Z4 - gearbox for roadtrips on the continent
Discussion
Middle ground is the SMG option (assuming you're ok with a pre-face lift car); I drove all three before buying my SMG-equipped 3.0 a few months ago. Takes a little getting used to - better to use it in manual mode as it changes gears like a manual, and definitely not as smoothly as the ZF I had in my 6 series previously. However when you get used to it it's really good fun in the mountain, and when you're around down you need to shift up gears but it will automatically downshift when you slow down/crawl/come to a stop so it's quite auto-like in that regard.
Otherwise I would go with the manual; I had the same auto box in my 645 previously and in that car it was well suited, but in the Z4 it just felt lazy.
Otherwise I would go with the manual; I had the same auto box in my 645 previously and in that car it was well suited, but in the Z4 it just felt lazy.
Manual without a doubt. Assuming you are going in search of some great roads, I want to maximise fun. Manuals are no hardship in town or traffic really. My wife managed just fine driving right into the centre of Luxembourg City and my car has a heavy clutch. If she can do it, it cannot be hard.
A DCT might be a good comprise if you can't / won't use a clutch pedal. But if mk1 Z4 then I would certainly be looking a manual 6 cylinder.
A DCT might be a good comprise if you can't / won't use a clutch pedal. But if mk1 Z4 then I would certainly be looking a manual 6 cylinder.
Edited by Mike335i on Tuesday 7th August 18:53
It has to be personal choice, but for me, all my cars have been manual to day bar occasional hires or drivers of other peoples auto.
My daily is a 330ci E46 and its just not an issue in stop start traffic, in fact its quite fun. Sound is great, and its go enough power to but fun without silly.
The car will do over 40 in first, over 60 in second and hit 90 in third, but also pull off in 3rd if you really want. Leaving a roundabout at 25 in 5th is fine. Very lazy driving.
People slate the BMW manuals, and its probably not the best box in the world (I have the 5sp), but other than a bit of notchness into 1st sometimes its smooth and short throw and just works. Certainly not bad for a 17yo 155k car.
Daniel
My daily is a 330ci E46 and its just not an issue in stop start traffic, in fact its quite fun. Sound is great, and its go enough power to but fun without silly.
The car will do over 40 in first, over 60 in second and hit 90 in third, but also pull off in 3rd if you really want. Leaving a roundabout at 25 in 5th is fine. Very lazy driving.
People slate the BMW manuals, and its probably not the best box in the world (I have the 5sp), but other than a bit of notchness into 1st sometimes its smooth and short throw and just works. Certainly not bad for a 17yo 155k car.
Daniel
Edited by dhutch on Thursday 9th August 18:31
dhutch said:
My daily is a 330ci E46 and its just not an issue in stop start traffic, in fact its quite fun. Sound is great, and its go enough power to but fun without silly.
The car will do nearly 60 in first, over 90 in second, but also pull off in 3rd if you really want. Leaving a roundabout at 25 in 5th is fine.
Daniel
Are you sure? The car will do nearly 60 in first, over 90 in second, but also pull off in 3rd if you really want. Leaving a roundabout at 25 in 5th is fine.
Daniel
What diff do you have? Mr Tidy said:
Are you sure? What diff do you have?
Don't quote me on the exact figures, but even having come from late 90's 1.8 NA petrol hatches and the like its impressive how flexible you can be with the gearbox. What diff do you have? When I get in the works van or mrs' modern diesel fiesta they are so fussy for exactly which gear they are in when you can see why people get fed up with it.
As far as I know its a standard 330ci, x-reg pre-facelift, 5 speed, factory diff.
Daniel
dhutch said:
Don't quote me on the exact figures, but even having come from late 90's 1.8 NA petrol hatches and the like its impressive how flexible you can be with the gearbox.
When I get in the works van or mrs' modern diesel fiesta they are so fussy for exactly which gear they are in when you can see why people get fed up with it.
As far as I know its a standard 330ci, x-reg pre-facelift, 5 speed, factory diff.
Daniel
Well I can't see an X-reg 330i doing over 40 mph in 1st! When I get in the works van or mrs' modern diesel fiesta they are so fussy for exactly which gear they are in when you can see why people get fed up with it.
As far as I know its a standard 330ci, x-reg pre-facelift, 5 speed, factory diff.
Daniel
My E46 325ti got to the rev limiter in 1st before 30 mph!
And both my E86s would have hit the limiter in 1st long before 40 mph, as would my leggy E91 325i - but maybe I live in the real world!
For reference, my 6 speed hits just shy of 40mph in 1st and is a long first gear. Second its 70mph. Gearbox is GS6-53bz.
I cannot imagine how taller ratios with less power would work on the road, it would be like starting in second all the time.
I reality I think the ratios are broadly similar in the 5 and 6 speed boxes, with 6 being an overdrive.
I cannot imagine how taller ratios with less power would work on the road, it would be like starting in second all the time.
I reality I think the ratios are broadly similar in the 5 and 6 speed boxes, with 6 being an overdrive.
Mr Tidy said:
Well I can't see an X-reg 330i doing over 40 mph in 1st
I've updated the figures I'm my original message, posted in a hurry, only trying to give a feel of the fact the engine, with the manual boxes, are very manageable in traffic. The ti is well known to have shorter ratios than the larger cars.
Daniel
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff