Steptronic Better Suited to Turbo Engine? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

hotrod182 · 08-11-2007, 09:30 PM

We have seen many instances in which the Steptronic 335i 1/4 mile times have been better than the 6M equipped 335i BMWs. Perhaps the turbos stay spooled up during launch, and between shifts better with the Steptronic? Here is an interesting article in Car And Driver.

http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...ffs-page3.html

533ogetnom · 08-11-2007, 09:32 PM

its actually both, autos are able to load the engine (which spools the turbos) BEFORE launching the car, and the turbos stay spooled between shifts

sometimes i wish i had gotten the auto, but ill keep the manual

JmanE55 · 08-11-2007, 09:41 PM

Thanks for sharing.

Rugs · 08-13-2007, 11:21 PM

Nice Find :rocks:

Div4our · 08-13-2007, 11:55 PM

Auto's keep boost inbetween shifts, the same reason most drag Supra's are auto.

jbake · 08-14-2007, 12:09 AM

I found it odd that it says the sport package offers no suspension upgrade...this isn't true is it? also says top speed 145 I thought it was 155 with sports package???

1q2w3e4r · 08-14-2007, 12:51 AM

Keeps boost between gears.

j|rz44 · 08-14-2007, 01:43 AM

Yeah, im very happy with the AT...
i have yet to drive in an SMG...
how do they compare?

Noize · 08-14-2007, 09:49 AM

Most fast cars in drag racing are automatic for a reason. In the case of the 335i, there are several reasons, since its turbocharged.

We had a Vishnu dyno day at Dyno4mance earlier this year, and the manual cars all made 20whp more than the steptronics consistently. So why aren't they faster in a straight line typically?

-Steptronic has shorter ratios in the 335i
-Steptronic shifts quite a bit faster than a human can
-You can spool the turbos from a stop by feeding in the throttle while keeping the brakes locked. You can't load the manual since first isn't engaged from a stop like this
-Traction management. This is the biggie. On stock RFTs, you're going to have a heck of a time pulling as good a holeshot as a forced induction car with a converter. Put on drag radials, and it won't be as bad
-Driver skill with a manual.

Add all that up, and the 20whp advantage of the manual is nowhere near enough to overcome all those advantages of the steptronic... Typically.

To me, if you want to drag race, get the steptronic. If you want to road race, get the manual. Both are great, just have different strengths.

fll335 · 08-14-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noize

To me, if you want to drag race, get the steptronic. If you want to road race, get the manual. Both are great, just have different strengths.

BINGO

!Xoible · 08-14-2007, 11:32 AM

nice! what about the weight difference tho?

timn · 08-14-2007, 11:43 AM

and don't forget the added cost of the auto tranny

JmanE55 · 08-14-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timn

and don't forget the added cost of the auto tranny

But it's worth it.

Driver72 · 08-14-2007, 12:08 PM

hotrod, we've been saying this for awhile witnessed by how 90% of the best times for this car on drag times are autos.
And I'm sure you've seen my streetfire video of my auto vs. manual 335i runs in two stock 335i's.
I am a manual fan myself, but with the 335i and this great auto, it's just a wonderful and ideal combo (short of a DSG auto-manual).

mantis, the auto only weighs 11 pounds more than the manual.

Dascamel · 08-14-2007, 12:11 PM

"mantis, the auto only weighs 11 pounds more than the manual"

Impressive.

08-11-2007, 09:30 PM	#1
hotrod182 . Drives: 07 335i, 06 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,425 iTrader: (0)	Steptronic Better Suited to Turbo Engine? We have seen many instances in which the Steptronic 335i 1/4 mile times have been better than the 6M equipped 335i BMWs. Perhaps the turbos stay spooled up during launch, and between shifts better with the Steptronic? Here is an interesting article in Car And Driver. http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...ffs-page3.html
	Tweet

08-11-2007, 09:41 PM	#3
JmanE55 Lieutenant Drives: 07 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 596 iTrader: (0) Garage List 09 C4S [0.00] 2007 E92 [0.00] 2006 CLS55 [0.00] 2006 E55 [0.00]	Thanks for sharing. __________________ 11 RR HSE - Family Hauler 10 E63 - White/Pano/PP/Vorsteiner CF lip 10 GTR - HKS Spec-R exhaust, HKS modified 09 C4S w/HRE C97 - Tubi, TA tips, Eibach http://www.myMBonline.com

08-13-2007, 11:21 PM	#4
Rugs Lieutenant Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southeast U.S. Posts: 501 iTrader: (2)	Nice Find :rocks: __________________ "WorldsQuickest 335i E93" SMART-Top /One-Off Opaque Vinyl EYELIDS / 30% TINT / A.C.SCHNITZER Pedals / "M" Tri-Color Wheel w/Paddles / EIBACH Pro-Kit / AKEBONA F. & EBC RED-STUFF R.Dustless Pads / Drilled & Slotted ROTORS / MIRO M6 Reps / MICHELIN PS2's / U.R.Coated DP's / CYBA-QUAD Exhaust Tips / BMS-TUNED...

