I drove a BMW 328 Steptronic (long)
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I drove a BMW 328 Steptronic (long)
A co-employee had a loaner car today which was a 328 with the steptronic (I think that is what they call it.) He let me drive it to comment on the difference between that and the CLS. I won't comment on anything other than the transmission as it wasn't a fair fight (it was a 328 not the 330)
1) Shifting was smoother from gear to gear. Did not feel as much "jump" between gears. This was both on the upshift and the downshift. I especially notice the 3rd-2nd downshift on our cars is very harsh.
2) It allowed you to downshift to 1st and did not auto upshift to 2nd. I thought that I would like this, but did not. 1st gear is more of an annoyance than anything else. Acura made the right decision.
3) When you initially shift into sportshift mode, the car remains in automatic mode until you make the first shift - up or down. I liked this.
4) It prevented you from shifting into a very low gear at high speeds - similar to ours - at 90 it would not let you get back down to 3rd for example.
5) When in sport shift mode, if you stomped
on the gas, it would downshift whether you told it to or not. I was in sportshift mode, I was in 5th; I floored it; it downshifted twice to 3rd without me hitting the shifter - I thought that was maybe okay - you could argue it both ways. HOWEVER, it would not then upshift automatically. So as I hit high speeds, it would not go back to 4th or 5th - I had to shift it up. This is really different than ours and again, you could argue it both ways on which is preferred.
6) The delay when you sport-shifted between gears was about the same as on ours. It was about the same in both directions - but again it was smoother than ours which I liked.
Those are the differences which I noticed. Questions?
Another employee is getting a 330ci in a few weeks and then I will get some good compares - I might need some headers to compete!
Sorry for the length.
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CL-S #22,299 Black/Parchment/Nav, spoiler, door & fender guards, wood trim, PIAA 19169 & 9005, V1 w/remote, trunk & winter mats, Road Salt Finish by Mass DOT, only 1 scratched rim
[This message has been edited by MikeS 18 (edited 01-26-2001).]
1) Shifting was smoother from gear to gear. Did not feel as much "jump" between gears. This was both on the upshift and the downshift. I especially notice the 3rd-2nd downshift on our cars is very harsh.
2) It allowed you to downshift to 1st and did not auto upshift to 2nd. I thought that I would like this, but did not. 1st gear is more of an annoyance than anything else. Acura made the right decision.
3) When you initially shift into sportshift mode, the car remains in automatic mode until you make the first shift - up or down. I liked this.
4) It prevented you from shifting into a very low gear at high speeds - similar to ours - at 90 it would not let you get back down to 3rd for example.
5) When in sport shift mode, if you stomped
on the gas, it would downshift whether you told it to or not. I was in sportshift mode, I was in 5th; I floored it; it downshifted twice to 3rd without me hitting the shifter - I thought that was maybe okay - you could argue it both ways. HOWEVER, it would not then upshift automatically. So as I hit high speeds, it would not go back to 4th or 5th - I had to shift it up. This is really different than ours and again, you could argue it both ways on which is preferred.
6) The delay when you sport-shifted between gears was about the same as on ours. It was about the same in both directions - but again it was smoother than ours which I liked.
Those are the differences which I noticed. Questions?
Another employee is getting a 330ci in a few weeks and then I will get some good compares - I might need some headers to compete!
Sorry for the length.
------------------
CL-S #22,299 Black/Parchment/Nav, spoiler, door & fender guards, wood trim, PIAA 19169 & 9005, V1 w/remote, trunk & winter mats, Road Salt Finish by Mass DOT, only 1 scratched rim
[This message has been edited by MikeS 18 (edited 01-26-2001).]
#3
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Mike,
Once you decide on Headers... count me in, I am itiching to get springs, sways, headers and maybe CAI at one shot... Woahhh, that is big investment
!
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Bare Bone Stock Type-S. Plenty of accessories. PIAA 19169 to be installed soon.
