thinking of buying an Auto?
Discussion
I'm looking at buying a 2000 - 2004 BMW 330ci and am considering going for an auto box as I'm just getting layzer and layzer with my driving. There is nowhere to speed anymore as there is a camera on every corner and it just kinda makes sense to go auto!
Is this something I will regret? The BMW Steptronic system seems somewhat attractive.. I'm sure it is something you use for the first day only, but at least you have the option to manually drop it down a few gears should I feel the need?
Is this something I will regret? The BMW Steptronic system seems somewhat attractive.. I'm sure it is something you use for the first day only, but at least you have the option to manually drop it down a few gears should I feel the need?
I'm pootling round in a E46 320Cd auto, and I must admit I am warming to it. The Steptronic system is excellent - I hardly ever change gears myself, just leave it in Sport mode with the DSC off. You get a much more direct drive and it normally selects the gear I'd pick anyway. It certainly doesn't hang around for a 2 litre diseasal.
Think if it was my own money it would be a 330ci manual though as the auto still bogs down on take off. Means pulling out into traffic can be a tad more buttock clenching than usual. Especially when it's not your car...
Think if it was my own money it would be a 330ci manual though as the auto still bogs down on take off. Means pulling out into traffic can be a tad more buttock clenching than usual. Especially when it's not your car...
Our last 3 cars (Saab 9-5 estate, Mazda 6 estate and Volvo D5) have all been autos and we are now converts. Think it's a lot to do with getting older!
We do have a Golf that's a manual and I find it a pain to drive now that I've got so used to the auto.
Edited by whirligig on Sunday 21st December 18:49
I had an E46 325 Ci and that was an auto. Quite liked it actually, but was put off by the running costs. The auto was fantastic, sport mode was pretty much perfect for most of the commuting and running around I was doing
Steptronic was easy to work with, but I wished it would have given me the gear I was after somtimes rather than waiting and thinking about it. Cant have it all ways I guess.
Friend has a Saloon and it's on it's second gearbox rebuild. When they go wrong they can be expensive (but isnt everything under 5 years old nowadays). His was a 4 figure bill each time
Steptronic was easy to work with, but I wished it would have given me the gear I was after somtimes rather than waiting and thinking about it. Cant have it all ways I guess.
Friend has a Saloon and it's on it's second gearbox rebuild. When they go wrong they can be expensive (but isnt everything under 5 years old nowadays). His was a 4 figure bill each time
You'll never really bother with a manual once you've lived with a good auto for a while.
The BMW Steptronic system is good on the E46 - very positive box with OKish mapping works well... The Alpina Switchtronic is streets ahead of it though.
The 5HP19 'box is pretty strong, but can go through torque-convertors, make sure the TC locks up when you test it.
The BMW Steptronic system is good on the E46 - very positive box with OKish mapping works well... The Alpina Switchtronic is streets ahead of it though.
The 5HP19 'box is pretty strong, but can go through torque-convertors, make sure the TC locks up when you test it.
Auto's are personal preference i have got mates that could not think of anything worse than having an automatic car, were as i love auto's, one of the things i did'nt like about my RS4 was that it was a manual, i thought i could live with a manual as a daily driver but i found very frustrating as my daily commute involves sitting in traffic, even my Warrior is auto, although it's dangerously slow on take off! My 5 series has a lovely auto box and the sport mode is nice , it also has a manual mode but of course it's not a conventional manual!
As much as I love autos for the daily hack, I will admit they're not for everyone. Is there any way you could borrow one for a week. Do your normal commute in it and see how you like it before splashing out on one. Maybe hire something auto?
I was lucky, I had a Caterham for a weekender and my company threw an auto daily hack at me. By the time I'd got to my first customer, I was hooked. My last 4 cars have been autos and I'll never go back.
Of course it's nice to have a 6-speed toy car for the weekend too.
I was lucky, I had a Caterham for a weekender and my company threw an auto daily hack at me. By the time I'd got to my first customer, I was hooked. My last 4 cars have been autos and I'll never go back.
Of course it's nice to have a 6-speed toy car for the weekend too.
I'm an auto convert and I'll be the first to admit that the box bolted into my current car is a pretty poor example.
I do get cravings for a manual change sometimes, though, and think that autos with a manual change option are probably the best way to go; It's certainly the direction I'll be headed in for my next purchase.
I do get cravings for a manual change sometimes, though, and think that autos with a manual change option are probably the best way to go; It's certainly the direction I'll be headed in for my next purchase.
Autos are great on large engined cars. And those eith a manual +/- shift button can stillbe fun. And some (mercedes) now have more gears in their auto then in the manual, so acceleration/economy isnt compromised like it ised to be (when the auto would be a 3 speed, versus a 5 speed manual)
Another auto convert here....
Got a V70 D5 about 6 months ago and went for the geartronic - fancy name for an auto.
Its a bit disconcerting on cold mornings as it holds the revs for longer to warm up the engine. But will be sticking to autos in the future.
My daily commute involves a road I have driven for many years and used to be a blast. Now its a steady 45-55 MPH traffic snarl.
Cant say there is any situation recently where I have longed for a manual again.
Got a V70 D5 about 6 months ago and went for the geartronic - fancy name for an auto.
Its a bit disconcerting on cold mornings as it holds the revs for longer to warm up the engine. But will be sticking to autos in the future.
My daily commute involves a road I have driven for many years and used to be a blast. Now its a steady 45-55 MPH traffic snarl.
Cant say there is any situation recently where I have longed for a manual again.
Alfa_75_Steve said:
I bought an Alfa with the Selespeed box a few months ago and am now convinced I'll never go back to a manual as a daily driver.
You wont be saying that when it goes wrong...........I love my DSG VW Jetta!! Best of both worlds, 2 pedal driving and very little fuel penalty.
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