[gchild]

When buying Mercs, I always go for an auto gearbox. What's the consensus regarding bmws and autos? I'd imagine a manual box in a Beemer would be fun, but would it be a hindrance when coming to selling time?

[J44KPR]

depends what engine, I think there's a niche for stuff like 335i, prob not your motorway muncher engine though

[phil200tdi]

My opinion:

Petrol - manual
Diesel - auto

I'd love a DCT 335i though!

[shrink]

Auto all the way these days. My last 330i was an auto and it was lovely, the new autos are fast, smooth, efficient and give you very very little penalty in terms of speed or economy. In fact for the f30 its possible the autos are faster and more efficient

[phil3103]

Love my 330d manual E90. Great box.

[zltm089]

Depends what you like...real driving experience...manual all the way...

[mob17]

Originally Posted by zltm089

Depends what you like...real driving experience...manual all the way...

+1

[Kerr]

Manual for a proper driving experience.

It does seem manuals are few and far between in the bigger engined cars.

[CarAbuser]

If you spend a lot of time in traffic don't get a manual, especially not in a diesel since they are a bastard in lower gears.

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

My opinion:

Petrol - manual
Diesel - auto

I'd love a DCT 335i though!

I agree with phil200tdi, a quick petrol engine with a slick, close ratio gearbox takes a lot of beating and although I like the 320d manual, the ratios are just too far apart on a diesel & are much better suited when hooked up to an auto

[Robin330i]

I love the auto on mine. I came from an S2000 which has one of if not the best gearbox ever and I don't miss having a manual box.

Maybe it's because I am getting old!

[DavS1]

I've got a 325i auto/padle shift, and I love it! was aprehensive at first but sooo glad I went with it. Wouldn't buy another Manual!

[SteveC]

Every time I've ordered a car with auto box it takes about 9 months before I'm thinking of selling.

Manual its usually a couple of years

Why?

Auto is easy in traffic and just gets on with shifting the gears, but it seriously takes the edge of performance and results in a boring, uninvolving drive.

Manual is a pain in heavy traffic but gives instantaneous response, shifting on demand, far more control over the torqe applied and a much more involving drive.

The fact that some of the latest autos have quicker acceleration is down to shifting times. The auto gives less perceived shove but shifts quicker, presenting you with the dichotomy of having a car that goes faster but feels slower.

I can imagine anyone who prefers a more relaxed driving style to have exactly the opposite opinion

[mymonkey562]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Every time I've ordered a car with auto box it takes about 9 months before I'm thinking of selling.

Manual its usually a couple of years

Why?

Auto is easy in traffic and just gets on with shifting the gears, but it seriously takes the edge of performance and results in a boring, uninvolving drive.

Manual is a pain in heavy traffic but gives instantaneous response, shifting on demand, far more control over the torqe applied and a much more involving drive.

The fact that some of the latest autos have quicker acceleration is down to shifting times. The auto gives less perceived shove but shifts quicker, presenting you with the dichotomy of having a car that goes faster but feels slower.

I can imagine anyone who prefers a more relaxed driving style to have exactly the opposite opinion

+1

[spirocheter]

I'm on my second 335d, which obviously is auto. Prior to this I had an E46 330d manual which took an age to find in the desired spec. I loved the manual and used to swear I'd never drive auto. I loved the torque of the twin turbo, and after being hit head on by a scrote overtaking a lorry, the e46 was never the same despite about twenty trips back into the dealer.

It took me a fair time, but I love the auto box now, with the paddles for spirited cross country driving. it is safer to keep both hands on the wheel whilst overtaking on our beten up and potholed roads. If i used the track a lot, it would be a different story. I'd still have another manual some point, but might find the choice close run.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by spirocheter

I'm on my second 335d, which obviously is auto. Prior to this I had an E46 330d manual which took an age to find in the desired spec. I loved the manual and used to swear I'd never drive auto. I loved the torque of the twin turbo, and after being hit head on by a scrote overtaking a lorry, the e46 was never the same despite about twenty trips back into the dealer.

It took me a fair time, but I love the auto box now, with the paddles for spirited cross country driving. it is safer to keep both hands on the wheel whilst overtaking on our beten up and potholed roads. If i used the track a lot, it would be a different story. I'd still have another manual some point, but might find the choice close run.

Sounds like a proper smash?? Any pics?!




Back on topic.

The auto in the 335d is fantastic, well matched to that torquey engine.

My M3 is manual and that suits the car well as its a joy to drive.

[parapaul]

I love my 330d auto box 95% of the time. There's probably one or two occasions every day where it isn't in the gear I expect it to be, or where the torque conveter doesn't lock up as quick as I want it to.

Despite that, if I'm having a B-road blast, I have yet to find fault with the Auto DS mode. It hangs onto the gears long enough, and changes down early enough that it's consistently right.

[Sir_Pigley]

I think consensus is impossible as this is purely a personal thing.

SteveC sums up very eloquently my feelings on this matter- I prefer a manual box 99% of the time; but then I live in a very rural area and seldom have to queue in heavy traffic, where an auto would be an advantage.

Whether a car is petrol or diesel would have no bearing at all on whether auto or manual would be preferred for me; it is all to do with the more immediate throttle response and control that you get from a manual.

I have been looking to replace my 330d with a manual 530d for well over 9 months, but they very rarely come up for sale and when they do they are overpriced or not the right specification for me (must have visibility pack, light interior, heated seats and maybe satnav as well).

I saw a fantastic 535d the other day which met every requirement (and more), but it did not have a manual box (obviously) and I just did not enjoy driving it the way I do my manual 330d. Hence I chose to walk away and keep looking for the 530d.

[gaza01]

I've got a manual and the mrs has a auto. She drives it in the tiptronic mode. When I asked her why she doesn't drive in the full auto she said she prefers changing the gears...swears she'll never get another auto again...she misses the manual.
When I'm driving it I sit back and relax in full auto. Love the laziness for that short time BUT I'd never own an auto willingly. I still like manual...can choose my gear, shift when I want etc etc. For the driver experience its the manual.

[shrink]

my first two BMW's were autos... my 530D and my 330i. I loved both and if anything i prefer the wafty luxury feel of the auto, and the way that kick down feels when you go to overtake. If anything, i sometimes feel an auto feels faster on the move.

My next car will be an auto for sure, sick of driving a manual again!!

[jimpom23]

Originally Posted by Robin330i

I love the auto on mine. I came from an S2000 which has one of if not the best gearbox ever and I don't miss having a manual box.

Maybe it's because I am getting old!

I'm the same, loved the S2000 box and it was very rewarding given all the torque was over 6k RPM. I've gone for an auto on my 335i though as I can't stand traffic jams in a manual and don't regret it one bit. I love the laziness in traffic, it's such a relief, and if I'm on a nice twisty A road then sport and paddle shifters more than suffice. Given the torque of the car, you wouldn't neccesarily have a much better experience with a manual as you can pull hard in third from about 20-80 anyway.

I also enjoy being able to downshift effortlessly on hills or approaching roundabouts

[Guvernator]

I've got an auto 335i with paddles and while it's probably the best auto I've tried, I do occasionally find myself getting bored with it. Admittedly using it in traffic is brilliant and the paddles do offer limited scope for a bit more fun but I don't use my car for commuting so I miss the feedback of a manual for thrills which probably means my next car may be a manual.

However I am yet to try a DCT box so this may sway me, could it be the best of both worlds?