3 Series Automatic vs Sport automatic

[Jonny]

Hey fellas, I'm looking to buy a 328i but I'm not sure whether its worth getting the sport automatic transmission over the normal automatic transmission. The price difference is 4k. What is the difference??? Quicker shift times i assume? How will this translate in real world performance and is it worth it in YOUR opinions...

Your input is much appreciated! :thumbs:

(Looking to get the M Sport pack, sunroof, xenons and pdc f & r extras. Anything you would add?)

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Sport auto has the addition of paddles. I would get it just because i feel it's bett to be able to flick up and down the gear than to have to go into tiptronic mode by moving the lever over. Say you want to overtake, flick down into desired gear, get yourself into the power and then accelerate and execute it quicker than waiting, putting your foot down, get the gearbox to eventually get to the right gear and then overtake. But that's just me.

As for spec, I think you spot on there! :thumbs:

 

[zabbo]

+1 :thumbs:

 

[Jonny]

Sport auto has the addition of paddles. I would get it just because i feel it's bett to be able to flick up and down the gear than to have to go into tiptronic mode by moving the lever over. Say you want to overtake, flick down into desired gear, get yourself into the power and then accelerate and execute it quicker than waiting, putting your foot down, get the gearbox to eventually get to the right gear and then overtake. But that's just me.

As for spec, I think you spot on there! :thumbs:

Thanks bud, I do alot of long distance driving so this would certainly be helpful. As far as the extras are concerned well... I'm hoping the PDC will save me some $$$ when the wife drives it! Women and parking

I may leave out the sunroof to save some cash if I do decide to go with the sport auto. I know the 'roof will never get used.

The M Sport pack makes a huge difference in my opinion, now to decide whether to go with the 19's or stick to the 18's!
(Buying a new car is a mission!!)

 

[OppositeLockMT]

The Sport Automatic also has a better looking gearshifter, and as far as I know the changes are faster.

 

[Jonny]

@ OppositeLockMT You are correct, different looking gearbox. Also paddle shift and apparently 200ms quicker shifts, as per Google...




The one on the right is the Sport btw

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Drove an F10 Sport Automatic recently. Paddle shifters definitely are convenient.

 

[Bavs108]

I would go with the sport auto and ditch the pdc. Take the sunroof even if you won't use it. It will make your car easier to sell later and adds a bit of value to the car. An M Sport without sunroof is a deal breaker for some people. Both M Sport wheels look great, but won't you pay more for tyres if you go with 19's? If that's the case then I'd take the 18s and spend the savings on something else like premium sound or something.

M Sport, sunroof and xenons is like the perfect package for me if I were buying 2nd hand. Any other extras are just a bonus and don't really add as much value when reselling imo. What colour are you planning to get?

 

[OppositeLockMT]

I wouldn't mind missing out on the 19s and Sport Auto, but xenons, nav(wider screen), M-Sport and sunroof are a must IMO.

 

[CocoPops]

With Sport Auto you get for sure:

- Paddle Shifters
- Sport+ mode (you can mimic this in the regular auto by selecting sport mode and manually selecting DTC to on)
- No automatic upshift in manual mode when DSC is off, DTC on, or sport+ selected
- Automatic kickdown is deactivated when DSC is off, DTC is on, or sport+ is selected

The manual control features around automatic upshift and kickdown are great to have. The paddle shifters are great when you are driving aggressively - on the track, mountain road, etc., and are an added bonus.

 

[Jonny]

Thanks for all the feedback gents! I think I will cough up the extra 4k for the sport auto. As for colour, looks like it will probably be Estoril Blue but mayyybe white. Prices going up from 1 April so I need to decide quickly.

 

[Bavs108]

If it were me I'd go for white, M-sport pack, 18s, sunroof, xenons, nav (if budget allows), sport auto and B&O sound (if budget allows):inlove: Estoril blue is nice, but I think a white m sport looks a lot nicer:inlove: If you decide to sell 5 years down the line, you'll get much better resale value with that combination of extras.

 

[CocoPops]

Estoril blue!

Went to a wedding and amongst the convoy was a Estoril Blue 320i MSport, c63, 535i, a5 3.0tdi.. and all the guys were commenting on Estoril blue Beemer..

 

[Turbo 1]

Is there no Launch contol feature with the Sport Auto?

 

[OppositeLockMT]

As far as I know, it's only SMG/DCT that have launch control and the auto box from the X5/X6M.

 

[Jonny]

Placed my order today, highly excited! One more question to all you experts out there... :fencelook: Which insurance company would you guys recommend? Currently with Discovery Insure but looking to switch (not too happy with them)... please help one more time! haha

 

[Bavs108]

Placed my order today, highly excited! One more question to all you experts out there... :fencelook: Which insurance company would you guys recommend? Currently with Discovery Insure but looking to switch (not too happy with them)... please help one more time! haha

Congrats dude:bravo::thumbs: So what did you get? I'm with Santam. Have had excellent service from them thus far, so much so that I don't mind paying more to be insured with them although no other insurance company has been able to beat my premiums. I'm insured through a broker though.

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Congratulations.

When are you expecting?

 

[FaSTandFurious]

congrats

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Congrats man! Awesome purchase! :thumbs: