Whats manual to auto like ?
Discussion
Im seriously considering putting £5k on a e46 330ci, they come in either manual or auto or hideous (most say) "SSG" (real shame only the m3 got SMG2).
Im thinking of automatic as i dont really drive spiritedly anymore (cant afford it) and i hate getting "clutch foot" in traffic.
But ive never even driven an auto, even my old 850 T5R was manual, so im wondering if I will get on with it ?
Has anyone had manual all their lives then switched to auto, no manual override etc, and hated / enjoyed it ?
Im thinking of automatic as i dont really drive spiritedly anymore (cant afford it) and i hate getting "clutch foot" in traffic.
But ive never even driven an auto, even my old 850 T5R was manual, so im wondering if I will get on with it ?
Has anyone had manual all their lives then switched to auto, no manual override etc, and hated / enjoyed it ?
For city driving, it's seriously mint! I mean brilliant, but your left wanting if you do fancy a spirited drive.
I know you said it's not something you do now and I was feeling exactly the same way when I switched, but then just because I couldn't really do it, I wanted to more than ever.
Hence now having 2 cars!
Bare in mind though, one is a big mitsi mpv, that even if it had a manual box, hustling along wouldn't really be it's forte....
I know you said it's not something you do now and I was feeling exactly the same way when I switched, but then just because I couldn't really do it, I wanted to more than ever.
Hence now having 2 cars!
Bare in mind though, one is a big mitsi mpv, that even if it had a manual box, hustling along wouldn't really be it's forte....
I moved from manuals to a 530i auto. Very easy to get used to and after a while you don't even realise. But it's not really a car I hooned around in, more of a barge.
The wife now has an auto RX and for relaxed commuter / holiday driving I wouldn't have anything else.
But for actually going for a drive simply to enjoy the drive, I'll always have a manual on the fleet.
The wife now has an auto RX and for relaxed commuter / holiday driving I wouldn't have anything else.
But for actually going for a drive simply to enjoy the drive, I'll always have a manual on the fleet.
Mine was OK, but I went back to manual for my next one.
You know the brake pedal's bigger on an auto? There'll be a time you forget you don't have a clutch, accidentally left foot brake and come to an abrupt unintended stop.
You're unlikely to accidentally do that twice.
I agree with the comments about missing some spirited driving without a manual. It was nice in city centres, but not enough to make me really want one again.
You know the brake pedal's bigger on an auto? There'll be a time you forget you don't have a clutch, accidentally left foot brake and come to an abrupt unintended stop.
You're unlikely to accidentally do that twice.
I agree with the comments about missing some spirited driving without a manual. It was nice in city centres, but not enough to make me really want one again.
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Tuesday 17th May 00:32
Love them.
In most day to day driving, they're much preferable to manuals IMO.
Of course that does depend on the car & what you're looking to achieve.
Mine's an E91 330i and the auto suits it nicely. I don't hoon about so much and the BMW gearbox is a good one.
I'll not be going back to a daily manual.
Of course if I choose an out and out fun car one day - proper hot hatch - then it'd be manual. Caveat being a Golf Gti - DSG all day long.
In most day to day driving, they're much preferable to manuals IMO.
Of course that does depend on the car & what you're looking to achieve.
Mine's an E91 330i and the auto suits it nicely. I don't hoon about so much and the BMW gearbox is a good one.
I'll not be going back to a daily manual.
Of course if I choose an out and out fun car one day - proper hot hatch - then it'd be manual. Caveat being a Golf Gti - DSG all day long.
I suggest you check the difference in real-world mpg stats before going for the auto, if economy is a concern.
I don't know first-hand, but anecdotally there's quite a difference, and a friend with an auto 323i has been left very disappointed by the woeful mpg figures as a result of the auto box.
I don't know first-hand, but anecdotally there's quite a difference, and a friend with an auto 323i has been left very disappointed by the woeful mpg figures as a result of the auto box.
Most people have the same opinion, so only really re-iterating. It depends on the vehicle and the type of driving you do. If you hit motorway queues or do a lot of city driving an auto is much more civilized way to travel and you will be grateful of the auto box 'especially' on cars with a heavy clutch - it depends on the auto boxes responsiveness for town driving.
I prefer manual overall really, I believe I have an added element of control which is useful such as for driving in snow or for spirited driving, I personally think an auto box is better on larger engined vehicles.
One thing that kind of highlighted my preference was the new dodge challenger, the V6 is only available with an auto box currently and being a much cheaper alternative to the V8 I was disappointed about the lack of a manual option. If I had little or no objections to auto boxes I wouldn't have minded - but I'd class this as a fun car rather than a commuter and I think I'd prefer to change gears myself in that respect.
I prefer manual overall really, I believe I have an added element of control which is useful such as for driving in snow or for spirited driving, I personally think an auto box is better on larger engined vehicles.
One thing that kind of highlighted my preference was the new dodge challenger, the V6 is only available with an auto box currently and being a much cheaper alternative to the V8 I was disappointed about the lack of a manual option. If I had little or no objections to auto boxes I wouldn't have minded - but I'd class this as a fun car rather than a commuter and I think I'd prefer to change gears myself in that respect.
