6MT test drive
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From: Port Washington
6MT test drive
I "test drove" a 6 speed TL today, identical to the one I will take delivery of in early to mid December, except for tires. I wanted to validate my decision to buy, and got the chance to do it today. I was a bit concerned after reading some of the posts on this forum about the car.
Bottom line is that I am very pleased!
Our other cars are an Audi S4 and a Honda S2000. We considered G35, 330i, and W8, one of which would be the replacement for our lamentedly departed Maxima SE (1992).
Clutch: Predictable, smooth, if a bit too "low effort".
Transmission: Wonderfully slick action, short throws (not compared to S2000!), and seamless. No popping out of gear. Despite many complaints about the 1 - 2 shift smoothness, no problem at all.
Steering: A bit over boosted for my taste, especially at low speeds, but precise enough.
Handling: It had the Turanzas (I am getting the 030s). Not as crisp/sharp as a 330i, but pretty comparable to a 530, up to the point where the fwd/rwd would be a factor. Firm enough, but not a choice for the track.
Torque steer: A tiny pull to the right under full throttle in lowest gears, but expected and acceptable for a fwd car.
Power: Because ratios are higher it does not have the same thrust as our S4, gear for gear. This is especially noticable in 6th gear accelleration from 60 to 80 or whatever. With the S4 the max. torque is achieved at 1800 and held flat past 4000 so any gear works most of the time. However the TL power is more than adequate but probably will do more gear changing than with the S4, but that is almost a plus as the shifting action is so rewarding. Probably as strong as 330i, but didn't really push it since car was new/not broken in at all.
Build quality: Our example had no rattles or visually noticable faults. Steering wheel was slightly "off center" but I probably wouldn't do anything about it until first service if this was my car, if at all. The car tracked straight and true.
Overall: Can't wait for mine. It is not built yet, so hope is that first gear problem is fixed and mine won't have that situation. Mine was originally scheduled for build in the first week of November....I think they have pushed the MT versions back to be sure the trans. problem is identified and sorted out. As I said, this one I drove today had no transmission glitches.
Reason for buying TL vs. :
G35: Cheap interior, "on-off" clutch, styling, and rwd (if going rwd please go BMW).
330i: Price, size, perception of reliability.
W8: Despite "sport suspension" and powerful W8 engine, feeling of ponderousness and lack of snap. Maybe 3900+ # has something to do with that!
I would prefer AWD but with winter wheels/tires I think that we will be OK here in the flat midwest. I will say that our S4 Quattro with Pilot Alpins is like a cat in the swow/ice.
I will report on "our" car once delivered and has a few miles on it.
Bottom line is that I am very pleased!
Our other cars are an Audi S4 and a Honda S2000. We considered G35, 330i, and W8, one of which would be the replacement for our lamentedly departed Maxima SE (1992).
Clutch: Predictable, smooth, if a bit too "low effort".
Transmission: Wonderfully slick action, short throws (not compared to S2000!), and seamless. No popping out of gear. Despite many complaints about the 1 - 2 shift smoothness, no problem at all.
Steering: A bit over boosted for my taste, especially at low speeds, but precise enough.
Handling: It had the Turanzas (I am getting the 030s). Not as crisp/sharp as a 330i, but pretty comparable to a 530, up to the point where the fwd/rwd would be a factor. Firm enough, but not a choice for the track.
Torque steer: A tiny pull to the right under full throttle in lowest gears, but expected and acceptable for a fwd car.
Power: Because ratios are higher it does not have the same thrust as our S4, gear for gear. This is especially noticable in 6th gear accelleration from 60 to 80 or whatever. With the S4 the max. torque is achieved at 1800 and held flat past 4000 so any gear works most of the time. However the TL power is more than adequate but probably will do more gear changing than with the S4, but that is almost a plus as the shifting action is so rewarding. Probably as strong as 330i, but didn't really push it since car was new/not broken in at all.
Build quality: Our example had no rattles or visually noticable faults. Steering wheel was slightly "off center" but I probably wouldn't do anything about it until first service if this was my car, if at all. The car tracked straight and true.
Overall: Can't wait for mine. It is not built yet, so hope is that first gear problem is fixed and mine won't have that situation. Mine was originally scheduled for build in the first week of November....I think they have pushed the MT versions back to be sure the trans. problem is identified and sorted out. As I said, this one I drove today had no transmission glitches.
Reason for buying TL vs. :
G35: Cheap interior, "on-off" clutch, styling, and rwd (if going rwd please go BMW).
330i: Price, size, perception of reliability.
W8: Despite "sport suspension" and powerful W8 engine, feeling of ponderousness and lack of snap. Maybe 3900+ # has something to do with that!
I would prefer AWD but with winter wheels/tires I think that we will be OK here in the flat midwest. I will say that our S4 Quattro with Pilot Alpins is like a cat in the swow/ice.
I will report on "our" car once delivered and has a few miles on it.
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