Found this article interesting: https://share.google/9DOPZFtTzr2VOImvu I don't believe I've experienced the Aisin, but I do like the ZF that's in the 320.
As above love the ZF got the same in both of mine the 320d and the 120d. Back in 2013 i had a seat leon with the dsg box and that was quick to change but we only had the car a short time and glad it went as seen many with box problems.
My first foray into the hitherto murky world of autos was with the ZF6 in the 2012 320d E92. I was reasonably impressed with this, certainly no "slushbox" as was my prior conception of autos. Since then I have had the ZF8 in four guises; 440i, M440i, M2 and the current M340i. It is a superb transmission, the range of operations is excellent, it can be a lazy cruiser as well as a snappy sport box. Clearly it is never going to be a dual clutch in terms of the speed of change, but I don't actually think that is a bad thing.
I know some fwd BMWs have a Getrag DCT gearbox, others like mine have the AW 8spd TC one. I find it very good and incredibly smooth, have never been caught out with any hesitancy or jerky changes etc. The most interesting feature is the coast function in Eco-pro. Sometimes handy to improve economy, but can be unnerving due to absolutely zero engine braking, handily that can be left toggled off/on in the I-drive, otherwise cornering can feel unsafe on some A-roads and in urban settings makes you look like a learner with no anticipation skills. Or you can just quickly switch to comfort mode instead. Coming down the big hill on the M62 from J22 can be fun with it engaged, you will be doing 90+ in neutral towards J21 if it was 3am and zero traffic. However tap the accelerator and it will seamlessly select a gear and decelerate for a while, another jab and it will drop back into neutral, more suitable at sensible speeds of course. (It doesn't operate with CC engaged obviously) With good anticipation it can add a bit of interest to a drive. I do wonder if it needs to have so many ratios though, but apparently it is lighter than the 6spd version it replaced. With the car in sport mode (yeah I did try it once hehe) and the gearbox in sport or even manual, the changes seem super rapid, although it might be the rev counter is just programmed to move more sharply...... the car is hardly a 340i etc.
The F30 330d is the very first car automatic that I've owned in several decades of manual car ownership. But I have to say that the ZF-8 is superb - seamless and always in the right gear. I would never go back to a manual gearbox now. Automatic transmissions have come a long way, compared to the disconnected slush-boxes of days gone by.
I am not a fan of Aisin boxes, I have had 2 Volvo with them and both failed, admittedly at 100,000 miles but I was shocked when the one in our old Mini Cooper failed at 26,000. Luckily it was covered by warranty but we sold the car as soon as it was fixed. Will never have another car that has an Aisin box.
Interesting do you think it was luck of the draw with them? What do Aisin say service intervals should be?
Both Volvo and BMW sat sealed for life but Volvo recommended an oil change at 60,000 if towing, both had this done. I had an F25 with the ZF box and did ask about an oil change as I was towing a lot with it. I was advised against it as it could have invalidated the extended warranty which I kept going until the car got to 10 years, I had intended to change cars by then but it was still running so well and due me nothing so I ran it for another 5 years with no problems, I decided to get rid as the low emission zones were introduced and it was pretty old, the car had done 150,000 by then with no issues with the gearbox.
