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      07-09-2015, 01:32 PM   #1
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3.0si coupe, manual or automatic with paddles?

What do you think is the best? Right now owning a E85 2.5L manual, but paddles seem sweet but I haven't tried it. What gives best performance?
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      07-09-2015, 03:03 PM   #2
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Manual.
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A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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      07-09-2015, 04:23 PM   #3
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Manual.

With that said, it really depends on the driver and driving conditions. Here in Southern and Central Oregon we enjoy much less traffic as well as long open stretches of road and twisties so I couldn't imagine not having a manual. When I'm visiting Cali or Portland and get stuck in rush hour traffic and am in constant stop and go situations I have to admit that I begin to wish I had an auto. Especially with the somewhat finicky nature of the manual transmissions in our cars.
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      07-10-2015, 12:55 AM   #4
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On second thought, I would definitely go with a manual.
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Last edited by koruptor; 08-04-2015 at 02:25 AM..
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      07-10-2015, 01:18 AM   #5
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Manual. Automatic with padels is -_- try it and you will see.
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      07-10-2015, 02:12 PM   #6
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Like Clarkson said of the flappy paddles in an Aston:
"Each gear change is tastefully server by an elderly Butler.
'I'd like 3rd gear now Jeeves.' 'Right away, sir. I think I have one in the cupboard. I'll just pop off and get it.'
...
...
...
... and there it is."
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      07-29-2015, 07:37 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
Like Clarkson said of the flappy paddles in an Aston:
"Each gear change is tastefully server by an elderly Butler.
'I'd like 3rd gear now Jeeves.' 'Right away, sir. I think I have one in the cupboard. I'll just pop off and get it.'
...
...
...
... and there it is."
I think it just depends on the person and what fits them. If you like a manual, you like a manual. If you want a DCT, then get a DCT. If most of your driving is city, highway touring then the Si autobox is pretty sweet. It may not be a DCT, or a manual, but I never felt my Si Roadster shifted slow, up or down, when in sport mode. That being said it's probably not made for the abuse that can be heaped on most manuals.

Anyway rumor has it manual drivers that don't track, don't get enough sex so they need something to play with
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      08-03-2015, 11:03 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceJ View Post
...Anyway rumor has it manual drivers that don't track, don't get enough sex so they need something to play with
Hey!
I resemble that remark!
Name:  curly-howard.jpg
Views: 2719
Size:  15.7 KB
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      08-04-2015, 01:18 PM   #9
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Went with a manual 3.0si coupe!
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      08-04-2015, 02:58 PM   #10
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I'm no stranger to a manual transmission. And since my car is an auto with paddles (as a compromise to the missus), I can tell you that the paddles shifters on the E85/E86 are anything but slow. In fact, I'd wager that they are just as fast or perhaps faster than a manual transmission.

Does that mean that manual transmission fans would want one? Of course not. But as far as automatics go, its quite a good one and its never detracted from my enjoyment of the car. And you know what they say - happy wife - happy life!
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      08-07-2015, 10:33 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huz-Z View Post
I'm no stranger to a manual transmission. And since my car is an auto with paddles (as a compromise to the missus), I can tell you that the paddles shifters on the E85/E86 are anything but slow. In fact, I'd wager that they are just as fast or perhaps faster than a manual transmission.

Does that mean that manual transmission fans would want one? Of course not. But as far as automatics go, its quite a good one and its never detracted from my enjoyment of the car. And you know what they say - happy wife - happy life!
I concur with this statement. the paddles are excellent and I would challenge the performance statement that the manual is faster. I do believe the manual gives a great feel but in the end I'd have to say the paddles are as fast or faster when racing a clock... a computer is just faster than a human shifting. in addition all the very high end cars are all going to paddle shift. Lambos, Jags, Ferrari, etc.. Even the high end BMWs are going there.

I started my search for a manual and surprisingly and happily ended up with a auto/paddle sport shifting system.
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      08-07-2015, 11:10 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
Hey!
I resemble that remark!
Attachment 1256239
Wait, you resemble or resent that remark?
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      08-07-2015, 02:51 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twixboy View Post
Wait, you resemble or resent that remark?
You're probably too young.
That was one of Curly's classic lines.
Nyuk nyuk nyuk
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      08-09-2015, 10:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
You're probably too young.
That was one of Curly's classic lines.
Nyuk nyuk nyuk
I had to look that up, so I guess the joke's on me..

The show ended in 1975, so yes - I wasn't even born yet!
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      08-10-2015, 05:57 AM   #15
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I'm trying to think but nothing happens! Woob woob woob woob woob!
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      08-17-2015, 07:56 AM   #16
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manual vs paddles on track?

I moved from a track prep 350Z 6 speed to a Z4 coupe 3.0 with paddles to enable my wife to drive my car when I take her car for kayak teaching. I tested the Z4 on the new corvette museum track (quite technical) at a HPDE. Found the paddles worked just fine and as a matter of fact, I really liked the down shift smoothness that seemed to make me faster than heel toe in my manual 350Z. Very quick shifts. if I had the choice between manual 6 and paddles in a new car, I would pick paddles. PCA mag has had a very good survey of Porsche members on this Q. Was a 50/50 , a matter of personal preference, age maters older likes manual, younger kike paddles and history shows new technology will win out.
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      08-19-2015, 02:01 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHickory View Post
I moved from a track prep 350Z 6 speed to a Z4 coupe 3.0 with paddles to enable my wife to drive my car when I take her car for kayak teaching. I tested the Z4 on the new corvette museum track (quite technical) at a HPDE. Found the paddles worked just fine and as a matter of fact, I really liked the down shift smoothness that seemed to make me faster than heel toe in my manual 350Z. Very quick shifts. if I had the choice between manual 6 and paddles in a new car, I would pick paddles. PCA mag has had a very good survey of Porsche members on this Q. Was a 50/50 , a matter of personal preference, age maters older likes manual, younger kike paddles and history shows new technology will win out.
I can see the average looking that way (older-manual, and younger-paddles) but not all of us young'uns feel that way, I bet that on this board the majority of the younger crowd, (considering the trans options available on the Z4) would choose a manual over auto, not counting for compromises made for a spouse.
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      08-26-2015, 07:25 PM   #18
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Just bought a Z4 with a manual. Test drove an automatic with pedals and it just didn't feel right, for me a sports car must have a stick shift.
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      08-26-2015, 07:35 PM   #19
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manual. auto is way too slow.
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      08-28-2015, 01:26 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nesrevival View Post
manual. auto is way too slow.
I wonder if there are any comparison articles to show times and stats. I know I can't shift faster than my paddles. I think maybe the gear ratio is different on a manual car and maybe that improves take off times. But there is no way a shift is faster manual vs auto with the paddles.
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      08-28-2015, 02:02 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nesrevival View Post
manual. auto is way too slow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmousir View Post
I wonder if there are any comparison articles to show times and stats. I know I can't shift faster than my paddles. I think maybe the gear ratio is different on a manual car and maybe that improves take off times. But there is no way a shift is faster manual vs auto with the paddles.
For the facelift Z4:

The 3.0i comes with a 3.0-liter inline six that produces 215 hp with 185 pound-feet of torque. The 0-60 jump with the six-speed manual transmission comes in 6.2 seconds; the automatic follows at 6.6 seconds. The 3.0si features the same base engine tuned to produce 255 hp and 225 pound-feet of torque. The 0-60 manual experience takes 5.6 seconds, and the automatic gets there in 5.7. Top speed is 155 mph. The 3.2-liter, 330-hp M version can blast to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

nesrevival: I'm surprised you can feel the difference between 0.1 seconds.
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