Looking to Buy a E90

SportyM5 · 06-16-2006, 07:30 PM

I am looking to purchase an Jet Black with Black Leather E90 with the Sports, Cold Weather, & Premium Packages, but I am having trouble debating on whether to get a Manual or a Steptronic. I have driven both models and I am still going back and forth as to which one to purchase. No doubt that the manual is more fun, but the steptronic is more laid back and relaxed. Oh such a dilemma. Can anyone give me any advice?

Thanks

tkochh · 06-16-2006, 07:35 PM

Since I live in a metro area, I prefer a automatic transmission. If I lived somplace where I could actually use and enjoy a manual transmission, I'd go for the MT. If you live in Washington DC, I'd go with the auto. If you live in Washingston State (someplace like other than Seattle), I'd go with MT.

And, I might say, the Auto is very good and a lot of fun! You can't go wrong and will probably be easier to resale.

r3amir · 06-16-2006, 08:12 PM

It depends on urban areas and at what stage of life you are!!!! Its your decision.

I have driven stick shifts for 20 years, it was time for steptronic for me. I don't have any regrets.

speed_330i · 06-17-2006, 03:26 AM

for me it was a no brainer... manual all the way!!! it's a sports sedan, and the only way to enjoy it to the fullest is with the manual transimission. If I wanted to lay back and relax I wouldn've bought an auto 530i.

Paul330d · 06-17-2006, 07:56 AM

If I'd gone for the 330i, I would probably have opted for the manual, but shifting 500Nm of torque smoothly (330d) is too much like hard work.

KennyVendetta · 06-17-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportyM5

I am looking to purchase an Jet Black with Black Leather E90 with the Sports, Cold Weather, & Premium Packages, but I am having trouble debating on whether to get a Manual or a Steptronic. I have driven both models and I am still going back and forth as to which one to purchase. No doubt that the manual is more fun, but the steptronic is more laid back and relaxed. Oh such a dilemma. Can anyone give me any advice?

Thanks

Traffic in DC is unreasonable...for that reason alone I would go with Steptronic...Steptronic will also assist you in the resale of your vehicle.

canuck2 · 06-17-2006, 10:03 AM

It really comes down to what you want out of the car. As others have said if you spend a lot of time sitting in traffic you will probably appreciate having the auto. If you generally prefer manual transmissions and have always driven manual transmissions then perhaps stick with that. Personally I like to feel as connected to the car as much as possible and the manual gives that.

I'm not sure about there being a big difference in resale value between manual and auto however. Fewer people opt for the manual transmission but that also means they are in shorter supply on the used car market and there seem to be enough 'enthusiats' interested in used BMW's to keep the used car values in-line with the autos.

In my own experiences of looking at used BMW's there seems to be virtually no difference in price between comparable manual and auto transmission models. I was looking at used e46's and the manuals were a bit harder to find and actually seemed to sell faster. If we were talking about a Lexus then I would be more inclined to agree

Good luck with your decision, either way the e90 is a sweet ride and you should enjoy it !

BKsBimmer · 06-17-2006, 10:28 AM

I live in the DC area and opted for the manual. No regrets. Previously I had an SUV and a manual was not an option. It was the first automatic I've ever owned. For the 5 years I had it I enjoyed it and I wasn't sure I'd get used to driving a manual again.

Originally I had planned to get the auto, but when I went to test drive the E90 oddly enough all they had available that day was 330i with a manual. It must have been fate because after the test drive the auto was no longer an option in my mind.

difush · 06-17-2006, 02:20 PM

I lived in Hong Kong where traffic is bad and lots of steep hills, an auto would be nice especially when you get stuck in traffic after work but I still miss the fun of a manual.

I lived in the States for 10 years and never bought an auto. If I am in the States, I would still be driving stick shifts.

06-16-2006, 07:30 PM	#1
SportyM5 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 330xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Looking to Buy a E90 I am looking to purchase an Jet Black with Black Leather E90 with the Sports, Cold Weather, & Premium Packages, but I am having trouble debating on whether to get a Manual or a Steptronic. I have driven both models and I am still going back and forth as to which one to purchase. No doubt that the manual is more fun, but the steptronic is more laid back and relaxed. Oh such a dilemma. Can anyone give me any advice? Thanks
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06-16-2006, 07:35 PM	#2
tkochh Private 6 Rep 81 Posts Drives: Alpine White E90 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Since I live in a metro area, I prefer a automatic transmission. If I lived somplace where I could actually use and enjoy a manual transmission, I'd go for the MT. If you live in Washington DC, I'd go with the auto. If you live in Washingston State (someplace like other than Seattle), I'd go with MT. And, I might say, the Auto is very good and a lot of fun! You can't go wrong and will probably be easier to resale.
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06-16-2006, 08:12 PM	#3
r3amir Lieutenant 93 Rep 592 Posts Drives: 2023 X2 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	It depends on urban areas and at what stage of life you are!!!! Its your decision. I have driven stick shifts for 20 years, it was time for steptronic for me. I don't have any regrets. __________________ 2018 540i Mineral White/ Cognac 2015 435i GC Midnight Blue Metallic, Saddle Brown 2011 535i Alpine White, Oyster/Black leather 2006 325i Arctic Metallic
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06-17-2006, 03:26 AM	#4
speed_330i Private 0 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	for me it was a no brainer... manual all the way!!! it's a sports sedan, and the only way to enjoy it to the fullest is with the manual transimission. If I wanted to lay back and relax I wouldn've bought an auto 530i.
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06-17-2006, 07:56 AM	#5
Paul330d Torque junky 125 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	If I'd gone for the 330i, I would probably have opted for the manual, but shifting 500Nm of torque smoothly (330d) is too much like hard work. __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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06-17-2006, 10:03 AM	#7
canuck2 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: '015 F15 35ixDrive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00] 1988 325ix [0.00]	It really comes down to what you want out of the car. As others have said if you spend a lot of time sitting in traffic you will probably appreciate having the auto. If you generally prefer manual transmissions and have always driven manual transmissions then perhaps stick with that. Personally I like to feel as connected to the car as much as possible and the manual gives that. I'm not sure about there being a big difference in resale value between manual and auto however. Fewer people opt for the manual transmission but that also means they are in shorter supply on the used car market and there seem to be enough 'enthusiats' interested in used BMW's to keep the used car values in-line with the autos. In my own experiences of looking at used BMW's there seems to be virtually no difference in price between comparable manual and auto transmission models. I was looking at used e46's and the manuals were a bit harder to find and actually seemed to sell faster. If we were talking about a Lexus then I would be more inclined to agree Good luck with your decision, either way the e90 is a sweet ride and you should enjoy it !
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06-17-2006, 10:28 AM	#8
BKsBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,645 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Titanium Silver Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA / Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [10.00] 2006 330xi [0.00]	I live in the DC area and opted for the manual. No regrets. Previously I had an SUV and a manual was not an option. It was the first automatic I've ever owned. For the 5 years I had it I enjoyed it and I wasn't sure I'd get used to driving a manual again. Originally I had planned to get the auto, but when I went to test drive the E90 oddly enough all they had available that day was 330i with a manual. It must have been fate because after the test drive the auto was no longer an option in my mind. __________________ _____________________________________
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06-17-2006, 02:20 PM	#9
difush Enlisted Member 0 Rep 46 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Asia iTrader: (0)	I lived in Hong Kong where traffic is bad and lots of steep hills, an auto would be nice especially when you get stuck in traffic after work but I still miss the fun of a manual. I lived in the States for 10 years and never bought an auto. If I am in the States, I would still be driving stick shifts.
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