Auto or Manual

Dammer

Been thinking of a 06/07 BMW 320d or if the budget can stretch maybe a 520d in the next couple of months. I'm currently driving a 02 318i which I've had since 2006

Any pros/cons between BMW auto diesel / manual diesel?

I have noticed myself getting pi$$ed off changing gear lately though

Chris_Heilong

Changing gears is like juggeling, you can never relax(driving in the city anyway)

Del2005

Unless it's an M go auto. They have a semi manual option if you could be bothered.

Dammer

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

Changing gears is like juggeling, you can never relax(driving in the city anyway)

Exactly! But I suppose the extra city driving is my fault really

Guy:Incognito

Much like many tedious daily chores, why bother doing it yourself if the car can do it for you?

Dont mind the inevitable posts that come in about not being able to "feel the driving experience" and other such nonsense. View it like electric windows or power steering, it makes life much easier and less hassle.

Satanta

auto all the way. Just switched back to a manual and reeaaly miss the auto in town.

166man

Apparently the manual box in the 520d is a bit crap so for me auto all the way. Much better chance of selling an auto when you want rid of it.

pajo1981

Manual box in the e90 diesel is easily the worst thing about the car.

320d power was bumped up from 163 to 177 in 2008, btw.

Dammer

Del2005 wrote: »

Unless it's an M go auto. They have a semi manual option if you could be bothered.

I thought a 320M was only a larger eng capacity, some styling extras and options as standard.

Maybe I should have mentioned I won't be going any higher then 2.0L eng.
So a standard 06/07 320d has a quasi manual option, now that's interesting...

Any other tips? I mean are there any other economic factors to consider? Servicing costs, parts between the two, etc...

Dammer

pajo1981 wrote: »

Manual box in the e90 diesel is easily the worst thing about the car.

320d power was bumped up from 163 to 177 in 2008, btw.

I was reading something about that yesterday. I think it also got the efficient dynamics extras added as well. Not sure the budget will get me to an 08

ongarite

The 6 speed auto in the 5 series is fantastic, really smooth and seamless gear changes plus it looks great too.
Would never go back to a manual again.

pajo1981

Dammer wrote: »

I was reading something about that yesterday. I think it also got the efficient dynamics extras added as well. Not sure the budget will get me to an 08

Yeah, the economy is up also- despite the extra power.

I drove both, and to be honest, despite the modest power figures, the 177 was a far sweeter drive.

Dammer

pajo1981 wrote: »

Yeah, the economy is up also- despite the extra power.

I drove both, and to be honest, despite the modest power figures, the 177 was a far sweeter drive.

Probably got a suspension upgrade and some other tweaks.

Ah dammit! A quick look at carzone and they are going for 18K Not a chance

Dammer

ongarite wrote: »

The 6 speed auto in the 5 series is fantastic, really smooth and seamless gear changes plus it looks great too.
Would never go back to a manual again.

Now I'm back to the 5 series or 3 series dilemma again...

Del2005

Dammer wrote: »

I thought a 320M was only a larger eng capacity, some styling extras and options as standard.

That's M Spec I meant a proper M3 or M5 :-)

foret

20 years driving manual and 2 with auto.


Auto without a shadow of a doubt.

Also my 2c which the trioka are about to extract from me..


Auto over manual.

Diesel over petrol.

Leather over cloth.

6 cylinder over 4.

5 series over 3.

Cruise control over none!

bazz26

Efficent Dynamics along with the newer N47 engine (177bhp) was added to the E90 320d in September 2007. I've heard mixed reports about the auto in the 3 Series, best thing to do is test drive both version. I have a E90 manual and find the clutch annoying at times, the pedal feels like it has to travel far before it engages which is a pain if you are stuck in traffic for a long time, my previous cars didn't do this. Still not entirely used to it either after a year's ownership. E60 520d gained a new auto box in late 2007 too afaik and is supposed to be very good. If I was buying a 520d tomorrow it would be an auto.

But at the end of the day, nobody here can tell you which one you should buy, only a test drive of both version will make your mind up.

murphyebass

I have driven serveral different manuals over the years and only recenltly switched to an Auto.

In fairness its not a BMW. Its a Mazda 6 but still I dont know if I will ever go back manual. Maybe if it was a sporty car? Maybe.

City drivin in a manual is such a pain and thats where I do 70%+ of my driving.

I would imagine you'll have tiptronic option in the BMW anyway so if you really want to play with the gear selection you'll be able to.

Tea 1000

If it's a diesel, go Auto. If it's a petrol, it depends on the car. But Diesel should always = Auto. There is no nice manual gearbox in any diesel car. The best manual diesel boxes in the world are OK at best. There are some fantastic manual boxes in petrol's on the other hand!

Mr Benevolent

I only started to enjoy manuals when I bought the 156. Very long stick throw though and changing up at full power requires a bit of finesse to avoid overrevving as the throttle body valve is slow to close (and it's not dirty). My next car will probably be manual but the one after that will be auto.