Automatic

[cprogrammer]

What is 4 Speed Auto Electronic overdrive? How much better/worse is it than a manual? It's 4 speeds but what's the Electronic overdrive? Does the 4 speed auto overdrive have slower acceleration and top speed because it only has 4 gears?

Thanks.

 

[MrElussive]

Traditionally, manual transmissions offer quicker acceleration than automatic transmission thanks to shorter gear ratios (assuming the driver can do quick shifting). Overdrive refers to the top gear...whether it's a 4-speed auto, 5-speed auto, 6 speed auto, or 7-speed auto, the top gear is called an "overdrive" gear. It is a very long gear that is designed for good fuel economy on the highway and it keeps the engine at low rpm's. Manual transmissions also have an "overdrive" gear, whether it be a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed manual...as with automatic, their "overdrive" gear is also the top gear.

 

[cprogrammer]

Thanks! When you say manual's have quicker acceleration, is there a big difference? I really don't want a slow car, but automatics seem to be easier to find then manuals, which is why I'm looking at autos. Would you ever buy an automatic bmw?

 

[Beemerworld]

The difference is anywhere from 1s. to 3s. compare to manual transmission. Automatic is good but in a car of higher class for example 745i/760Li.

It also depends if you are gonna drive the car to enjoy its performance or you are looking for comfortable ride.

But don't worry even automatic BMW will make your stomach dance.

 

[cprogrammer]

Thanks MrElussive and beemerworld!

 

[gbf1lm]

Thanks! When you say manual's have quicker acceleration, is there a big difference? I really don't want a slow car, but automatics seem to be easier to find then manuals, which is why I'm looking at autos. Would you ever buy an automatic bmw?

personally i wouldnt buy an auto anything. unless i wanted a cushy family car, maybe a benz E or S

 

[manuel]

personally i wouldnt buy an auto anything. unless i wanted a cushy family car, maybe a benz E or S

them be fighting words...

 

[manuel]

The difference is anywhere from 1s. to 3s. compare to manual transmission. Automatic is good but in a car of higher class for example 745i/760Li.

It also depends if you are gonna drive the car to enjoy its performance or you are looking for comfortable ride.

But don't worry even automatic BMW will make your stomach dance.

1seconds to 3seconds in what? 60ft? 1000ft? 0-60?

 

[Beemerworld]

1seconds to 3seconds in what? 60ft? 1000ft? 0-60?

Im sorry. Usually 0-62mph.

 

[Section_8]

And thats mostly in the ability of the driver to make the most of his manual - shifting higher in the RPM's and before it starts to rev out, etc. It's not the car that's any faster, it's the driver that makes it happen.

 

[Average Jae]

if you are a really good manual driver, and don't mind reving high then dropping the clutch, you'll usually get about a second quicker to 60 than an auto counterpart. 3 seconds difference to 60 is rediculious. (i've never seen anyway)

btw manual=fun, auto=boooooooooo

 

[carcus]

if you are a really good manual driver, and don't mind reving high then dropping the clutch, you'll usually get about a second quicker to 60 than an auto counterpart. 3 seconds difference to 60 is rediculious. (i've never seen anyway)

btw manual=fun, auto=boooooooooo

I agree, it is all in the driver as well. I have an automatic, just bought what was available at the time. Cool thing about a manual is they are alot funner to drive, and cheaper to replace a clutch if it goes out than an automatic transmission. Nothing wrong with automatics though, especially in heavy traffic. As far as with high HP drag racers, they all use automatic. The automatic has come a long way over the years. They are pretty efficent compared to the old days, even if you try to shift the BMW automatic in manual mode, the computer will shift it just as well. The automatic does loose some HP in drivetrain loss compared to the manual, and depending on how the manual owner shifts, the automatic is a bit worse in gas milage. Just my 2 cents. I still have fun with the top down, automatic or not.

 

[undien717]

Actually- one of the main reasons why automatic cars are generally slower than manual cars is because automatic trannys have a power-robbing device called a torque converter (manual trannys have a clutch), the device that connects the engine to the transmission. This device is also the cause of the lower mileage automatic cars tend to have. I don't want to go into the details of the function of the torque converter and its affects on the car, but you can go to the link below to find out. Although there are 5 or 6 speed automatic cars in production today, they will still be generally slower than their manual counterparts because of this device.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

 

[carcus]

Actually- one of the main reasons why automatic cars are generally slower than manual cars is because automatic trannys have a power-robbing device called a torque converter (manual trannys have a clutch), the device that connects the engine to the transmission. This device is also the cause of the lower mileage automatic cars tend to have. I don't want to go into the details of the function of the torque converter and its affects on the car, but you can go to the link below to find out. Although there are 5 or 6 speed automatic cars in production today, they will still be generally slower than their manual counterparts because of this device.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

There are such things as AFTERMARKET HIGH STALL converters, had a nice Yank 3000 on my Z28......you would be ASTOUNDED on what a high stall torque converter can do for a A4......yes, it drives a bit different....but I can say they really work....at least for us muscle car guys.....don't know if they have high stall converters for a BMW....doubt anyone ever had the need for one....would someone buy one if they made them....yes...I imagine....I bet with a high stall converter in a BMW A4....the computer would throw more codes than a Christmas tree....