08-13-2007, 11:55 PM	#5
Div4our Lieutenant Drives: with my right foot down. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Scottsdale, Az Posts: 513 iTrader: (0)	Auto's keep boost inbetween shifts, the same reason most drag Supra's are auto. __________________ Hunting for an e92.

08-14-2007, 12:09 AM	#6
jbake OG Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley Jo Posts: 920 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335I [0.00]	I found it odd that it says the sport package offers no suspension upgrade...this isn't true is it? also says top speed 145 I thought it was 155 with sports package??? __________________

08-11-2007, 09:32 PM	#2
533ogetnom Banned Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,761 iTrader: (1)	its actually both, autos are able to load the engine (which spools the turbos) BEFORE launching the car, and the turbos stay spooled between shifts sometimes i wish i had gotten the auto, but ill keep the manual

08-14-2007, 12:51 AM	#7
1q2w3e4r Breakfast at Tiffany's Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 947 iTrader: (0)	Keeps boost between gears. __________________ \|\| 0-60 3.3\| 60-130 7.1\| 1/4 11.054@ 132.89 \|\| Check out my movies *Current;* Porka 996 TT, Porka Cayenne TT, MB E55, BMW E30 *On order;* 2014 Porka Macan *Past;* Harley Davidson F150, BMW Z4 M Coupe, VX II SS, BMW E46 M3, Series 3 RX7, Liberty RS turbo, BMW E92 335, MB E55, R32 GTR

08-14-2007, 01:43 AM	#8
j\|rz44 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 335i\|E92 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lost Posts: 1,686 iTrader: (2) Garage List 07 335i [0.00]	Yeah, im very happy with the AT... i have yet to drive in an SMG... how do they compare? __________________ Life is Good

08-14-2007, 09:49 AM	#9
Noize Under the radar Drives: FWD in reverse Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In traffic at idle Posts: 840 iTrader: (1)	Most fast cars in drag racing are automatic for a reason. In the case of the 335i, there are several reasons, since its turbocharged. We had a Vishnu dyno day at Dyno4mance earlier this year, and the manual cars all made 20whp more than the steptronics consistently. So why aren't they faster in a straight line typically? -Steptronic has shorter ratios in the 335i -Steptronic shifts quite a bit faster than a human can -You can spool the turbos from a stop by feeding in the throttle while keeping the brakes locked. You can't load the manual since first isn't engaged from a stop like this -Traction management. This is the biggie. On stock RFTs, you're going to have a heck of a time pulling as good a holeshot as a forced induction car with a converter. Put on drag radials, and it won't be as bad -Driver skill with a manual. Add all that up, and the 20whp advantage of the manual is nowhere near enough to overcome all those advantages of the steptronic... Typically. To me, if you want to drag race, get the steptronic. If you want to road race, get the manual. Both are great, just have different strengths.

08-14-2007, 11:32 AM	#11
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 46,045 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [3.50] 2007 335i [4.50] 2008 528i [4.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [4.00]	nice! what about the weight difference tho?

08-14-2007, 11:43 AM	#12
timn First Lieutenant Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palo Alto, Ca Posts: 324 iTrader: (4)	and don't forget the added cost of the auto tranny

08-14-2007, 12:08 PM	#14
Driver72 Brigadier General Drives: 335i - to new owners now. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 4,485 iTrader: (0)	hotrod, we've been saying this for awhile witnessed by how 90% of the best times for this car on drag times are autos. And I'm sure you've seen my streetfire video of my auto vs. manual 335i runs in two stock 335i's. I am a manual fan myself, but with the 335i and this great auto, it's just a wonderful and ideal combo (short of a DSG auto-manual). mantis, the auto only weighs 11 pounds more than the manual.

08-14-2007, 12:11 PM	#15
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 1,663 iTrader: (0)	"mantis, the auto only weighs 11 pounds more than the manual" Impressive. __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search