Just Ordered

That is awesome hearing that some cars are hitting the production line already! Seems like it might be slightly ahead of schedule

Originally Posted by justinnum1

One day i will own a manual! lol

Also, found this on the specs...

that sounds cool

Don't even sweat the manual, I drove one for 11 years and it's way overrated. Loving the triptronic in our E90 328xi...the most fun I've ever had with a car when I can decide between a manual or an auto day...or both

Originally Posted by Bemo

Don't even sweat the manual, I drove one for 11 years and it's way overrated. Loving the triptronic in our E90 328xi...the most fun I've ever had with a car when I can decide between a manual or an auto day...or both

Are auto transmissions nowadays as reliable/durable as manual transmissions?

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Are auto transmissions nowadays as reliable/durable as manual transmissions?

Well if we'll talk reliability then we all screwed up by buying BMWs, didn't we? While not the worst, BMW is far from the most reliable luxury car one can buy. Personally I'll take my chances with the automatic transmission given the flexibility and options it provides to us every day. For example, my wife likes to drive mostly in auto mode while i'm more prone to manual and absolutely love not having to deal with a clutch pedal. We bough the car for roughly 42K and if the transmission goes I'll have to suck up another couple of grand to get it repaired or replaced. All cars brake, at least I won't mind fixing this one! What gets me is that 40-50K later, people whine about a 2-3K repair job...sure it sucks but if you cant afford the repair, perhaps you shouldn't have bought the BMW

but i expect 1000-2000 off.

You expect a rebate after you committed to an order?

The ZF 8-sp is "slower" than the ZF 6sp; at 200ms it has the same gear change time as the GM 6-sp. That's the theory because in practice, they all feel very quick & crisp and you see no difference. I don't regret my automatic at all and enjoy much the "old style" Steptronic. The ZF 8-sp. is notorious for a much improved efficiency, DCT-level. In 2011 528i with the 240HP N52, it got an excellent 22 mpg city. The 528i N20 improves this figure by 1mpg.

Originally Posted by Bemo

Well if we'll talk reliability then we all screwed up by buying BMWs, didn't we? While not the worst, BMW is far from the most reliable luxury car one can buy. Personally I'll take my chances with the automatic transmission given the flexibility and options it provides to us every day.

I guess this is a personal thing too. BMWs are not the most reliable when it comes to electronics, but I think mechanically they are pretty sound, and especially their manual transmissions are known to be near bullet proof. For me, I bought a base car (manual seats, none of the fancy options) because there's much less stuff that can fail. I buy a BMW for the way it handles and the safety features. I also think (but not sure) that replacing the transmission will cost more than 2-3K...more like 4-5K. Also, at the time when it is prone to fail (high miles), the car is usually worth significantly less than the purchase price. I am already spending close to what the car is worth each year in maintenance. If I had the possibility of an auto transmission failure looming on the horizon, I might have been tempted to sell it a lot earlier. Regardless, I enjoy the manual transmission and will try my best to make sure that my next car is a manual transmission as well...have never owned an auto.

Originally Posted by Saintor

You expect a rebate after you committed to an order?

The ZF 8-sp is "slower" than the ZF 6sp; at 200ms it has the same gear change time as the GM 6-sp. That's the theory because in practice, they all feel very quick & crisp and you see no difference. I don't regret my automatic at all and enjoy much the "old style" Steptronic. The ZF 8-sp. is notorious for a much improved efficiency, DCT-level. In 2011 528i with the 240HP N52, it got an excellent 22 mpg city. The 528i N20 improves this figure by 1mpg.

False, this absolutley false Quit trolling the F30. I drove the ZF sport 8 and its NOTICEABLY FASTER than the ZF6.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

False, this absolutley false Quit trolling the F30. I drove the ZF sport 8 and its NOTICEABLY FASTER than the ZF6.

Relax your butt, buddy. Keep your smart-ass insults for yourself.