Once you decide on Headers... count me in, I am itiching to get springs, sways, headers and maybe CAI at one shot... Woahhh, that is big investment
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Bare Bone Stock Type-S. Plenty of accessories. PIAA 19169 to be installed soon.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RandyMax:
Comment on (5):
I though out car does downshift for you when you stomp on the gas in SS mode, doesn't it?</font>
Comment on (5):
I though out car does downshift for you when you stomp on the gas in SS mode, doesn't it?</font>
NNH - I can't afford any of this - My house renovations aren't paid for yet!
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CL-S #22,299 Black/Parchment/Nav, spoiler, door & fender guards, wood trim, PIAA 19169 & 9005, V1 w/remote, trunk & winter mats, Road Salt Finish by Mass DOT, only 1 scratched rim
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I drove my girlfriends friends 330ci a few weeks back. I was very impressed. It was very peppy, but maybe not as much as the cl-s. The handling, however, was much better imho. Much lighter and more direct. I guess that's rwd for ya. I'd have to say if they were the same price I would have gone with the 330ci. But no way is it worth the extra 10-12k. BTW she had the sport&premium packages.
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Nice analysis Mike.... I personally prefer the firmer shifting of the CL-S. It's funny but a buddy of mine with a BMW went for a ride in my CL-S today and said he liked the firmer shifting better. He also said that the CL-S shifted faster. I guess it comes down to personal preference. I always liked firm shifting tranys and upgraded my autos with shift kits.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MikeS 18:
A co-employee had a loaner car today which was a 328 with the steptronic (I think that is what they call it.) He let me drive it to comment on the difference between that and the CLS. I won't comment on anything other than the transmission as it wasn't a fair fight (it was a 328 not the 330)
1) Shifting was smoother from gear to gear. Did not feel as much "jump" between gears. This was both on the upshift and the downshift. I especially notice the 3rd-2nd downshift on our cars is very harsh.
2) It allowed you to downshift to 1st and did not auto upshift to 2nd. I thought that I would like this, but did not. 1st gear is more of an annoyance than anything else. Acura made the right decision.
3) When you initially shift into sportshift mode, the car remains in automatic mode until you make the first shift - up or down. I liked this.
4) It prevented you from shifting into a very low gear at high speeds - similar to ours - at 90 it would not let you get back down to 3rd for example.
5) When in sport shift mode, if you stomped
on the gas, it would downshift whether you told it to or not. I was in sportshift mode, I was in 5th; I floored it; it downshifted twice to 3rd without me hitting the shifter - I thought that was maybe okay - you could argue it both ways. HOWEVER, it would not then upshift automatically. So as I hit high speeds, it would not go back to 4th or 5th - I had to shift it up. This is really different than ours and again, you could argue it both ways on which is preferred.
6) The delay when you sport-shifted between gears was about the same as on ours. It was about the same in both directions - but again it was smoother than ours which I liked.
Those are the differences which I noticed. Questions?
Another employee is getting a 330ci in a few weeks and then I will get some good compares - I might need some headers to compete!
Sorry for the length.
</font>
A co-employee had a loaner car today which was a 328 with the steptronic (I think that is what they call it.) He let me drive it to comment on the difference between that and the CLS. I won't comment on anything other than the transmission as it wasn't a fair fight (it was a 328 not the 330)
1) Shifting was smoother from gear to gear. Did not feel as much "jump" between gears. This was both on the upshift and the downshift. I especially notice the 3rd-2nd downshift on our cars is very harsh.
2) It allowed you to downshift to 1st and did not auto upshift to 2nd. I thought that I would like this, but did not. 1st gear is more of an annoyance than anything else. Acura made the right decision.
3) When you initially shift into sportshift mode, the car remains in automatic mode until you make the first shift - up or down. I liked this.
4) It prevented you from shifting into a very low gear at high speeds - similar to ours - at 90 it would not let you get back down to 3rd for example.
5) When in sport shift mode, if you stomped
on the gas, it would downshift whether you told it to or not. I was in sportshift mode, I was in 5th; I floored it; it downshifted twice to 3rd without me hitting the shifter - I thought that was maybe okay - you could argue it both ways. HOWEVER, it would not then upshift automatically. So as I hit high speeds, it would not go back to 4th or 5th - I had to shift it up. This is really different than ours and again, you could argue it both ways on which is preferred.
