How does the 5-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode work on a G35 Coupe?

[Salvador]

The "manumatic" transmission on the G35C makes the automatic transmission bearable, but it's still no BMW SMG transmission. The manumatic or tiptronic (whatever you want to call it) isn't my cup of tea either.

Here's how the auto stick feature works on the G35. You have your regular Drive, Neutral, Park, Reverse and then when you feel like driving in the auto stick mode, slide the lever over from drive to the manual mode. On the dash intrumentation, the "D" for Drive is replaced with the number of gear that you're in. You can manually shift the gear to whatever gear you want within a reasonable limit. The car will not let you downshift to a gear if you're going to end up redlining it in that gear. It also won't let you put it into 5th if your car is going to lug either.

All you do to shift if click the shifter forward once to go up a gear and click it back once to go down a gear. Easy. Also, if you forget to downshift as you're coming to a stop, the transmission will automatically downshift to the appropriate gear. If you come to a complete stop, it will put you back in first. When you take off again though, you have to upshift or you'll end up bouncing off of the rev limiter. In addition to the car automatically doing the downshifts for you, the other thing that makes the manumatic less intimidating is that you can put the car back into the drive mode any time you feel like it. All you have to do is slide the gear lever back over into drive and you're back to a fully automatic transmission.

The manumatic makes it nice because you can hold it in gear instead of being at the mercy of your transmission. I hate going around a corner and want to exit the corner in a certain gear and have the car put me in too high of gear. Worse is when you come out of a corner and then when you're back on the gas, the car abrubtly downshifts to the lower gear and upsets the balance of the car. Automatics suck for spirited driving and that's why the manumatic transmission makes it bearable.

What I really don't like the manumatic is that (same with every car that has a torque converter), there is a lag between the time that you shift and the time that the transmission actually changes gears. So.. If you're accelerating hard in first and then shift right around redline, you'll end up bouncing off of the rev limiter. You have to time it so you shift a little early and anticipate the lag, so your car actually shifts right below when the rev limiter kicks in.

That being said.. I'd try to learn how to drive stick if you're into an enthuesiast car. I drove both the stick and auto version of the G35C before I bought it and there is absolutely no comparision between the two cars. OTOH.. If you absolutely have to have an automatic transmission, the manumatic transmission does make having an automatic bearable.

Sal

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Argo
I have one of those auto-manual tannies. Basically, each company has their own name for it, but the concept is the same. You can down shift and upshift (without the clutch) and the auto tranny will shift in that gear. Like somebody in this thread mentioned, there are some restrictions. ECU won't let you downshift if doing so will cause the engine to redline. It will also downshift if your gear is too high for current speed. Either way, I don't see why you would want to do any of this even with manual tranny.

And btw, for everybody saying that real men drive sticks - guess what - Formula 1 are automatics. It's similar to the clutchless auto-stick concept, except there's a separate button for each gear, so you can jump directly from 6th to 4th.

Those are manuals, numbnuts.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: Argo
I have one of those auto-manual tannies. Basically, each company has their own name for it, but the concept is the same. You can down shift and upshift (without the clutch) and the auto tranny will shift in that gear. Like somebody in this thread mentioned, there are some restrictions. ECU won't let you downshift if doing so will cause the engine to redline. It will also downshift if your gear is too high for current speed. Either way, I don't see why you would want to do any of this even with manual tranny.

And btw, for everybody saying that real men drive sticks - guess what - Formula 1 are automatics. It's similar to the clutchless auto-stick concept, except there's a separate button for each gear, so you can jump directly from 6th to 4th.

Those are manuals, numbnuts.

FU A$$H0LE. Wanna have a conversation try not to use names. I made an accurate statement, big deal if I used the wrong terminology. My statement describing how F1 tranny works was accurate. And somebody already corrected me, so at the very least learn to read a thread before making an a$$ out of yourself.

I'm officially out of this thread.

 

[fyleow]

Originally posted by: Salvador
The "manumatic" transmission on the G35C makes the automatic transmission bearable, but it's still no BMW SMG transmission. The manumatic or tiptronic (whatever you want to call it) isn't my cup of tea either.

Here's how the auto stick feature works on the G35. You have your regular Drive, Neutral, Park, Reverse and then when you feel like driving in the auto stick mode, slide the lever over from drive to the manual mode. On the dash intrumentation, the "D" for Drive is replaced with the number of gear that you're in. You can manually shift the gear to whatever gear you want within a reasonable limit. The car will not let you downshift to a gear if you're going to end up redlining it in that gear. It also won't let you put it into 5th if your car is going to lug either.

