///// Steptronic Trans. Questions \\\\\\\\

eurotekm3 · 10-19-2007, 12:30 AM

Ok, I thinking about buying a new car and Im looking into a 335i but I cant make up my mind on which one would make a better daily driver ? Ive been driving a manual trans. e36 m3 for 6 yrs. and I luv it! ...but its not my daily....plus if I get a step. trans I can always let my GF borrow it on emergencys...

does anybody have any good links to info on how step.trans works ? is it like SMG ?

Does the car feel just as fast as a manual trans. 335i ?

Thanks for your help and time.

BMWE90 · 10-19-2007, 12:38 AM

The new steptronic transmission with paddles can shift faster than any human could in a manual. Get steptronic and paddles and you're set. I love mine and so do the people that test drove it.

UncleWede · 10-19-2007, 12:41 AM

Paddles were so cool when I tested all the cars in the Drive for a Cure! Plus if there is any doubt that you would be the only person driving, get the step. I like it that I can be lazy in crazy traffic

///Matt · 10-19-2007, 12:43 AM

I love them both, but it sounds to me like you've already talked yourself into the step and are seeing if someone goes NOOOOO!

Get the step with paddles. It's a blast.

eurotekm3 · 10-19-2007, 12:45 AM

thanks for the info.....do all 335i step. come with paddles ? how about oil coolers ?

BMWE90 · 10-19-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurotekm3

thanks for the info.....do all 335i step. come with paddles ? how about oil coolers ?

nope. You need the sport package and step. to get paddles ($100 option). Oil cooler will be included if you get sport package.

Tag · 10-19-2007, 01:05 AM

It rules...

http://www.bmwusa.com/Vehicles/3/335...ail.htm?id=218

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...teptronic.html

rpa · 10-19-2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurotekm3

plus if I get a step. trans I can always let my GF borrow it on emergencys...

Since when is a chick driving your car a good thing?

arcrox · 10-19-2007, 01:27 AM

The auto also provides the advantage of not losing boost between shifts like you would with a manual transmission. A real winner in my book.

asdflkijd · 10-19-2007, 02:14 AM

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroa...automatic.html

nuff' said, by far one of the best auto's I've driven. almost feels like a manual with the exception of the clutch.

Zirenz2006 · 10-19-2007, 06:43 AM

I love the step with paddles. I use the paddles about 80% of the time.

Taittinger · 10-19-2007, 07:32 AM

The Step is great. It is not the same as the SMG though since it does not use a clutch, but that is not necessarily a bad thing in this case.

e93 · 10-19-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpa

Since when is a chick driving your car a good thing?

When your too drunk to drive and she's taking you home to bed!!!!!!!!!

sflgator · 10-19-2007, 07:45 AM

The 335i's ZF 6AT tranny is one of the reasons why I chose the 335i over the '07 Infiniti G35! The 335i 6AT tranny shifts are lightning-fast (100ms) and super-smooth, compared to the slower (~1/2 sec. upshift delay), clunky 5AT in the Inifiniti G35.

btw - I use the Paddles 100% of time; they're phenomenal!

Raz335 · 10-19-2007, 09:29 AM

The Step Tranny in the 335 is awesome! The car shifts lightning quick without feeling like a slushbox. I love using the paddles and it behaves like an SMG without the clunky/jerkiness.

lkn · 10-19-2007, 12:44 PM

The step is awesome with the days you are too lazy to shift gears with a clutch. However, when I shift gears I get a bit of over-rev when the gears change. How are you guys shifting gears? Releasing the accelerator pedal on each gear change?

asdflkijd · 10-19-2007, 12:48 PM

the 335i steptronic shifts somewhere around 95-100 ms vs. the E46 M3's SMG transmission which shifts somewhere round 85-90 ms. The concept is the same, clutchless manual... only difference is that the SMG transmission does not have a torque converter, which gives you 100% control of power while the Step. does have torque convert. which limit's the power at certain RPM's.. but in our case it does not affect the performance of the car...

Taittinger · 10-19-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkn

The step is awesome with the days you are too lazy to shift gears with a clutch. However, when I shift gears I get a bit of over-rev when the gears change. How are you guys shifting gears? Releasing the accelerator pedal on each gear change?

Paddle forward for downshift, back for up.

asdflkijd · 10-19-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkn

The step is awesome with the days you are too lazy to shift gears with a clutch. However, when I shift gears I get a bit of over-rev when the gears change. How are you guys shifting gears? Releasing the accelerator pedal on each gear change?

I usually just keep my foot on the gas unless I am downshifting on curves.. I only let go of the gas when I want a more sportier feel.. I suppose after I get my BOV I will let go of the gas more, cuz I wanna hear that sh*T!

!Xoible · 10-19-2007, 12:57 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steptronic

same as porsche's tiptronic

PatsE92 · 10-19-2007, 02:16 PM

I really like the STEP. I came from driving an S2k as my daily driver for two years and while not the same, it is still fun. I test drove both STEP and 6MT but after the sweet short throws of my S the 3 felt like I was rowing a boat one handed.

To each his/her own I guess.

Pat

fragadellic · 10-19-2007, 02:39 PM

Jesus Christ. Have there not been enough AT vs. MT discussions on this forum yet? Do we really need ANOTHER one?

