320d steptronic vs. manual

jcoo085 · 01-11-2006, 09:44 AM

My steptronic 320d is at the service centre now getting somethings done. A rattle fixed, CIP 20, and there was a service bulletin for something in the engine. The service advisor didn't know what it was called in english (and I forgot what it was in German) but he said it's to stop something leaking (but a very minor problem).

To get to the point, they gave me an E90 320d manual as a loaner. After the novelty wore off, I'm still glad I chose the steptronic for a couple of reasons.

1: In city traffic I found I was constantly shifting between 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes 4th if I was lucky. The steptronic is much more relaxing for obvious reasons. Although maybe I'm just getting lazy.

2: Fuel consumption. I found that the fuel consumption was much higher (10.2L/100km for the manual vs 8.9L/100km). I think this is due to the fact that the manual gives me a heavier foot. The BMW 6-speed encourages revving.

3: In my case, I found the steptronic to be a little faster off the mark than the manual because you can just plant your foot and go. Although someone who has been driving the 6-speed for a while would of course be faster because they know their gearing.

What I like about the manual: Absolutely everything! If my driving wasn't 90% city I would have gotten it in a heartbeat! Gear changes are smooth, there's no gate vagueness, clutch engagement is effortless, and rev matching is extremely easy (I was able to do it about 80% of the time)

What I like about the steptronic: Absolutely everything! Effortless city driving, shifts smoothly, gives me lower consumption (because I'm a little lighter on the pedal), and I can still change gears when I want.

Note: I am in no way criticising either transmission. I'm simply making a comparison from my own experiences. Both transmissions are fantastic and the choice depends on whatever you like more.

RD Sport · 01-11-2006, 09:50 AM

Thanks for sharing.

Can't wait to get my hands on these when I visit Europe this March!

vladinecko · 01-11-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcoo085

1: In city traffic I found I was constantly shifting between 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes 4th if I was lucky.

i'm happy to get to 3rd in the city, 4th, forget it!

Broken1 · 01-11-2006, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcoo085

My steptronic 320d is at the service centre now getting somethings done. A rattle fixed, CIP 20, and there was a service bulletin for something in the engine. The service advisor didn't know what it was called in english (and I forgot what it was in German) but he said it's to stop something leaking (but a very minor problem).

I think the service bulletin is the retrofitting of the corrugated fuel line:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1's earlier post

They also carried out a "campaign" which was retrofitting corrugated tubing on the breather line - the layman explanation was that it's the tube connected to where you fill your tank up - apparently there have been some reports of them wearing down and there being some fuel leaks so they changed it. This was done at a cost of R11.50 for the part (P 16 12 4 390 434) and labour of R107.40

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...bration+damper

Please let us know if this is correct? (Ie Part no. from your invoice (or a scan) etc)

The trick about getting the manual off the line, is to rev it into boost before letting go of the clutch (about 1700rpm)...with that...it flies off the line! I think the auto box is alot nicer for "city" driving, but when I test drove the auto - it kept pushing back into gear -when I would prefer to stay in 6th at low revs to overtake- instead of having the car downshift.

They are both excellent transmissions suited for the E90 320d...You are so lucky you got to experience both in a daily commute.

Also...I am the opposite of you. The second I see an auto box - my foot gains a couple of pounds... and my fuel cons flies through the roof. I borrowed an E46 325i a while ago (auto) and I pushed the cons from 11.1 to 13.9 in the 1 day I was driving it...and I was going easier on it then I do my car (because it was borrowed)

hehe! Thanks for the write up :-) Always nice to hear about diesels....

01-11-2006, 09:44 AM	#1
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	320d steptronic vs. manual My steptronic 320d is at the service centre now getting somethings done. A rattle fixed, CIP 20, and there was a service bulletin for something in the engine. The service advisor didn't know what it was called in english (and I forgot what it was in German) but he said it's to stop something leaking (but a very minor problem). To get to the point, they gave me an E90 320d manual as a loaner. After the novelty wore off, I'm still glad I chose the steptronic for a couple of reasons. 1: In city traffic I found I was constantly shifting between 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes 4th if I was lucky. The steptronic is much more relaxing for obvious reasons. Although maybe I'm just getting lazy. 2: Fuel consumption. I found that the fuel consumption was much higher (10.2L/100km for the manual vs 8.9L/100km). I think this is due to the fact that the manual gives me a heavier foot. The BMW 6-speed encourages revving. 3: In my case, I found the steptronic to be a little faster off the mark than the manual because you can just plant your foot and go. Although someone who has been driving the 6-speed for a while would of course be faster because they know their gearing. What I like about the manual: Absolutely everything! If my driving wasn't 90% city I would have gotten it in a heartbeat! Gear changes are smooth, there's no gate vagueness, clutch engagement is effortless, and rev matching is extremely easy (I was able to do it about 80% of the time) What I like about the steptronic: Absolutely everything! Effortless city driving, shifts smoothly, gives me lower consumption (because I'm a little lighter on the pedal), and I can still change gears when I want. Note: I am in no way criticising either transmission. I'm simply making a comparison from my own experiences. Both transmissions are fantastic and the choice depends on whatever you like more. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-11-2006, 09:50 AM	#2
RD Sport Freude am Fahren 114 Rep 2,175 Posts Drives: from Deutchland Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: RASKH iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to get my hands on these when I visit Europe this March!
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