All you do to shift if click the shifter forward once to go up a gear and click it back once to go down a gear. Easy. Also, if you forget to downshift as you're coming to a stop, the transmission will automatically downshift to the appropriate gear. If you come to a complete stop, it will put you back in first. When you take off again though, you have to upshift or you'll end up bouncing off of the rev limiter. In addition to the car automatically doing the downshifts for you, the other thing that makes the manumatic less intimidating is that you can put the car back into the drive mode any time you feel like it. All you have to do is slide the gear lever back over into drive and you're back to a fully automatic transmission.

The manumatic makes it nice because you can hold it in gear instead of being at the mercy of your transmission. I hate going around a corner and want to exit the corner in a certain gear and have the car put me in too high of gear. Worse is when you come out of a corner and then when you're back on the gas, the car abrubtly downshifts to the lower gear and upsets the balance of the car. Automatics suck for spirited driving and that's why the manumatic transmission makes it bearable.

What I really don't like the manumatic is that (same with every car that has a torque converter), there is a lag between the time that you shift and the time that the transmission actually changes gears. So.. If you're accelerating hard in first and then shift right around redline, you'll end up bouncing off of the rev limiter. You have to time it so you shift a little early and anticipate the lag, so your car actually shifts right below when the rev limiter kicks in.

That being said.. I'd try to learn how to drive stick if you're into an enthuesiast car. I drove both the stick and auto version of the G35C before I bought it and there is absolutely no comparision between the two cars. OTOH.. If you absolutely have to have an automatic transmission, the manumatic transmission does make having an automatic bearable.

Sal

I know DSG is the same as BMW's SMG but I'm not sure about MB's Speed Shift (?) technology? The auto tranny they have on the AMGs...are those direct shifting or what?

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Argo
I have one of those auto-manual tannies. Basically, each company has their own name for it, but the concept is the same. You can down shift and upshift (without the clutch) and the auto tranny will shift in that gear. Like somebody in this thread mentioned, there are some restrictions. ECU won't let you downshift if doing so will cause the engine to redline. It will also downshift if your gear is too high for current speed. Either way, I don't see why you would want to do any of this even with manual tranny.

And btw, for everybody saying that real men drive sticks - guess what - Formula 1 are automatics. It's similar to the clutchless auto-stick concept, except there's a separate button for each gear, so you can jump directly from 6th to 4th.

Formula 1 are not automatics. The are manuals that have computer controlled clutches. The computer can disengage, shift and rengage faster then any human can. BIG difference. This is the same type of setup Ferrari and BMW uses on their street machines.

Actually... they've been automatics since the FIA legalized traction control (2001?)... but they still have more control over shifting as opposed to "traditional automatics". Some drivers still prefer to downshift on their own... some just have it fully automatic going through the gears. I don't know about the 6-7 seperate buttons for each gear though... it is sequential and goes through each gear like motorcycles... some drivers have an extra button or two on the steering wheel specified for a gear they want but ive never heard of having a dedicated button for each gear. I believe they are banning electronics again for next year...

 

[Salvador]

FU A$$H0LE. Wanna have a conversation try not to use names. I made an accurate statement, big deal if I used the wrong terminology. My statement describing how F1 tranny works was accurate. And somebody already corrected me, so at the very least learn to read a thread before making an a$$ out of yourself.

My definition of an automatic is something that has a torque converter. The SMG type transmission is basically a manual transmission with an electronically activated clutch and electronic sequential (fly by wire) gear selection. It is more "automatic" than your typical stick shift, but it's far from being an "automatic" IMO.

Sal

 

[Amused]

Um, the paddle shifters and select shifters in F1s, Ferraris and Maseratis are FAR different from the tiptronic style shifters in normal cars. The tiptronic style shifters use an automatic tranny and allow you to manually select the gear. The paddle snd select shifters use a manual tranny with a computer controled clutch. More accurately, a six-speed electro-hydraulic gearshift mechanism. The mechanics and feel of them are completely different. With the paddle shifter, you FEEL as if you're driving a manual, and you hear and feel the clutch engage and disengage. With the tiptronic, you get none of that, because it's all done with an auto tranny flywheel.

