Is an auto BMW as fun as a manual?

[Caddy101]

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:

 

[ASH]

Hi there

It depends on your driving habits and commuting. If you sit in traffic alot, an auto makes sense. For all out fun, nothing beats working a manual box, through the gears, but can become tiresome in traffic.

To answer your questions:-

1. Yes you can have fun with an auto mated to a 6pot, steptronic does allow some sequential gearchange, tap up or down to change gears. Some E90 330i can have paddle shifters on the steering wheel, which are also fun, not sure if standard or optional.
2. To date (touch wood) I havent had any issues with BMW auto transmissions, I've had 3 autos E46 320i, E90 320d and E92 325i.
Think also care should be exercised to protect the box, e.g. if you
drive in sport all the time and rev the motor to max all the time, sooner
or later something in the transmission will give up.
3. Both should be ok, but the 330i would be best suited, if you up in Gauteng the 325i battles a bit with the thin air, but the 330i would drink fuel especially when you hear the exhaust tone. I get about 7.7-8L/100kms with the 325i on open road driving, not sure about the 330i.

 

[Executer]

Personally this is my view.

The E46 330i and the E90 330d are Auto`s. Before this I only owned manual cars.

The auto in the Diesel, perfect match.
If someone would give me a Manual conversion on the 330i, I would take it in a heartbeat.

The auto also makes a massive difference in consumption. on the 330i I cant get under 12l/100km in normal everyday driving. Sure it will be much less on the open road. But, my everyday commute is not to Durban and Back.

Yes you can almost have just as much fun. But, I would take manual in a NA i6.
Auto in a Diesel. And might even take Auto in a Turbo i6

 

[DROP IT - ZN]

I would say manual all the way

Having had my convertible auto i must say it was really boring to drive (well thats me) but after converting it to a manual the difference was day and night...fun factor increased like a mofo

---

 

[msm]

SMG all the way. :fencelook:

 

[Divio]

Get a 3 pedal before 2 pedals rule the world!

Nothing beats driver involvement of a manual.

:rollsmile:

 

[akash]

I have a 323i manual and 335i auto (pedal shift)

It depends what your daily driving conditions are going to be like.

The manuals do not like traffic at all. The auto is easy driving but you do not have as much control over the revs.

I like the auto steptronic box, it gives you control over the revs via the pedals if you want that manual feel and the auto is great for traffic.

 

[SP33DYV]

The manual is just a little bit better than the auto. I would search for a manual if was you.

My questions are:
1. Will I have as much fun with a 6 pot when its mated to an auto box?
Probably not.
2. Maintenance costs of an auto?
Depends on mileage and can cost R25k upwards to recon.
3. Is a 325 or a 330 powerful enough for an auto box?
This is debatable and depends greatly on your driving style.

 

[Flash-Gordon]

The manual is just a little bit better than the auto. I would search for a manual if was you.

My questions are:
1. Will I have as much fun with a 6 pot when its mated to an auto box?
Probably not.
2. Maintenance costs of an auto?
Depends on mileage and can cost R25k upwards to recon.
3. Is a 325 or a 330 powerful enough for an auto box?
This is debatable and depends greatly on your driving style.

:+1:

 

[Speedy]

Had a manual 130 and now drive a auto 330d.
Personally I don't think I would drive a manual diesel again.
I do think the i6 is best enjoyed in manual, but as stated above it does depend on what your driving conditions are.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

The manual is just a little bit better than the auto. I would search for a manual if was you.

My questions are:
1. Will I have as much fun with a 6 pot when its mated to an auto box?
Probably not.
2. Maintenance costs of an auto?
Depends on mileage and can cost R25k upwards to recon.
3. Is a 325 or a 330 powerful enough for an auto box?
This is debatable and depends greatly on your driving style.

:+1:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

We have an E60 525i, I find the auto a bit sluggish mated to that engine. Had a blast in an F10 though, felt like a DSG/DCT without the inconvenience of clutch engagement.

 

[Philip Foglar]

What does count in the favour of an E90 automatic is that the gearbox used typically is very efficient, something like 2% loss compared to the manual gearbox which is really good! And this is why automatic x35i's and of course the diesels work so well.

 

[ASH]

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.

 

[Nukleuz]

If you want an automatic, get an X5.

Stick all the way

 

[osiris]

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.

 

[ChefDJ]

Sports car = manual
Luxury sedan = auto

:thumbs:

 

[S1NGH 001]

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

 

[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.

---

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.

 

[S1NGH 001]

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.

---

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.

---

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