Potential Newbie with a Question

by **Terry Tibbs** - Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:08 pm

Hi All,

I've been lurking for a few weeks on this site (which incidentally is very informative) so i thought i would say hi!

Without wishing to be rude (forum etiquette and all that) i have a question regarding the Auto Gearbox (Coupe) and the SMG (roadster). I haven't quite made my mind up whether to go for a Coupe or Roadster yet! but for either one im thinking of going against my norm of a manual gearbox and go for an auto/semi. So i was looking for your thoughts on the above gearboxes in their respective versions of the car?

I did try an M3 a few years ago with the SMG and didn't find it that responsive (it was a late 90's version) so i went for a manual that time. But im sure BMW have improved it since then.

Anyway i would be grateful for any input.

Thanks.

by **Guiseley** - Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:37 pm

Go Coupe!

Auto box is standard 'old school' BMW - knock it across (or use the steering wheel buttons) and you can select the gears. Mine's the 3.0si with a 'sport' button, which makes quite a difference to throttle response and gear shift patterns.

Prefer the newer style auto in my e60, but the e86 is a 3 year old car, so no complaints that the tech is a little older.

Get yourself down to a dealer and test drive one of their used approved!