[odiesback]

I had a '01 330i and currently a '06 330i both
with auto step but I think I am going 6sp manual
for my 335 coupe because I never felt in control of
the car when in manual mode. A world apart from the
SMG on the M3's.

My question is: Is there any major difference from the
335 step of today and the '06 330 or the feel is pretty much the same
even with the paddles?

[FirstClass]

The 335's automatic shifts faster than the old SMG. It's an entirely new unit that's worlds better than any previous steptronic gearbox.

[gwcali]

The new step in the 335 does shift faster, but the real difference is that the torque converter locks up at about 1300 rpm's, which means that it basically feels like driving a manual transmission with direct connection to the engine and rear wheels... When you step on the gas, the car goes instantly instead of just the rpm's going up and wasting power.

[sleepdoc]

Also, the Step on the 335 is faster than the manual, opposite of what BMW advertises. It has slightly lower gearing, shifts very fast, and holds boost better between shifts.

The step on my 335 is 100% better than the AT on my wife's previous 05 330 ZHP. I have always been a MT advocate before this car. This transmission is really good.

[StarrDlux]

the steptronic is awesome. it is better than anything they've made before in a true automatic.

makes me wonder what happened to SMG? perhaps the steptronic is too close in performance?

[Kbueno]

Originally Posted by sleepdoc

Also, the Step on the 335 is faster than the manual, opposite of what BMW advertises. It has slightly lower gearing, shifts very fast, and holds boost better between shifts.

Sorry, this is dribble. Contrary to what others have said, my experience is that the auto and manual are a dead heat, assuming the driver w/ the manual is good. There are, after all, frictional losses due to the torque converter. In addition, if you abuse the manual, boost can be held between shifts.

[srv2790]

will agree with the smoothness of the at on the 335 but for those that have it and drive hard-talk to me in 35000 miles. you wont like it so much. after that mileage id rather drive an e46 m3 with smg in sixth ratio with traction off in 5 oclcok traffic cuz even that would jerk your head less than 335 at

[e92leon]

I love the AT on our cars

[FotiosF90M5]

Im a manual tranny guy but this step in the 335i really is amazing. upshifts and downshifts extremely fast.dynamic mode and manual work excellent. I do miss a manual though.

[sleepdoc]

Originally Posted by 335lvr

Sorry, this is dribble. Contrary to what others have said, my experience is that the auto and manual are a dead heat, assuming the driver w/ the manual is good. There are, after all, frictional losses due to the torque converter. In addition, if you abuse the manual, boost can be held between shifts.

Maybe, but:
#1 you would have to be really really, I mean really good on the MT

#2 check out www.dragtimes.com

So, what I said is not "dribble", as proven by the two lane christmas tree dyno.


That being said, on an autocross or road course, I can understand the appeal of the manual.

[Joeyballs]

Impressive dragtimes sleepdoc.

[sleepdoc]

Originally Posted by Joeyballs

Impressive dragtimes sleepdoc.

Thanks! - And that is with stock runflats.

[Kbueno]

Originally Posted by sleepdoc

Maybe, but:
#1 you would have to be really really, I mean really good on the MT

#2 check out www.dragtimes.com

So, what I said is not "dribble", as proven by the two lane christmas tree dyno.


That being said, on an autocross or road course, I can understand the appeal of the manual.

I've gone back and forth with others on the forum with this:

1) Agreed, you gotta make perfect shifts.
2) Checked it out..proves nothing...there are way too many variables going on, plus there are tons more autos out there.

BMW says the manual is faster, which I don't believe....in my experience in driving both, they are very close and will ultimately come down to the driver.

[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by 335lvr

I've gone back and forth with others on the forum with this:

1) Agreed, you gotta make perfect shifts.
2) Checked it out..proves nothing...there are way too many variables going on, plus there are tons more autos out there.

BMW says the manual is faster, which I don't believe....in my experience in driving both, they are very close and will ultimately come down to the driver.

I think when driven perfectly, that manual is faster, but unless you're a race car driver and even then you won't shift perfectly every time. Better off with 100% of the time being 95% as fast than the potential to occasionally be faster. Ask any professional driver and they'll tell you, racing isn't about speed, it's about consistency.

[sleepdoc]

Originally Posted by 335lvr

they are very close and will ultimately come down to the driver.

O.K. - I agree with that statement, sort of. I still think the AT is faster, albeit slightly, everything being equal.
But, in order for it to be a close race, through the gears, the MT driver will need to be very, very good.

That is not to say that there are not tricks to getting the most out of shifting the Step. I can, and have bettered the time of a much more experienced drag racer driving my car on the same night. His technique was to put it in DS, torque brake, and let the car do the shifting. I use the paddle shifters, and I consistently beat him by 2-3 tenths...

[e90pilot]

I drive a manual and I will always drive a manual. Autos bother the hell out of me even though some are better than others. Its not really about performance to me. There's something to be said about nailing a double clutch dowshift while braking into a turn then feeding in the power and move up through the gears. That's just me though.

--Marcelo

[odiesback]

Thank you all for the comments. Helped a bunch.

I will definitely test drive an AT before placing
my order. It sounds like the new step has come a
long way since its inception.

Maybe BMW should have a different name for the
new steptronic. By the comments here and other
posts I researched I got the impression we are dealing
with a different beast carrying the old tamed name.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by odiesback

Thank you all for the comments. Helped a bunch.

I will definitely test drive an AT before placing
my order. It sounds like the new step has come a
long way since its inception.

Maybe BMW should have a different name for the
new steptronic. By the comments here and other
posts I researched I got the impression we are dealing
with a different beast carrying the old tamed name.

When you test drive, it, make sure you test it in DS mode. Many just test the step box in D mode and come away un-impressed (I don't blame them). I love my step box, but i mostly drive in manual mode.

[Exacc]

Tried the Step in a E90 328i and E92 335i and was very impressed by them...I own a manual E36 M3, and an SMG 325i which I loved until I tried the step in the E9x generation. They are very fast and the downchanges revmatch too...and the TC does lock after 1300 RPM, so basically, there is very little to it vs a manual. I have to say, I will probably enjoy the step more 95% of the time...and the manual I will enjoy more only maybe 5% of the time...so I chose the step.

[sleepdoc]

Originally Posted by akhter

i mostly drive in manual mode.

I do too. Once you get used to it, it is really a blast.

To the OP - yeah, make sure you test drive it in DS and Manual. It may take you a bit to get used to the manual mode, so try the DS as well. Plain old D is very lazy.

[Comet]

I have a 07 AT E90 335i and I had a 05 AT G35 coupe

the BMW's step is clunky and shifts VERY slowly compared to the G I found...
+ you don't have full control of it.. it shifts whenever it wants and it will never let you bounce off the limiter (which you can do in the G)

I also find my E93's MT to be much more enjoyable (not to mention faster) than the E90's AT

and I've always been an AT man...

[Bozmo]

Do E90 330i, 325i have the same AT as 323i, 328i and 335i?

Sorry if this has bee asked, thanks in advance!