"Drive/Sport" Automatic or Six Speed Steptronic?

CLos · 09-19-2006, 11:06 AM

For all you automatic drivers, which do you prefer and does any provide any advantage over the other as far as fuel efficiency and performance goes?

Thanks.

DesiGUY · 09-19-2006, 11:11 AM

go for 6-speed steptronic...

I made a wrong decision going with auto. Atleast i feel that way.

Mick · 09-19-2006, 11:14 AM

I'm confused. Steptronic is a 6-speed automatic transmission. Now if you're referring to Drive vs. Sport mode on the Step, that's different. Sport changes the shift points, allowing the engine to rev higher before it shifts gears. It's all a matter of personal taste and driving style. Play with it and see what you like. It's no substitute for a 6-speed manual transmission though.

toolfan · 09-19-2006, 11:16 AM

The normal drive mode will get you better gas mileage because you wont feel like racing once you push it over in sport mode.

CLos · 09-19-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

I'm confused. Steptronic is a 6-speed automatic transmission. Now if you're referring to Drive vs. Sport mode on the Step, that's different. Sport changes the shift points, allowing the engine to rev higher before it shifts gears. It's all a matter of personal taste and driving style. Play with it and see what you like. It's no substitute for a 6-speed manual transmission though.

I guess what I meant was which do you guys prefer driving with:
1) drive
2) sport
3) or steptronic (you know...shifting "manually")

and do you know if any provide better fuel efficiency?

bobnaz · 09-19-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

I'm confused. Steptronic is a 6-speed automatic transmission. Now if you're referring to Drive vs. Sport mode on the Step, that's different. Sport changes the shift points, allowing the engine to rev higher before it shifts gears. It's all a matter of personal taste and driving style. Play with it and see what you like. It's no substitute for a 6-speed manual transmission though.

Doesn't it also change fuel mixture?

dejav0o · 09-19-2006, 12:13 PM

I always drive with it in the "drive" mode just to save gas. When I need to punch it, i shift it into "sport" to get the higher revs. I rarely ever use the steptronic mode.... just when I'm playing around, or need something to do when I get sleepy in traffic.

canucklion · 09-19-2006, 12:23 PM

use D for regular street driving or highway cruising
DS for more spirited runs
manu mode for driving on twisties so you can hold the gear longer

canucklion · 09-19-2006, 12:24 PM

6- speed steptronic is an automatic transmission

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiGUY

go for 6-speed steptronic...

I made a wrong decision going with auto. Atleast i feel that way.

DesiGUY · 09-19-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

6- speed steptronic is an automatic transmission

yea, u r right... maybe didnt und the question quite well or maybe im high

i mean "go with manual", no "auto"

CALIF65GM · 09-19-2006, 09:04 PM

On freeways, D.

City mostly DS and manual to get a better start from stops.

Two Sheds · 09-19-2006, 09:51 PM

I use the steptronic manual mode everywhere now. I would prefer a manual and this is as close as I can get.

I prefer it because I can pretty much accelerate how I want when I want, I hate flooring it and having to wait for the kick down. I also have a feeling that when I use the manual mode I'm getting better fuel economy than the standard 'D' mode. When I have the l/100km display showing it always seems to go down when I'm in manual mode, but it's hard to verify because of driving in different traffic conditions on different roads.

Pretender · 09-20-2006, 01:59 AM

Well, just use Drive during the cruising. For quick lane change and pass, use DS. For accelerating from stop or traffic light, use DS first with the DTC off and then shift it manually until it gets to the speed, switch back to Drive to cruise.

richbum · 09-21-2006, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretender

Well, just use Drive during the cruising. For quick lane change and pass, use DS. For accelerating from stop or traffic light, use DS first with the DTC off and then shift it manually until it gets to the speed, switch back to Drive to cruise.

thats alot of work to just get off from a traffic light.. lol. do you really do all that??

stop at light.. *switch to DS* *presses DSC button* accelerate *shift up* *switch to auto*

rinse lather repeat. lmao.

climkt · 09-21-2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiGUY

go for 6-speed steptronic...

I made a wrong decision going with auto. Atleast i feel that way.

i made the the same mistake with my e46 and felt the same way.

Pretender · 09-21-2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richbum

thats alot of work to just get off from a traffic light.. lol. do you really do all that??

stop at light.. *switch to DS* *presses DSC button* accelerate *shift up* *switch to auto*

rinse lather repeat. lmao.

It's fun, isn't it? That's just for showing off at the stop light...lol. I drive in DS most of the time except cruising on freeway.

Phila · 09-21-2006, 03:32 AM

haehhaehhhah thats awesome pretender, hey how's your quad exhuasts? any benefits besides looks?

David Yong · 09-21-2006, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretender

Well, just use Drive during the cruising. For quick lane change and pass, use DS. For accelerating from stop or traffic light, use DS first with the DTC off and then shift it manually until it gets to the speed, switch back to Drive to cruise.

