Which would you rather own... 2.5 M/T or 3.0i A/T ???

Chris04Z4 · 05-11-2010, 12:21 PM

If you can only choose between the two....

2.5 M/T

or

3.0i A/T w/ SPORT MODE

3002 tii · 05-11-2010, 12:27 PM

depends... is this your daily? do you deal with alot of traffic? do you plan on modding?

mousitch · 05-11-2010, 12:32 PM

2.5 M/T FTW.

It's a sports car.

Chris04Z4 · 05-11-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

depends... is this your daily? do you deal with alot of traffic? do you plan on modding?

Whatever you want it to be really... I'm just trying to figure out whats worth more to a Z4 owner... more power or having a M/T

Chris04Z4 · 05-11-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousitch

2.5 M/T FTW.

It's a sports car.

But the A/T has manual shift option... just no 6th gear and no clutch. Would you say that the 3.0i A/T is not a sports car? imo there are pros and cons to the A/T..

Pros... Shift faster.... smoother...

Cons... no 6th gear... braking will always include tranny/engine braking as well (meaning you can't engage the clutch while braking to take the forward engine load out of play).... heavier.... not as fun...

BUT that doesnt mean that a 2004 A/T 3.0i is slower around a track than a 2004 3.0i M/T .....

mousitch · 05-11-2010, 12:50 PM

I had a 2.5 with an auto before the M. The manual shift option on them is really a joke. The car will shift for you if you don't. If you want to d/s close to the redline ,no luck. I also believe a good driver in a 2.5 could stay with a 3.0 on the track if manual vs auto. JMHO.

dekaliber · 05-11-2010, 01:40 PM

MT all the way. You would be depriving yourself the opportunity to really take advantage of the Z4 with an auto tranny.

RickC · 05-11-2010, 02:04 PM

To me the manual would be the way to go unless you deal with lots of traffic. I have a manual transmission 3.0 Z4 and an Auto 335 with paddles. I feel much more in step with the manual Z4 and it feels far more sporty. In lots of traffic or lots of hill starts I prefer the 335 coupe.

wasupdu · 05-11-2010, 02:10 PM

I've driven a manual in heavy Chicago traffic for a few years. It wouldn't be a deal breaker to drive in stop-and-go traffic with a manual, but it's definitely something to consider if you're constantly shifting into 1st gear on a regular basis. I use to have a commute where I'd get stuck on a large hill for about 30 minutes every day on the return trip from work....that got old really fast with a manual. I guess I don't have a strong opinion either way, but I'd usually opt for the bigger engine (albeit not that much bigger).

Huz-Z · 05-11-2010, 02:50 PM

To look at this from another perspective, you may find that in the real world, a 3.0 may have a few more standard equipment features that a 2.5 may not have.

The 3.0 may also have the larger 18 inch rims, whereas 17 inch rims are commonly found on a lot of 2.5's.

That doesn't mean that you can't find a nicely optioned 2.5 - just be sure if you go that route that you get the bells and whistles that you want!

Cheers!

Chris04Z4 · 05-11-2010, 03:47 PM

lets just say the 3.0i has sport mode ..... what would you do then?

Alpha Bravo · 05-12-2010, 05:16 AM

Manual for a sporty drive, auto for a relaxing drive. It is so much easier to push the revs and bring out the best in your Z4 manually than letting BMW decide how the machine must respond to your driving request ... sometimes I keep the revs at 6k for a long strectch in 2nd or 3rd gear just to hear that sound man

, can you do that in an auto?

Chris04Z4 · 05-12-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha Bravo

Manual for a sporty drive, auto for a relaxing drive. It is so much easier to push the revs and bring out the best in your Z4 manually than letting BMW decide how the machine must respond to your driving request ... sometimes I keep the revs at 6k for a long strectch in 2nd or 3rd gear just to hear that sound man

, can you do that in an auto?

yes.... +/- Manual Shift mode in an Auto.....

pokeybritches · 05-12-2010, 02:13 PM

Manual all the way.

wingding · 05-12-2010, 07:12 PM

I own a 03 2.5i M/T and personally I believe that a sports car needs to be manual. If I wanted a A/T I would by a big ass Cadillac and cruise around in it. If you want to get the most out of your engine then there is no question a M/T is the choice. The right driver with a manual can out run a lot of bigger engine cars that have a A/T depending on how high you want to take up the RPM's. Case in point- the other day when an Audi thought he could out run me he found out in a hurry that he picked the wrong driver with the wrong car when I was still in 4th gear and doing a 100mph and all I could see was him in my rear view mirror. Go with the M/T.

SystemR · 05-12-2010, 07:38 PM

2.5MT

PS: its a 5spg - i used to own one.

As far as keeping up with a 3.0: one of my track buddies used to have a 2.5i and he was such a good driver he could keep up with another that drove a 3.0si

DWG · 05-12-2010, 09:40 PM

There are also some wieght advantages with the 2.5, it's got the alum Mag engine that is lighter than the 3.0 auto - a couple hundred pounds as I remember. I also seem to remember some HP canges with the later 3.0's. Some one smarter than me might add something. I loved my 2.5 manual almost as much as my M. it allowed me to reall y work the rev's in 50mph traffic, I spend most of my time short shifting the M, but would never go back.

