E46 325/330 steptronic - any good?

[daveco]

I'm looking for feedback from anyone who has owned either, are they still enjoyable to drive given the lack of a third pedal?

I see the performance stats for the slushbox on both models has them coming in significantly slower than their manual counterparts-yet YT videos show relatively quick gear changes from the auto box in sport mode?

[alabbasi]

I've not owned one but have driven one on many occasions. It's an automatic with manual shift modes. Pretty decent pep in its step and not a bad car to drive if you want an automatic.
I don't know anyone who uses the manual shift mode on them for more than 5 minutes of new ownership.

[daveco]

alabbasi said:

I've not owned one but have driven one on many occasions. It's an automatic with manual shift modes. Pretty decent pep in its step and not a bad car to drive if you want an automatic.
I don't know anyone who uses the manual shift mode on them for more than 5 minutes of new ownership.

Thanks for the feedback Alabbasi, I'd agree with you on the speed of the shifts, wondering why the official performance stats state the 325 auto is about as quick as the 320 manual now!

[alabbasi]

daveco said:

Thanks for the feedback Alabbasi, I'd agree with you on the speed of the shifts, wondering why the official performance stats state the 325 auto is about as quick as the 320 manual now!

There is a bigger power loss in the drive train (from the engine to the wheels) when comparing torque converter automatics to manuals, and it's normal to see a ~15% drop in hp and fuel economy between the two.

I suspect (in very simplistic terms) that there is probably ~15% power difference between the two engines.

In general terms, speed difference would be negligible unless you're doing racing starts, but you will notice the drop in fuel economy.

[daveco]

alabbasi said:

daveco said:

Thanks for the feedback Alabbasi, I'd agree with you on the speed of the shifts, wondering why the official performance stats state the 325 auto is about as quick as the 320 manual now!

There is a bigger power loss in the drive train (from the engine to the wheels) when comparing torque converter automatics to manuals, and it's normal to see a ~15% drop in hp and fuel economy between the two.

I suspect (in very simplistic terms) that there is probably ~15% power difference between the two engines.

In general terms, speed difference would be negligible unless you're doing racing starts, but you will notice the drop in fuel economy.

Interesting. Your 15% tallies with the performance stats, and would put the 325 auto slightly slower than the 320 manual.

[SebringMan]

I know that my neighbour's 325i auto feels quicker than a 320i manual. It's a nicer drive too TBH!

IMHO below 2.8 litres just get the auto and waft around . It's one reason why I sold my 323i Manual.

[alabbasi]

SebringMan said:

IMHO below 2.8 litres just get the auto and waft around . It's one reason why I sold my 323i Manual.

I would think the opposite. Larger engines do better with automatic transmissions as they have the torque to compensate for power loss and don't need to kick down as much.

[SebringMan]

alabbasi said:

I would think the opposite. Larger engines do better with automatic transmissions as they have the torque to compensate for power loss and don't need to kick down as much.

For me I'd have an auto E46 anyway. My point was this. If you have a car that is not "that" fast, a gearbox not that great you may as well just waft around comfortably.

I was attempting to appease the "manual or nothing" brigade .