Bought my first automatic last year - an E92 335i, its my daily driver to and from work. I absolutely love it and have no intention of going back to a car with 3 pedals in the future. If I get a weekend only fun car I will look for some sort of DSG / DCT / PDK automanual type gearbox to retain a conventional clutch without having to use a pedal.
EK993 said:
Bought my first automatic last year - an E92 335i, its my daily driver to and from work. I absolutely love it and have no intention of going back to a car with 3 pedals in the future. If I get a weekend only fun car I will look for some sort of DSG / DCT / PDK automanual type gearbox to retain a conventional clutch without having to use a pedal.
This.twoblacklines said:
Im seriously considering putting £5k on a e46 330ci, they come in either manual or auto or hideous (most say) "SSG" (real shame only the m3 got SMG2).
Im thinking of automatic as i dont really drive spiritedly anymore (cant afford it) and i hate getting "clutch foot" in traffic.
But ive never even driven an auto, even my old 850 T5R was manual, so im wondering if I will get on with it ?
Has anyone had manual all their lives then switched to auto, no manual override etc, and hated / enjoyed it ?
The only issue with an auto if its cost related it it'll be worse on fuel and blunt the performance slightly.Im thinking of automatic as i dont really drive spiritedly anymore (cant afford it) and i hate getting "clutch foot" in traffic.
But ive never even driven an auto, even my old 850 T5R was manual, so im wondering if I will get on with it ?
Has anyone had manual all their lives then switched to auto, no manual override etc, and hated / enjoyed it ?
I like auto's but it depends on the car, the time and the place.
I bought my first auto last year to be used as a winter commuter. Thought it would be great for stop start traffic giving my clutch foot a rest. Thing is what I now have to do is hold it on the brakes which tires the old foot out just as much!
Yes, I know I could knock it into Park and how annoying it is siting behind someone with the brake lights blazing. But its an old Merc. The slow-witted 'box coupled with the foot operated handbrake mean doing that is a bit of a faff in traffic and not conducive to a prompt getaway.
On the whole though it does make for a easier and more relaxed drive for the daily slog. I never thought I would enjoy an auto so much.
Yes, I know I could knock it into Park and how annoying it is siting behind someone with the brake lights blazing. But its an old Merc. The slow-witted 'box coupled with the foot operated handbrake mean doing that is a bit of a faff in traffic and not conducive to a prompt getaway.
On the whole though it does make for a easier and more relaxed drive for the daily slog. I never thought I would enjoy an auto so much.
twoblacklines said:
Im thinking of automatic as i dont really drive spiritedly anymore (cant afford it) and i hate getting "clutch foot" in traffic.
If you are worried about fuel cost be wary of buying an auto for pottering about in heavy traffic. I get 15-20mpg around town in a 3 litre diesel. Auto is nice, but if you value a sharp throttle response then it's probably not for you.
I've had several BMW autos, the last three of which also had the 'Tipronic' manual override.
But it's not as manual as a 'proper' manual.. There is a (what feels like an eternity) delay between shifts.
My 330i was quite responsive in auto mode, but the 535i was the closest to a manaul in terms of 'getting off the line' with minimal delay.
But for around town / heavy traffic usage - they are unbeatable, apart from the fuel consumption downside.
FWIW, I have returned to manual with my last two cars.
I've had several BMW autos, the last three of which also had the 'Tipronic' manual override.
But it's not as manual as a 'proper' manual.. There is a (what feels like an eternity) delay between shifts.
My 330i was quite responsive in auto mode, but the 535i was the closest to a manaul in terms of 'getting off the line' with minimal delay.
But for around town / heavy traffic usage - they are unbeatable, apart from the fuel consumption downside.
FWIW, I have returned to manual with my last two cars.
TBH if you spend most of your time driving somewhere where an auto is the preference you should probably be using public transport.
I've yet to experience an auto I liked, although it does make life easy in heavy traffic.
M.
PS Are DSGs automated manuals or automatics? I've been toying with idea of getting one next time, but if it's just an auto with a manual over-ride, I'll probably not...
I've yet to experience an auto I liked, although it does make life easy in heavy traffic.
M.
PS Are DSGs automated manuals or automatics? I've been toying with idea of getting one next time, but if it's just an auto with a manual over-ride, I'll probably not...
Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 17th May 15:33
blearyeyedboy said:
You know the brake pedal's bigger on an auto? There'll be a time you forget you don't have a clutch, accidentally left foot brake and come to an abrupt unintended stop.
You're unlikely to accidentally do that twice.
I did this while attempting to "change down", and it resulted in an emergency stop. The guy behind must have thought I was being an arse!You're unlikely to accidentally do that twice.
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Tuesday 17th May 00:32
It takes take a day or two to get used to an auto, but it becomes second nature after a week.
Its still horrible though, and I couldn't wait to get back to a manual.
Vladimir said:
Depends on the car - for some it suits them, for others it's just wrong.
Anyone that sweeps the yawnsome wand of generalisation is stuck in the dark ages.
+1. Couldnt imagine my ST24 with an auto box, and conversly, couldnt imaging my E34 525TD with a manual! Anyone that sweeps the yawnsome wand of generalisation is stuck in the dark ages.
It suits big comfy barges, but not shopping trolly hatchbacks imo. You will love it in traffic and on long trips, however i found that after very long trips (Newbury to Hertfordshire) my left leg was numb as anything
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