05-11-2010, 12:21 PM	#1
Chris04Z4 Private First Class 14 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Roadster 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	Which would you rather own... 2.5 M/T or 3.0i A/T ??? If you can only choose between the two.... 2.5 M/T or 3.0i A/T w/ SPORT MODE __________________ Last edited by Chris04Z4; 05-11-2010 at 03:47 PM..
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05-11-2010, 12:27 PM	#2
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	depends... is this your daily? do you deal with alot of traffic? do you plan on modding? __________________ Follow for latest mods
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05-11-2010, 12:32 PM	#3
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	2.5 M/T FTW. It's a sports car. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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05-11-2010, 12:50 PM	#6
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	I had a 2.5 with an auto before the M. The manual shift option on them is really a joke. The car will shift for you if you don't. If you want to d/s close to the redline ,no luck. I also believe a good driver in a 2.5 could stay with a 3.0 on the track if manual vs auto. JMHO. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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05-11-2010, 01:40 PM	#7
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	MT all the way. You would be depriving yourself the opportunity to really take advantage of the Z4 with an auto tranny.
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05-11-2010, 02:04 PM	#8
RickC Private 5 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 335xi Coupe and Z4 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Upstate NY USA iTrader: (0)	To me the manual would be the way to go unless you deal with lots of traffic. I have a manual transmission 3.0 Z4 and an Auto 335 with paddles. I feel much more in step with the manual Z4 and it feels far more sporty. In lots of traffic or lots of hill starts I prefer the 335 coupe.
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05-11-2010, 02:10 PM	#9
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	I've driven a manual in heavy Chicago traffic for a few years. It wouldn't be a deal breaker to drive in stop-and-go traffic with a manual, but it's definitely something to consider if you're constantly shifting into 1st gear on a regular basis. I use to have a commute where I'd get stuck on a large hill for about 30 minutes every day on the return trip from work....that got old really fast with a manual. I guess I don't have a strong opinion either way, but I'd usually opt for the bigger engine (albeit not that much bigger). __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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05-11-2010, 02:50 PM	#10
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	To look at this from another perspective, you may find that in the real world, a 3.0 may have a few more standard equipment features that a 2.5 may not have. The 3.0 may also have the larger 18 inch rims, whereas 17 inch rims are commonly found on a lot of 2.5's. That doesn't mean that you can't find a nicely optioned 2.5 - just be sure if you go that route that you get the bells and whistles that you want! Cheers! __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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05-11-2010, 03:47 PM	#11
Chris04Z4 Private First Class 14 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Roadster 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	lets just say the 3.0i has sport mode ..... what would you do then? __________________
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05-12-2010, 05:16 AM	#12
Alpha Bravo New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2006 2.5si Roadster Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: South iTrader: (0)	Manual for a sporty drive, auto for a relaxing drive. It is so much easier to push the revs and bring out the best in your Z4 manually than letting BMW decide how the machine must respond to your driving request ... sometimes I keep the revs at 6k for a long strectch in 2nd or 3rd gear just to hear that sound man , can you do that in an auto? Last edited by Alpha Bravo; 05-12-2010 at 05:19 AM.. Reason: add smiles
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05-12-2010, 02:13 PM	#14
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Manual all the way.
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05-12-2010, 07:12 PM	#15
wingding UDM 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i JET BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NEW JERSEY iTrader: (0)	2.5 M/T I own a 03 2.5i M/T and personally I believe that a sports car needs to be manual. If I wanted a A/T I would by a big ass Cadillac and cruise around in it. If you want to get the most out of your engine then there is no question a M/T is the choice. The right driver with a manual can out run a lot of bigger engine cars that have a A/T depending on how high you want to take up the RPM's. Case in point- the other day when an Audi thought he could out run me he found out in a hurry that he picked the wrong driver with the wrong car when I was still in 4th gear and doing a 100mph and all I could see was him in my rear view mirror. Go with the M/T.
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05-12-2010, 07:38 PM	#16
SystemR Private 2 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 08 Boxster, formerly 05 Z4 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (1)	2.5MT PS: its a 5spg - i used to own one. As far as keeping up with a 3.0: one of my track buddies used to have a 2.5i and he was such a good driver he could keep up with another that drove a 3.0si
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05-12-2010, 09:40 PM	#17
DWG New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Mexico iTrader: (0)	There are also some wieght advantages with the 2.5, it's got the alum Mag engine that is lighter than the 3.0 auto - a couple hundred pounds as I remember. I also seem to remember some HP canges with the later 3.0's. Some one smarter than me might add something. I loved my 2.5 manual almost as much as my M. it allowed me to reall y work the rev's in 50mph traffic, I spend most of my time short shifting the M, but would never go back.
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