LCI 8spd box vrs older 6spd

[5wany]

I've had the opportunity to test drove a couple of e70 with the 6sp box (3.0d & 3.0sd). Which I felt was exactly the same as my e53 (was 56plate). The only minor annoyance (6sp box) was the way it held onto gears when cold and sometimes the double shift down when overtaking & the times it held onto the gear before shifting up. Always felt it needed at least another gear in there somewhere to make the overall drive smoother.

I just wondered what like the LCI with newer 8speed box is like in comparison, just putting out feelers to get opinions.

Thanks

[xoutpostking]

It works great, buttery smooth with none of the symptoms you described. Its very hard to put it into words, something you would have to experience for yourself. Its like asking what it is like to have sex with Megan Fox.

[5wany]

Sounds lush, reckon a used LCI will be within my range over next few months but Megan fox never will be

Guess some of us are just too ugly

[roadkillrob]

The old six speed in the X5 was a lot better than the GM tranny in the X3, but the new 8 speed is in another class - ZF still makes it, but it is crazy smooth, shifts seamlessly and is super smooth. So far no issues with it be unwilling to shift when cold (the ZF 6speed in my 335 is a bit clunky slow to shift until warm), 20 below or 100 above, it seems to shift perfect, can't even feel them - very nice unit.

Rob

[AzNMpower32]

Yeah, the 6-speed ZF on the diesel works quickly and smoothly 85% of the time. The other times, it holds onto gears too long on non-existant uphills and when the engine is cold. And occasionally after making a turn, it'll stumble in too high a gear and require a few seconds and some abrupt downshifting to get going again.

I've sampled the 8-speed ZF in the X3 and that's brilliant.

[IndyRon]

I've been told by more than one individual that the holding onto gears when cold has nothing to do with the transmission. It was intentionally programmed this way by the engineers to help heat the engine and catalytic converters up quicker. Can anyone confirm this?

[ard]

I've only driven the ZF 8 speed on 2.5L Diesels 5 series...but very, very nice.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by IndyRon

I've been told by more than one individual that the holding onto gears when cold has nothing to do with the transmission. It was intentionally programmed this way by the engineers to help heat the engine and catalytic converters up quicker. Can anyone confirm this?

That's correct. But not really that necessary- I think only the diesels do this. The torque converter also will not lock up below a certain temperature.

[MRV99]

the 8spd vs the 6sp is HUGE.

[5wany]

8spd LCI is def gonna be on the shopping list post summer me thinks

thanks for all replies