|
> Unlike the 335i (which was a joy to drive not only in manual mode but also DS (auto-sport) mode, the M235i in DS auto seems to upshift too soon and not downshift soon enough. This is in part due to the difference in gear ratios (see chart below - sorry the numbers get crammed but basically read as follows: 1st gear> gear ratio for 335i and corresponding suggested speed, gear ratio for M235i and corresponding suggested speed, etc.):
335i Speed M235iSpeed
Auto Km/h Auto Km/h
1st gear 4.17 20 4.71 15
2nd gear 2.34 40 3.14 30
3rd gear 1.52 60 2.11 45
4th gear 1.14 80 1.67 55
5th gear 0.87 100 1.29 70
6th gear 0.69 120 1.00 85
7th gear - 0.84 100
8th gear - 0.67 120
Reverse gear 3.4 3.30
Final drive 3.46 3.08
E.g., under normal driving at 120 kmh u'd be in 6th gear for the 335i and in 8th for the M235i, etc. etc.
Is there anyway BMW can re-program the DS auto to be more aggressive w up/down shifts (she seems to upshift too quickly and downshift too slowly)?
In manual mode, does anyone find having to manually shift up to 8 gears a bit of a pain/redundant?
As always, I'd appreciate all of your feedback for those who have the auto tranny.[/QUOTE]
Well I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love the 8AT. When in ECO Pro it shifts very early and is slow to downshift, but comfort and certainly sport/+ modes it holds it pretty high, especially when the auto is in sport mode. Manual mode is a blast for me, especially shifting at 3/4 throttle it mid RPM (4k or so) and getting the pops from the exhaust when it shifts. I am wondering if your car has something wrong with it? Then again, the only other auto cars I have driven in the last 15 years have been my wife's Toyotas, so I don't have any other performance auto experience.
|