Why the hate on Steptronic

[uwood]

So why is there so much hate for the steptronic trans? Sure it's not a DCT, but is it really that bad?

What are options to make it better for occasional track use and daily street beatings?

[Ginger_Extract]

People who hate on the step either don't understand the advantages of a torque-converter based automatic transmission, or live on a road course. Other than cooling, I would rather have a step than a DCT for DD. Also, the step is far superior for drag racing, if that's your fancy.

People don't really touch the trans other than supplemental cooling if they do track days. The 6HP is a pretty tough piece of engineering.

[Roland135i]

Agree,

I drove stick for years, and nothing could top it, I thought........

Until I got my steptronic. Together with the shiftpaddles, pretty unbeatable :-)

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by Roland135i

Agree,

I drove stick for years, and nothing could top it, I thought........

Until I got my steptronic. Together with the shiftpaddles, pretty unbeatable :-)

I'm a die hard manual guy, but can appreciate the step. It's a great box.

[uwood]

Now that is some responses I like to see!

[sparky1_2007]

i just bought my 135i and i love the steptronic auto in it.

very responsive in sport mode, and day to day driving it isnt very harsh.

its a win/win for me since its my DD

[Dackelone]

Now if you want to make the step a really great trans... get the Alpina flash sw, then you will be in Heaven!

[mabutler308@yahoo.com]

I would agree... I have always had manual transmissions in my cars. I love the steptronic. It's versatile, quick and convenient. I would be hard pressed to go back to manual at this point.

[P7X]

Not hatin just saying.

[02rsxpilot]

Ginger, I'm curious why you say you'd rather have a step than a DCT for daily driving. I have yet to encounter any circumstance where the step would offer an advantage over the DCT, on the street or the track. Don't get me wrong, the DCT does annoy me once in a long while on the street, but that's compared to a manual, not an automatic. Interested to hear your take.

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by 02rsxpilot

Ginger, I'm curious why you say you'd rather have a step than a DCT for daily driving. I have yet to encounter any circumstance where the step would offer an advantage over the DCT, on the street or the track. Don't get me wrong, the DCT does annoy me once in a long while on the street, but that's compared to a manual, not an automatic. Interested to hear your take.

Like I said, it's superior for drag racing, and stop light gallavanting. The DCT's launch control is not only tedious to use, but not very effective. I like the immediacy of being able to stall the convertor, build up boost, and take off. No three minute process to set up a launch. Let's be honest, the rare occurence when I want to play on the streets with an unsuspecting Subaru or something, no one has time to get LC going before the light does green and you're left sitting there still trying to figure out the right sequence of buttons to push.
Every time I have tried to use LC on my Mom's 135i, it was never as effective as a comparable step car (My friend's E90 335i), or even my 6MT-equipped 135i. 60' times verified with VBOX performance box.

Also, step will take more abuse, and hold more power. There's a reason that the fastest N54 cars in the world have step...

[02rsxpilot]

Thanks. I suppose that is one reason a person might opt for the Step.

Personally, since I have no interest in drag racing (on the track or on the street), I'd take the DCT for both DD and track (road course) driving. It's faster (by milliseconds of course) and more importantly, smoother, which makes all the difference on the street and the track. In my experience, the DCT's weakness is changing from slowing down to speeding up at low speeds (like when that red light goes green just as you were about to stop). I've found it sometimes gets caught dropping to 1st right as you want to accelerate, causing a bit of an abrupt change in velocity. If you're in manual mode, this occurs less often. In a true manual, I'd coast to the light with the clutch in and leave it in 2nd.

I'd take the 6MT if I wanted pure fun and didn't mind the minor disadvantages my human abilities come with compared to a computer's.

To the OP's original question, I'd listen to Dackel. I've heard good things about some software tweaks that can make the Step much better at what it does.

Bottom line is, if you own a 1er, you've already made a pretty good choice. The transmission is like choosing chocolate or caramel syrup for your sundae, you can't really go wrong.