I know this first hand because my borther has a Maserati Cambiocorsa coupe with the same tranny used in the Ferrari. And I own a Passat with the tiptronic tranny and have driven the BMW and Infinity autosticks. Two completely different technologies.

 

[hans007]

i wish these regular car companies would start making computer controlled clutch autos.



so like it'd be like having a bmw smg in a 30000 g35. ah.


as for me, i've driven stick, well all of 1 time. it wasnt that hard, but well.... i think over 2 days of 405 freeway commute in LA it'd drive me nuts. when im commuting, i just like to kinda space out, and "wake up" at the end thinking, ah yes its been an hour and i'm home now. plus no cell phone, radio playing with or drinking with stick (well it'd be difficult and likely messy when it came to drinks)

my solution:


get really rich, and buy 2 cars.


havent been able to do that quite yet. so i will stick with auto for now.


i am one of those guys though who couldnt get a coupe sports car with a stick. just seems wrong. my cousin bought a 330ci bmw with auto, and i was like, shoulda got the 330i. bah. if you want a auto coupe buy a benz, then you have an excuse.

 

[Jombo]

funny how people get so emotional over cars. first off calling f1 cars an auto tranny rides would be a stament of stupidity.

automanus control your shift points, and thanks to the gearing, ie 5 speed autos counter parts are usually 6 speed manus, and the gearing's all different, you'll get slower times off the line. biggest complaint w/ the autos is the response time. w/ a manual, the car's in the right gear when i want it to be, like when i'm turning and need the exit speed at second gear and ready to spring for me, where as in the auto, it waits for me to floor the accel, then it decides, oh yea, maybe i shoudl kick down.............. ok now, then off you go.. that's my biggest gripe about autos.

yes manus suck in traffic, so if yer in morning and afternoon traffic day in a day out, then i'd go w/ autos but what's the point of getting a nice sports sedan/coupe if you can't enjoy it to the fullest? esp if yer getting into a g35 or a 3 series w/ the 3.0 liter?

coming from a guy w/ a 330i pp, why would you elect for the 330i over 330 ci, unless yer talking about the one w/ the perf package? the regualr 330i's are freakin ugly compared to the 330ci.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: Jombo
funny how people get so emotional over cars. first off calling f1 cars an auto tranny rides would be a stament of stupidity.

automanus control your shift points, and thanks to the gearing, ie 5 speed autos counter parts are usually 6 speed manus, and the gearing's all different, you'll get slower times off the line. biggest complaint w/ the autos is the response time. w/ a manual, the car's in the right gear when i want it to be, like when i'm turning and need the exit speed at second gear and ready to spring for me, where as in the auto, it waits for me to floor the accel, then it decides, oh yea, maybe i shoudl kick down.............. ok now, then off you go.. that's my biggest gripe about autos.

yes manus suck in traffic, so if yer in morning and afternoon traffic day in a day out, then i'd go w/ autos but what's the point of getting a nice sports sedan/coupe if you can't enjoy it to the fullest? esp if yer getting into a g35 or a 3 series w/ the 3.0 liter?

coming from a guy w/ a 330i pp, why would you elect for the 330i over 330 ci, unless yer talking about the one w/ the perf package? the regualr 330i's are freakin ugly compared to the 330ci.

i typed it wrong. he bought a 330ci with auto, not stick.


as for coupe vs sedan on a 3 series. i think they are both pretty plain exterior and interior. i wouldnt go as far as saying they are ugly, but for god's sake the design is like 10 years old practically. the only bmws i've driven are a 330i and a 325ci auto. the handling is nice, but i mean if i am gonna fork over that much money i want a car that doesnt look all boxy and plain. they need to update it like the new 5 and 7s.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: Argo
I have one of those auto-manual tannies. Basically, each company has their own name for it, but the concept is the same. You can down shift and upshift (without the clutch) and the auto tranny will shift in that gear. Like somebody in this thread mentioned, there are some restrictions. ECU won't let you downshift if doing so will cause the engine to redline. It will also downshift if your gear is too high for current speed. Either way, I don't see why you would want to do any of this even with manual tranny. And btw, for everybody saying that real men drive sticks - guess what - Formula 1 are automatics. It's similar to the clutchless auto-stick concept, except there's a separate button for each gear, so you can jump directly from 6th to 4th.

Big difference. No torque convertor.