[HEY32G]

I am absolutely positive that the answers to my questions are buried somewhere in this site, but I'm going to ask anyway.....

Will the transmission ever shift for you if you are in manual mode? Is there a manual mode? How do the paddles work, is it like right for upshifts and left for downshifts or is it this push or pull either one?

Thanks.

[diablo2112]

There is a manual mode, and its very good. It will hold gear to redline, not sure if it will force a shift after that, never tried it. Both paddles function identically - push to downshift, pull to upshift. It will not downshift if that would overrev, but otherwise, it's pure manual.

(My first 2 E90s had the step, great transmission. My current is a 6MT)

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

There is a manual mode, and its very good. It will hold gear to redline, not sure if it will force a shift after that, never tried it. Both paddles function identically - push to downshift, pull to upshift. It will not downshift if that would overrev, but otherwise, it's pure manual.

(My first 2 E90s had the step, great transmission. My current is a 6MT)

So which do you prefer the auto or the manual?

I REALLY don't like that push to downshift / pull to upshift. Why can't they just keep it simple w/ the left and right a la M3. Is there an after market fix for that? I thought I saw some guys talking aboput fitting an M3 wheel to it.

[amlebede]

There shouldn't be a forced switch. The governor will just not let you overload engine.

[blue2fire]

It will change gear in manual mode if you hit the kickdown switch in the accelerator (if you are in a higher gear than optimal).

[3lusive]

Steptronic will also downshift for you if the revs get too low. ie around 1000rpm it will go from M3 to M2. Anyone always start in M1? I find that it's so short and it wastes a lot of gas.

[TheAcAvenger]

You can retrofit Upshift on one side and Downshift on the other (it'll cost you $400-500 dollars I think. I've had both, and while it was awkward at first, I've come to prefer the +/- on each paddle.

And yes, it will shift at redline, whether you want it to or not. My last car would let you bounce off the rev limiter, this one will not. It doesn't shift "early" though. It works well.

[heemry328i]

if you leave it in manual mode and you put the pedal to the metal and DONT shift, the car will automatically shift for you once it reaches redline. The steptronic manual mode is dummy proof. It also wont let you downshift into a gear that will harm the engine also.

[HEY32G]

How well does it downshift? I'm assuming no throttle blips.

As you can tell I really want DCT, but since that's not available here in the U.S.......

[darkphantom]

you Know at first the paddles got to me but now I love them!

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by GH32335i

How well does it downshift? I'm assuming no throttle blips.

As you can tell I really want DCT, but since that's not available here in the U.S.......

It's still a slushbox at heart, but it's one of the better ones. It shifts hard and relatively quickly for a standard torque converter transmission. Certainly not like a true DCT though.

Manual mode is completely idiot proof. If you're in too high a gear, it will downshift. And if you nail it to the kickdown point and keep your foot down, it will downshift and upshift accordingly. Generally, people find the D-S mode more enjoyable in these cars compared to the manual mode.

[diablo2112]

I've had both on the E90s, which do I prefer?

I'm currently in a 6MT 335, and honestly, I think I preferred the Steptronic. Both are very, very good; the steptronic was simply the best auto of any car I've ever driven - it's that good. The manual mode on the step was outstanding, and I live in the mountains here in the Southwest, and found I was shifting all the time. I liked the push/pull arrangement, as it didn't invert when the wheel was upside down (and I shifted a lot with the wheel at an angle).

Nothing wrong with the manual, but there were times - like stuck in Albuquerque traffic - where the auto is nice. And the steptronic is so good, I think it's quicker than I am driving the manual.