Why do we need to switch the DTC off ? To get more power ? Rev higher ? Smoother sprint ?

Fratboy · 09-21-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

use D for regular street driving or highway cruising
DS for more spirited runs
manu mode for driving on twisties so you can hold the gear longer

the difference between "manu" and "DS" is what exactly on an AUTOMATIC trasmission...?

Isnt it the same thing...

canucklion · 09-21-2006, 12:36 PM

I hope you're not trying to be a smartass,

manual mode is when you put it in "DS" and shift the gears yourself through M1, M2...etc, "DS" is similar to "D" in that the computer shifts for you, except in "DS" the computer holds the gear longer, but not as long as in manual mode (even in manu mode however, the computer will upshft for you if you redline a gear)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fratboy

the difference between "manu" and "DS" is what exactly on an AUTOMATIC trasmission...?

Isnt it the same thing...

txusa03 · 09-21-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiGUY

go for 6-speed steptronic...

I made a wrong decision going with auto. Atleast i feel that way.

No wonder you made the wrong decision, you don't have your fact straight.

j/k

09-19-2006, 11:06 AM	#1
CLos New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 325i sport Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	"Drive/Sport" Automatic or Six Speed Steptronic? For all you automatic drivers, which do you prefer and does any provide any advantage over the other as far as fuel efficiency and performance goes? Thanks.
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09-19-2006, 11:11 AM	#2
DesiGUY Banned 82 Rep 76 Posts Drives: Crazy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Right behind you iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 BMW 330! [0.00] 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse [0.00]	go for 6-speed steptronic... I made a wrong decision going with auto. Atleast i feel that way.
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09-19-2006, 11:14 AM	#3
Mick Enlisted Member 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I'm confused. Steptronic is a 6-speed automatic transmission. Now if you're referring to Drive vs. Sport mode on the Step, that's different. Sport changes the shift points, allowing the engine to rev higher before it shifts gears. It's all a matter of personal taste and driving style. Play with it and see what you like. It's no substitute for a 6-speed manual transmission though. __________________ 2006 330i SG/Black Leather with Aluminum, ZSP, ZPP, Step, Sat., Heated Seats, 35% Tint, M-tech Steering wheel, Blacklines, RE 15 mm rear spacers. GONE! Lease turn-in
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09-19-2006, 11:16 AM	#4
toolfan Banned 21 Rep 455 Posts Drives: E90 335i sedan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Palatine,IL iTrader: (1)	The normal drive mode will get you better gas mileage because you wont feel like racing once you push it over in sport mode.
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09-19-2006, 12:13 PM	#7
dejav0o Captain 24 Rep 605 Posts Drives: SG 330i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Mateo iTrader: (1)	I always drive with it in the "drive" mode just to save gas. When I need to punch it, i shift it into "sport" to get the higher revs. I rarely ever use the steptronic mode.... just when I'm playing around, or need something to do when I get sleepy in traffic. __________________ Mods: blacklines, sunglass tray holder w/ led mod, clear bra, 30% tint, rear outlet plugs, LUX 3.0, McCulloch 6000k HIDs
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09-19-2006, 12:23 PM	#8
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	use D for regular street driving or highway cruising DS for more spirited runs manu mode for driving on twisties so you can hold the gear longer __________________
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09-19-2006, 09:04 PM	#11
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	On freeways, D. City mostly DS and manual to get a better start from stops. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock
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09-19-2006, 09:51 PM	#12
Two Sheds First Lieutenant 10 Rep 358 Posts Drives: Mini Cooper JCW Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I use the steptronic manual mode everywhere now. I would prefer a manual and this is as close as I can get. I prefer it because I can pretty much accelerate how I want when I want, I hate flooring it and having to wait for the kick down. I also have a feeling that when I use the manual mode I'm getting better fuel economy than the standard 'D' mode. When I have the l/100km display showing it always seems to go down when I'm in manual mode, but it's hard to verify because of driving in different traffic conditions on different roads.
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09-20-2006, 01:59 AM	#13
Pretender Colonel 150 Rep 2,419 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 07 328i, 16 X1, >17M2 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 06 330i [0.00]	Well, just use Drive during the cruising. For quick lane change and pass, use DS. For accelerating from stop or traffic light, use DS first with the DTC off and then shift it manually until it gets to the speed, switch back to Drive to cruise. __________________ It's a great time to be alive
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09-21-2006, 03:32 AM	#17
Phila Lieutenant 7 Rep 417 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	haehhaehhhah thats awesome pretender, hey how's your quad exhuasts? any benefits besides looks? __________________ 2006 e90 325xi \| Alpine White \| Beige Leather \| Burl Walnut Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Steptronic \| Comfort Access \| Xenons \| Lux 4.0
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