520d Manual or Auto

[dickyt]

About to order a new 520d touring, having had one for the past 3 years (Company car). Current version Manual, but with all the stop/start driving now - I am considering going for an auto. What are they like on the new 177bhp engine ? Always found the "Flat Spot" on the current car an issue - pulling away at roundabouts & sitting there for what seems like ages before any acceleration kicks in - unless you give it loads of revs before slipping the clutch. Do you still get this with the auto, or does it pull well from standstill ?

My budget limitations also give me another difficult choice - 520d SE with lots of extras including auto, or a 520d M Sport manual with a few extras, or 520d M Sport auto with little or no extras. I know it's a personal choice between auto & manual - but I have only driven auto's on bigger engine cars - Merc 320d / 335d etc - just trying to guage what the auto is like on the smaller diesel engine, and if it's worth the £1450 premium over the manual.

[playerone]

I have always preferred autos on diesel engines. The BMW ones are excellent as well. There is very little MPG penalty and they are very smooth now.

On the 5 I would go for an SE with options. They dont look as boring as the 3 series SE as they have bigger wheels as standard. One thing to check is the seats, the SE spec seats have a very flat base which I hate as you move around abit. It might not be an issue for others but check it first.

[pgilc1]

playerone said:

I have always preferred autos on diesel engines. The BMW ones are excellent as well. There is very little MPG penalty and they are very smooth now.

On the 5 I would go for an SE with options. They dont look as boring as the 3 series SE as they have bigger wheels as standard. One thing to check is the seats, the SE spec seats have a very flat base which I hate as you move around abit. It might not be an issue for others but check it first.

I would disagree.

I've driven the 520d auto and found that at motorway speeds it had to kick down if you needed a bit of poke and again, it was prone to kicking down a lot when you tried to drive it on at all. I think the 2.0d is much better suited to the manual box - i've had it in a couple of 320d's and its a peach.

With regards to economy, the auto loses 5mpg to the manual, and tbh in real world conditions i could see this being as much as 7-8mpg as autos will always be a little harder on fuel, plus the auto doesnt have stop start technology.

Also, to me the M Sport is a much nicer car. Even an m sport with no options is going to have half leather sports seats, 18 inch alloys, and will look very smart. You can get away with the half leather in it, and add to that the fact that you can currently get business NAV and an auto changer for £350 and thats most of the bases covered.

The SE looks underwheeled in comparison, and loses a lot of the e60s 'presence'. Full leather (there is no half leather option on the SE) is a hefty £1470 which negates 50% of the price differential between an SE and M Sport.

Edited by pgilc1 on Wednesday 22 October 20:02

[m power]

I am on my 2nd 520D M sport manual, the new 177bhp engine is smoother and revs more keenly. The manual is a better drivers car and can be good fun. It is easy to make comfortable swift progress in the manual. I know what you mean about driving in town stop/start, this is the only time I wish I had an auto...

[dickyt]

Thanks for the comments - will probably stick to manual, M Sport looks are somewhat seductive - especially in Black. Just wondering if the Metallic Black is worth the £600 over the solid Black, can you tell the difference ?

[pgilc1]

dickyt said:

Thanks for the comments - will probably stick to manual, M Sport looks are somewhat seductive - especially in Black. Just wondering if the Metallic Black is worth the £600 over the solid Black, can you tell the difference ?

I had these very debates a little while ago but eventually went for a used 535d rather than a new 520d. I get a car allowance so thats easy done, moreso that if you're restricted to getting a new one.

Personally, i am not a fan of carbon black - i dont think its worth £600 over the solid black. I would have went for solid black, the 172 19's (i just LOVE those rims), the £350 nav and autochanger pack, and i would probably have been tight and had my company retrofit a bluetooth kit (which they do if the car hasnt got it) rather than spend the near £600 on bluetooth.

Take the 19s out of the equation and the only extra is the Nav and 'changer pack..

[MazDave]

A vote for the auto from me - I drove both manual and auto before buying my 520d M Sport, leather and bluetooth were the key options for me. The auto is very well matched to the 2.0d engine, better than my previous 525d auto.

[CommanderJameson]

I drove a 530d auto for a bit, and I must say that the autobox is very, very smooth.

[pgilc1]

CommanderJameson said:

I drove a 530d auto for a bit, and I must say that the autobox is very, very smooth.

Yes, it is. Beautiful in fact. To me though the 520d is just a little underpowered for it and you end up with lots of jerky kickdown to make it go.

[pgilc1]

In fairness though, a good long test drive in both is whats needed - and again it will be down to personal choice ultimately.