Rudy's full review of the 2008 550i Sport Automatic
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From: southestern pa
My Ride: 2008 550I,manufactured 2-27-08,delivered 4-2-08.Platinum bronze,natural brown interior,light poplar trim,cold weather package,heated rear seats,HD radio
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='456626' date='Aug 8 2007, 02:14 PM
Okay, now I'm 100% sure. You can hold the pedal down (including holding the kickdown switch) and you can still shift whenever you want...
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My Ride: 2015 535D M Sport
Cader, nice write-up. I like the Step well enough, but the lag between when I request a shift and when it occurs is too great for me, so now I will covet the SA. Maybe a rich uncle will soon leave me his fortune and I can trade my "outdated" '05 for an '08 with SA! 
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Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='456652' date='Aug 8 2007, 02:59 PM
Extremely unlikely. If it could be done, it would probably be cost prohibitive.
Lou
Lou
I don't think we've ever established if the actual transmission unit is the same or not. My bet is it's the same tranny with extra logic, etc. bolted on...
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My Ride: 2008 550i non sport
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Logic 7
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='456715' date='Aug 8 2007, 05:23 PM
You might be right but then again, if the only change between the normal steptronic and the SAT is a steering wheel, ashifter, an electronic module or two, and some software, it may not be such a big deal.
I don't think we've ever established if the actual transmission unit is the same or not. My bet is it's the same tranny with extra logic, etc. bolted on...
I don't think we've ever established if the actual transmission unit is the same or not. My bet is it's the same tranny with extra logic, etc. bolted on...
C
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Originally Posted by curlytoons' post='456770' date='Aug 8 2007, 07:18 PM
The automatic steptronic is the same for both sp and non sp 550i's. The description of the SAT on bmwusa.com includes the "sport" mode. The option titled "Sport Automatic Transmission w/ paddle shifters" is $500 extra. The transmission istself is the same. The additional extras with the sp, imo, are complimentary to the tranny, but doesn't change it.
C
C
I'm sure that if the retrofit was possible and not too expensive, it might be something that people would want -- especially people who already have the sport package and steptronic but didn't opt for the SAT...
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My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
Originally Posted by mogsyman' post='450082' date='Jul 20 2007, 01:22 AM
Rudy, I have also found that it doesn't matter where the shifter is, when you hit the engine 'stop' button the shifter automatically goes to 'P', which includes automatic movement back to the centre again.
So now I don't even bother touching the shifter at all when I stop, just hit the stop button and get out.
So now I don't even bother touching the shifter at all when I stop, just hit the stop button and get out.
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Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='456652' date='Aug 8 2007, 07:59 PM
Extremely unlikely. If it could be done, it would probably be cost prohibitive.
Lou
Lou
Bummer is, my original car would have been ready for collection yesterday
Even bigger bummer is, I had to go to the dealers yesterday to sign some paperwork only to watch a bunch of new owners picking up their brand new 57 plate BMW's
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Originally Posted by bardel' post='465121' date='Sep 2 2007, 05:26 PM
My dealer processed my order before I'd finalised my options choice and I wanted to add the SAT. I asked them if it could be added afterwards and they came back and said no (not sure if that's purely because of the cost being prohibitive?). They resolved the matter by ordering me another car!
Bummer is, my original car would have been ready for collection yesterday Even bigger bummer is, I had to go to the dealers yesterday to sign some paperwork only to watch a bunch of new owners picking up their brand new 57 plate BMW's
Bummer is, my original car would have been ready for collection yesterday
Even bigger bummer is, I had to go to the dealers yesterday to sign some paperwork only to watch a bunch of new owners picking up their brand new 57 plate BMW's 
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i "Ben Hogan's 5 Iron"
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2003 Audi A4 3.0 CVT "Part of the Moniker"
Silver/Ebony, Prem, CW, Star 17s
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='465125' date='Sep 2 2007, 04:43 PM
It'll be worth the wait!
Hey Rudy, is that Ted Bundy in your sig??
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Originally Posted by CVTBenhogan' post='466474' date='Sep 6 2007, 11:02 AM
Hey Rudy, is that Ted Bundy in your sig??
Not sure if the resemblance is there or not...
