Looking to purchase an E39 540i, automatic.
I already own a 6-speed sports car, and need something that will give me a break from the hassle of manual shifting during heavy traffic.

The 540i is a beautiful car... but there are so many variations.
Which model/variation comes with Tiptronic/SMG auto transmission.
My first mod will be installing the M3 SMG Steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Thanks!

You can buy my 540i sport wagon that already has the SMG steering wheel and a ton of other mods!!! :)

Hehehe.. You sure are quick on the sales pitch!

Thanks my friend. But I am not too much into the wagon, although I appreciate the avant styling, and usability.

Any input on which models I should focus on with tiptronic?

you're going to want to look at the 2000+ years, I'm pretty sure the early ones are just regular auto transmissions.

I drove a 528i with the tiptronic recently, it was a fun feature but I'd rarely use it.

Yeah, most people that have the step say either get a manual or drive auto.

I have the Steptronic and I think that the Sport models have it.

I would not base your search on Steptronic. Steptronic in these cars is kind of useless 99% of the time. I never use mine. The shifts are too slow. Its not like Porsche's version (or BMW's newer version), which is much quicker/crisper.

Tiptronic does not equal SMG. SMG is a TOTALLY different animal . . .

no BMW ever made has tip tronic only porsches :)

now steptronic well most new bmw from 2001 and on i believe have it!

My 2000 has steptronic. Im not sure about 99's and older. I will say that the steprtonic is a great shifting transmission. I have one in my wagon and X5 and they shift at the correct times and also feel good downshifting in steptronic mode. And that is correct, Tiptronic is for Porsche and Audi.

Mines a 98 manufactured in 97 and has it. But I agree with mad dog, I've used it a couple of times to have a go but it doesnt feel very good to use at all. So i leave it in d now.

But isn't it true that there is a transmission software from DINAN which makes the auto trans much crisper and/or sporty?

I like using the "Steptronic" ;) during downshifts, when slowing-down for an off-ramp. This helps the longevity of the brakes.

I have it on my 2000 528 sport....
I actually rarely ever used it untill recently... Now i use it every chance I get.
It's really good for merging onto these wonderful Chicago/Northwest Indiana highways.... :shifty

But isn't it true that there is a transmission software from DINAN which makes the auto trans much crisper and/or sporty?

I like using the "Steptronic" ;) during downshifts, when slowing-down for an off-ramp. This helps the longevity of the brakes.


Brakes are a lot cheaper than a new trans...

Our transmissions aren't known to be the cream of crop when it comes to longevity. Steptronic is slow anyways. I second the recommendation to either buy manual or regular auto...

Brakes are a lot cheaper than a new trans...

Our transmissions aren't known to be the cream of crop when it comes to longevity. Steptronic is slow anyways. I second the recommendation to either buy manual or regular auto...


Boy, this blows.
I was expecting the Steptronic trans in a BMW 540 to be crisp and sporty.
The whole point of the 540 (for me) is a daily-driver, with power and sporty feel.
Will the DINAN software make a difference?

why not test drive one?

But isn't it true that there is a transmission software from DINAN which makes the auto trans much crisper and/or sporty?

I like using the "Steptronic" ;) during downshifts, when slowing-down for an off-ramp. This helps the longevity of the brakes.The DINAN s/w raises the shift points allowing you to carry more road speed between shifts. You still won't have any control over these shifts. The people that us the step usually want a little more control w/o that third pedal.

I've test-driven a 1998 528i, and a 2001 M5 :)
The M5 had the power, and the 528 had the comfort and features I am seeking.
I figured the 540i would be the perfect compromise.

Back to the point of this thread:
So look for the Sport version...
can anyone comment on the DINAN transmission software?
Can anyone comment on the Paddle-Shift Steering wheel performance?

I meant test drive a 540 w/ step....

I have to disagree. The steptronic is crisp and sporty as far as an auto goes. Plus the fact that it is a 5 speed. Mine is the best driving auto that I have ever had. I did replace it at 110k though after it took a shit.........Other than that, I love it. The new one is even under warranty from BMW :)

Can anyone comment on the Paddle-Shift Steering wheel performance?[/QUOTE]

The paddle shift performance is entertaining to say the least but I only playted with it for a few weeks and now I never mess with it. The 540 has sufficient power at all rpm's that it isnt necessary to manually shift.

I went from a 325i to a 540i, same year and both with steptronic.

Let me tell you, the one in the 540i is a different animal. No it is not a SMG, but it is the only steptronic I have ever used that is effective.

It has a slight delay but is very predictable. It is particularly helpful when driving in stop/crawl/go traffic when commuting - less shifting and braking along with more responsiveness.

The one in the 325i was useless for the most part, and so are the ones in every other car I have driven with them. The 540i steptronic is a rare exception and really enhances the transmission.

Go test drive one. If you have driven other steptronics, you will be surprised.

Boy, this blows.
I was expecting the Steptronic trans in a BMW 540 to be crisp and sporty.
The whole point of the 540 (for me) is a daily-driver, with power and sporty feel.
Will the DINAN software make a difference?

