Sport Auto gearbox rules
07-13-2007, 03:08 AM
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Scania, Scandinavia
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: F11 -14
My first impressions of the sport auto are almost overwhelming! 
First, there are four modes:
Normal - auto
Normal - paddles
Sport mode - auto
Sport mode - paddles
With the sport mode active the car really transforms from being a nice, comfortable estate-sleeper to become a race car wannabee. Not just that the gear shifts are faster, that's actually the smallest part. What is more important is that the steering becomes much more sharper and the throttle respons is much, much more rapid. The engine goes from nice to bad! I can just imagine what this will do in a 550i sedan...
272 bhp in an estate is not bad, but doesn't make it shift like a Porsche 911. Anyway, it's fun! 
Just like the M5 you need to lift off slightly with your right foot to enable smooth changes when going manual. I need more practise, becuase it isn't that easy - the ZF gearbox is a true masterpiece and changes gear fast, fast, fast.
How anyone going for an auto and doesn't opt for the 2TB sport auto is a true mystery for me.
First, there are four modes:
Normal - auto
Normal - paddles
Sport mode - auto
Sport mode - paddles
With the sport mode active the car really transforms from being a nice, comfortable estate-sleeper to become a race car wannabee. Not just that the gear shifts are faster, that's actually the smallest part. What is more important is that the steering becomes much more sharper and the throttle respons is much, much more rapid. The engine goes from nice to bad! I can just imagine what this will do in a 550i sedan...
272 bhp in an estate is not bad, but doesn't make it shift like a Porsche 911. Anyway, it's fun! Just like the M5 you need to lift off slightly with your right foot to enable smooth changes when going manual. I need more practise, becuase it isn't that easy - the ZF gearbox is a true masterpiece and changes gear fast, fast, fast.
How anyone going for an auto and doesn't opt for the 2TB sport auto is a true mystery for me.
07-13-2007, 03:56 AM
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 E60 530i
Color: Jet Black/Black Anthracite
STEP | Sport | Premium | NAV | Logic 7
EXTERIOR:
M-Tech Kit | M5 Mirrors, Trunk Finisher | Jet Black Kidney Surrounds | Madico Charcool Tint 54%, 35%
LIGHTING:
Euro-Headlights | Euro-LCI Tail Lights | AiB V3.0 | Solaris Invisi-bulbs | OEM LED Plate Lights
PERFORMANCE:
Porterfield R4-S Brake Pads | K&N Air Filter
WHEELS & SUSPENSION:
Work VS-XX 20x9, 20x10 | Toyo T1R 245/30/20, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 295/25/20 | KW V2 Coilovers | Rogue Engineering 15mm Spacers
Originally Posted by narvselius' post='447135' date='Jul 13 2007, 04:08 AM
...the ZF gearbox is a true masterpiece and changes gear fast, fast, fast.
I want one.
07-13-2007, 03:59 AM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sweden, EU
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07' 530d - M-Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Dakota leather
08' 120i - M-Sport - Alpine White III / Black Sensatec
Sounds great! Since I'm driving a diesel and don't want to shift gear by my self, I'm not regretting not waiting for the SA. But if it would have been available I would have taken it, since it was just 1500 kr. I have to add that the new std Steptronic is already light years ahead of the old one, the manual mode is very fast.
Congrats again on your new BMW!
Congrats again on your new BMW!
07-13-2007, 04:15 AM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Trieste, Italy
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Cars:2011 - BMW F11 535i, Alpine White, Msport version2009 - MINI COOPER, Mellow Yellow2007 - BMW E61 LCI 530i, Space Gray, Msport version - SOLD2006 - MINI COOPER, Park Lane Version - SOLD2005 - BMW E61 525i, Titan Silver, Msport version - SOLD2003
Model Year: 2012
Now I really can't wit till next week when I will have mine among my hands.
07-13-2007, 05:23 AM
#5
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Scania, Scandinavia
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: F11 -14
Originally Posted by ///Marco.it' post='447153' date='Jul 13 2007, 02:15 PM
Now I really can't wit till next week when I will have mine among my hands.
... but rest asure - it'll be worth the wait!
07-13-2007, 11:48 AM
#6
Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by narvselius' post='447135' date='Jul 13 2007, 04:08 AM
How anyone going for an auto and doesn't opt for the 2TB sport auto is a true mystery for me.
I will "second" ipp's comment about the new Steptronic automatic being the best BMW automatic transmission that we've had. Although I think the N54 engine helps responsiveness as well.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TexaZ3
Complete Car Sales
17
05-06-2015 09:54 AM