6) The delay when you sport-shifted between gears was about the same as on ours. It was about the same in both directions - but again it was smoother than ours which I liked.
Those are the differences which I noticed. Questions?
Another employee is getting a 330ci in a few weeks and then I will get some good compares - I might need some headers to compete!
Sorry for the length.
</font>
![](http://www.acura-cl.com/ubb/biggrin.gif)
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RandyMax:
Comment on (5):
I though out car does downshift for you when you stomp on the gas in SS mode, doesn't it?</font>
Comment on (5):
I though out car does downshift for you when you stomp on the gas in SS mode, doesn't it?</font>
![](http://www.acura-cl.com/ubb/biggrin.gif)
![](http://www.acura-cl.com/ubb/biggrin.gif)
#9
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Don't get me wrong...I like mine better than the BMW. The only feature which I liked better is the fact it stayed in automatic until you shifted after sliding into sportshift.
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CL-S #22,299 Black/Parchment/Nav, spoiler, door & fender guards, wood trim, PIAA 19169 & 9005, V1 w/remote, trunk & winter mats, Road Salt Finish by Mass DOT, only 1 scratched rim
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CL-S #22,299 Black/Parchment/Nav, spoiler, door & fender guards, wood trim, PIAA 19169 & 9005, V1 w/remote, trunk & winter mats, Road Salt Finish by Mass DOT, only 1 scratched rim
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RandyMax:
Comment on (5):
I though out car does downshift for you when you stomp on the gas in SS mode, doesn't it?</font>
Comment on (5):
I though out car does downshift for you when you stomp on the gas in SS mode, doesn't it?</font>
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by mdaniel:
Only in 2nd. If you stomp on it in 2nd, it will downshift to 1st if possible. All other gears require a manual downshift in SS mode.
</font>
Only in 2nd. If you stomp on it in 2nd, it will downshift to 1st if possible. All other gears require a manual downshift in SS mode.
</font>
I'd guess that SS mode probably saves us some fuel and trans wear compared to the full auto mode...
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I drove all kinds of BMW's that had the stiptronic... i dont like their stiptronic because its like an Automatic when u floor the car... it will shift and do everything for u for all the gears. it doesnt need the driver to change the gears for the car on the tiptronic when u floor it. from 1st to 5th the car will do the shifting if u didnt shift .. the fule wont cut like in our car between 2nd to 5th.
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Gold CL-S with comptech headers, mufflers,Springs, V-AFC,AEM CAI. ACE hyper black Wheels 235-40-18ZR.
In the future..Supercharger or turbo if there is any.
Gtech run 0 to 60 in 5.41sec
My car pics are On http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...521&a=11013539
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i drove my friend's 2000 bmw 328 CI for 2 weeks while he left the town..he paid about 47000 include the tax and all the option..what i felt about the car..is the exterior is cool..the power is ok..just not as strong as ours..the handling is ok..only the turning diameter is small and convenient to park..it's climate control suck...not sure which one controls the temperature..u know what i am talking about if u ever drive it before and adjust the climate control before..that sucks
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[This message has been edited by Type S (edited 01-28-2001).]
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[This message has been edited by Type S (edited 01-28-2001).]
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MikeS 18:
2) It allowed you to downshift to 1st and did not auto upshift to 2nd. I thought that I would like this, but did not. 1st gear is more of an annoyance than anything else. Acura made the right decision.
</font>
2) It allowed you to downshift to 1st and did not auto upshift to 2nd. I thought that I would like this, but did not. 1st gear is more of an annoyance than anything else. Acura made the right decision.
</font>
Anyway I'm glad you mentioned #2 because so many CL owners are down on this. I too believe Acura was correct in not allowing a 1-2 or 2-1 control. It's just simply not necessary and no one can seem to really justify why they need it (except for the few <1% of the people who have special cases).
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#15
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by kensteele:
Great analysis, Mike. I once drove my friends 328 and remember some of these but of course I couldn't fully test out (floor) her BMW.