You're not really going to pick a transmission based on what people HERE think, are you? Just go drive both and make up your own mind.

10-19-2007, 12:38 AM	#2
BMWE90 Major 95 Rep 1,153 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	The new steptronic transmission with paddles can shift faster than any human could in a manual. Get steptronic and paddles and you're set. I love mine and so do the people that test drove it.
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10-19-2007, 12:41 AM	#3
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 19337 Rep 9,485 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Paddles were so cool when I tested all the cars in the Drive for a Cure! Plus if there is any doubt that you would be the only person driving, get the step. I like it that I can be lazy in crazy traffic
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10-19-2007, 12:43 AM	#4
///Matt United States Marine 399 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I love them both, but it sounds to me like you've already talked yourself into the step and are seeing if someone goes NOOOOO! Get the step with paddles. It's a blast.
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10-19-2007, 01:05 AM	#7
Tag This is the way. 23028 Rep 9,669 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	It rules... http://www.bmwusa.com/Vehicles/3/335...ail.htm?id=218 http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...teptronic.html
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10-19-2007, 01:27 AM	#9
arcrox E90post addict 53 Rep 496 Posts Drives: 2024 G20 M340i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	The auto also provides the advantage of not losing boost between shifts like you would with a manual transmission. A real winner in my book.
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10-19-2007, 02:14 AM	#10
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 661 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroa...automatic.html nuff' said, by far one of the best auto's I've driven. almost feels like a manual with the exception of the clutch.
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10-19-2007, 06:43 AM	#11
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1838 Rep 4,706 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp Xdrive Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	I love the step with paddles. I use the paddles about 80% of the time.
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10-19-2007, 07:32 AM	#12
Taittinger Major 60 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue E92 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Cpe [0.00]	The Step is great. It is not the same as the SMG though since it does not use a clutch, but that is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. __________________ '07 Monaco Blue 335i ordered 9/4 built 9/21 shipped 9/28 arrived 10/12 at dealership 10/18 vroom 10/19 christened 11/3...
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10-19-2007, 07:45 AM	#14
sflgator Major General 188 Rep 5,389 Posts Drives: '09 MB C63 AMG & '08 MB GL450 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. iTrader: (1)	The 335i's ZF 6AT tranny is one of the reasons why I chose the 335i over the '07 Infiniti G35! The 335i 6AT tranny shifts are lightning-fast (100ms) and super-smooth, compared to the slower (~1/2 sec. upshift delay), clunky 5AT in the Inifiniti G35. btw - I use the Paddles 100% of time; they're phenomenal! __________________ \|2009 RENNtech MB C63 AMG \| Black/Black Leather/Black Maple \| Premium II \| MultiMedia \| iPod \| \| TeleAid \| Charcoal Filter Delete \| BMC High-Flow Air Filters \| High-Flow Secondary Cats \| Clear Side Markers \|
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10-19-2007, 09:29 AM	#15
Raz335 Major 59 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: LI,NY iTrader: (2)	The Step Tranny in the 335 is awesome! The car shifts lightning quick without feeling like a slushbox. I love using the paddles and it behaves like an SMG without the clunky/jerkiness. __________________ Jerez Black/Fox E93 M3 - Prem 2/Cold/Conv/DCT/EDC/19's/Ext Lthr/Crbn Trim/Enhanced Sound/Sat Mods- 20" BBS LM's DBK/Challenge Catback/Eibachs/Trim wrapped black/Lux Angel eyes/35% Tint
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10-19-2007, 12:44 PM	#16
lkn Lieutenant Colonel 23 Rep 1,549 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County iTrader: (4)	The step is awesome with the days you are too lazy to shift gears with a clutch. However, when I shift gears I get a bit of over-rev when the gears change. How are you guys shifting gears? Releasing the accelerator pedal on each gear change?
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10-19-2007, 12:48 PM	#17
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 661 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	the 335i steptronic shifts somewhere around 95-100 ms vs. the E46 M3's SMG transmission which shifts somewhere round 85-90 ms. The concept is the same, clutchless manual... only difference is that the SMG transmission does not have a torque converter, which gives you 100% control of power while the Step. does have torque convert. which limit's the power at certain RPM's.. but in our case it does not affect the performance of the car...
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10-19-2007, 12:57 PM	#20
!Xoible Banned 1009 Rep 46,010 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steptronic same as porsche's tiptronic
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10-19-2007, 02:16 PM	#21
PatsE92 Private 4 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lafayette, LA iTrader: (0)	I really like the STEP. I came from driving an S2k as my daily driver for two years and while not the same, it is still fun. I test drove both STEP and 6MT but after the sweet short throws of my S the 3 felt like I was rowing a boat one handed. To each his/her own I guess. Pat __________________ ____________________________________________
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10-19-2007, 02:39 PM	#22
fragadellic Captain 15 Rep 949 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe BSM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Jesus Christ. Have there not been enough AT vs. MT discussions on this forum yet? Do we really need ANOTHER one? You're not really going to pick a transmission based on what people HERE think, are you? Just go drive both and make up your own mind. __________________ E92 335i Coupe Delivered 5.30.07 \| Black Sapphire \| Black Dakota \| Grey Poplar \| OEM 230 19" Wheels \| Michelin PS2s \| GP Thunder 8500K Angels __________________________________________________ __________
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