Is an auto BMW as fun as a manual?

[Chucky]

Take both types for a test drive and you can decide which will work for you.

was not a fan of Auto until I started driving an auto now I cant see my self going back to manual BMW

 

[Mr H]

The new 8-speed auto? Anytime.. Brilliant box! :thumbs::thumbs:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

It depends on what car really. I would take an Auto M135i over the Manual.

 

[Ralf*]

I had a manual E36 326i, which was fun to "drive" but torture in traffic, I could even smell the clutch in stop start traffic, then I got the E39 530d........WOW is all I can say for the response, the actual car is heavier to manouvre, but much beter acceleration even with the auto box.

 

[sanesh21]

Get a 3 pedal before 2 pedals rule the world!

Nothing beats driver involvement of a manual.

:rollsmile:

+1


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[RAArmstrong]

I just drove an E60 520d auto... What a fantastic gearbox! raise: So I'll say for diesel, auto all the way!

 

[osiris]

I just drove an E60 520d auto... What a fantastic gearbox! raise: So I'll say for diesel, auto all the way!

Neva!! Manual for diesel is awsome! Going through the gears with this torque :drool::drool::drool:

 

[RAArmstrong]

I just drove an E60 520d auto... What a fantastic gearbox! raise: So I'll say for diesel, auto all the way!

Neva!! Manual for diesel is awsome! Going through the gears with this torque :drool::drool::drool:

It is fun, my Golf is manual, but that box suits the car so well, its a match made in heaven :inlove:

 

[bmwforlife]

For traffic and daily auto
For fun a manual
Different horses for different courses

 

[RAArmstrong]

For traffic and daily auto
For fun a manual
Different horses for different courses

+1 :thumbs:

 

[Luis Malhou]

I was always a manual man until I bought my 335i auto, what a pleasure!!

I got a auto because of a knee problem and op and I was doing alot of JHB driving and was killing my leg. I still drive my manual ranger, but I just love the auto. I have gotten 800km on a tank freeway driving and around 450-550 on traffic driving. I dont think I could be quicker in a manual and when I want some fun I slot it into steptronic or use my paddle shifts.

If I want a manual I drive my 530 with the dogleg 5 speed.

But at the end its a personnel preference and if you do lots of traffic driving then it should be auto.

 

[juanb123]

Had a 320 e30 manual, a whole lot of fun, had a 320steptronic e46, sluggish, currentlu a 523i sport e60steptronic, will never go back to manual. Steptronic gives you the best of both without straining a muscle in your left ancle in traffic and always having to use the handbrake on inclines - personal experience of driving Gilloolys every day. I personally believe that auto is the better option for diesel because of the quicker shift with turbo, optimal shift. Steptronic regulates your speed on decline on mountain passes as well. True, IF steptronic fails the bill is gonna be much higher, but handleit with respect and you will have years of joy and never go back.

Once you've turned auto you'll never turn back.

 

[sb447]

Hi guys

I've been seriously considering buying a new car.

My car history isn't very extensive...
2004 E46 facelift 318i Exclusive manual
Currently driving a 2006 323i Exclusive also manual.

I want to get an M Sport, preferably 325 or 330 (I just love the naturally aspirated 6 cyliders :inlove:raise:
But I noticed that there are very few manuals around.

My questions are:
1. Will I have as much fun with a 6 pot when its mated to an auto box?
2. Maintenance costs of an auto?
3. Is a 325 or a 330 powerful enough for an auto box?

Thanks for the help.
:thumbs:

No, no you wont

 

[ChefDJ]

Just buy the auto :fencelook:
5 series auto :fencelook:
5 series E39 auto :fencelook:
5 series E39 530d auto :fencelook:

And tell us how much you're enjoying it :rollsmile:

 

[BeamerMan]

I have a manual and to be honest whether in traffic or the open road it's really easy driving. I guess it also has to do with what you're used to and want out of the car. Costs on either are going to be high depending on how you use the car but manual can out last an auto box.

 

[Fraser]

I don't care if my next cars wheels are wooden, the gearbox will be automatic.

:thumbs:

 

[Jerez]

Hi guys

I've been seriously considering buying a new car.

My car history isn't very extensive...
2004 E46 facelift 318i Exclusive manual
Currently driving a 2006 323i Exclusive also manual.

I want to get an M Sport, preferably 325 or 330 (I just love the naturally aspirated 6 cyliders :inlove:raise:
But I noticed that there are very few manuals around.

My questions are:
1. Will I have as much fun with a 6 pot when its mated to an auto box?
2. Maintenance costs of an auto?
3. Is a 325 or a 330 powerful enough for an auto box?

Thanks for the help.
:thumbs:
[

You'll have fun in both , but as Ash said... If in traffic a lot , then go auto

 

[Chismakop]

SO MUCH FUN in traffic:inlove:

 

[sanesh21]

Coming from an e90 steptronic, I jumped straight at the prospect of a 6MT m135i, and I'm loving it!.
All depends on the driver though,
Good luck with your purchase.


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[SP33DYV]

Is everyone forgeting that a manual does require a clutch replacement at some time or another?

:rofl:

Also it's also easier to share an auto car with the rest of the family as not everyone in the household may be able to drive a manual.

Clutch replacement is not as expensive as a auto gearbox recon.

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My 330d was auto, it was very heavy on fuel, it was slugish and boring.
Yes you could put it in steptronic mode and turn traction control off and have a bit of fun, but its not really fun because then your just stressing that the box is going to break on you.

Then the box did break on me at the south coast and Andy1GP had to tow me back to JB from there....700km tow with a steel bar, not really fun at all.

The car is now a 6 speed manual, its fun to drive, it feels much lighter and WAY more responsive, and the fuel consumption went from 450 - 550km per tank to now over 800km per tank. Im also able to drive the car smoother than the autobox could drive it and its very relaxing. Can drive everywhere without reving past 2k rpm ever...

Thats my 2c on the subject.

The manual shifter also looks way better in my opinion than the grandpa stick.

Just my opinion here, your 330d had the old GM boxes, which were known to be let's just say not smooth :thumbs:

The gearbox was not able to handle the torque :thumbs:

The ZF boxes on the E90 are totally different and much more reliable

But also known to have hiccups. Just do a search on this forum and you'll find quite a couple of e90's that had their auto 'boxes replaced in M/P.

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Failure rate is significantly less than the GM boxes :thumbs:

---

Agreed, but still enough to make me think twice.