[bobobeemer]

I'm not asking which is better- but just wondering-
Those who bought Auto over stick- is it because you don't know how to drive a stick? I would think that coupe with turbos is gotta be fun with stick. Why buy auto. I can see auto on cars just to get around.
Can you tell me why you buy auto instead of stick.

[razorduc]

I dunno how to drive stick, so $50K would be a bit of dough to spend on a training car (altho I have a bike, but mechanics are different). Plus I sit in traffic for abour 1.5-2 hours each way from work, so auto is a bit more convenient for me.

[bobobeemer]

i guess you're right.. sittin' in traffic with stick would be a pain.

[Zeiss]

Was going to get the 6 speed, but after testing the auto box, i was extremely surprised!. Also due to downtown traffic being bad . I'm also lazy at times. It's 38% faster then previous step boxes, and that fact that its actually -/+ instead of +/- like other boxes... Picky? I'd say so myself

[Shinchan]

between traffic and redlight everywhere.. auto... had an ZHP b4 and that was a pain in the rear....

[Safety2213]

I have a stick and really bad Silicon Valley commutes - not a big deal. The clutch is light and its something to do while driving to keep me occupied. The 335i has so much torque that you can keep it gears longer and need not "row" as much. A manual is much more fun for such a small car with so much power - by the way, it feels great. If I was going to get a 5 series or similar, I would go for the auto.

[bobobeemer]

I drive in NYC and NJ all the time... i had a 3000gt VR4 6spd.. loved it, then got rid of it to get the 325i steptronic... loved it too.. but just not the same. I just ordered the 335i coupe- of course - stick. I haven't test drove it or anything.. but i do hope its as fun as you guy say it is. Can't wait.

[RiXst3r]

where is tecknochild? I am sure he has something to say about this

[The Cleaner]

I got the auto after the test drive, don't much care which one I got as long as it was what felt comfortable. Clutch was a little light and lets face it the Auto shifts faster.

[DrM]

I have the manual. It is a very nice shifting transmission, but it is not perfect. For example, the transmission in my S2000 was much more smooth when shifting (although it didn't have to handle 450 ft.lbs. of torque ).

I strongly prefer stick in my sports cars. However, the steptronic automatic in the 335 is the first auto that I would consider. It shifts lightening fast (faster than you can shift the manual), gives you control when in manual mode, and the drivetrain losses are only slightly more than with the manual transmission.

I honestly don't think that you can go wrong with either one. The automatic is easier to drive (particularly in traffic) but the manual is typically seen as more fun due to your involvement in the process.

Good luck!

[Terry335]

Driven a lot of 6spd Corvettes & Camaros and I'm tired of shifting. Plus, the auto 335 is quicker.

[max boost]

TURBOS and AUTOS are match made in heaven!

[teknochild]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

where is tecknochild? I am sure he has something to say about this

hes clearly asking why people chose their prospective transmissions, he even makes it clear in the first line its not a "which is better" question so i have no need to cure the delusions of an auto driver who wants to pretend he chose the performance option

i chose manual because i can actually drive one

going through traffic is no problem; extremly light clutch pedal, plus with the 4ish 1st gear engagment in first is easy, and with the low idle it can creep very slowly

it keeps you concentrated on your driving where as an auto can make your mind wander very easy

i plan to mod heavily and dont want to deal with the problems that come with modding an auto transmission, including heat issues and load issues

manuals make the girls hot

its glamourous to throw that stick around, not to mention enjoyable, and it gives me an excuse to deny a large percentage of the population for driving my car (the rest get denied too, but its a little harder to tell someone they cant drive because i dont trust them)

i would have no bragging rights with an auto, no one would be impressed with my ability to push a pedal to the floor once and hold it there (note this is an honest reason why i chose manual, therfore crybabies are disallowed to quote and comment )

oh yea its cheaper too, but that really didnt factor in

[Couch]

This is my first manual. I chose it because that's what I told myself I would get in my next car. I had limited experience before hand. Still have less than 400 miles on my car.

