AT step Transmission or 6MT?

Krells · 07-20-2010, 10:05 AM

I think the 6AT is one of the better automatics I have driven but I still love my 6MT.

EastCoast335i · 07-20-2010, 10:51 AM

6MT! But there are those moments in stop-n-go where I wish I had AT.

Mr. 5 · 07-20-2010, 10:56 AM

If I had to do it all over, I would still go with 6MT over AT, but if I had a choice between 6MT and DCT, I'd go with the DCT.
The only DCT that I've driven though is in my friend's M3 and it was modded so it was a lot of fun.

Dr G13 · 07-20-2010, 11:10 AM

Does a manual 335i not command a premium in price in the US market compared to 6AT?

Here in the UK manual 335i's in the used market are a fair bit cheaper than auto's.

Still doesn't help me decide though, drove my friends 6MT and it was great, very light clutch easy to live with I imagine.

Theres just that little kid in the back of my mind saying go for the paddles, never had them before and always loved the idea of them. Always driven manual cars with no problems.

This is actually a really difficult decision to make for me

Infact its one of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on a car yet, just cant decide on this exact debate!

AltecBX · 07-20-2010, 11:27 AM

I love the AT as well. I bought it because I live in the city and sometimes is just awful traffic. Hate to clutch in traffic. I've driven the MT as well as a loaner and boy it feels like you somewhat more connected to the car. It wasn't tuned as my AT, but it just feels more spirited while driving. Both transmissions are really good, but I have to say that the ZF 6speed AT in these BMW are the best in the business, other than the Massarotti's. And M/S mode makes it that much funner when you want to play it up a bit. If the DCT is available next time around, I would like to drive one of those. But then again, alot of people in the M3 boards wants to get out their DCT to go back to a MT, go figure.

Alan l. · 07-20-2010, 12:02 PM

Another thing to consider is what do you want your car to feel like for you and your passengers? A 6MT car can never be driven as silky smooth as a 6AT. I can drive it pretty smooth but you can never be that way 100% of the time like an automatic.

A 6MT car will always feel sportier for both you and the passengers so something to consider. Some people like it when they feel each and every shift while others prefer it to be as seamless as possible.

IlChengis · 07-20-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

since my gf is driving my car as well i was forced to get AT to prevent miss shifting.

Enrico, I'd normally expect to hear this kind of excuse from americans, not from a fellow italian. Ma che mi combini!?

-Walter

shifterboy45 · 07-20-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zsapphire7

6MT! I dunno i think id like to try a DCT but i would get bored too fast. I just feel disconnected when i play with the ATs when i get loaners

the steptronic trans and the DCT are totally different..

i believe that the DCT will be offered in the 335iS only .. you'd have to drive one to see the difference.

that said, when i order my 335iS its gonna be 6MT ... i need the third pedal to feel safe ..

sorry forgot about the 2011 135s

flipdsm · 07-20-2010, 03:19 PM

Haha, I'm actually thinking of trading in my 6MT for a STEP, reason being is the 6AT are more, and I mean way more consistent in launching and getting times at the 1/4 track. I was at the drag strip last weekend and my times varied by .4s from each other while a 6AT 335i there always ran consistent times within .1 from each other. Although my racing skills can still be polished up

ZombiE90 · 07-20-2010, 03:25 PM

mine is a 4-on-the-floor. where'd you guys get all these extra gears?

enrita · 07-20-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treppiede

Enrico, I'd normally expect to hear this kind of excuse from americans, not from a fellow italian. Ma che mi combini!?

-Walter

kinda love AT actually , pretty nice in the city and works very well in spirited driving. The only concern is reliability when pushing over 450 whp (besides the engine

)

WilliamE92 · 07-20-2010, 04:16 PM

6AT guy here

Wish it was a 6MT, but its not really that big of a deal to me. Perfect, consistent launches every time is pretty sweet.

