How quick are gear changes on automatics?

HMP · 07-19-2019, 06:02 AM

Curious how quick the gear shifts are on an automatic once you hit the paddle shifter levers.

Im hunting for an E91, and while I really want RWD and 6MT, Im starting to think I might need to give up on one of those and compromise. So that's why Ive asked about the xdrive on another thread and here asking the speed of the automatic shifts when you select the next gear on the paddle shifter.

I ask because on my DD, which is a ford automatic with select shift in 'sport mode' it takes a second, not very quick at all, in my opinion.
But Ive been in some cars, like the Infiniti G37 and was satisfied with its speed

Just thinking about sporting backroad drives

roadkillrob · 07-19-2019, 06:32 AM

So there are 2 automatics they used in the E series cars, the ZF 6 speed and the GM 6 speed. The ZF is not too bad, I think they advertised 100ms shift speed (but doesn't feel that fast). The GM 6 speed is a lazy slow thing usually found in the 328 and the 335 usually received the ZF. Not sure if you do xdrive as in the E46 awd got you the gm trans, but in the E90 pretty sure you get the ZF.

The ZF 6 speed is one of the great automatics, it is good stock but you have XHP tuning for it that will make it shift like a DCT so it is truly excellent with an XHP tune on the trans and that can be done with an android device at home for a few hundred bucks!

Bimmer_Engineer · 07-19-2019, 06:44 AM

The ZF trans with the xhp tune shifts are really fast and crisp. I’m running stage 2...

You can see what trans a certain e90 has on realoem.com if you have the vin or the build month...

Schmitz · 07-19-2019, 06:48 AM

I think the gm shifting is pretty quick, easy quicker than my old passat. It shifts faster than I can manually shift, but then again, I'm not a racer

nsjames · 07-19-2019, 08:03 AM

the gm transmission is not atrocious.

and since you're e91 shopping, that's likely what you're gonna get cause 328.

the plus side is that it's dirt cheap to keep maintained. no fancy zf fluid that costs.

mweisdorfer · 07-19-2019, 08:13 AM

Only ZF trans are found in the 335's. ZF trans are very stout and will last a very long time, if properly maintained.

The age of solenoids in the trans will ultimately determine how fast the trans will shift and the trans' overall health.

Fortunately, the cost of new solenoids has come down a lot, in the last year. I think you can refurbish the solenoids, the various megatronic sleeves and the like for around $275.00 or so. This is of course plus the cost of a new pan filter & trans oil of course.

Overall, you are probably looking at another $100.00 for the pan & $100.00 for 12 quarts of trans fluid (12 qts if you flush the old fluid out of the torque converter via the trans cooler line).

porsche959 · 07-19-2019, 10:12 AM

Don’t do it man. Never heard of anyone being satisfied with an auto when initially looking for a 6sp. The longer you wait, the more money you can put aside to find your unicorn.

That said, if you are happy with the g37 auto shift, who knows, maybe everything I said above is meaningless.

hassmaschine · 07-19-2019, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Only ZF trans are found in the 335's. ZF trans are very stout and will last a very long time, if properly maintained.

The age of solenoids in the trans will ultimately determine how fast the trans will shift and the trans' overall health.

Fortunately, the cost of new solenoids has come down a lot, in the last year. I think you can refurbish the solenoids, the various megatronic sleeves and the like for around $275.00 or so. This is of course plus the cost of a new pan filter & trans oil of course.

Overall, you are probably looking at another $100.00 for the pan & $100.00 for 12 quarts of trans fluid (12 qts if you flush the old fluid out of the torque converter via the trans cooler line).

2006 330i and 325i had ZFs. They did make E91 325's in 2006, but they were all XI as far as I know.

Get the 6 speed manual man, if that's what you really want. They are out there. On the 328i there's no possibility to tune the transmission, and the throttle response on the autos are way different (worse) than the manuals. They put down less power too, which an E91 328i needs as much as it can get.

07-19-2019, 06:02 AM	#1
HMP New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: not a bimmer yet Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Winston Salem, NC iTrader: (0)	How quick are gear changes on automatics? Curious how quick the gear shifts are on an automatic once you hit the paddle shifter levers. Im hunting for an E91, and while I really want RWD and 6MT, Im starting to think I might need to give up on one of those and compromise. So that's why Ive asked about the xdrive on another thread and here asking the speed of the automatic shifts when you select the next gear on the paddle shifter. I ask because on my DD, which is a ford automatic with select shift in 'sport mode' it takes a second, not very quick at all, in my opinion. But Ive been in some cars, like the Infiniti G37 and was satisfied with its speed Just thinking about sporting backroad drives
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07-19-2019, 06:32 AM	#2
roadkillrob Major General 866 Rep 5,450 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	So there are 2 automatics they used in the E series cars, the ZF 6 speed and the GM 6 speed. The ZF is not too bad, I think they advertised 100ms shift speed (but doesn't feel that fast). The GM 6 speed is a lazy slow thing usually found in the 328 and the 335 usually received the ZF. Not sure if you do xdrive as in the E46 awd got you the gm trans, but in the E90 pretty sure you get the ZF. The ZF 6 speed is one of the great automatics, it is good stock but you have XHP tuning for it that will make it shift like a DCT so it is truly excellent with an XHP tune on the trans and that can be done with an android device at home for a few hundred bucks! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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07-19-2019, 06:44 AM	#3
Bimmer_Engineer Lieutenant Colonel 1044 Rep 1,667 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: May 2018 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Porsche Boxster [0.00] 2016 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.50]	The ZF trans with the xhp tune shifts are really fast and crisp. I’m running stage 2... You can see what trans a certain e90 has on realoem.com if you have the vin or the build month...
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07-19-2019, 06:48 AM	#4
Schmitz Lieutenant 241 Rep 494 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	I think the gm shifting is pretty quick, easy quicker than my old passat. It shifts faster than I can manually shift, but then again, I'm not a racer
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07-19-2019, 08:03 AM	#5
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	the gm transmission is not atrocious. and since you're e91 shopping, that's likely what you're gonna get cause 328. the plus side is that it's dirt cheap to keep maintained. no fancy zf fluid that costs.
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07-19-2019, 08:13 AM	#6
mweisdorfer Major General 1903 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Only ZF trans are found in the 335's. ZF trans are very stout and will last a very long time, if properly maintained. The age of solenoids in the trans will ultimately determine how fast the trans will shift and the trans' overall health. Fortunately, the cost of new solenoids has come down a lot, in the last year. I think you can refurbish the solenoids, the various megatronic sleeves and the like for around $275.00 or so. This is of course plus the cost of a new pan filter & trans oil of course. Overall, you are probably looking at another $100.00 for the pan & $100.00 for 12 quarts of trans fluid (12 qts if you flush the old fluid out of the torque converter via the trans cooler line).
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07-19-2019, 10:12 AM	#7
porsche959 Banned 471 Rep 996 Posts Drives: porsche Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	Don’t do it man. Never heard of anyone being satisfied with an auto when initially looking for a 6sp. The longer you wait, the more money you can put aside to find your unicorn. That said, if you are happy with the g37 auto shift, who knows, maybe everything I said above is meaningless.
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