How do you like the 8-speed auto?

Ti335 · 08-02-2010, 10:18 AM

I'm thinking of picking up an Audi A5, which as of 2011 also comes with the ZF 8-speed auto. Not much info on Audi forums, as 2011s are just starting to arrive. So what do you guys think of this transmission?

gatoman39 · 08-02-2010, 10:49 AM

ZF makes the best automatic transmissions in the world. People who have owed BMW and other cars with ZF tranny's know they are bullet proof. Considering how much ZF has put into development, monetary and reputation wise, I expect nothing less from this one. Performance wise, it's silent and seamless. You can't really tell the car is ripping through the gears, unless you have the radio off and the windows down. Also partly due to the transmission, I have seen 30mpg on the highway on longer trips, coasting at 80mph. That's better than a Honda Accord V6, minus the ubiquity.

pharding · 08-02-2010, 12:37 PM

The Sport Automatic Transmission in the F10 is awesome.

raleedy · 08-02-2010, 03:36 PM

They may be mechanically the same, but I'd bet the software is proprietary to the car mfr., and so comparisons are of limited value.

gatoman39 · 08-02-2010, 05:28 PM

Edmunds just reviewed the best features of the 5 series:
Eight-speed automatic transmission

BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission, or new “Sport Automatic” 8-speed, when compared to the exemplary 6-speed automatic offered in past BMW models, features “taller” cruising gears which make a significant contribution to reduced fuel consumption and emissions, as well as quietness.
The wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds, mainly in the “tallest” gear, 8th. Yet even with this wider spread, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; in turn this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration.
And for the same reason, faster shifts are a further benefit because only one clutch pack is disengaged to shift up or down by one or two gears. On the other hand, downshifting more than two gears is accomplished as a direct shift. For example, a downshift from 8th to 2nd gear is made with only one clutch pack disengagement, and thus occurs without stepping down through the intermediate gears.
The 535i has a 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined EPA fuel economy estimate, according to BMW, one of the best in the midsize luxury sedan segment.

akhter · 08-02-2010, 06:19 PM

I drove the Sport 8 speed with the 523i and it seems smoother and better in every way than the 6sp on my last 335i.

Its amazing that they can wring that much acceleration out of the 2.5L 205hp I-6.

Best autobox I have ever driven, counting the M-DCT in the 3er and Audi 7sp DSG S-tronic.

Gsquared · 08-02-2010, 08:05 PM

I have been driving my 550 for less than a few hundred miles and it is very smooth shifting.

08-02-2010, 10:18 AM	#1
Ti335 Lieutenant 35 Rep 427 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	How do you like the 8-speed auto? I'm thinking of picking up an Audi A5, which as of 2011 also comes with the ZF 8-speed auto. Not much info on Audi forums, as 2011s are just starting to arrive. So what do you guys think of this transmission?
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08-02-2010, 10:49 AM	#2
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	ZF makes the best automatic transmissions in the world. People who have owed BMW and other cars with ZF tranny's know they are bullet proof. Considering how much ZF has put into development, monetary and reputation wise, I expect nothing less from this one. Performance wise, it's silent and seamless. You can't really tell the car is ripping through the gears, unless you have the radio off and the windows down. Also partly due to the transmission, I have seen 30mpg on the highway on longer trips, coasting at 80mph. That's better than a Honda Accord V6, minus the ubiquity.
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08-02-2010, 12:37 PM	#3
pharding Major 308 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 23 Audi Q4 e-tron + 14 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	The Sport Automatic Transmission in the F10 is awesome. __________________ 23 Audi Q4 e-tron; 23 i4 M50 on order 14 X3 Retired: 20 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD; 17 540i x; 14 550i Euro Del; 11 550i Euro Del; 08 550i Euro Del; 06 330i Euro Del; 04 545i Euro Del; 01 530i Euro Del
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08-02-2010, 03:36 PM	#4
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	They may be mechanically the same, but I'd bet the software is proprietary to the car mfr., and so comparisons are of limited value.
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08-02-2010, 05:28 PM	#5
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	Edmunds just reviewed the best features of the 5 series: Eight-speed automatic transmission BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission, or new “Sport Automatic” 8-speed, when compared to the exemplary 6-speed automatic offered in past BMW models, features “taller” cruising gears which make a significant contribution to reduced fuel consumption and emissions, as well as quietness. The wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds, mainly in the “tallest” gear, 8th. Yet even with this wider spread, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; in turn this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration. And for the same reason, faster shifts are a further benefit because only one clutch pack is disengaged to shift up or down by one or two gears. On the other hand, downshifting more than two gears is accomplished as a direct shift. For example, a downshift from 8th to 2nd gear is made with only one clutch pack disengagement, and thus occurs without stepping down through the intermediate gears. The 535i has a 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined EPA fuel economy estimate, according to BMW, one of the best in the midsize luxury sedan segment.
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08-02-2010, 06:19 PM	#6
akhter Lieutenant Colonel 419 Rep 1,690 Posts Drives: 911 992 C2S Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 M Sport ... [0.00] 2007 335i M Sport E90 [10.00]	I drove the Sport 8 speed with the 523i and it seems smoother and better in every way than the 6sp on my last 335i. Its amazing that they can wring that much acceleration out of the 2.5L 205hp I-6. Best autobox I have ever driven, counting the M-DCT in the 3er and Audi 7sp DSG S-tronic.
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08-02-2010, 08:05 PM	#7
Gsquared New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	I have been driving my 550 for less than a few hundred miles and it is very smooth shifting.
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