When decelerating into a turn and manually downshifting, I am worried about loss of control with an automatic. In the manual I am currently driving ( 07 Cooper S ) and all manuals before it, I would do a heel/toe maneuver with my right while working the cluctch with the left. The last automatic I tried to downshift in a fast turn almost got away from me. How's the 335 automatic? I am not talking about sweeping turns, but hard turns at fairly low speeds.

Paul

With the Steptronic, the downshift will rev-match and it feels pretty natural. Not quite the same feel as a stick, but in manual mode, it is pretty close and can be pretty fun. I've not driven non sport package or non-paddle steptronics, so I can't speak to those equipped vehicles.

How good? It's pretty damn good. If you shift the 335i's steptronic into in sport mode (while in drive, push the shift to the left) and turn on DTC, I think you'll get the result you want. Sport mode gives higher shift points and better throttle response. DTC allows a little slip so DSC (traction control) won't shut down the fun so soon.

Once you drive it a bit, you realize that you don't want to floor it all the time. There's lots of torque available without having to floor it, and flooring it causes the tranny to kick down a gear. You should really try one to be sure, since no one else really knows what kind of turn you are talking about. I just know I enjoy fast turns when in sport mode, and I even turn off DSC all together when it's warm and dry out. Beware, though, you can get sideways in a hurry.