[kungfufishing]

I have the step. It is my first auto tranny. It was actually my one sticking point on buying the car, but there were no manuals on the ground in a five state radius. Having said that, I have been pleasantly surprised. The manual mode shifts as fast or faster than you could shift with a clutch, and it gives you a nice "choose your level of driving involvement" feature. When I feel like just sitting back and relaxing, put it in D. When I feel like driving like a maniac, use the paddles.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by kungfufishing

I have the step. It is my first auto tranny. It was actually my one sticking point on buying the car, but there were no manuals on the ground in a five state radius. Having said that, I have been pleasantly surprised. The manual mode shifts as fast or faster than you could shift with a clutch, and it gives you a nice "choose your level of driving involvement" feature. When I feel like just sitting back and relaxing, put it in D. When I feel like driving like a maniac, use the paddles.

You should change your sig, you know

[ElliottP]

If you're in 5th, lets say, and you slow to a stop, will it downshift or just stall? I've never heard of an auto stalling...

[SoCalTech]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

It will change gear in manual mode if you hit the kickdown switch in the accelerator (if you are in a higher gear than optimal).

Just so you know, the kick down switch in the pedal is actually a dummy detent. It doesn't do anything but make you feel like you're hitting a kick down switch. Everything is based on the pwg sensor inside the pedal.

[TheAcAvenger]

Originally Posted by ElliottP

If you're in 5th, lets say, and you slow to a stop, will it downshift or just stall? I've never heard of an auto stalling...

It downshifts. It'll downshift all the way down. I know a lot of people who never downshift themselves when stopping at lights. That feels weird to me, but the car will do it all for you.

[3lusive]

Originally Posted by TheAcAvenger

It downshifts. It'll downshift all the way down. I know a lot of people who never downshift themselves when stopping at lights. That feels weird to me, but the car will do it all for you.

Downshifting yourself will help with engine braking and reduce brake wear if properly used. I do this a lot and I can brake only at the last minute by downshifting myself

[Bobble]

Same response as the rest, this is my first auto in 35 years of driving and don't feel I miss much. Works great for an auto but is not a DCT or F1 style box it will override if you screw up or day dream. As far as push versus pull, the paddles are not stationary so that is a benefit and you can rewire so they only do one thing per paddle if you'd like, just search that one out, there is a good DYI for that here somewhere (hint try the DYI section first). Canuck take it form here for your searching tutorial

[Lowcruzr]

I have (and love) the Step. It's a great choice for a stop-and-go commute. My only problem is that it WILL shift for you in manual mode. Not very 'manual' now is it? I HATE THIS!!!! What is the point of having paddles in the damn car if it takes over when you hit red line?!?! You get the tail to slide out coming out of a corner and WHAM!! it upshifts, kills your momentum, and kiss that drift goodbye. Let me hit the limiter a touch and be able to back off a few hundred RPM so I can hold my drift. Track days are better when I can hang the ass end out once or twice a session. (Yes I know it isn't the fastest way though a corner...)

What part of the word 'manual' spells 'automatic'!!!

[thegeneral101]

Originally Posted by TheAcAvenger

And yes, it will shift at redline, whether you want it to or not. My last car would let you bounce off the rev limiter, this one will not. It doesn't shift "early" though. It works well.

correct

[m3_sj]

Originally Posted by Lowcruzr

I have (and love) the Step. It's a great choice for a stop-and-go commute. My only problem is that it WILL shift for you in manual mode. Not very 'manual' now is it? I HATE THIS!!!! What is the point of having paddles in the damn car if it takes over when you hit red line?!?! You get the tail to slide out coming out of a corner and WHAM!! it upshifts, kills your momentum, and kiss that drift goodbye. Let me hit the limiter a touch and be able to back off a few hundred RPM so I can hold my drift. Track days are better when I can hang the ass end out once or twice a session. (Yes I know it isn't the fastest way though a corner...)

What part of the word 'manual' spells 'automatic'!!!

maybe there's a software kit to increase and tweak the redlines ? or get a a full manual car ? that is what i'm doing. I'm going from an e46 smg m3 to a e93 manual in the weeks / months to come as I really don't like this bmw electronic manual way of thinking. I came from an s2000 background and thought sMg on a m3 would be welcomed. Its alright, but I can't wait to go back to a true full standard H.