Steptronic vs. Sport Auto

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07-11-2009, 07:15 AM

#21

juris335

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='934501' date='Jul 6 2009, 05:12 PM

Thw SAT's not just about saving 1/10 second on a shift, its about the responsive sporty feel you get from that shift. Plus, I really like the paddles for shifting in the twisties. <-Note, with the paddles on the wheel, it forces you to downshift shift just before corner entry. You can then power thru the turn, wind out the lower gear, and upshift to 3rd on even the shortest straights, downshifting again, just before the next turn.

Richard - Can't you do this same exact shifting/driving (as you described above) with Step?

If so, then why the SAT? Thanks.

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07-11-2009, 07:21 AM

#22

pinguhk

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I never seen a sat car in HK untill last night which 1 member in HK shiped a 530 with sat and 2 others guys tryed it out and say it feels like it faster than a 545i with Steptronic.
I must try it out next time I see him again and looks like my next car must have the sat.

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07-11-2009, 10:42 AM

#23

Richard in NC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by juris335' post='939425' date='Jul 11 2009, 11:15 AM

Richard - Can't you do this same exact shifting/driving (as you described above) with Step?

If so, then why the SAT? Thanks.

The Sport Automatic adds the paddles. I really like using them. Plus you get the better looking and more functional gear shift lever. It feels better and more sturdy when using it to manual shift.

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07-11-2009, 11:39 AM

#24

pennetta

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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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='939378' date='Jul 11 2009, 09:41 AM

I'm not disagreeing with the above points. I'm just saying to get the SAT because of the sportier feeling, not just because it saves you 10ths of a second per shift.

Also, I can't compare shift speed of the SAT versus the '08 and up Steptronic but it shifts much faster than an '06 steptronic.
And yes it is 10ths per an article I read on the new transmission found here: New ZF 6 speed Auto. "Reaction times for the new transmission are impressive. ZF says manual downshifts occur in about 200 milliseconds, while its first-generation 6-speed auto required at least twice as much time." That is a savings of 2/10s seconds.

For comparison, IIRC, the SMG III is 120 milliseconds and the M-DCT is about 80.

Hey thanks for doing the leg work. The 08 and up trannies are all faster shifting so you won't see the 2/10th sec savings betweem a comparable step and SAT. But thats interesting because after 3 shifts an '08 car would be 6/10th quicker than an '06 car with the same weight and power, Didn't realize it was that much.
The SAT is definatley more fun around turns too.

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07-11-2009, 04:25 PM

#25

calpalmer

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My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='939533' date='Jul 11 2009, 11:42 AM

The Sport Automatic adds the paddles. I really like using them. Plus you get the better looking and more functional gear shift lever. It feels better and more sturdy when using it to manual shift.

Some people pooh pooh the paddles, as I've read on this site, as sort of a glitzy stupo factor. Not in my mind. When I'm pushing the cars "enthusiastically" I always use the paddles, never the shifter. Constant wheel contact indeed makes a difference, not just a gimmick. I didn't realize at first, however, that the up shifts could be accomplished with the the 3rd finger from "behind" the wheel.... I kept trying to upshift the paddles using the visible paddle back sides them selves, and thought, "Man, the engineer that designed this must have had Big Hands" because it was pretty awkward. But in any case the paddles coupled with the lightning quick and smoothly programmed shifts make the difference for me. If I'm "really pushing" the car, I just worry about setting up for the corners and do the paddle down shifts, and let the tranny handle the upshifts.

Cal