You’ll adore a BMW with a manual transmission if you’re passionate about driving dynamics since it gives you the control you need in a variety of situations. When you need to be a little bit more practical with your car, an automatic gearbox may be what you need for the times when the car should be determining when to shift.
You have options with the BMW’s Steptronic automatic transmission, so you’re not forced to pick between an automatic or manual transmission. You have the option to use a manual shift when you want to or switch to the multi-drive mode automatic when you need it with the Steptronic gearbox.
For nearly 20 years, BMW was the primary designer and exhibitor of the Steptronic transmission. Since then, engineers and the Munich design team have worked to make the transmission more useful for drivers. The most recent Steptronic generation can be employed in a number of circumstances and shifts quite quickly. This allows the driver a wide range of options for performance, driving manner, and selected driving mode.
In This Article...
The Best of Both Worlds with the BMW Steptronic Transmission
There has long been a compromise when deciding between a manual and an automatic transmission for drivers who are serious about performance. While an automatic gearbox allows you the flexibility to let the automobile pick the shift timings when appropriate, such as during your morning commute, a manual gearbox gives you greater control in those situations.
There is no need to make a decision with the Steptronic automatic transmission offered by BMW. Its is due to the fact that this “manu-matic” gearbox combines the best of both worlds, providing both a manual shifting experience when desired and a multi-drive mode automatic when necessary.
Nearly 20 years ago, BMW released the first generation Steptronic transmission, and the Munich design and engineering team has been working to improve it ever since. The most recent Steptronic transmission generation offers exceptionally rapid and versatile shifting. Depending on the drive mode and driving style you select, they provide a vast array of performance possibilities.
Even in M cars, BMW is switching from dual-clutch transmissions to eight-speed automatics.
Before the new 2-series is released, you should probably buy an M2 if you enjoy BMW’s dual-clutch transmission. According to BMW Blog, BMW is abandoning its dual-clutch transmissions across its lineup in favor of conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions. Indeed, even in M vehicles.
Fortunately, a six-speed manual will still be available, according to the BMW representative. But depending on the model, there will be different iterations of an eight-speed automatic transmission listed there in place of the DCT.
The current M 8-speed automatic (8HP) has the following advantages over a 7-speed M dual-clutch transmission (DCT):
- matches the DCT’s performance
- More gears can be placed more closely together.
- increases fuel efficiency.
- enables use with xDrive all-wheel drive, whereas the DCT transmission was only intended to be used with rear-wheel drive vehicles.
The BMW Blog provided their own explanations for why this is plausible. Right now, efficiency is king, and the ZF eight-speed is simpler to tune for that. BMW’s significant electrification aspirations, though, are also set to materialize soon. When you know electric M vehicles are on the road, investing in the development of an upgraded DCT that could equal the performance of the eight-speed automatic doesn’t make sense.
With the new toothy G80 M3 and G82 M4 being the latest to swap the DCT for ZF’s eight-speed auto, that leaves the M2 as the final M-car with a DCT. The silent phase-out of the DCT began with the 2018 model-year launch of the F90-generation M5, according to BMW Blog. The M2 is already outdated, and spy images of the upcoming model are already circulating.
Given the current confusion around BMW’s marketing and overall direction, you might want to buy a new M2 nevertheless. It’s a tiny rocket that might end up being remembered as one of the greatest internal-combustion BMWs ever produced.
A BMW Steptronic Transmission: What Is It?
new BMW drivers may be intrigued once they enter a modern model BMW and look at the gearshift. The transmission is controlled via a variety of buttons and shifters. You’ve certainly heard that BMWs have a steptronic transmission by this point, but you may not know what it does.
An exclusive BMW transmission called a steptronic allows the driver to choose between automatic and manual functioning in the same transmission. Depending on the circumstance and the driver’s discretion, the steptronic transmission has three different modes.
With the help of the ground-breaking steptronic transmission, BMW has been able to appeal to drivers who like manual and automatic driving styles. Learn about the distinctive features of the steptronic transmission, its various modes, and its dependability in this article.
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BMW Steptronic Transmission Operation
You’re in the proper place if you want to learn how to control your BMW Steptronic Transmission. The Steptronic transmission’s fundamental features include a fully automatic driving mode, a manual/sport drive mode that permits greater engine revs prior to shifts, and a manual shift mode that enables manual gearshifting by the driver. Simply tip the drive selector forward or backward into your selected gear, or use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, to switch from manual/sport auto-shifting mode into the completely manual mode. Up to a certain point, you now have complete control over the ratios you’ll be driving in. The Steptronic transmission is capable of preventing downshifts into risky gears or letting you rev too high into the red zone. You may also have extra settings that let you select between Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro drive modes, depending on the model of the BMW vehicle.
