[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by vinny84

Shame on you for having a women influence your car buying decision

Haha, kidding aside, I agree with you, I'm going with the ZF auto but I'm sure I'll miss the involvement of my e82 now. I guess I'll find out within the next year

You know how it goes...shaking my head...

At least I have wise up ! Not gonna happen this time.

I seriously miss having a MT

[Greenkirby21]

My 128i is an auto and I hate the auto. The zf8 in my moms f30 335i is great but the whole 8 gears makes it weird when you shift in manual mode.

So I am getting a manual . Also my first manual car to own D:

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

My 128i is an auto and I hate the auto. The zf8 in my moms f30 335i is great but the whole 8 gears makes it weird when you shift in manual mode.

So I am getting a manual . Also my first manual car to own D:

LOL. I know some of my friends who learnt on a manual and had their driving test on a manual but jumped over to auto as soon as possible. They can't drive a manual anymore lol. I don't get how they forgot to drive it!

How has your manual experience been like so far?

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

LOL. I know some of my friends who learnt on a manual and had their driving test on a manual but jumped over to auto as soon as possible. They can't drive a manual anymore lol. I don't get how they forgot to drive it!

How has your manual experience been like so far?

I haven't owned a manual car, but I have driven it a few times.

My brother had a 2006 mini cooper S that he let me have a few rounds at while I was learning to drive. Then he got a 2008 135i and I drove that a few times. Of course, both of these times were in a parking lot.

I really wanted a manual 128i but the deal my dealership gave me on my current car was too good since nobody wanted a red 1 series

One of my friends 2 months ago sold his (1991?) Jetta that was manual. Before selling it to someone he let me borrow it for 3 hours. I feel like I got the most experience there.

My brother currently has a WRX STI so hopefully he will let me drive some more before I get my car. I know this sounds silly, but since I drive in manual mode everyday in my car, and I play lots of Forza, I more or less know how everything works.

The hardest thing is getting the feel down, which I think driving the Jetta helped a lot. My friend let me drive on the street and across town. The only bad time was when I stalled on a hill (I forgot no hill holder!) and the car behind us got mad.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

I haven't owned a manual car, but I have driven it a few times.

My brother had a 2006 mini cooper S that he let me have a few rounds at while I was learning to drive. Then he got a 2008 135i and I drove that a few times. Of course, both of these times were in a parking lot.

I really wanted a manual 128i but the deal my dealership gave me on my current car was too good since nobody wanted a red 1 series

One of my friends 2 months ago sold his (1991?) Jetta that was manual. Before selling it to someone he let me borrow it for 3 hours. I feel like I got the most experience there.

My brother currently has a WRX STI so hopefully he will let me drive some more before I get my car. I know this sounds silly, but since I drive in manual mode everyday in my car, and I play lots of Forza, I more or less know how everything works.

The hardest thing is getting the feel down, which I think driving the Jetta helped a lot. My friend let me drive on the street and across town. The only bad time was when I stalled on a hill (I forgot no hill holder!) and the car behind us got mad.

Well at least you've still been dabbling in it recently (especially in cool cars), so you will be fine. You also needn't worry about hills. The hill-assist works like a charm in the manual too.

I can't believe how much of a dweeb I was in thinking that it was impossible to master when I started out driving. It's like second nature now!

I actually may do the total opposite of what you're going to do, in that I want to get an auto the next time. I've only ever driven manuals, mostly because I could not see myself spending that much on the transmission lol.

I've never driven an auto car haha but I'm sure it's easy to adjust to.

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

Well at least you've still been dabbling in it recently (especially in cool cars), so you will be fine. You also needn't worry about hills. The hill-assist works like a charm in the manual too.

I can't believe how much of a dweeb I was in thinking that it was impossible to master when I started out driving. It's like second nature now!

I actually may do the total opposite of what you're going to do, in that I want to get an auto the next time. I've only ever driven manuals, mostly because I could not see myself spending that much on the transmission lol.

I've never driven an auto car haha but I'm sure it's easy to adjust to.

haha you will love the ZF8 its one of the best transmissions out there right now.

My logic is that I doubt my next car after the M235i will have a manual transmission. It might not even be gasoline anymore since electric cars are becoming more and more common. So, might as well enjoy my last "normal" car

[IZAGLO]

I thought the XDrive M235 was NOT available in a 6/M/T?? I hope it is as there really are not that many other AWD vehicles in this class to compete with besides Audi that offe AWD in a hot coupe...Seems like everyone else is going mad with paddles....After being a M/T driver for 30 yeas and then bought a 135i w/paddles,,,,was a BIG mistake,,,but i had a bad knee at the time...

[Aust350z]

Can someone explain or point me to a link that explains the difference between m-DCT and Zf8? From a performance point of view.

Paddling through 8 gears doesn't sound like fun depending on how it has been geared up.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Aust350z

Can someone explain or point me to a link that explains the difference between m-DCT and Zf8? From a performance point of view.

Paddling through 8 gears doesn't sound like fun depending on how it has been geared up.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141984

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by alex2364

How is 4x4 stance and base suspension an advantage? And AWD won't have better handling than RWD. The only AWD BMWs I'd get are X1/X3/X5/X6. Everything else is better suited for RWD.

Exactly

[wdlfbio]

We've had one AWD for the last 10 years. One of us has a 60+ mile commute each way and frequently with very wet roads (Seattle area). I may finally go to a RWD and just spend more money for better winter tires. Less weight, less power lost when transferred to just the rear, more fun to throw around corners, and (mostly) no more 4wd front end. Sure, I could fix the look with $2k in suspension mods, but we keep cars for 2-3 years, so expensive mods are out.