This is a *fact* that the ZF 8-sp. changes gears in 200ms.
http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/produ...enjoyment.html

Originally Posted by ZF

The new 8-speed automatic transmission is more than a consumption marvel - it is a top performer. Shift comfort, reaction times and a direct engine link - on all these points, the new 8-speed automatic transmission stands up to the most rigorous comparison with the existing benchmark of sporty automatic transmissions - the second generation ZF 6-speed automatic transmission that first went into production in 2006.

I couldn't find the ZF-issued documentation for the claim of the 6HP19's 100ms gear change, but I remember having read it a few times. At least it is 200ms.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...e/viewall.html

Originally Posted by Saintor

Relax your butt, buddy. Keep your smart-ass insults for yourself.

This is a *fact* that the ZF 8-sp. changes gears in 200ms.
http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/produ...enjoyment.html



I couldn't find the ZF-issued documentation for the claim of the 6HP19's 100ms gear change, but I remember having read it a few times. At least it is 200ms.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...e/viewall.html

Having driven both, i can tell you the 8 speed is noticeably quicker probably twice as quick. That is all.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Having driven both, i can tell you the 8 speed is noticeably quicker probably twice as quick. That is all.

Perception can be different from fact. Our senses are imperfect.
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/illu...llusion_03.htm

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Having driven both, i can tell you the 8 speed is noticeably quicker probably twice as quick. That is all.

I don't think anyone can tell the difference at the 200ms level. Maybe you are feeling the tranny gears shifting sooner after you manually shifted? If so that is just how the ECU is tuned.

car is in paint and will be done jan4th...hopefully i can get it 2nd or 3rd week of feb

Biggest hold up for anyone with a car on order is the fact that the car has still not received EPA/CARB certification. Until that is resolved, there will be no deliveries.

Originally Posted by dtc100

I don't think anyone can tell the difference at the 200ms level. Maybe you are feeling the tranny gears shifting sooner after you manually shifted? If so that is just how the ECU is tuned.

Technically it's a 100ms difference (200ms for the 8 speed versus 100ms for the six speed = 100ms difference).

Originally Posted by justinnum1

car is in paint and will be done jan4th...hopefully i can get it 2nd or 3rd week of feb

So you got through production to paint in less than a month? I just ordered a 335i yesterday (status 112) and am trying to figure on a delivery date. When did your dealer give you your date -- or did he?

Originally Posted by kneebiters

So you got through production to paint in less than a month? I just ordered a 335i yesterday (status 112) and am trying to figure on a delivery date. When did your dealer give you your date -- or did he?

They said early march, but since the car is done so soon, i think it will be ready mid to late next month

**** yes [IMG][/IMG]

Congrats bro!

That is awesome! Hopefully it moves on to the En Route to the US soon!

My Dealer just called me to say that my car was released to sales today and should be on its way to the port. Now we'll see how long they sit at the port before they're actually put on a ship.

car is at the port

Originally Posted by justinnum1

car is at the port

Happy for you but bummed for me. Mine has been sitting at "Order Documented" for over a week now.

Can they ship your car at this point? Has BMW gotten all of the EPA approvals and such?

Originally Posted by kneebiters

Happy for you but bummed for me. Mine has been sitting at "Order Documented" for over a week now.

Can they ship your car at this point? Has BMW gotten all of the EPA approvals and such?

dont think so, will prob be on the boat with the demos...

Originally Posted by kneebiters

Happy for you but bummed for me. Mine has been sitting at "Order Documented" for over a week now.

Can they ship your car at this point? Has BMW gotten all of the EPA approvals and such?

They can and will ship it. If all the gov't requirements are not complete they will hold it the until the feds give the ok.

The good news we got from the 3 Series brand manager was that he believed everything was on track to still meet the February 11 launch date in the United States. That would certainly lead us to believe that the EPA/CARB is very much in process and planned to be worked out.

Hopefully your car will be boarding a ship soon...and then take that 4-6 week journey to the United States!