I'm in a learning curve that will take a while, I still have my issues which tend to be more about getting in too much of a hurry and letting off the clutch too fast. For some reason it happens to most at work when I'm in the office traffic waiting to leave the grounds.

We all have to learn some time right?

[danielt]

I purchased steptronic. It's an entirely different car when driven in standard drive mode and sports mode - in sports it has a different, deeper, throaty sound and feels a heap more responsive. Plus the paddle shifts are fun. At least in Australia there is more demand for Auto 335's compared to manuals so the resale may be better than a manual 335.

[jbake]

I've had two manual cars previous to this one, which I chose Auto for my 335i. This is the best auto transmission I've ever driven. I was just tired of city driving with the clutch. Manual is only fun when you are on the track or aggressively driving which is rare when there is so much traffic. The paddles fill my manual void and I love how it blips the throttle in between downshifts. I raced my friends manual 335i coupe and took him in my sedan by almost a full car length and he has a lot of track experience.

[bobobeemer]

i agree with you totally, technochild...pretty much the same reason i chose stick over auto... i too feel that driving auto makes your mind wander off. The only think i hate is not being able to have my coffee and donuts while in traffic.

[InfamousM3]

I test drove the 335 in auto before I purchased mine in stick.. and all I can say is that I was blown away when I drove it in auto but when I finally got my car it was so much better experiencing the thrill in manual.. theres no substituting the clutch.. it is wat it is and I am extremely happy with my choice.

[ducati955]

stick is way more fun to drive and you can drive the car/control better!!!

if you think it is a pain to drive stick in traffic, then u really can't drive stick, i don't even realize i have stick in traffic, been driving stick for over 15 yrs, i refuse to drive automatic unless its a hummer or some shit....
just my opinion to the haters

[hands on]

Originally Posted by teknochild

hes clearly asking why people chose their prospective transmissions, he even makes it clear in the first line its not a "which is better" question so i have no need to cure the delusions of an auto driver who wants to pretend he chose the performance option

i chose manual because i can actually drive one

going through traffic is no problem; extremly light clutch pedal, plus with the 4ish 1st gear engagment in first is easy, and with the low idle it can creep very slowly

it keeps you concentrated on your driving where as an auto can make your mind wander very easy

i plan to mod heavily and dont want to deal with the problems that come with modding an auto transmission, including heat issues and load issues

manuals make the girls hot

its glamourous to throw that stick around, not to mention enjoyable, and it gives me an excuse to deny a large percentage of the population for driving my car (the rest get denied too, but its a little harder to tell someone they cant drive because i dont trust them)

i would have no bragging rights with an auto, no one would be impressed with my ability to push a pedal to the floor once and hold it there (note this is an honest reason why i chose manual, therfore crybabies are disallowed to quote and comment )

oh yea its cheaper too, but that really didnt factor in

Yep, couldn't have said it better myself... I read an article in Men's Health the other day that polled women about what kind of car they think a sexy man should drive...100% stick baby

[BzzzBom]

Compared to other manual transmissions, the 335 MT is OK but comapred to other auto transmissions, the 335i one is nothing short of phenomenal. I ordered the auto. I am a bit pissed off, however, because some of the AT cars with the sports pkg are still missing the air-to-oil cooler despite BMWNA stating that all cars (AT and MT) after Dec 06 build will have the oil cooler.

[///M_owns_you]

i chose auto but HAD TO HAVE the padle shifters, without the paddles i would have gotten the stick. I test drove both and just felt that the auto tranny was fast and responsive plus i go out and come home really late at night wayyy too much durring the week and drive on PCH too much to have a stick. I cant imagine having to work a 6 speed at 2 am after some partying or kickin with the girl or whatever. Or dealing with the stop/go driving of southern cali. But sport and premium packages with the paddle shifters almost gives it an ///M SMG feel, atleast when you let your imagination do the thinking.