Ok just got to see my dealer, they have a 2008 car coming i can have it in 10 days with all my options except the steeringn wheel paddles car will be steptronic


Now I dont want the 6 speed manual i am in brutal NYC traffic daily so this will not make sense


but I hate the way the tiptronic feels its like backwards to me.


Now if i want the paddles(sport auto) i have to wait til August late August for sure and my issue is my lease is up and I can not extend it and i need to drop the car off very soon, I dont have another ride to use in the meantime.


Now is this new sport auto option just the paddles or they are changing the gear ratios and and software etc? I dont know and my dealer does not know.

I dont know what to do my timing is terrible right now whichever car i end up getting.

 

Sorry I don't have the answer for you but remember the summer is here. You can enjoy the power and still look good in the car with out the paddle shifters or you can wait till august and miss the whole summer driving the car just for an option. I settled for mine because I did not want to wait. It most of the options I wanted except the sports package. But under my circumstances the sport package really did not make much of a difference because I have the 535xi. In xi's the suspension does not change because of the 4 wheel drive. I'll buy 18'' wheels soon for the car. I do wish I had comfort seats but the dakota leather is fine, they're very comfortable. What I do love is the engine, there is the real sport in it.

On the other hand the 2008 550sport comes with a cool new shifter with a sport button. It looks a little like mine but different, a little sportier.

Hope I helped...Rick.....

 

From what we've seen so far, it seems as if the sport automatic is more than just paddles. It's most likely the steptronic with paddles and different software and/or hydraulics.

Again, it's speculation but it's probably safe to say it's not going to be just the step with paddles...

 

i agree it has to be more than just paddles but on the new 335 you cna add paddles cheaply

why doesnt anyone have more solid information on this? Especially the dealer

 

im not surprised the dealer doesnt have any real tangible info but, i am surprised someone from e60.net hasnt had a chance to test drive or know someone that has yet...other than what is written about the new Sport Auto Trans i guess it will come down to hearing from someone here that has driven it or a review by auto blog...

e60 link

As far as delivery, I ordered with sport auto trans 4/27 and still doesnt have a production date set...eta on build is by 2nd week of June so, barring any delays (production, shipping, held at VPC, etc), im looking at delivery around July 20th on the west coast...should be a couple of weeks earlier for east coast shipped vehicles...

 

Seems like all indications are that there is more to the sport auto than the paddles, but I have the 08 550i sport with the step auto and I am very impressed with the trans. Takes a little getting used to but it shifts pretty agresvively even in non sport mode and is a blast in "manual" mode. I have the manual itrans n my c2 porsche and have mostly owned manuals, but I needed a car to drive in traffic on the way to work so I really needed to get the auto as about 1/3 of the stop and go commute is up a grade.

I am satisfied with my decison not to wait for the sport trans. At first I hated the look of the "norleco shaver" shift lever., but I have to admit it is ergonomic and has a good feel. Its growing on me.

 

If the lease is your only real problem, have you considered a longer term rental as a bridging solution ?

Depending on the car you choose it will probably be not much more if any over your lease rates.

I, personally, would wait for the sports box.

 

If you look at the specs of the 3series, the 328i gets the regular steptronic while with the 335i you can get the sport auto. I think it is an entirely new transmission and not related at all to what is currently available in the 5. I would wait until august for the transmission you want.