5 speed vs. 4 speed (archive)

I believe the steptronic is a 5 speed trans where as the non-step trans is 4 speed. This is worth something by itself. The standard mode is smooth but it really backs the engine power down during shifts. The sport mode stays in each gear longer (other than at full throttle) and is somewhat more responsive. The steptronic has very clever programming and reads information from a variety of sensors to help it decide when to downshift or remain in a gear longer. It is a huge improvement over any other auto I have experienced, except the late model Mercedes, which seem to be even more intelligent. My car usually downshifts for me as I approach corners, and rarely, if ever, upshifts during one. During causal street driving it is always in the right gear all by itself. For spirited driving, the sport mode is better, but for hard ass stuff, the manual mode minimizes the auto thinking and leaves more of it to me. You do have to anticipate a little, because there is a lag between hitting the lever and the gear actually being changed.

99 540iaT, sports suspension

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