M135i auto vs M135i manual

[corvettedave]

was thinking getting a M135i, test drove a manual today, seemed ok, but whats auto like, its got better mpg and faster 0-60, why??, auto are always worse mpg

cheers for any help

dave

[M3greg]

Auto is better mpg and faster 0-60. It's a monster when accelerating!

[corvettedave]

corvettedave said:

was thinking getting a M135i, test drove a manual today, seemed ok, but whats auto like, its got better mpg and faster 0-60, why??, auto are always worse mpg

cheers for any help

dave

but why??

[Heathwood]

8 speed auto v 6 speed manual, so ratio's stacked closer together for better acceleration. Also, auto will change faster than you can.

[corvettedave]

Heathwood said:

8 speed auto v 6 speed manual, so ratio's stacked closer together for better acceleration. Also, auto will change faster than you can.

ok good info, is a bm 8 speed auto like a vw dsg??

[Heathwood]

corvettedave said:

ok good info, is a bm 8 speed auto like a vw dsg??

I think it is an auto as opposed to a twin clutch automated manual like the dsg, but it perform very similarly I believe.

[Rahul uk]

8 speed auto by ZF. Fantastic box. Got it in the M135i and RR Sport. I prefer it to the DSG I had in the RS3 as well. Smoother and just as fast on the shifts.

If you sit in traffic a lot then get the auto. If you have a wife that refuses to drive manual then get an auto. If you want driver involvement get the manual.

[jon-]

Manual gears are a bit long.

[steveyt88]

Took delivery of my Auto M135i last Friday. Has impressed me ever since, the whole drivetrain seems to work together so well and mathces the character of the car. Best thing is to try the manual if you can though!

[Kawasicki]

The fuel economy test favours autos. Real life fuel economy is still better with a manual, in my experience.

[Snollygoster]

The ZF auto is one the best auto's out there.

I personally find the auto better in the M135i because:

• Manual peddles are offset
• Launch control
• It's a long clutch, and being only 5"8 I have to sit closer than I would like to probably engage it
• 99% it's more enjoyable because it's an auto. Occasionally around country lanes I miss changing gear, but still fun and can always use paddles if needs be.
• Cheaper to tax as it's got less Co2 emissions (huge £60 saving a year!)
• I don't have to worry about the OH burning out the clutch

And to answer your questions
It's quicker 0-60 because of the smaller ratios, and the speed of gear changes.

MPG difference for man vs auto nowadays is so small.

Feels smoother and more comfortable to the 6 speeds DSG's I'm used to. The more gears defiantly help.

[corvettedave]

thanks guys for info, was looking at a bmw pdf tech sheet

the 0-1000 km/h is 23.9 manual, 23.8 auto, so even with manual having to do some changes, only a fraction behind

4th/5th gear 80 - 120 km/h - 4.3 manual and 5.0 on auto ??? so whats going on here?

[shim]

I took the manual in my M135i due to cost and wanting to learn to h&t. Ok as a box goes but gearing overall is pretty poor tbh.

If i were you id go for the auto, fantastic bit of kit, and makes the most out of the car.

[SFO]

Snollygoster said:

• Manual peddles are offset

how badly offset are they?

[nick30]

I love my manual but quite excited to be chopping it in for a higher specced auto. I borrowed an M235i with the auto box and fell in love with it but sadly cant justify the extra cost to go into a 2er and have got another 1er on the way. Really dont think you can loose either way. Both brilliant boxes but the auto certainly feels faster with the shorter ratios.

[nick30]

SFO said:

how badly offset are they?

I dont agree. Try one but in my opinion the pedals are perfectly placed. Have read this before but dont understand it myself.

[nick30]

corvettedave said:

thanks guys for info, was looking at a bmw pdf tech sheet

the 0-1000 km/h is 23.9 manual, 23.8 auto, so even with manual having to do some changes, only a fraction behind

4th/5th gear 80 - 120 km/h - 4.3 manual and 5.0 on auto ??? so whats going on here?

Its a funny one obviously due to ratios again. My friend has the auto and we both booted it on a dual carriage way, I kept in 2nd gear all the way to the speed limit and was right up his chuff when i was expecting him to have pulled away. Its a tough choice because both gearboxes are great.

[jon-]

nick30 said:

SFO said:

how badly offset are they?

I dont agree. Try one but in my opinion the pedals are perfectly placed. Have read this before but dont understand it myself.

+1. There's really very little offset, it's certainly not a deal breaker!

[Snollygoster]

jon- said:

nick30 said:

SFO said:

how badly offset are they?

I dont agree. Try one but in my opinion the pedals are perfectly placed. Have read this before but dont understand it myself.

+1. There's really very little offset, it's certainly not a deal breaker!

Agree the best thing to do is to try one. For me, not a fan. It's probably only a couple of centimeters, if that, but too noticeable for my liking.

[bennyboysvuk]

I've gone for the manual option too. Having driven an auto for the past 10 months, I can't wait to return to a manual 'box. My reasons for choosing the manual are both driving and practicality based.

- More control.
- More interactive.
- Can put it in neutral and roll it without the ignition turned on.

I tried an auto M135i and although it's a very impressive auto, it still lacked all the options that a clutch provides (mostly when you want the tail of the car to behave in a certain way).