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In Reply to: Yes, so look at what this means! (m) posted by lk on May 08, 2000 at 12:01:13:
First, the speed at which you execute the shift is only a part of how fast you shift. Let me just give you an example.
Lets say your step executes a shift in .25s (optimistic I would say). Let's say the C&D/R&T/BMW test driver who does this all day can shift in .3 seconds manually (probably accurate - in real life I think he would be faster than your step but lets not debate that now).
For a 0-60mph (or close, maybe 0-58) run both cars will execute one shift. At 0-60 in 8.0s for the step 323i, the car spent 7.75 s accelerating. At 0-60 in 7.1 s the manual spent 6.8 s accelerating. These acceleration times should be the same for any person who can somewhat drive stick, all you need to do is hold your foot in.
Now lets just say that I am a bumbling idiot and I can't execute a shift in less than 1 second. The step 323i does the 0-60 sprint in 8.0 seconds (as tested by the car mags). The 323 manual spends 6.8s accelerating and 1 second shifting = 7.8 seconds. Still faster. So essentially in order to be slower in the stick, you have to shift in 1.2 seconds! Idon't know about you but when I'm in a hurry I can do less than 1.2 seconds. What explains this big difference? Your torque converter. You seem to dismiss this as a small factor that may slightly offset the HUGE gains in efficiency of the step. I am telling you that it is sucking up your power big-time! And in the real world, I can shift in about .5 seconds making my 0-60 7.3s. Incidentally, I Gteched myself in my car and got 0-60mph in 6.9s with no powershifting or clutch slipping. I defy you to find a 323 step owner who can claim the same. And as for your argument about "most people are such slow shifters (greater than 1.2s?) that the step would be faster for THEM in the real world? Maybe. But to tell you the truth, I don't really care how fast other people are going. I am just glad I don't have to sit there waiting for 8 seconds while my car gets to 60. I get there in 6.9s of real driving.
One final note, I hope that you are taking this the right way, I do not mean to be disrespectful in arguing your opinions. It is just very saddening for me to realize that some people are not as uncompromising about performance as I thought they were. But I guess that what is most important is that we are both satisfied with our respective choice of car.
Rudy
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