Did you ever drive the first-gen M45? That trans had some serious lag too, even after another trans, and just wondered how it compared. I will NOT drive another car like that for years again! Thanks for the heads up, and I'll remember to monitor that on my next test drive.

 

Does anyone know if the transmissions are adaptive? If they are, they could still be "learning" and could be slow to down shift due to this.

 

I wondered about that too. Even so, I doubt it would be that different. Kinda seem to remember reading somewhere that it was . ..others in the same transmission family are adaptive.

I am committed to at least test driving another G8 GT to make sure it wasn't just a funky car I first test drove.

 

I also feel the same way in regards to the G8 vs the 335i...Handling and driving experience is light years better in the BMW, but the G8 fits me better but barely...Only thing I don't like about the 335 is that it seems jerky when downshifting and when getting on it hard...Also the little hiccup between shifts bothers me...

I'm a V8 guy at heart though...I may just end up sticking myself in another GTO or Fbody and waiting it out a year to see what comes next year...

 

I hear ya . . . I will miss my current car regardless of what I end up replacing it with. Hard to beat the sound of a V8 mustang with a nice H-pipe and catback!

I don't remember feeling any hiccup during shifts with the 335i. I will definitely pay attention the next time I drive to see if I pick up on it. It was just so quick to shift gears initially, and in sport mode it was very quick to rev match shift as well.

 

I know my grand prix has a similar problem, which is accentuated by the supercharger. However, the community for GP's has really gotten its act together, and a reprogrammed PCM makes it a brand new car. Granted, the PCM solution usually takes a while after the car comes out to be finalized. Hopefully within the next six months there will be a huge improvement in tuning these cars, giving them quicker, more aggresive shifts.

 

It is amazing how many different people have had a totally different experience with what should be pretty much the same vehicle. I have not experienced any hesitation on downshift with acceleration. I am used to 5 years of the SSEI supercharged Bonneville and the main difference in the shifting is that when you kick the G8 you better be ready to have your head snapped back. Kinda makes you wonder is all of these cars were programmed the same. There is a major difference between the 3 shift modes. If you want to get going fast from a launch, use the Sport mode. My car goes thru 1-2 shifts so fast you almost wet yourself. This car will do 70MPH in 2nd gear at about 5500rpm and gets there quickly. Manual mode does shift with less snap, but if you shift it like a stick (back off the gas a tiny bit between shifts) it sounds and feels very like a true manual tranny. Downshifting into 1st gear from about 40MPH gives a very aggressive rev match and huge compression braking. Normal shift mode is much slower and smoother. I told my wife that that was what she should use. She has no idea there are 2 more modes.

 

Infiniti's was "adaptive" too, but never quite learned!!!

 

Update

Well, since my initial test drive of the G8, I continued car shopping. I went out and test drove another 335i sedan and a G35 Sport Sedan specifically to test their automatic transmissions to see if they too take a deep breath before downshifting. Short answer - yes, but it's not QUITE as long as the G8.

I re-tested a G8 GT tonight (with the sports package) and realized it's not so much the transmission on the G8 (although it is a bit lazy), it's that I really hate automatic transmissions! I've always had manuals, so I do think I'm a bit sensitive to it. Had to do automatic this time around so my wife could drive the car. So, today I bought a loaded G8 GT!

BTW, the 19" summer tires make a substantial difference in steering feel and overall handling ability. I've driven a sport and non-sport and the sport is a marked handling/driver feel improvement overall. Makes sense given the stiffer and shorter sidewalls with the 19's.

Here's to hoping the aftermarket can create a tune with smarter transmission logic for the G8 sometime in the next few months as I break the car in. :drink:

 

BMan your comments echo Car and Driver's criticisms of the G8's automatic transmission.

I'll be waiting for a GXP with the tremec manual to show up at my local dealer.

 

Congrats Bman on the G8 purchase, If you see my post to you on another thread....I said the 335 is a nice car...just the G8 overall for the money you just cant beat...the Tranny problem can be solved...currently Vector tunes the TCM in shop.but is working on on being able to do a downloadable fix for the tranny

 

I'm a little surprised about your comments on the radio, BMan. You were in a GT so you had the upgrade stereo.

I did find that someone had maxed out the bass and treble levels on the EQ on mine, and that just makes for a shitty boombox. After I zeroed everything out it sounds quite good. I get clean loud volume and good stereo separation.

 

Does the G8 stereo have the same customization as the GTO? IE: distoriton limiter? speed sensative volume? adjustable gain on the sub amp?

Russ

 

An aftermarket sub can work wonders guys. It will enable you to leave the bass flat on the head unit, but still get the good bass from the aftermarket sub/amp. Your factory speakers will thank you and play much louder and distortion free for you this way. Sorry, it seems I'm getting off on a rabbit trail here.

 

An aftermarket sub can work wonders guys. It will enable you to leave the bass flat on the head unit, but still get the good bass from the aftermarket sub/amp. Your factory speakers will thank you and play much louder and distortion free for you this way. Sorry, it seems I'm getting off on a rabbit trail here.

Yea, and you can put it in the trunk and still use the trunk, (unlike the GTO!) LOL!

Russ

 

Just a note guys, the 6L80E can be tweaked by an after market tuner. I'm yet to get mine done though.

As for the amp powering the rear subs, yes you can adjust it, you just have to pull off the trim panel in the boot. Honestly though, don't waste your time. Bin the factory speakers and amp and replace them all. That's what I've done.

 

just drove a GT sport, felt pretty quick and very smooth. there were some issues with the front tires, sounded like they were rubbing, the salesman said the air was low but the display read 38 psi in both? it feels like there is a lot of potential, kind of reminds me of my trailblazer SS before my PCM/TCM tune. like the power is there but the computer wont let it out. i was pretty impressed with the interior room. the seats were comfortable and offered a good seating position. i dont care for the voltage and oil pressure meters over the center stack, almost looks like they were just looking for something to fill the space up there. all in all, i was pleasantly surprised for a pontiac (i drove a 98 grand prix gt for 5 years). i think i will hold off and either wait for the GXP or for all the bugs to get worked out of the GT. plus give the aftermarket some time to grow. just my 2 cents. thanks.

 

just drove a GT sport, felt pretty quick and very smooth. there were some issues with the front tires, sounded like they were rubbing, the salesman said the air was low but the display read 38 psi in both?

Those summer-only Potenzas are noisy, and you can hear them scrubbing when you corner. There's no tire rub on the body, at least not on mine.

Tire pressure on the front tires should be 36 psi cold. Mine warm up to 38 - 39 psi after a few miles.