M135i - does gearbox plans for M3/4 alter your views?
Discussion
Currently have a Mini Cooper S, but have ordered a M135i on Friday but after reading the forum changed to 8 speed over the weekend. Just read the M3/4 news for no 8 speed automatic - should I change my choice. Ordered the AP with red dakota based on the lovely pictures in the forum - dealer didn't even have a M135i to look at!
Cheers
JB
Cheers
JB
Jim Bob EG said:
Currently have a Mini Cooper S, but have ordered a M135i on Friday but after reading the forum changed to 8 speed over the weekend. Just read the M3/4 news for no 8 speed automatic - should I change my choice. Ordered the AP with red dakota based on the lovely pictures in the forum - dealer didn't even have a M135i to look at!
Cheers
JB
That makes no sense; why would you change your choice based on a totally different car?Cheers
JB
It was pretty much a given that the M3/4 was going to have a DCT gearbox and not an automatic.
I have nearly 10000 miles racked up on my M135i and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the ZF 8 speed auto is fantastic.
I drove both the manual and auto boxes before ordering my car and I just didnt think the car felt fast with the manual box. The N55 and the 8 speed auto are a match made in heaven.
You have to put all notions of the old automatic gearboxes out of your head. The new 8 speed is nothing like the slush-matics of old. Its perfectly smooth with seamless shifts.
And as for the debate about driver involvement, well once you get used to using the paddles in sport manual mode it releases a new level on enjoyment and pace imo.
Having the auto box also unleashes as whole rafte of exhaust noises that you dont get with the manual. With full throttle upshifting you will get pulses/fizzes and then on down shifts you get the pops and crackles.
Sounds a bit like a breakfast cereal. lol
I drove both the manual and auto boxes before ordering my car and I just didnt think the car felt fast with the manual box. The N55 and the 8 speed auto are a match made in heaven.
You have to put all notions of the old automatic gearboxes out of your head. The new 8 speed is nothing like the slush-matics of old. Its perfectly smooth with seamless shifts.
And as for the debate about driver involvement, well once you get used to using the paddles in sport manual mode it releases a new level on enjoyment and pace imo.
Having the auto box also unleashes as whole rafte of exhaust noises that you dont get with the manual. With full throttle upshifting you will get pulses/fizzes and then on down shifts you get the pops and crackles.
Sounds a bit like a breakfast cereal. lol
Shame you changed your order as it feels like this is going to be the last chance of being able to order a manual gearbox on something with a decent lusty engine.
I test drove the auto and whilst the changes are very smooth and seamless, I spent half the time wondering what bloody gear I was in. So I've gone for a manual, but then I've jumped from an Alpina and I promised myself to never buy an automatic with sporting pretension again - just robs the pleasure out of it for me.
Regarding residuals, the dealers will no doubt hammer manuals in the early years and then later they will become the sought after choice. You only have to look at all the folk who want E9x M Sports with manual gearboxes on this very forum to see this in action.
I test drove the auto and whilst the changes are very smooth and seamless, I spent half the time wondering what bloody gear I was in. So I've gone for a manual, but then I've jumped from an Alpina and I promised myself to never buy an automatic with sporting pretension again - just robs the pleasure out of it for me.
Regarding residuals, the dealers will no doubt hammer manuals in the early years and then later they will become the sought after choice. You only have to look at all the folk who want E9x M Sports with manual gearboxes on this very forum to see this in action.
James_G said:
I test drove the auto and whilst the changes are very smooth and seamless, I spent half the time wondering what bloody gear I was in.
I was like that at first but when I got used to it I found the best way to use the paddles is in sport manual mode so when I would be on a spirted run on a B-road I would use only 2nd to 5th like you would use on a manual box.Its all down to personal preference of course.
You soon get used to having 8gears. It's got so much get up and go you never find yourself scrabbling for a lower gear. Plus when tackling some B roads you only need 2-5.
I use sport+ mode and paddles all the time, they are very good and change very quickly. I find nothing more fun than pulling away on full throttle and flying up through the gears quickly, it makes all sorts of snorts and pops on the up change which sounds awesome with the window open. It also gets you off the line stupidly quick!
I personally think this car is perfectly suited to the ZF box, the combination stands out.
Manual - If you have come from a diesel manual you'll think the manual box is great, but coming from an S2000 with razor sharp throttle response and a very tight box the manual on the M135i doesn't feel special. Whilst the engine isn't massively laggy it's still there so perfectly timed rev matched shifts and the odd bit of heel n toe don't come naturally.
Drive both and make your choice on what you like, not what a car from an entirely different class is doing.
I use sport+ mode and paddles all the time, they are very good and change very quickly. I find nothing more fun than pulling away on full throttle and flying up through the gears quickly, it makes all sorts of snorts and pops on the up change which sounds awesome with the window open. It also gets you off the line stupidly quick!
I personally think this car is perfectly suited to the ZF box, the combination stands out.
Manual - If you have come from a diesel manual you'll think the manual box is great, but coming from an S2000 with razor sharp throttle response and a very tight box the manual on the M135i doesn't feel special. Whilst the engine isn't massively laggy it's still there so perfectly timed rev matched shifts and the odd bit of heel n toe don't come naturally.
Drive both and make your choice on what you like, not what a car from an entirely different class is doing.
You soon get used to having 8gears. It's got so much get up and go you never find yourself scrabbling for a lower gear. Plus when tackling some B roads you only need 2-5.
I use sport+ mode and paddles all the time, they are very good and change very quickly. I find nothing more fun than pulling away on full throttle and flying up through the gears quickly, it makes all sorts of snorts and pops on the up change which sounds awesome with the window open. It also gets you off the line stupidly quick!
I personally think this car is perfectly suited to the ZF box, the combination stands out.
Manual - If you have come from a diesel manual you'll think the manual box is great, but coming from an S2000 with razor sharp throttle response and a very tight box the manual on the M135i doesn't feel special. Whilst the engine isn't massively laggy it's still there so perfectly timed rev matched shifts and the odd bit of heel n toe don't come naturally.
Drive both and make your choice on what you like, not what a car from an entirely different class is doing.
I use sport+ mode and paddles all the time, they are very good and change very quickly. I find nothing more fun than pulling away on full throttle and flying up through the gears quickly, it makes all sorts of snorts and pops on the up change which sounds awesome with the window open. It also gets you off the line stupidly quick!
I personally think this car is perfectly suited to the ZF box, the combination stands out.
Manual - If you have come from a diesel manual you'll think the manual box is great, but coming from an S2000 with razor sharp throttle response and a very tight box the manual on the M135i doesn't feel special. Whilst the engine isn't massively laggy it's still there so perfectly timed rev matched shifts and the odd bit of heel n toe don't come naturally.
Drive both and make your choice on what you like, not what a car from an entirely different class is doing.
M135i said:
The 6sp manual in the M135i is an awesome gearbox, it's the same one used in the 1M.
Indeed it is. I've now done 7k miles in a year in my manual M135i and it's been great - the 'box was a little stiff and notchy initially but has freed up nicely and is a pleasure to use. You have to work more for the performance than you do in the automatic, but for me that's half the point. Also, I have red leather in my black example, and it looks great - having the contrasting colour adds to the sense of luxury. The black leather was just too sombre in what is quite a sombre cabin anyway, and beige....well let's not go there. Nobody's yet commented on it looking girly:
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