Hey guys,

Here are the specs for the automatic transmission which has the "manual option built in" that requires no clutch.


(325I )
5 speed steptronic =Provides three mode choices: “Drive” incorporates BMW’s adaptive transmission control; “Sport,” a more dynamic shift pattern; and STEPTRONIC, the hands-on control of a manual without using a clutch.

(M3) SMG=Allows Automatic or Sequential (“S”) shifting. In “S” mode, you can shift by tapping race-inspired paddles behind the steering wheel, or using a shift lever on the center console. (Optional)


The question I have is, do both of these cars have the same manual shifter? Why would the M3 have less options as opposed to the 325I which is at the lowest of the bmw spectrum?

Thanks

 

im not to sure on anything when it comes to BMW, but i do know a woman with a M3 that showed me how the manual with no clutch thing worked. The shifter was set up just like a manual, but there was no clutch, so she had to let off the gas, then switch gears , then gas it again. Then she said she had a way to put it into tiptronic then into automatic. but i dont remember how all that worked.

 

The cars do not have the same shifter. The SMG actually has a clutch, while the 325l has a torque converter.

 

Because higher end models already have most of the options as standard equipments.

325i is not the lowest of the BMW spectrum. There are plenty of 316s, 318s, and 323s in Europe.

And a great majority of 325s made for the States are already a lot more comfortably equipped than comparable models in Europe.

Jon

 

Agreed. I think the 325i's shift system is like E-shift. Automatic but with manual controls, that's all. The only cars I can think of that have REAL sequential trannys (clutch, but no clutch pedal) are the M3, Z4, new 5 series, Ferraris, and the MR2 spyder.

James

 

totally different. the 325 has an auto, and yes that's auto, period. there is just another manual shift mode on top of it.

for the m3, the smg is a REAL manual. there is a clutch, but the computer do all the clutch work for you. shift so fast that no human can match.

 

Thanks alot guys for your responses.

-bryan

 

The 3 Series also has the option of the SMG transmission as of the 04 model year, but only on the RWD cars (no Xi's) and it requires the Sport Package. The 325i/330i use the same SMG set-up as the Z4, which isn't quite as sophisticated as the one used on the M3, 545i, and 645Ci. The 3 also offers a traditional manual (which I believe is a 6-speed on the 330i Performance Package) and a Steptronic automatic with a traditional torque converter and E-shift type plus/minus shifting.