Buying 330i w/Perf Pack What Tranny???? - BMW Forum

PoorGuyX3 · 08-13-2004, 09:56 PM

Can I get some input on tranny advice for the 2004 330i w/Perf Pack???

Thanks to the wonderful skyrocketing home values in Irvine, CA, I can finally afford to get what I want...but I have to keep my fun somewhat family oriented, so I'm going with the 330i, or I'd definatly go for a new M3.

I'm thinking the 6 Speed manual that the perf pack comes with, but they offer the auto steptronic as well... I have an X3 2.5i with the steptronic and that's cool and all, but does it stack up to the 6 speed manual tranny on the perf pack???

Feed back is appreciated from all you BMW techies out there.

Thanks,

PoorGuy

mmzcee · 08-13-2004, 10:09 PM

steptronic auto will never live up to the performance you'd get with a 6 spd manual tranny...

why??? SMG is not offered on the 330i!!

get the manual, so the women in your family won't touch it

hehe

, women are good drivers, but heh...stickshift, that's a whole other area

PoorGuyX3 · 08-14-2004, 12:30 AM

That is why I can't wait to get my 330i.

The SMG is not offered on the Performance Package as far as I know. Only the Steptronic and the 6 speed manual.

Thanks for the advice. Anyone else have their 2 cents to share??

catalyst. · 08-14-2004, 09:26 PM

i actually drove a manual 330i today, and then a steptronic 325xi, the steptronic is not manual.....it doesnt even compare to it

you will have alot more fun with a manual tranny.

SHAHAB323IS · 08-14-2004, 11:40 PM

short answer=no

long answer= tourque converter= no

PoorGuyX3 · 08-15-2004, 01:33 AM

so are you suggesting the manual??? didn't quite understand the last post.

ACSTypeI · 08-15-2004, 02:12 AM

You'll be happier with the manual tranny..

and just to clear things up..

the ZHP comes only in manual or steptronic..

the regular 330 from 04+ comes with any of the three: manual, step, or smg...

SHAHAB323IS · 08-15-2004, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PoorGuyX3@Aug 15 2004, 02:13 AM
so are you suggesting the manual??? didn't quite understand the last post.

no it does not stack up to the 6 speed manual

PoorGuyX3 · 08-15-2004, 12:36 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I was going to go for the 6 speed in the first place, I just wanted to here any opinions you all might have towards the steptronic.

thanks,

PoorGuy

SHAHAB323IS · 08-15-2004, 01:44 PM

so are you getting rid of the x3 or buying the 330 to add to the collection

PoorGuyX3 · 08-15-2004, 05:07 PM

adding to the collection! I'm finally getting rid of our Jetta GL 2.0 (Booooooooooooooo!!!!) I hate that car.

SHAHAB323IS · 08-15-2004, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PoorGuyX3@Aug 15 2004, 05:47 PM
adding to the collection! I'm finally getting rid of our Jetta GL 2.0 (Booooooooooooooo!!!!) I hate that car.

sweetness, lol, man i wish i had more money, i think a 330 with performance package is awesome have fun

SHAHAB323IS · 08-15-2004, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ACSTypeI@Aug 15 2004, 02:52 AM
You'll be happier with the manual tranny..

and just to clear things up..

the ZHP comes only in manual or steptronic..

the regular 330 from 04+ comes with any of the three: manual, step, or smg...

is the new 3 series smg, the same smg2 that is in the e46 m3's cause i read that, the paddles arent one for up and one for down, you can either pull in or push out to go up or down, is that a new smg tranny, or the same, frankly i think that that is prettty stupid, they should have kept the same dedicated paddle design.

04-330-Ci · 08-16-2004, 05:17 AM

i suggest you go with the manual tranny..
i thought that smg would be fantastic, and therefore sacrificed the performance pkg on my new 330Ci to have it (i got the premium and sport pkgs instead).
smg is great and all, but doesnt compare to the feel of a good ol' manual.
looking back, i would have been much happier with the manual on the performance pkg.
also, the paddle buttons with the smg are a bit awkward pulling up to shift up.
i would rather push down on both and have the left be downshift and right upshift.

SHAHAB323IS · 08-16-2004, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 04-330-Ci@Aug 16 2004, 05:57 AM
i suggest you go with the manual tranny..
i thought that smg would be fantastic, and therefore sacrificed the performance pkg on my new 330Ci to have it (i got the premium and sport pkgs instead).
smg is great and all, but doesnt compare to the feel of a good ol' manual.
looking back, i would have been much happier with the manual on the performance pkg.
also, the paddle buttons with the smg are a bit awkward pulling up to shift up.
i would rather push down on both and have the left be downshift and right upshift.

yeah the new paddle shifting is what i was talking about, that seems like it would be really awkward to drive, i don't know who at bmw thought to do that?

used