Player_One

http://phark.typepad.com/phark/2004/...mw_4_seri.html

Looks cool.

DeuceDeuce41

I love BMW... Especially the rims. I've driven an M3, and (grins largely) a 745Li. So amazing. My mom said she wanted a small car, so I told her to get the Z4 3.0i... But the padre said no dice.. so it looks like it'll be the 330ci. Rawr.

I am a fan of those pics.. it looks pretty damn euro tho.. mid 90's - 2000 models looked so Americanized.. good or bad, they looked HOT.

Tooleman

my next car is an M3, and the only reason is because its the only car in my price range that offers a real automatic manual tranny..

Player_One

Nice. But what do you mean automatic manual tranny? Like Sport-shift? I've never test-driven an M3 before and if I did, I'd probably go full-out manual.

Tooleman

it does not use a torque converter.. It has a real clutch that is computer controlled, and its up to you if you want to shift or let the computer shift..

This would be the best choice for auto cross, drag racing and daily driving in traffic..

DeuceDeuce41

Tooleman.. I think you're mixing up a Triptronic with what's on the M3.. with triptronic, you can let the computer do it for you.. but in the M3's gearbox, you can't.. and you have to do all the shifts.. in paddle form, sans feet.

There are three different types of these new gearboxes...

the Manumatic, or Triptronic.. which is basically set up with solenoids that a computer decides to fire based on RPM and MPH, and all that good stuff.. when you hit +/- on the shifter.. all you are doing is overriding the computer.. it's like manual.. but it's not at all.

The Automated manual, what the M3 has.. is the Sequential Manual Gearbox.. Also found on a Ferrari F1.. Rawr. There is no computer in this one... well, one, but it's just to make sure that your RPM's are ok on downshifts. just solenoids and a fluid filled tourque converter.. the solenoids change the gears, and the TC makes it smooth.

And the new one, is the one I dont understand.. the Dual Sequential Gearbox.. it's got two clutches in there.. one for even numbered gears, and one for odds and reverse. It's really weird.. but apparently it's super smooth, and it uses the paddles on the steering wheel. Only available on Audi's.

Sooo yeah.. that's about it.. sorry.. I did a lot of research a while ago. If it were up to me.. I'd do it with a pedal.. which I'm not even good at.. but it seems that it's the old fashioned way.. and it works, and it's instant.

jc2bagger

my brother is down in orlando doing training for bmw (mechanic)
maybe i can get a discount and use it as a weekend car

ss xtreme

bmw everybody i know that had a bmw said that they fall apart to easy. my friend dad had a new $90,000 bmw. that darn thing wouldn't stop running when u try to turn the key off it wouldn't shut off so he sold it and got a new corvett bmw a joke

b-spot

Since 1,3,5 are on one clutch and 2,4,6 are on the other, you can have your next gear engaged already, and then just switch what clutch is engaged.

I.E. if you are in 3rd, 4th gear is already engaged, but the clutch on that side is disengaged. When you say to switch gears, the clutch on 3rd disengages, and the clutch on 4th engages making the fastest shifts of any transmission. Something like 0.08 seconds.. or it might have even been 0.008, I can't remember. Pretty cool stuff though

Eddie

bmw's are so nice. i love em i will own one.

Archplsm

I just don't understand why people get BMWs when for the same price you can get a Mercedes, which is a much better car.

DeuceDeuce41

Actually.. I think audi or some other manufacturer has been working on a conical transmission, where like the transmission gets wider and then narrower.. 'conical'.. OH! I get it. and there are no gear shifts.. it is just progressive. I dont know.. the kid next door who told me about it is an mech engineering major. go fig.

I dunno.. personally, I'd rather have a beamer over a benzito. They just look nicer to me.

Nocturn

Caddie > BMW >MB > Lexus

Caddie has the best bang for the buck, in my book.

Eddie

mercede's are crap over priced and are for old folks, clearly bmw is for any one fits anyone drives better and looks better. i love bmw by far the best luxury car there is, caddy second. the new caddies that is. the xlr i think its called is a sweet ride.