What exactly is a Steptronic transmission??

Question

I am going to finance a BMW 330i, i saw the car online and have an appointment to see and test drive the car in a few days, i just wanted to know what the steptronic transmission is because if it requires clutch shifting il have to get another car due to not having much experience with manual cars.. Thanks

Answer 1

It is an automatic transmission. But instead of having the normal mode which shifts for you like a usuallyy automatic, there is a + and a - where you can shift if yourself. For this particular car, you can move the shifter left like you are going to shift it yourself, but when you drive without touching it, it shifts by itself at a later RPM. This works so that you cant over-rev the engine when you do want to shift it yourself. Therefore, its always going to be an automatic unless you tap it up or down.

Answer 2

Its basically a automatic car that can switch to manual, however its a clutchless manual.  They are very easy to drive and get used to, and you can get close to the gas mileage of a manual car when driving it in the manual mode.  On most cars when you switch it to the manual setting you just push the shifter up+ to **** up a gear and push it back- to down shift a gear.  If you can get it go for it, dont worry if you dont have much experience with a manual car its really not like driving a manual car.  Enjoy!

Answer 3

it means you can switch between automatic and a form of semiautomatic where you can upshift and downshift without needing a clutch

Answer 4

Its a transmission setup where it makes it easier for a driver who is a novice at working an automatic trans to optimum performance.  Basically the stupid mans transmission.  Just more little switch and mechanical parts to go wrong.  But it sure sells to the novice car buyer..