Anyway I'm glad you mentioned #2 because so many CL owners are down on this. I too believe Acura was correct in not allowing a 1-2 or 2-1 control. It's just simply not necessary and no one can seem to really justify why they need it (except for the few <1% of the people who have special cases).
</font>
Great analysis, Mike. I once drove my friends 328 and remember some of these but of course I couldn't fully test out (floor) her BMW.
Anyway I'm glad you mentioned #2 because so many CL owners are down on this. I too believe Acura was correct in not allowing a 1-2 or 2-1 control. It's just simply not necessary and no one can seem to really justify why they need it (except for the few <1% of the people who have special cases).
</font>
I disagree, cuz when you're in 2nd SS mode and you want to hit the gas more it automatically shifts you to 1st which sucks IMO. I think Acura is the only car that does this.
I drove the Z3 with tip or steptronic whatever the hell BMW calls it and I found BMW's SS to be 200% more responsive than ours. If you are in 3rd and shift up, it acutally takes about .5 to 1 sec before it actually shifts, not the case with the Z3 I drove. The downshifts are the same.
#16
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by kensteele:
Great analysis, Mike. I once drove my friends 328 and remember some of these but of course I couldn't fully test out (floor) her BMW.
Anyway I'm glad you mentioned #2 because so many CL owners are down on this. I too believe Acura was correct in not allowing a 1-2 or 2-1 control. It's just simply not necessary and no one can seem to really justify why they need it (except for the few <1% of the people who have special cases).
</font>
Great analysis, Mike. I once drove my friends 328 and remember some of these but of course I couldn't fully test out (floor) her BMW.
Anyway I'm glad you mentioned #2 because so many CL owners are down on this. I too believe Acura was correct in not allowing a 1-2 or 2-1 control. It's just simply not necessary and no one can seem to really justify why they need it (except for the few <1% of the people who have special cases).
</font>
I disagree, cuz when you're in 2nd SS mode and you want to hit the gas more it automatically shifts you to 1st which sucks IMO. I think Acura is the only car that does this.
I drove the Z3 with tip or steptronic whatever the hell BMW calls it and I found BMW's SS to be 200% more responsive than ours. If you are in 3rd and shift up, it acutally takes about .5 to 1 sec before it actually shifts, not the case with the Z3 I drove. The downshifts are the same.
It all depends on the individual, I'm sure some probably like the 1-2 auto shift whereas some may find that annoying, like myself.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by AC:
I disagree, cuz when you're in 2nd SS mode and you want to hit the gas more it automatically shifts you to 1st which sucks IMO. I think Acura is the only car that does this.
I drove the Z3 with tip or steptronic whatever the hell BMW calls it and I found BMW's SS to be 200% more responsive than ours. If you are in 3rd and shift up, it acutally takes about .5 to 1 sec before it actually shifts, not the case with the Z3 I drove. The downshifts are the same.
It all depends on the individual, I'm sure some probably like the 1-2 auto shift whereas some may find that annoying, like myself.</font>
I disagree, cuz when you're in 2nd SS mode and you want to hit the gas more it automatically shifts you to 1st which sucks IMO. I think Acura is the only car that does this.
I drove the Z3 with tip or steptronic whatever the hell BMW calls it and I found BMW's SS to be 200% more responsive than ours. If you are in 3rd and shift up, it acutally takes about .5 to 1 sec before it actually shifts, not the case with the Z3 I drove. The downshifts are the same.
It all depends on the individual, I'm sure some probably like the 1-2 auto shift whereas some may find that annoying, like myself.</font>
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#18
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Type S:
i drove my friend's 2000 bmw 328 CI for 2 weeks while he left the town..he paid about 47000 include the tax and all the option..</font>
i drove my friend's 2000 bmw 328 CI for 2 weeks while he left the town..he paid about 47000 include the tax and all the option..</font>
Forty-seven thousand?! Was that Canadian, or did he get the entire dash gold-plated?! That's at least $10,000 too much for a fully loaded 328ci, assuming USD.
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47..not really. The 328's sedans started at 35K, the C puts it about 37-38, with no options, add the premium and sport package you're talking about 5K, plus T.T.T, you're very close to 47.
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