Regrets on Automatic?

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by fistpoint

I seriously doubt that. The only automatics that are faster than manuals are far from your average auto you'd find in any car near this price.

My 135i was faster in auto than manual, and thats not super expensive. Was a cinch to launch too, made the 1/4 easy lol



I test drove an auto FRS and a manual and decided that this type of car should be enjoyed in a manual transmission. The auto felt sluggish to me, but I may have been spoiled with my previous car.

[mike_ekim1024]

Originally Posted by RFB

I dd and track. My mods of sprint booster, TRD intake and Magnaflow catback drags dead even with a stock manual (with catbacks) in the 1/4

How does the sprint booster work? Does it just change the signal, say 50% = 100%?

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Where are these test results? I'm not arguing I can shift faster than an auto (I know I can't) I just want to see something aside from "trust me I'm on the internet".

That 8 speed is impressive but it comes at a cost, nothing came up in my preliminary searches with actual speed comparisons but I'm sure with your confidence you'll turn something up to prove me wrong. Just because it can swap the ratios faster doesn't mean the whole car will be faster.

BMWs own spec shows it for many of their cars. For example, from http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx

Acceleration 0-60 mph – Manual transmission1
5.4 sec

Acceleration 0-60 mph – Automatic transmission1
5.1 sec

[enwave]

Keep in mind that if they are similarly geared AND have reasonable launch control, your launch times will also be better.

IMO the lack of launch control and the less aggressive gearing are the only downsides. Driver engagement is different, but not necessarily worse. My apexing on corners at the track has gotten better with an AT, and my exit speeds are up. I can focus on different parts of my performance driving. Even as a relatively experienced driver on MT, the AT does have some benefits on the track as well. I do feel a little less "connected" to the car at times, which can be a bummer -- but the feeling is usually short lived.

Now, if I considered myself a professional driver, I think the AT would be boring. But I'm not quite there yet -- so the AT gives me that extra little opportunity to focus on my technique, and if I trade back in for a manual down the road, I'll be that much better off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RFB]

Originally Posted by mike_ekim1024

How does the sprint booster work? Does it just change the signal, say 50% = 100%?

Its like a mini tune - plugs into the gas pedal and tells the car to inject more fuel sooner when you step on the gas. Helps with the torque dip.

3 settings - off medium and full.
It does work - I notice the difference in my butt and at the pumps when set to full boost.

[BobRickel]

I love my auto. As a daily driver around town with lots of stop and go it makes for easy driving. The gas mileage is superb. I got 38 on the highway and am averaging 32 around town.

[liewyel]

AT seems boring to me in a sports car.

The fun of a sports car to me is how impractical it is for daily use.

Is MT or AT faster? Who cares. The point of an 86 is to be an engaging, drivers car. AT, sure you can have both hands on the wheel at all times, but is that as much fun as slamming a perfect downshift? Is it as a rewarding experience as driving a MT car in the same manner?

People obviously will have differing opinions about MT/AT. But can you really tell me that simplifying the driving experience by removing a pedal and adding some switches for your fingers to pull once in a while is more FUN?

Cheers and love, I don't have anything against people who buy AT for whatever reason they need. I personally live in SF, and love driving MT. My arm and leg can handle the traffic and the hills.

[RFB]

Originally Posted by liewyel

AT seems boring to me in a sports car.

The fun of a sports car to me is how impractical it is for daily use.

Is MT or AT faster? Who cares. The point of an 86 is to be an engaging, drivers car. AT, sure you can have both hands on the wheel at all times, but is that as much fun as slamming a perfect downshift? Is it as a rewarding experience as driving a MT car in the same manner?

People obviously will have differing opinions about MT/AT. But can you really tell me that simplifying the driving experience by removing a pedal and adding some switches for your fingers to pull once in a while is more FUN?

Cheers and love, I don't have anything against people who buy AT for whatever reason they need. I personally live in SF, and love driving MT. My arm and leg can handle the traffic and the hills.

Because one movement is FASTER than three !



CERBERUS

[Suberman]

No racing driver will use a manual shift transmission.

End of debate.

[mit_peid]

Originally Posted by Suberman

No racing driver will use a manual shift transmission.

End of debate.

Huh? I don't get it. Nearly all of the real racing 86s I see on the track are manuals. Are you talking about exotics?

[liewyel]

Originally Posted by RFB

Because one movement is FASTER than three !



CERBERUS

It's certainly faster but those three motions are sure of a lot more fun!

If the 86 was designed to be a fast car... well it might actually be fast. It certainly kills it in the fun department

Faster isn't always more fun. Isn't that the whole point of the car?

[leicaboss]

A lot of AT slushboxes are wayyyyyyyyy more responsive than the ones I have tried in the past. I used to have an 07 350z... It was horribly slow when manually selecting gears.

I used to be all for DCT only but I think for the average driver who is looking to drive spiritedly at times but probably won't track or autox frequently would be totally fine with an AT!

Me personally I like the MT and how it keeps me busy in San Francisco haha. Enjoy the twins!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[enwave]

Originally Posted by mit_peid

Huh? I don't get it. Nearly all of the real racing 86s I see on the track are manuals. Are you talking about exotics?

Yeah, and Formula One, etc.

"The gearboxes of modern Formula One cars are now highly automated with drivers selecting gears ‘seamlessly’ via paddles fitted behind the steering wheel."
(from the formula one website)


I think that's not really a good argument though... Our cars aren't F1 cars. But it does show some value in AT overall.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[leicaboss]

I think these day's it just boils down to preference. However, the gearing aspect is probably the only thing that would turn me away from the AT if I was looking into that.