Cheers.

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by 02rsxpilot

Thanks. I suppose that is one reason a person might opt for the Step.

Personally, since I have no interest in drag racing (on the track or on the street), I'd take the DCT for both DD and track (road course) driving. It's faster (by milliseconds of course) and more importantly, smoother, which makes all the difference on the street and the track. In my experience, the DCT's weakness is changing from slowing down to speeding up at low speeds (like when that red light goes green just as you were about to stop). I've found it sometimes gets caught dropping to 1st right as you want to accelerate, causing a bit of an abrupt change in velocity. If you're in manual mode, this occurs less often. In a true manual, I'd coast to the light with the clutch in and leave it in 2nd.

I'd take the 6MT if I wanted pure fun and didn't mind the minor disadvantages my human abilities come with compared to a computer's.

To the OP's original question, I'd listen to Dackel. I've heard good things about some software tweaks that can make the Step much better at what it does.

Bottom line is, if you own a 1er, you've already made a pretty good choice. The transmission is like choosing chocolate or caramel syrup for your sundae, you can't really go wrong.

Cheers.

I have noticed the same behaviors with the DCT as well. You're right, manual mode + sport button, and use of the paddles tends to generally keep the car in line.

The 6MT in the 1'er is a pretty heavy duty piece of machinery, but being a die hard manual guy, I deal with it.

The Alpina flash on the Step looks amazing. Too bad my buddy with the 335i can't flash his car, as it's an early build date 07.

[Roland135i]

February 7th I have an appointement with ZF in Dortmund for a automatic gearflush.

They build the steptronic there, so she's going back to her roots lol

If all they say is true, she'll shift as new again

[Adam135]

For an automatic, the ZF 135 transmission is very good. The torque converter locks up quickly and the shifts are fast. The Alpina flash takes it to the next level but I'm hesitant to do it. YouTube has some great videos.

[uwood]

I'm going to have to look into this Alpina flash. I never realized it was for a step trans.

Good to see so many repsonse and discussions on here.

I should have held out for a 6MT car but this 09 was too good of a deal to pass up.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by Adam135

For an automatic, the ZF 135 transmission is very good. The torque converter locks up quickly and the shifts are fast. The Alpina flash takes it to the next level but I'm hesitant to do it. YouTube has some great videos.

There's really no reason not to do it- the process (once you get the laptop set up for flashing) is very straightforward. Just make sure the tuner makes a note of your stock software that the trans is running on before flashing just in case you want to go back to stock.

One thing about the Alpina build to keep in mind is that the software is tuned for a comfortable drive mode and an aggressive sport mode, meaning that D mode will shift early and smooth (as in 6th gear at 40mph). If you'd rather keep the stock D mode and only go with the Alpina S mode, there's a third "sport" flash to consider.

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Now if you want to make the step a really great trans... get the Alpina flash sw, then you will be in Heaven!

Especially if you also add a set of M3 paddles. That's a great combination!

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

One thing about the Alpina build to keep in mind is that the software is tuned for a comfortable drive mode and an aggressive sport mode, meaning that D mode will shift early and smooth (as in 6th gear at 40mpg). If you'd rather keep the stock D mode and only go with the Alpina S mode, there's a third "sport" flash to consider.

Yes D mode is a little too tame for me around town. It's fine on the highway though. I prefer sport or manual modes most of the time. Manual mode is the best though, especially with my M3 paddles.

[135Pats]

The 6HP boxes are very sharp all in all, people who dislike autos dislike autos, has nothing to do with this particular AT. As far as automatics go, this is a great gearbox. Alpina flash is a prerequisite IMO, but don’t underestimate how much D mode sucks.

[Zombie1]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Now if you want to make the step a really great trans... get the Alpina flash sw, then you will be in Heaven!

Yes you will! I did mine and the car shifts like a beast now so smooth.

[Chandon]

I'll just assume the flash isn't available for a 125i/128i