Auto or does it have to be Manual?

[Redline]

Since we got the E89 for Gail last year I've been toying with the idea of getting an e85 Z4 for myself - ostensibly as a weekend car (but, I know it'll end up being used most days, especially in the summer - who wouldn't?).

The only ones I see coming up at a reasonable age, mileage, price and spec (non-silver, non-black leather, Nav - Yes I'm picky) are Autos. I've never had one (only ever driving the odd hire or courtesy car) and have no idea if I'll be disappointed if I go for one.

Anybody bought an Auto Z4 after only ever driving manuals?
Is it a good move or were you disappointed and regretted it?
Anybody drive both?

 

[Mint]

Here's your cue @t-tony.......

 

[GazHyde]

My 3.0 E85 was the steptronic auto, and it's a superb gearbox. Best of both worlds as you have "drive" and away you go, but if you want to make progress or have a bit of fun in the twisties you can switch it to Sport mode and change gears yourself.

 

[t-tony]

When I bought my Z3 2.0 Auto 6 years ago I wanted an auto because getting out of Lincoln at home time is a right PITA.. I also had at that time a VW Touran 2.0 TDI with the DSG gearbox, that is an absolutely brilliant gearbox, and that persuaded Shirl to get an auto when she "changed" her Eos. My VW Touareg, also auto, you can see a pattern here I bet. And, yes, the 3.0 Z4 steptronic is a blast. Love it.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

The 3 litre Beemer 6 pot engine is so torquey you don't need gears

 

[Grumps]

I was looking at this only today with my truck. I've recently changed job and my old truck (newer than my new one) was auto and my new (older) truck is manual. Pros and cons for me. Auto is lovely when stuck in traffic but I prefer to drive a car, We owned merc's in the past and they have to be auto, it's the law! My saab is manual and my Zed is manual. I personally wouldn't want an auto in the zed although I prefer them in certain cars. Confused? I am!

 

[t-tony]

I need an auto Dave ...................................................................... I'm a lazy git.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

@Grumpy - certain cars do suit either a manual or auto box, usually when there is little effort to fit a quality auto box. The Steptronic boxes BMW use are awesome (no real experience of the standard slush boxes personally) and I've have not hesitation in having another Zed with one.

 

[Mint]

Our Ix35 is auto but it's attached to an oil burner, I'd be forever changing gear if it was manual. Both our Zeds are manual though...

 

[hard top]

We owned merc's in the past and they have to be auto

Spot on, as I have had a few, Merc manual boxes are crap.
My M44 was auto and that is why I got it.

 

[t-tony]

attached to an oil burner

That's the beauty of the VW DSG box, if you're in a hurry just select sport and floor it for near seemless gear changes, all you feel is the kick of the throttle pedal as it changes, much like my car.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

I've had a 3.0L V6 petrol and a 2.5V6 TDi - Both great cars. Loads of torque making town driving real easy and both quick. The Freelander while a great car (now 121k miles) has really short first and second gears making progress noisy and slow at low speed, combined with a red line at 4k it needs lots of stick work. I just don't feel the need to trade that at the moment.

The Steptronic idea is growing on me. I can see one of the right spec right now. The only problem is having somewhere to park it. I'm gonna have to have the front lawn ripped up which means I won't have to mow the grass

Thankfully, my daily commute is out of town driving. 26 miles. No traffic lights. Only 9 junctions. I rarely have to stop and thats usually at just three of the junctions. A manual is no effort for that journey.

 

[Mac Romans]

There's advantages to both gearboxes. My daily drive is auto but my zed (which is very much a special occasion car) is manual. The auto is a really easy and relaxing to drive....the zed is not so much.....but much more fun.

 

[hard top]

I live on the west coast of The Netherlands, just to much traffic (stop and go) to muck about with a daily manual box.

 

[Redline]

I live on the west coast of The Netherlands, just to much traffic (stop and go) to muck about with a daily manual box.

If I had that kind of drive it wouldn't be a hard choice. I just wouldn't want to get an auto because that's all was available. Sounds like a Steptronic covers both bases.

 

[hard top]

Another thing with the Mercs was the foot pedal (hand) break. Try doing that on a hill with traffic lights with a manual box.
Pain in the back side.

 

[t-tony]

That's one area where the latest electronic parking brakes are good, you don't need to release it, they do it by sensing rotation of the wheel through the wheel speed sensors and automatically release for you when the wheel starts to turn.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

That's one area where the latest electronic parking brakes are good, you don't need to release it, they do it by sensing rotation of the wheel through the wheel speed sensors and automatically release for you when the wheel starts to turn.

Tony.

That's something I need to try. Never had the guts to trust the electronics to do that hill-start malarkey. I suppose 35+ years of driving it's hard to hand over to some software engineer. Having been one for many years I have a healthy disrespect of things designed by me.
If the wheels are locked by the brake, how do they turn?

 

[t-tony]

Only, usually, the rear wheels are locked by the parking brake (unless you have a Citroen with the parking brake on the front wheels) so the front wheels start to turn a split second before the rears try to turn and that's really all it takes to sense motion. There's no problem on a hill start either really because if the brake doesn't release the worst that can happen is that you stall?

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

Another thing with the Mercs was the foot pedal (hand) break. Try doing that on a hill with traffic lights with a manual box.
Pain in the back side.

Bloody awful design. Jue never used it on ours, just held it on a hill on the foot brake and a quick switch to throttle and away.