Autobox Q

[capri_rob]

After 19 Years of manual gearboxes I'm still getting used to my new Auto

When I'm sat at traffic lights or in a traffic queue should I leave it in D all the time or knock it into neutral ?

Seem to remember something about older BMW Autoboxes shouldnt be left in N or P or revved in these gears or it fooks the box - is this the same with more modern boxes ?

Should I just keep it in D all the time in normal use even when at traffic lights ?

Any advice appreciated

[Alex]

leave in D at lights and use foot brake, or stick it into park, depends how long your going to be sat there for i guess

Handbrakes have no use on an auto either

[capri_rob]

Handbrakes have no use on an auto either

Until MOT Time

[Alex]

Handbrakes have no use on an auto either

Until MOT Time

Should be good then as they dont get used on many autos

[George]

Keep in D unless stationary for prolonged periods - in that case N with handbrake.

Constant moving from D to N and back again results in more wear than keeping it in D.

[Alex]

Keep in D unless stationary for prolonged periods - in that case N with handbrake.

Constant moving from D to N and back again results in more wear than keeping it in D.

Wouldnt you just stick it in Park ?

[DanThe]

I always use the handbrake, lobbing it into park then dropping the weight of the car back against the box isnt really a very mechanically friendly thing to do IMO

Your box should be good though Rob, the only thing I would say is get the oil changed if its not been done yet.

ive done 90k miles with my E34 touring auto and I dont grandad it, left foot on the brake and right foot on the gas for traffic light GP's

[George]

Keep in D unless stationary for prolonged periods - in that case N with handbrake.

Constant moving from D to N and back again results in more wear than keeping it in D.

Wouldnt you just stick it in Park ?

I don't. When you stick it in park, the car is held by a little plastic jobbie in the box which is a little on the fragile side. Better to be held by the handbrake.

Plus if you stick it in park, you have to go via R and the flash of reversing lights will scare those behind you!

[Topblag]

I try and use the handbrake when parking the car up on a hill.

As before, it's not good for the box to take the strain of the car and especially harshly (i.e. parking like an american).

[bss325i]

Not sure of this is your cup of tea rob but you can fit an M3 SMG steering wheel to any E46/E39/E53 auto and use the paddles to shift when in sport mode instead of the +/- on the stick.

You just need the correct slip ring and some wire but there are companies that do plug and play kits.

[capri_rob]

Not sure of this is your cup of tea rob but you can fit an M3 SMG steering wheel to any E46/E39/E53 auto and use the paddles to shift when in sport mode instead of the +/- on the stick.

You just need the correct slip ring and some wire but there are companies that do plug and play kits.

Very interesting ! I like the sound of that

Just looked on Ebay and an SMG wheel is gonna be £300 upwards by the look of it so this mod might be down the list a bit

[bmpaul]

+1 on not relying on park to have the whole weight of the car resting on it. Handbrake is there so might as well use it