330d E90 Manual or Auto

[Philip Foglar]

Hi, does the 330d manual have the CDV problem?

I reckon the manual would also have the CDV, but after a while you get used to the feel of the damped clutch action.

Getting back to the original question, if it was up to me, as in I was potentially looking at buying a 330d, I would personally go manual simply because I prefer manual, and in terms of durability it is safer. But, turbo-charged engines, especially diesels, work extremely well with automatic gearboxes. Partly because the turbo is able to stay on boost during gear changes - even X35i autos benefit from this. Bare in mind that the auto compared to manual gearbox loss is only about 2%, which is very small generally for most automatics.

But then again, a diesel is usually so flexible, so manual or automatic it should be a pleasure to drive, even in traffic! :thumbs:

 

[prospect]

Hi, does the 330d manual have the CDV problem?

I reckon the manual would also have the CDV, but after a while you get used to the feel of the damped clutch action.

Getting back to the original question, if it was up to me, as in I was potentially looking at buying a 330d, I would personally go manual simply because I prefer manual, and in terms of durability it is safer. But, turbo-charged engines, especially diesels, work extremely well with automatic gearboxes. Partly because the turbo is able to stay on boost during gear changes - even X35i autos benefit from this. Bare in mind that the auto compared to manual gearbox loss is only about 2%, which is very small generally for most automatics.

But then again, a diesel is usually so flexible, so manual or automatic it should be a pleasure to drive, even in traffic! :thumbs:

What is CDV?

 

[Philip Foglar]

Hi, does the 330d manual have the CDV problem?

I reckon the manual would also have the CDV, but after a while you get used to the feel of the damped clutch action.

Getting back to the original question, if it was up to me, as in I was potentially looking at buying a 330d, I would personally go manual simply because I prefer manual, and in terms of durability it is safer. But, turbo-charged engines, especially diesels, work extremely well with automatic gearboxes. Partly because the turbo is able to stay on boost during gear changes - even X35i autos benefit from this. Bare in mind that the auto compared to manual gearbox loss is only about 2%, which is very small generally for most automatics.

But then again, a diesel is usually so flexible, so manual or automatic it should be a pleasure to drive, even in traffic! :thumbs:

What is CDV?

CDV = Clutch Delay Valve

It basically dampens the inputs to the clutch, so as to "protect" it from potential abuse. Problem is, it makes the clutch feel a bit slow and unpredictable at times. In most cases, you can simply remove it or replace with a modified CDV that is effectively and neatly bored out. I have left mine as is, but was considering doing the CDV delete last year...

 

[drugekull]

Never driven a 330d

But I can speak from having driven my current 320d auto and a manual.

I found the manual you have to be very precise with your gear changes to get the most out of it and not hit that torque drain at 4500 rpm

The Auto you just put the foot flat in DS and let the car do the rest you also don't get that drop in power from putting in the cluch changing gears and letting it out again it just seams like one big gear

One thing that also puts me off the manuals is the amount of vibration that comes through the gearshift I don't know if the 330d is better but it really caught me by surprise

I also heard something interesting I don't know if its true all new model BMW's are going to have Auto Standard and Manual will be a paid extra.