Manual vs Automatic 135i

[AustinRalls]

Hi, Let me just start off by saying cars are a new habit and im still learning many things. so if i say something wrong or get some information wrong just let me know what is correct. anyway, im saving money for a 2008 BMW 135i and was wondering what the stock 0-60 and 1/4 times for both the automatic and manual transmission for these beasts. Is there any significant differences in performance. i wont be drag racing all the time. but i will do some street races.

[IGoFast1589]

A human cannot shift as quickly as an electronically controlled device and thus it's most likely .1 or .2 seconds faster to 60 mph over a manual gearbox. I've never liked that figure though as a measure of performance, but I am not into drag anyway.

My advice to you as a new car enthusiast, read and learn from different sources including these forums but don't believe everything you read. There's a lot of crap to sift through before you see something valuable. If you really want to learn pick up an easy to read mechanical engineering book and you'll know more than 90% of people if you truly understand what you read.

[pixelblue]

Auto will be faster due to higher final gear ratio.

[BrokenVert]

I know on the verts the stick was 5.4 and the auto was 5.5.

That being said that manual was driven by a professional and had a bunch of things going his was.

[AustinRalls]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I know on the verts the stick was 5.4 and the auto was 5.5.

That being said that manual was driven by a professional and had a bunch of things going his was.

Ive read in a bunch of places that the manual was 5 flat or less.

Also im getting a coupe. i dont like convertables. and i will be adding a jb4 tune to the car.

[NYC_Steve]

Originally Posted by IGoFast1589

A human cannot shift as quickly as an electronically controlled device and thus it's most likely .1 or .2 seconds faster to 60 mph over a manual gearbox. I've never liked that figure though as a measure of performance, but I am not into drag anyway.

My advice to you as a new car enthusiast, read and learn from different sources including these forums but don't believe everything you read. There's a lot of crap to sift through before you see something valuable. If you really want to learn pick up an easy to read mechanical engineering book and you'll know more than 90% of people if you truly understand what you read.

I am a mechanical engineer who spent a significant amount of time studying vehicle dynamics. If you want the vehicle dynamics bible that is referenced in the vast majority of research papers and used as a go to guide world wide check out this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Car-Vehic.../dp/1560915269

One of the professors I studied under help develop this book as the writer, Doug Milliken, is located right next to my old University. I found it quite easy to read but I also have been studying engineering for some time. They even had this book when I spent the summer in Germany studying at one of the top Automotive Engineering institutes (TU-Darmstadt).

[aberdeen]

manual all the way