Steptronic Gearbox on 328 vs. 335

calle_enell · 07-05-2007, 06:05 PM

Is the 6 speed steptronic gearbox in the 2007 328 and 335 models in essens the same or completely diffrent from diffrent manufacturers?

pittyinSC · 07-05-2007, 06:06 PM

Different manufacturers 328 is GM and 335 is ZF

calle_enell · 07-05-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umcool911ok

Different manufacturers 328 is GM and 335 is ZF

Did the 330 2006 steptronic come from GM or ZF?

What other cars uses the GM gearbox, how come BMW uses such critical part from GM?

KEVIN88GT · 07-05-2007, 06:22 PM

i just SHUDDER at the thought that a BMW has a GM transmission.... thats like having an AUTHENTIC samurai sword....and the blade is stampled "made in taiwan"

calle_enell · 07-05-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEVIN88GT

i just SHUDDER at the thought that a BMW has a GM transmission.... thats like having an AUTHENTIC samurai sword....and the blade is stampled "made in taiwan"

I know, the knowledge that this may be the case makes me want to trow up, -this is not why I got a BMW, I am not sure i belive this is true.

brianlamar · 07-05-2007, 07:04 PM

I don't think the transmision is that bad. I actually think its pretty good and very smart.

AndrewAZ · 07-05-2007, 07:19 PM

If you know how to drive stick then get one. Once you learn how to drive stick and drive it for years all automatics suck no matter what brand or technology.

calle_enell · 07-05-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewAZ

If you know how to drive stick then get one. Once you learn how to drive stick and drive it for years all automatics suck no matter what brand or technology.

I grew up in Sweden driving a stick for 12 years...
Living in urban traffic, i just love automatics

theDude · 07-05-2007, 07:39 PM

Human obsolescence due to new technology is a scary thing...but it still won't keep me from ordering the auto

brianlamar · 07-05-2007, 07:44 PM

Live in LA with a stick and I bet you would hate it.

calle_enell · 07-05-2007, 07:56 PM

NYC and Philly is not much better, yes, i would hate beeing on my clutch all the time in stop and go traffic jams..
For the track (3-4 times a year) I would love the stick.

uberschnell · 07-05-2007, 08:04 PM

The GM sourced transmission on the 328/330 is very good.
The German ZF transmission on the 335 is flippin fantastic.

Say what you want about stick being better, I wouldn't trade.

Example: the ZF on the transmission shifts faster then 90% of the people who drive BMW's, and it does it perfectly each time.

I just love being half way through a turn, bumping down the paddle shifter for the perfect spot on the RPM band for punching it out of the turn. Not a flinch or step in the process. The RPM needle just moves higher up the band with each little press. One eye on the road the whole time finding the perfect exit line.
BTW, Great article in May issue of Bimmer about the two transmissions.

Ty Vil · 07-05-2007, 11:57 PM

Either way it's still an autotragic.

Having the steptronic is like margarine when you really just want real butter.

uberschnell · 07-06-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Having the steptronic is like margarine when you really just want real butter.

The ZF is the sh!t, it turns an average driver (most of us) into a supastaaa

Ty Vil · 07-06-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magna3

The ZF is the sh!t, it turns an average driver (most of us) into a supastaaa

No, it takes away much of the wow factor in an otherwise amazing car. I get to drive both almost daily. Every 3 that comes with an auto IMHO is a waste of a perfectly good 3 series.

faqulars · 07-06-2007, 08:14 AM

In terms of auto's only:

325I and the 330I have the same ZF transmission. The 328I has a GM transmission. THE 335I has the updated ZF transmission off the 325I/330I.

Why the 328I has the GM sourced. Cost cutting IMHO. The reason that it has an integrated plastic valve cover vice the mag cover and such.

Tobizach · 07-06-2007, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewAZ

If you know how to drive stick then get one. Once you learn how to drive stick and drive it for years all automatics suck no matter what brand or technology.

And the "Hill Assist" feature should be a great help.

msimon18 · 07-06-2007, 08:23 AM

I thought the E93 - 328 and 335 used the SAME transmission !?!? The infiormation on the BMW web site and other articles I have read do not indicate any DIFFERENT tranny.

omerfar23 · 07-06-2007, 12:21 PM

who supplies the 335/328i 6-speed manual?

jmonier · 07-06-2007, 12:26 PM

Getrag

742 · 07-06-2007, 12:47 PM

Bashing aside, GM is noted for their automatic transmissions. So there is no reason to make the transmission source an issue.

But then the whole slushbox discussion is sort of like chocolate chip cookies. Nabisco’s are all uniform in size, shape and chips per cookie; plus easy to buy. American Perfection. But I prefer home made chocolate chip cookies even though they are inconsistent, imperfect and take time to make well. In the end they are simply better for some reason.

voltron1011 · 07-06-2007, 01:02 PM

I think the GM automatics are actually made in France.... Also, BMW has been using GM transmissions for a long time.

