[AudiA4]

My question to the OP...how's the rev-matching downshift feature on the new 6MT 340i?

[MikeTerp]

I was a dedicated MT person for every car I have owned since age 20. I finally gave up, after having to commute in daily D.C. traffic where I would spend over an hour on/off the clutch in what amounted to a slow moving parking lot. I caved in an got an E90 auto, and just sold that for a new F30/340 AT. While I loved my MT cars, a combination of the years and the ever increasing traffic have moved me to the AT from now on. The new 8 speed with paddle shifters is fantastic. Try it, you'll like it.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by cardsdoc

Actually I think this thread is about manual drivers feeling 8AT is great too. So we are co-existing and getting along. Progress.

Manual drivers are perfectly fine with autos. We just prefer to have a manual. It's the crazy auto loving fanbois who feel compelled to tell us we're old and stupid for hanging onto antiquated technology because it's "slower". Haters always gonna hate. I agree, for an auto the 8 speed sport is impressive. I'll keep driving a manual though. Just ordered another one actually...

[Buzzo]

One of those manual diehards too. Did have a total blast driving a rental automatic with paddle shifters up and down mountain roads: instant gear shifts with two hands planted on the steering wheel at all times.

But I will stick with manual until no manufacturer offers it anymore in the US, just because it might not be that much longer.

[NWest]

After driving automatics for the last 9 years, I was looking to go back to a manual when shopping around for my F30 a few months ago.

I have some traffic in my daily commute, but not enough to feel buyers remorse and wishing I went with the auto. Like others have said, I've driven both and they're equally great. I just wanted a manual - and i forgot how much fun it is to have that mechanical connection shifting through gears and using that third pedal.

[spuntyb]

The ZF in the E90 is what convinced me to go auto after driving stick for 20+ years. I didn't think they could be that great in sport sedan. The F3x 8AT is just as sweet.

I still miss stick, and I'll go back when we get a second car, but for now, it's a great option.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

My question to the OP...how's the rev-matching downshift feature on the new 6MT 340i?

pretty cool. i was worried that my habit of double clutching and rev matching would mess with it, but it doesn't, just adjusts it if i'm off a bit. if i don't rev-match myself, it does it fully for me.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by kolosy

pretty cool. i was worried that my habit of double clutching and rev matching would mess with it, but it doesn't, just adjusts it if i'm off a bit. if i don't rev-match myself, it does it fully for me.

I've driven manuals my whole life, and have never understood what double-clutching does...

[radm]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

I've driven manuals my whole life, and have never understood what double-clutching does...

I drove manuals for at least 10 years without knowing about it. Once somebody explained it to me and I practiced for a while I enjoy it quite a lot.

Yes, the manual has synchros for rev matching during downshifts but try to shift to 3-rd while doing 80mph. It won't be smooth.

There are various explanations online but I try to be brief. You press the clutch and move the shifter to manual. Now you release the clutch, which means that the output transmission shaft is connected to the wheels and rotates at a certain speed. You blip the gas which will bring the input transmission shaft to a matching speed - given the gear you are about to select (equal to the rpms you will see after the downshift is complete) and you change to the desired gear. Theoretically you wouldn't have to press clutch again since the gears of the input shaft and the output shaft rotate at the same speed but since often you are slightly off you do want to press clutch again when shifting into the gear. The beauty of synchros is that if you are off when you blip, they will fix it but the closer with the blip you are to the target rpms, the smoother the shift is.

Try it, it is fun.

I am happy to hear that the rev matching in new cars doesn't interfere. I was hoping it wouldn't since when you blip you are in neutral and when you actually shift to the gear the system either doesn't have to do anything or just corrects if your rpms are too low.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

I've driven manuals my whole life, and have never understood what double-clutching does...

Double clutching is not necessary on fully synchromeshed transmissions like the ones in BMWs. Rev matching is required. You do not need to double clutch to rev match but you do need to heel and toe unless you have a manual transmission that auto rev matches.

[versailles]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Double clutching is not necessary on fully synchromeshed transmissions like the ones in BMWs. Rev matching is required. You do not need to double clutch to rev match but you do need to heel and toe unless you have a manual transmission that auto rev matches.

This is what iv always been led to believe^

I have no idea why you'd still double clutch with a sycro :

[canukgtp]

I absolutely love...and miss... my manual...I wish we could get it in the F31...but I will admit that with the new 8 AT I can still really enjoy the car...miles better than the old 6 AT we had in the wife's 335.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by versailles

This is what iv always been led to believe^

I have no idea why you'd still double clutch with a sycro :

Yes...all of the above. I obviously understand rev-matching, but I had understood double-clutching was just an old, carry-over habit from non-synchronized manual transmissions (which I assume no one even makes anymore).

[Raikkonen]

I too have had nothing but manual transmissions in my past BMW's (7), and my current 2014 335i is the first car I've ever had with an auto.

Driven aggressively, it's brilliant and seamless, however it's still herky-jerky in stop and go traffic, and there's a discernible pause from a standstill, both of which can be avoided with a manual.

My theory is this: With my career, family, and life in general, my car is one of the few escapes I have in life. So even if I'm driving a mile from my house to go buy a gallon of milk, driving a car with a manual makes it an event, while driving with an automatic makes it a chore.

Even though I'm fully aware of the fact that autos are the better choice technologically, my next BMW will be a manual...

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by versailles

This is what iv always been led to believe^

I have no idea why you'd still double clutch with a sycro :

meh. it's marginally better for the synchros (i know - marginally), and it's how i drive. i'm ok with it.

[Blubaron79]

The one thing I've found with my auto is that I just let the computer do the work minus out putting it in and out of M/S. It does a better than I do.. :-/

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

I too have had nothing but manual transmissions in my past BMW's (7), and my current 2014 335i is the first car I've ever had with an auto.

Driven aggressively, it's brilliant and seamless, however it's still herky-jerky in stop and go traffic, and there's a discernible pause from a standstill, both of which can be avoided with a manual.

Agreed, When flooring around its fast and smooth but being its an 8 Speed its downshifts alot when slowing down and sometimes it feels like somethings wrong.. My wife was in my loaner and said whys it doing that ie a non car person noticing it...

Its def a great transmission but for me its still 6MT time Happy Thanksgiving all.. Get out and drive its 65 degrees here on the east coast.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Get out and drive its 65 degrees here on the east coast.

Did just that while the turkey's in the smoker. 58F and not a soul on the streets of Chicago - perfect time for a 20 min romp on Lake Shore Drive.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Did just that while the turkey's in the smoker. 58F and not a soul on the streets of Chicago - perfect time for a 20 min romp on Lake Shore Drive.

[jmschnur]

I have been driving a manual since 1962. However my knee can no longer do the daily commute. I am waiting for a 340i auto m-sport with some trepidation. However I am keeping my 1989 325i for once a week drives to keep my skills up. It will be interesting to compare the two.

[Dan203]

I'm thinking about getting an auto for the first time just so I can get the automatic cruise control feature.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by Dan203

I'm thinking about getting an auto for the first time just so I can get the automatic cruise control feature.

Seriously...my entire life I've ONLY driven manuals, but my wife's Volvo XC60 R-Design with Adaptive Cruise is just killer. I "almost" got 8AT 335i for that very reason, though they are VERY rare (with ACC).