But, I fail to see how an AWD will not out handle a RWD. On track days, I've had instructors saying easy, slow down, brake at corners. They are used to their RWDs. I just kept my speed up and pointed out AWD... She'll get us through without slowing down as much as her RWD sisters. Granted, there is an understeer issue with this AWD and I can't throw her around a corner like a RWD allows.

Also, loved the DCT in our E92 M3 and our E89 35is. Not in love with the auto in the E92 335xi tho (mostly driven in manual mode). I'm hoping for the best with the 8spd because I really don't like the idea of having to shift in 60+ miles of commuter traffic each way.

[Aust350z]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141984

Thanks.

Some further reading for those interested.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=871928

[Devon K]

Haven't seen any mention of rev-matching for the MT so I assume it's not going to be offered even as an option? IF true, too bad. IIRC the upcoming MINI is going to have it.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

We've had one AWD for the last 10 years. One of us has a 60+ mile commute each way and frequently with very wet roads (Seattle area). I may finally go to a RWD and just spend more money for better winter tires. Less weight, less power lost when transferred to just the rear, more fun to throw around corners, and (mostly) no more 4wd front end. Sure, I could fix the look with $2k in suspension mods, but we keep cars for 2-3 years, so expensive mods are out.

But, I fail to see how an AWD will not out handle a RWD. On track days, I've had instructors saying easy, slow down, brake at corners. They are used to their RWDs. I just kept my speed up and pointed out AWD... She'll get us through without slowing down as much as her RWD sisters. Granted, there is an understeer issue with this AWD and I can't throw her around a corner like a RWD allows.

Also, loved the DCT in our E92 M3 and our E89 35is. Not in love with the auto in the E92 335xi tho (mostly driven in manual mode). I'm hoping for the best with the 8spd because I really don't like the idea of having to shift in 60+ miles of commuter traffic each way.

fwiw, I drive 60 miles each way for my commute....at least 15 of those miles through the worst traffic NYC can find! lol. a manual isn't that bad....you just have to find the right rhythm to keep during heavy traffic. if you are lunging, accelerating, and braking in a jam then you will get tired....but if you allow some room in front of you, stay patient, and stay calm then the NON traffic heavy times driving the manual make the slight bit of extra effort worth it, IMO.

the reality is that my left leg was falling asleep during the 2 years I drove my A3 with the dual clutch gearbox....so I went back to a manual! lol

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by alex2364

How is 4x4 stance and base suspension an advantage? And AWD won't have better handling than RWD. The only AWD BMWs I'd get are X1/X3/X5/X6. Everything else is better suited for RWD.

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Exactly

It all depends on your definition of "handling". Handling is such a vague and encompassing word to begin with. Are we talking about day to day driving? Track days and lap times? Good weather, bad weather? Slalom or 0-60 times? Etc. In my opinion, there is just no right or wrong answer to the classic question of which is better. They both out perform one another depending on the task at hand and the conditions for which the respective cars are designed to perform and compete in.


One could argue all day long that AWD "handles" better than RWD, and turn around and make the exact same argument that RWD handles better than AWD. It's all in the details. The Audi R8, Nissan GTR and the Bugatti Veyron are all excellent examples of good "handling" AWD cars.


Ok, back to ///M235i business. I personally would be very disappointed if they do not offer the xDrive in 6MT. Might even be a deal breaker for me. We'll see.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

fwiw, I drive 60 miles each way for my commute....at least 15 of those miles through the worst traffic NYC can find! lol. a manual isn't that bad....you just have to find the right rhythm to keep during heavy traffic. if you are lunging, accelerating, and braking in a jam then you will get tired....but if you allow some room in front of you, stay patient, and stay calm then the NON traffic heavy times driving the manual make the slight bit of extra effort worth it, IMO.

the reality is that my left leg was falling asleep during the 2 years I drove my A3 with the dual clutch gearbox....so I went back to a manual! lol

You sir are a champ!

[Falafel Combo]

Great show for the 6MT so far. 18 MT votes to 16 ZF8!

[W///]

RWD/6MT

Valencia Orange (maybe Estoril)/Black Leatherette
Xenons (if they aren't standard on the M235i)
Heated seats
Upgraded sound

That's it. I want this car with as little options as possible. Therefore, adding Xdrive not only adds to the cost, but also weight. 0 need for that in SC.

Also sticking with MT as I want this car to be a modern day interpretation of the 2002Tii. Again, no need for auto as traffic is not that bad around here and I have a 4Runner with AT as well.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

I've driven the zf transmission in a bunch of cars and it is 'blah' like a regular autobox. don't believe the hype. if it was a DCT it was worth considering but if I were you I'd stick to a manual!

I think you're the only one who feels that way. It parallels previous generation DCTs and DSGs for performance but beats them for smoothness and ease of use. There have been some lag issues in the slow settings, but they've been remedied. This is the most intelligent transmission ever--period.

[eezzee]

RWD / 8-speed ZF auto

[termigni]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Have you guys driven an M3 DCT or F10 M5 DCT in full S5 or S6 mode? I can compare my M3 DCT to our X1 8sp and there is no contest the M-DCT is 1000x better in every way. Unless you've driven both, I don't think you can claim they're about the same.

I've driven F10 M6 DCT in full S6 at an open track day. I have an 8spd Auto in my 5.

Answer: M-DCT > DCT > 8spd AT > conventional AT

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by termigni

I've driven F10 M6 DCT in full S6 at an open track day. I have an 8spd Auto in my 5.

Answer: M-DCT > DCT > 8spd AT > conventional AT

Agreed, but now the diff between the DCT and ZF8 is much smaller... so probably from a cost and weight perspective it makes more sense for BMW to use the ZF8