What kind of driver are you? is a good question to ask yourself if you’re thinking about buying a new or used BMW and unsure whether to go with a Steptronic Transmission or not. Are you the type of driver that prefers to relax as the engine of the car changes gears for you, or do you prefer to be more involved with the car and shift the gears yourself? You have the ability to pick which way you want to drive with the BMW Steptronic Transmission, so you may do both. This cutting-edge gearbox system was created to allow drivers the greatest amount of versatility while maintaining an enjoyable driving experience. It’s all about performance and the Ultimate Driving Machine when choosing a BMW, after all.
BMW produces their own transmission, right?
BMW
The majority of European automakers produce their own gearboxes. BMW is a notable exception, as it purchases all of its DCTs and the majority of its manual transmissions from Getrag. Its ZF automatic transmissions are the majority of them. Aisin provides transmissions for several front-wheel-drive BMW models including Mini.
Which BMW models have ZF transmissions?
BMW has abandoned the two clutch transmissions found in previous M3/M4 models in favor of ZF’s 8HP76, the newest automatic transmission. We have a solution for new G80 M3/M4 owners who want to safely increase their power without running the danger of destroying the transmission.
For the ZF 8HP76, stages 1 and 2 are available. For bolt-on cars that have noticeable power gains over stock and who want to ensure that their transmission can handle power securely without slipping, Stage 1 is ideal. Stage 2 is designed for people who want to significantly increase their car’s power above stock with upgrades such a larger turbo, nitrous, or even piston/rod combinations. It can withstand anything you can throw at it. We are prepared and about to release our stage 3 package, which will unquestionably be the best ZF transmission rebuild available, as the bmw platform continues to be pushed further.
Do BMW transmissions come from GM?
When I sold my E46 330ci, it had a third Steptronic. They simply kept losing. I didn’t realize it was a GM unit until the second failure. I spent $6K on the third one since I had run out of warranty at that point and had vowed never to purchase another BMW with a GM Tranny. My own has ZF. We shall see.
By the Getrag transmission, do you mean? It’s a German business that additionally provides transmissions to GM and other companies.
Yes, that’s accurate. The 6L50 is used by the 328i. My GM cars’ gearboxes have never caused me any issues. You should be on the lookout for Chrysler. They are unable to create a solid, dependable transmission. Recently, Bentley also utilized a GM 4-speed automatic.
^^ He may be talking about the automatic transmission. which GM handles internally.
It’s true, and when I first heard about it, I was just as astonished as you were. However, I quickly found that GM sells numerous transmissions to other automakers, and their prices are not as low as I had first thought. Mine has been fine, but it is currently in the shop after I complained about the shifting being jerky.
Unsmooth shifting may be caused by software, which BMW, in my opinion, programs. When my Aura XR’s 6T70 was cold, the 3-4 shift was jerky and still a little so when it warmed up, but a software update cured that and it now shifts as smoothly as possible.
The ZF in the 335 accomplishes more and is more expensive than the GM box, which isn’t as pleasant. Although the GM transmissions frequently fail in BMW vehicles—more frequently than in GM vehicles, in fact—most people believe that this is because of the lifetime oil fill, and those who have changed their fluid have experienced minimal problems.
Depending on the vehicle. I am aware that the sole variation between the A/T in the E90 325/330 and the identical ZF transmission (GA6HP19Z) is the TQ converters.
What does a BMW transmission cost?
Cost of a BMW transmission Depending on the car, a new BMW transmission might cost over $3,500. In contrast, transmission services like fluid changes and transmission fluid flushes are significantly less expensive, occasionally costing less than $150.
Which BMW gearbox is the strongest?
One of the most powerful BMW transmissions to date is the G420. These transmissions, which are able to handle 600+ HP, are incredibly dependable in high horsepower applications.
Reliability of the BMW DCT transmission
DCT is a powerful unit. It is capable of 400lb-ft of torque at 9000 rpm. Strong, however, does not equate to trustworthy. In the end, it is more complex than the MT, and complexity equates to less reliability.
BMW employs DSG?
With the introduction of Volkswagen Group vehicles, the Direct Shift Gearbox became widely employed in VWs, Audis, SEATs, and Skodas. DSG-like transmissions are also offered by other manufacturers, however many of them go by different names. They are known as DCT in some BMW models, which are often high-performance vehicles, whereas Porsche uses the abbreviation PDK and Ford refers to them as Powershift gears.