your clutch.

Have you ever heard a big truck slow down with a loud engine compression noise as he lifts off the gas pedal? That's engine braking. The trucker is using his "Jake brake," which is a type of engine brake for a big diesel engine.

I mention that because a couple of months ago, I came across a sign nearby on an on ramp that says "NO ENGINE BRAKING." I was like, WTF? Biased against us MT drivers? Then I realized they must mean Jake braking. It can be very loud, so that would make sense. Still, that's the only time I've seen a sign like that.

[LEDZEP]

You'll burn noticibly more gas.... but you won't hurt anything and you'll have more fun.

[TheAcAvenger]

Originally Posted by BK

I mention that because a couple of months ago, I came across a sign nearby on an on ramp that says "NO ENGINE BRAKING." I was like, WTF? Biased against us MT drivers? Then I realized they must mean Jake braking. It can be very loud, so that would make sense. Still, that's the only time I've seen a sign like that.

I've actually seen a sign like that too.. but when I had someone a few yards behind me on the ramp, I figured it was becaues when you engine brake, there aren't any brake lights so there's nothing to alert the driver behind you that you're slowing down. I try not to engine brake when someone's following too close.

[Year's_End]

I do it to piss people off in stop and go when they get too close.

[kt157]

hahaha... people drive automatics like they're driving manual trans. i thought the point in getting an auto is so u dont have to shift from gear to gear.
if you're shifting from gear to gear all the time whats the point in getting an auto?
im getting flamed for this....

[greentea335i]

^^
its for the lazy ppl who doesnt wan to use clutch but wan to get that manual feel ahhaah


now when ur buying a 50k+ car is better to have an steptronic IMO

[chitsokupe]

^^
I agree it is also for the lazy people, but it's also for people who don't know how to drive a manual.. yes i know it's a shame if you don't. But 335i is not entirely a sports car so you can't get bashed for that, unlike a m3.

[Robert]

I have read similar topic threads in many forums. I thought the general consensus is to use your brakes instead of engine. Since pads are cheaper than piston wear from more revs during downshift. But if you lease then who cares, let the other sucker take the toll.

[asdflkijd]

I drive in D when I'm eating, LOL the arugment is that using Manual mode "increases gas millage", I find myself hitting 4-5k rpm shifts, and when I hear my engine I have a big ass grin on my face engine braking is fine, wont hurt the car at all.. if it did, BMWNA would have not enabled it. shift as you like, but beware, gas now-a-days are expensive!

[karliejai]

i drive in M if my right hand is not doing anything lol

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by kt157

hahaha... people drive automatics like they're driving manual trans. i thought the point in getting an auto is so u dont have to shift from gear to gear.
if you're shifting from gear to gear all the time whats the point in getting an auto?
im getting flamed for this....

rofl, good point. First of all, not flaming in anyway. I shift manually because I like taking total control of the car (or as close as I can get at least.)why did I buy a step over a standard? Simple, I will be moving away for college and will be home every 3-5 months, I don't want my car to just sit there collecting dust. Therefore, I took a hit and when't for the step because my madre cannot (and god forbid) drive a standard transmission vehicle.

Prior to this problem, I had read upon the step transmission of the 335i and the great reviews it got from C&D and from owners on this forum, test drove it with the manual back to back. My thought was, although the manual is more fun, by more i mean A LOT, I could live with the step. The step. is actually faster than the standard because of its shorter gear ratios, well up untill the 4th gear that is.. gears 5 & 6, standard will have the advantage. I miss the clutch, but o wells, left foot braking owns around corners

Everyone has different needs that require them to base their decisions on. although I'm already considered the E92 M3 as my nxt car in the near future, and will most likely be getting the standard tranny vs. the SMG.. but you never know, I might change my mind , transmissions like the Step, SMG, uhh..VW/ AUDI Trans. (I forgot what it was called) are the new thing now a days, take the new GTR for example.. cars are getting closer and closer to F1 styling. *note, I wished that the 335i w/ Sports Package would have came in the SMG as an option

my .2

[asdflkijd]

and for those people saying standard is better than auto, apples are better than grapes~ grow up ! We all know, auto=more practical, standard=more fun.

[poser]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

...but consider the fact that you get free brake pads under warranty, so use em!

Good point. Too bad Im already past my warranty

[poser]

Originally Posted by kt157

hahaha... people drive automatics like they're driving manual trans. i thought the point in getting an auto is so u dont have to shift from gear to gear.
if you're shifting from gear to gear all the time whats the point in getting an auto?
im getting flamed for this....

Its called...."wife". nuff said.

poser