07'335iAlpine · 07-20-2010, 04:55 PM

Well just got back from the dealer.....and they tried to give me the finger on my car unfortunately and i couldn't make a deal. They basically tried to rob my better condition lower mile AT for a 6MT with like 5k more miles on the odometer and a higher payment! i was like wtf

. N e how i guess im stuck with the AT for now. slick silver, what year and miles on yours?

MM Performance · 07-20-2010, 07:22 PM

pm sent, im interested

spdy330 · 07-20-2010, 08:53 PM

If you are less than 30 I say MT. Over 30 AT

I have AT and no regrets. I do find myself playing with steptronic often though.

Mnut · 07-20-2010, 09:00 PM

drove my friends 6my over the weekend before I decided with the step and paddle shifters and am very happy with it..

vettegator005 · 07-20-2010, 10:29 PM

Im going step at. Ive came from 4 straight manual cars im ready for a change. I test drove both and love the how quick the shifts are with the AT.

E92Hwo2 · 07-21-2010, 12:00 AM

6AT i would say iVE CAME FROM 3 sTRAIGHT Manual cars and if its a Bimmer i would go for 6AT since its a fast and Luxry car and 335i AT its fast u will know once u get 1/4 drag 6MT and 6AT not big diffrents on drag unless u like Track if u are picking a Porsche or a Jap sport car I would say go Manual

ETS Michael · 07-21-2010, 02:31 AM

I love my 6 MT! Very fun to drive.

