E89 - Manual vs Auto?

[FunkyGBrown]

Currently in the market for a replacement for my E85 Z4 and am toying with the idea of getting back into an E89 (Had one back in 2019, 23i manual).

Having driven the manual, I have experience with the gearbox and how it felt. I've seen a few auto 23i/30i on the market meeting the spec I'm after, but have never driven one with an auto box.

Any feedback from current/past owners on what the auto boxes on these earlier models are like? Also does the 23i auto differ in power delivery much from the manual? I remember it being perfectly adequate.

Cheers!

[Zed Baron]

Hi, can't give a comparison against a manual, but I've owned my 23i auto for the last 9 years. Didn't want a manual so searched for a while for auto with the spec I wanted. I must admit that I was little disappointed in it the day I picked it up, I'd just came out of a 4.2 aluminium Jag and the Z felt a wee bit flat. Next day I took it for an early drive up the backroads and discovered the sports button! Totally transformed the car, brought a big smile to my face on the twisty roads. the only other thing I wasn't keen on was the paddle shifters, didn't feel easy to use. So, I swapped the steering wheel to the newer style Msport one with the restyled shifters, can't see anyone doing a quicker gear change against a blip on one of them. I've had it on a few runs and I always felt it could keep up. It's coming up for sale shortly, 38k on the clock, Msport seats, iDrive, PDC, 19" 326M alloys with full BMWSH + 1 specialist...... need the garage space for its replacement, sorry to see it go, extremely reliable and economic to own.

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[Pondrew]

I think the earlier E89 autos have the ZF6 gearbox. The later 4 pots have the ZF8 (I think) and the N54s have the twin clutch nonsense.

Having owned both the ZF6 and the ZF8 (in different BMWs, not any Z4s so may have had different 'maps'). The ZF8 was far, far better than the ZF6. The ZF6 I always found a little hesitant and a bit like an old fashioned slushbox. The ZF8 was great (for an auto). Huge improvement in gear change speed and the paddles in 'manual' were like driving a decent semi-manual. It never got confused or jerky, just did what you told it when you told it.

Admittedly I still prefer a manual gearbox, so don't have any autos anymore.

[Silverstar]

I can’t tell you the difference between a manual and auto E89 as I’ve only tried them with an auto. Have had both the ZF8 auto in my F20 and then ‘downgraded’ to the ZF6 in my E89 30i, sure the newer ZF8 as found in the 4 pot version of the E89 is the better gearbox but the older ZF6 isn’t a million miles away from it. Plus you can remap it with XHP and totally changes the characteristics of the box (for the better) and makes changes super fast. I do think in most BMWs the auto box suits the engines better than the manual.

[Big Bad Boris]

I wasn’t sure if I wanted an auto or manual when I was searching for my car, although I was leaning towards a manual… ended up buying the auto as it seemed the “right car” in terms of history, condition etc and I’ve never regretted it for a moment..

It is smooth and easy in traffic, and let’s face it that’s how most of us spend our time these days, but when the opportunity arises, push the sport button and the fun begins (as mentioned above).

Shameless plug time, you’ve probably already seen my 30i ad in the for sale section, if not take a look and fire any questions you might have if you have any interest.

[RobbiZ4]

One important thing to consider:

Thre is a difference of about 1.000 U/min when driving on the highway with ~160 km/h (100mls/h) between the HP19 transmission and a manual shifter.

If you drive longer distances with the E89, the automatic transmission is much more comfortable.

Maybe that's irrelevant in the UK.

[Busterboo]

Not manual or auto.

Double Clutch Transmission. The best of both worlds. And then some.

Its Normal, Sport and Sport+ using paddles and/or gearstick provide simple and/or complex control of the car (which takes time to learn).

[matsmith749]

I've only had the PDK gearbox in my porsche - are they even offered in BMWs?

I have been happy with the DCT box - but TBH a modern zf 8 speed is much more common & 99% as good.

[birdy_z4]

Love the auto best of
Both worlds

Sport and manual selection

[tiglon]

I've only had the PDK gearbox in my porsche - are they even offered in BMWs?

I have been happy with the DCT box - but TBH a modern zf 8 speed is much more common & 99% as good.

PDK is the Porsche DCT. Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe.

[RAYK47]

my 35i has the 7 speed DCT. Wanted a manual really but most of the 35i I saw have auto gearboxes.

Must admit I love the auto a lot. However I do feel in normal mode the throttle response is not as quick as I would like, but in sport it's spot on.

[Chippie]

Must admit I love the auto a lot. However I do feel in normal mode the throttle response is not as quick as I would like, but in sport it's spot on.

In normal mode the DCT is very laid back

[B21]

I can’t tell you the difference between a manual and auto E89 as I’ve only tried them with an auto. Have had both the ZF8 auto in my F20 and then ‘downgraded’ to the ZF6 in my E89 30i, sure the newer ZF8 as found in the 4 pot version of the E89 is the better gearbox but the older ZF6 isn’t a million miles away from it. Plus you can remap it with XHP and totally changes the characteristics of the box (for the better) and makes changes super fast. I do think in most BMWs the auto box suits the engines better than the manual.

Echoing the point..with a xHP remap the 23i auto box is almost as good as the 8HP later box..if shift speed and aggressive behaviour is what you want..

Couple of 23i owners I know bemoan how tiring working the manual,box is trying to keep up with others over a days drive..

[FunkyGBrown]

Thanks guys, I have the ZF8 box in my 520D and it's ridiculously smooth. Reassuring the hear the 6 speed isnt a million miles off it.

Have a few viewings booked so will see how they fare.