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.

[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 ?