07-20-2010, 10:05 AM	#23
Krells Private First Class 2 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I think the 6AT is one of the better automatics I have driven but I still love my 6MT.
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07-20-2010, 10:51 AM	#24
EastCoast335i Colonel 95 Rep 2,160 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 \| 2008 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (4)	6MT! But there are those moments in stop-n-go where I wish I had AT.
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07-20-2010, 10:56 AM	#25
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 800 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	If I had to do it all over, I would still go with 6MT over AT, but if I had a choice between 6MT and DCT, I'd go with the DCT. The only DCT that I've driven though is in my friend's M3 and it was modded so it was a lot of fun. __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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07-20-2010, 11:10 AM	#26
Dr G13 Lieutenant 35 Rep 445 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	Does a manual 335i not command a premium in price in the US market compared to 6AT? Here in the UK manual 335i's in the used market are a fair bit cheaper than auto's. Still doesn't help me decide though, drove my friends 6MT and it was great, very light clutch easy to live with I imagine. Theres just that little kid in the back of my mind saying go for the paddles, never had them before and always loved the idea of them. Always driven manual cars with no problems. This is actually a really difficult decision to make for me Infact its one of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on a car yet, just cant decide on this exact debate!
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07-20-2010, 11:27 AM	#27
AltecBX Colonel 336 Rep 2,663 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi Sedan; BMW M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2007 BMW 335Xi [0.00]	I love the AT as well. I bought it because I live in the city and sometimes is just awful traffic. Hate to clutch in traffic. I've driven the MT as well as a loaner and boy it feels like you somewhat more connected to the car. It wasn't tuned as my AT, but it just feels more spirited while driving. Both transmissions are really good, but I have to say that the ZF 6speed AT in these BMW are the best in the business, other than the Massarotti's. And M/S mode makes it that much funner when you want to play it up a bit. If the DCT is available next time around, I would like to drive one of those. But then again, alot of people in the M3 boards wants to get out their DCT to go back to a MT, go figure. __________________ 335xi Sedan 6AT \| Weather(70-85°F) \| N54 Tune Comparison Chart \|\| N54 Turbo Upgrade Comparison Chart -PROcede Rev. 2.5 ~ v5 (3/17 maps) / JB4 (8/21 maps) / COBB (Stg2+FMIC LT Aggressive maps) †Procede Map2(UT 45 - IGN 40) Aggression Target 2.0 \| 0-60 in 4.0sec \|\| †Cobb E30 LT (35% Ethanol/65% 93 Octane) \| 0-60 in 3.9sec AR Design Catless DP \| BMS DCI + OCC \| ETS 5 FMIC \| Alpina B3 Trans Flash \|235/265 19" Michelin PSS
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07-20-2010, 12:02 PM	#28
Alan l. Major General 5829 Rep 9,057 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	Another thing to consider is what do you want your car to feel like for you and your passengers? A 6MT car can never be driven as silky smooth as a 6AT. I can drive it pretty smooth but you can never be that way 100% of the time like an automatic. A 6MT car will always feel sportier for both you and the passengers so something to consider. Some people like it when they feel each and every shift while others prefer it to be as seamless as possible. __________________
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07-20-2010, 03:19 PM	#31
flipdsm Private First Class 17 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Orange County iTrader: (1)	Haha, I'm actually thinking of trading in my 6MT for a STEP, reason being is the 6AT are more, and I mean way more consistent in launching and getting times at the 1/4 track. I was at the drag strip last weekend and my times varied by .4s from each other while a 6AT 335i there always ran consistent times within .1 from each other. Although my racing skills can still be polished up __________________
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07-20-2010, 03:25 PM	#32
ZombiE90 Private First Class 10 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	mine is a 4-on-the-floor. where'd you guys get all these extra gears? __________________ Current: 2011 335d \| M-Sport \| Mostly Stock RIP: 2007 E92 335i \| Dinan Stage 2
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07-20-2010, 04:16 PM	#34
WilliamE92 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 318 Posts Drives: 2013 EB F30 335 MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	6AT guy here Wish it was a 6MT, but its not really that big of a deal to me. Perfect, consistent launches every time is pretty sweet.
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07-20-2010, 04:55 PM	#35
07'335iAlpine Private First Class 10 Rep 134 Posts Drives: '10 135i M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas iTrader: (0)	*FuK Fuk Fuk!** Well just got back from the dealer.....and they tried to give me the finger on my car unfortunately and i couldn't make a deal. They basically tried to rob my better condition lower mile AT for a 6MT with like 5k more miles on the odometer and a higher payment! i was like wtf . N e how i guess im stuck with the AT for now. slick silver, what year and miles on yours?
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07-20-2010, 07:22 PM	#36
MM Performance Major 318 Rep 516 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Cp TiAg 6AT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (4)	pm sent, im interested
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07-20-2010, 08:53 PM	#37
spdy330 Major General 537 Rep 6,148 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	If you are less than 30 I say MT. Over 30 AT I have AT and no regrets. I do find myself playing with steptronic often though. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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07-20-2010, 09:00 PM	#38
Mnut Germanized 9 Rep 130 Posts Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port St Lucie,FL iTrader: (3)	drove my friends 6my over the weekend before I decided with the step and paddle shifters and am very happy with it.. __________________ E90 335i blk/blk sport/step JB3 2.0 pnp BMS dci Ultimate Racing DP's Intercooler???
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07-20-2010, 10:29 PM	#39
vettegator005 Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 211 Posts Drives: C5 corvette 424rwhp Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Collins iTrader: (0)	Im going step at. Ive came from 4 straight manual cars im ready for a change. I test drove both and love the how quick the shifts are with the AT.
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07-21-2010, 12:00 AM	#40
E92Hwo2 Lieutenant 62 Rep 482 Posts Drives: M3 E92/M4 F82/M5 F10 /X5 F15/ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 F10 M5 [0.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00]	6AT i would say iVE CAME FROM 3 sTRAIGHT Manual cars and if its a Bimmer i would go for 6AT since its a fast and Luxry car and 335i AT its fast u will know once u get 1/4 drag 6MT and 6AT not big diffrents on drag unless u like Track if u are picking a Porsche or a Jap sport car I would say go Manual
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07-21-2010, 02:31 AM	#41
ETS Michael Major 80 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (4)	I love my 6 MT! Very fun to drive.
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