Steptronic vs. Sport Auto
07-05-2009, 03:42 AM
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My Ride: 2003 BMW 540i(E39)
2007 BMW 335i(E92)
2008 BMW X5 xDrive30i
I am gonna get a new 530i soon, I am just curious about the tranny. I see the Steptronic and the Sport Automatic Transmission. Is the sport auto really sportier? Is the Steptronic not sporty enough? Other than the psort mode, how do they differ?
07-05-2009, 03:48 AM
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Originally Posted by cruisin_bimmer' post='932943' date='Jul 5 2009, 07:42 AM
I am gonna get a new 530i soon, I am just curious about the tranny. I see the Steptronic and the Sport Automatic Transmission. Is the sport auto really sportier? Is the Steptronic not sporty enough? Other than the psort mode, how do they differ?
I have the Step and do a lot of manual shifting (and when I am not in manual mode I am almost always in DS mode) but members who have the SAT swear by it. I am happy with my Step but, not having the SAT, I don't really know what I am missing..
07-05-2009, 04:03 AM
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small question.
You had a 335i, why are you getting a 530 instead of a 535i as there's a big difference.
No mater what your choice is, E60 is the right one.
You had a 335i, why are you getting a 530 instead of a 535i as there's a big difference.
No mater what your choice is, E60 is the right one.
07-05-2009, 04:39 AM
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550i is right, there is a ton of info on this subject here. Search on Rudy, you'll find a nice review of the SAT. Similar to 550i, neither Rudy nor I owned the Steptronic, so we can't do a direct comparison for you (I think Rudy had the SMG before this, but maybe I misremember). But I came to the SAT from manual transmissions forever, and was reluctant as heck to do it (My wife talked me into it). Anyway, I'm one of those that does swear by the SAT. But I can't answer your question of comparisons to the Step.
Good luck,
Cal
Good luck,
Cal
07-05-2009, 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by calpalmer' post='932961' date='Jul 5 2009, 08:39 AM
550i is right, there is a ton of info on this subject here. Search on Rudy, you'll find a nice review of the SAT. Similar to 550i, neither Rudy nor I owned the Steptronic, so we can't do a direct comparison for you (I think Rudy had the SMG before this, but maybe I misremember). But I came to the SAT from manual transmissions forever, and was reluctant as heck to do it (My wife talked me into it). Anyway, I'm one of those that does swear by the SAT. But I can't answer your question of comparisons to the Step.
Good luck,
Cal
Good luck,
Cal
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=42608
Also, he's correct that I had an SMG before my SAT (and before that, only manuals -- never a Step.)
07-05-2009, 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by calpalmer' post='932961' date='Jul 5 2009, 08:39 AM
550i is right, there is a ton of info on this subject here. Search on Rudy, you'll find a nice review of the SAT. Similar to 550i, neither Rudy nor I owned the Steptronic, so we can't do a direct comparison for you (I think Rudy had the SMG before this, but maybe I misremember). But I came to the SAT from manual transmissions forever, and was reluctant as heck to do it (My wife talked me into it). Anyway, I'm one of those that does swear by the SAT. But I can't answer your question of comparisons to the Step.
Good luck,
Cal
Good luck,
Cal
07-06-2009, 06:24 AM
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My 523LCI came standard with Steptronic, and I have been using Step for the past one year. I did the SAT retrofit about 2 months back. To me, the SAT is much better than the Step, and I'm very happy with the mod. Since you're getting a new car, it will be to order with the SAT option as the add on price will be marginal.
07-06-2009, 06:45 AM
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With the SAT available there is no reason not to go SAT over step except if you don't want a sports package.
Sport Auto Transmission shifts quicker than anything I have driven, even manual cars.
Sport Auto Transmission shifts quicker than anything I have driven, even manual cars.
07-06-2009, 01:22 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
The SAT is all about sport driving. Paddle shifters, quicker shifts, matching revs on downshift. If saving 100ths of a second on shifts thrills you, it does me, then its worth $500.
07-06-2009, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='934372' date='Jul 6 2009, 05:22 PM
The SAT is all about sport driving. Paddle shifters, quicker shifts, matching revs on downshift. If saving 100ths of a second on shifts thrills you, it does me, then its worth $500.