07-05-2007, 06:05 PM	#1
calle_enell Car keeps stalling out...5 times now. 9 Rep 248 Posts Drives: E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Steptronic Gearbox on 328 vs. 335 Is the 6 speed steptronic gearbox in the 2007 328 and 335 models in essens the same or completely diffrent from diffrent manufacturers?
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07-05-2007, 06:06 PM	#2
pittyinSC Drives Smart 54 Rep 2,393 Posts Drives: 1968 Austin Mini Cooper 1380cc Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Different manufacturers 328 is GM and 335 is ZF
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07-05-2007, 06:22 PM	#4
KEVIN88GT Captain 83 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 06 Audi A4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	i just SHUDDER at the thought that a BMW has a GM transmission.... thats like having an AUTHENTIC samurai sword....and the blade is stampled "made in taiwan" __________________ Now: '11 BMW X5 xDrive35i Then: '07 X3 3.0si '07 335xi '06 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro
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07-05-2007, 07:04 PM	#6
brianlamar Private First Class 8 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I don't think the transmision is that bad. I actually think its pretty good and very smart. __________________ Le Mans Blue 15% All-around Tint 335i Coupe - Fully Loaded with M-Sport package Light Grey Interior, Grey poplar, black headliner 194 19"Black powder coated polished.
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07-05-2007, 07:19 PM	#7
AndrewAZ Major 137 Rep 1,243 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	If you know how to drive stick then get one. Once you learn how to drive stick and drive it for years all automatics suck no matter what brand or technology.
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07-05-2007, 07:39 PM	#9
theDude First Lieutenant 8 Rep 331 Posts Drives: '08 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (0)	Human obsolescence due to new technology is a scary thing...but it still won't keep me from ordering the auto
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07-05-2007, 07:44 PM	#10
brianlamar Private First Class 8 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Live in LA with a stick and I bet you would hate it. __________________ Le Mans Blue 15% All-around Tint 335i Coupe - Fully Loaded with M-Sport package Light Grey Interior, Grey poplar, black headliner 194 19"Black powder coated polished.
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07-05-2007, 07:56 PM	#11
calle_enell Car keeps stalling out...5 times now. 9 Rep 248 Posts Drives: E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	NYC and Philly is not much better, yes, i would hate beeing on my clutch all the time in stop and go traffic jams.. For the track (3-4 times a year) I would love the stick.
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07-05-2007, 08:04 PM	#12
uberschnell Brigadier General 675 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	The GM sourced transmission on the 328/330 is very good. The German ZF transmission on the 335 is flippin fantastic. Say what you want about stick being better, I wouldn't trade. Example: the ZF on the transmission shifts faster then 90% of the people who drive BMW's, and it does it perfectly each time. I just love being half way through a turn, bumping down the paddle shifter for the perfect spot on the RPM band for punching it out of the turn. Not a flinch or step in the process. The RPM needle just moves higher up the band with each little press. One eye on the road the whole time finding the perfect exit line. BTW, Great article in May issue of Bimmer about the two transmissions.
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07-05-2007, 11:57 PM	#13
Ty Vil Captain 31 Rep 913 Posts Drives: ///M4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ (by way of Portland, OR) iTrader: (0)	Either way it's still an autotragic. Having the steptronic is like margarine when you really just want real butter.
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07-06-2007, 08:14 AM	#16
faqulars Enlisted Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: E46 M3 / e60 530I / 135I Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	In terms of auto's only: 325I and the 330I have the same ZF transmission. The 328I has a GM transmission. THE 335I has the updated ZF transmission off the 325I/330I. Why the 328I has the GM sourced. Cost cutting IMHO. The reason that it has an integrated plastic valve cover vice the mag cover and such.
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07-06-2007, 08:23 AM	#18
msimon18 Retired 19 Rep 868 Posts Drives: Z4 s30i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Villages, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Isetta 300 [0.00] 2004 1/5 Scale M3 GTR [10.00]	I thought the E93 - 328 and 335 used the SAME transmission !?!? The infiormation on the BMW web site and other articles I have read do not indicate any DIFFERENT tranny. __________________ M3 GTR - 1/5 scale - 4.2 HP w/ Collari hydraulic brakes - would you believe ~80 MPH on straightaway !!
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07-06-2007, 12:21 PM	#19
omerfar23 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 335i, 2008 335i e92 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	who supplies the 335/328i 6-speed manual?
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07-06-2007, 12:26 PM	#20
jmonier Captain 11 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E92, 2002 325i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	Getrag
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07-06-2007, 12:47 PM	#21
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Bashing aside, GM is noted for their automatic transmissions. So there is no reason to make the transmission source an issue. But then the whole slushbox discussion is sort of like chocolate chip cookies. Nabisco’s are all uniform in size, shape and chips per cookie; plus easy to buy. American Perfection. But I prefer home made chocolate chip cookies even though they are inconsistent, imperfect and take time to make well. In the end they are simply better for some reason. Last edited by 742; 07-06-2007 at 01:14 PM.. Reason: Typo. Always a typo.
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07-06-2007, 01:02 PM	#22
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	I think the GM automatics are actually made in France.... Also, BMW has been using GM transmissions for a long time.
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