The tranny is pretty good/sporty in regular auto mode. More than adequate.

The step mode sucks, however. Keep in mind that the tranny is identical for step vs. non-step, its the shiifter electronics that are different. The performance of Step is not terribly different from moving a regular auto through its shift gates of 1-2-3-4 . . . you just go about it differently (more elegantly) in terms of the electronics.

The tranny SW gets good reviews. But I would not get it unless you also increase the top-end power of the car (supercharger). As it is, the motor is a total torquer with no top-end whatsoever and, to me, the tranny is programmed accordingly. Revving to a higher rpm is not gonna achieve a whole lot with a stock motor.

I went from a 325i to a 540i, same year and both with steptronic.

Let me tell you, the one in the 540i is a different animal. No it is not a SMG, but it is the only steptronic I have ever used that is effective.

It has a slight delay but is very predictable. It is particularly helpful when driving in stop/crawl/go traffic when commuting - less shifting and braking along with more responsiveness.

The one in the 325i was useless for the most part, and so are the ones in every other car I have driven with them. The 540i steptronic is a rare exception and really enhances the transmission.

Go test drive one. If you have driven other steptronics, you will be surprised.

Intersting, my wife drives an '01 325i step and I drive a '01 540iT step. I see very little difference in the function. Both steps are equally poor performers to me.

As you mention, I can see using the step to put/keep the tranny in a prticular gear, but you can do the same thing in a 325i step, or any car with a regular auto shift gate for that matter.

The big torque of the 540 lends itself better to one-gear-motoring than does the 325, but that is a tribute to the motor, not the tranny.

I have driven Tip porsches and they rip, by comparison.

Currently, I drive a 2001 Audi A6 4.2 with the tiptronic...

Basically, it's a HOG.

The shifts have a very long and completely unacceptable delay.
You're all right. I'm just going to have to go and test-drive a 540i steptronic, and experience the difference myself.

I use steptronic mode all the time when I pass an LEO and I'm moving faster than I'd... er....HE'd like. I pop that thing to the left and forward about as fast as you can blink your eyes. Manual downshift.... car slows quick and no brake lights. YMMV.

I have an 02 540i with M-sport package and the dinan upgrades and I use the steptronic tons. with the dinan package the steptronic is much faster on shifting.

I only use the steptronic when I want the back end of the car to slide around a turn and need to be in first gear, otherwise, it's so slow to shift that the sport mode does a more effective job.

Intersting, my wife drives an '01 325i step and I drive a '01 540iT step. I see very little difference in the function. Both steps are equally poor performers to me.

As you mention, I can see using the step to put/keep the tranny in a prticular gear, but you can do the same thing in a 325i step, or any car with a regular auto shift gate for that matter.

The big torque of the 540 lends itself better to one-gear-motoring than does the 325, but that is a tribute to the motor, not the tranny.

I have driven Tip porsches and they rip, by comparison.

No argument on the porche, their's is for real.

The two major differences I notice between the 325 and the 540 is that the shifting is predictable on the 540. You never knew when the 325 would choose to shift for you, up or down, and going around a turn that can be a bad thing. The other one is that the shifts in the 540 always have the same brief delay. In the 325 the delay was unpredictable.

It could easily be that the 325 I had was a poor example of steptronic or that it had adapted to be like this.

Regardless, I enjoy using the steptronic from time to time in my 540 but quit using it in the 325. It's not a manual by any means but it does improve the auto.

One thing to keep in mind is that either Auto transmission has a "sport" mode that changes the shift ponts. On the step equipped cars, shift the lever to the left, on standard auto gates, shift down into "4". You will notice a huge difference. I hardly ever use this as the 540 has more than enough power to begin with, especially if you know how to use the accelerator pedal.

But isn't it true that there is a transmission software from DINAN which makes the auto trans much crisper and/or sporty?

I like using the "Steptronic" ;) during downshifts, when slowing-down for an off-ramp. This helps the longevity of the brakes.

I have a regular auto and use Sport mode for engine braking. It works fine. Try one out.

I thought step was the ideal solution until I drove a couple. I just went ahead and put 'er back in 'D'.....the step shifts are so soggy, I think they are, in fact, slower than the regular auto shifts.

I too am interested in any feedback people have on the Dinan transmission software.

My experience with the Steptronic in my 2000 540i sport model is that it is excellent as true automatic transmissions go. I have taken the car out on Portland International Raceway a few times and have found that it is very predictable, and it is so "smart" that it is almost always in the "right gear", with only an occasional need to downshift while braking into a corner to be able to optimize the power delivery through the corner.

That said, it is still and automatic transmission, and will *always* be a compromise when compared to a manual transmission in terms of performance driving. I bought my 540 as an automatic because I put over 25000 miles per year on it driving up and down I-5 between Olympia, Seattle and Portland. (Plus, I get my real driving ya-yas on the race track in my Nissan 240SX IT car).

How long have others had the 540i auto last? I saw one post that said theirs failed at 110k. I have 130k and still going strong.....keeping fingers crossed!