Am I silly getting a manual 330d?

[Byard]

Iv'e heard the auto box is a must for the 330d and id regret getting a manual one because are a 'niche' market and come resale time I will struggle to sell it.

Would you go for a manual or auto E46 330d?

Thanks

[nobodyknows]

I had one for 4 years, must admit I would probably go Auto if I ever bought another just because I suspect the auto box would suit the car so well.

[edo]

used E46, or new E90?

A lot of people spec the 330d in auto, but the manual is a peach (and the 335d can't be had in manual).

[kambites]

Personally I'd go for a manual. I just don't like automatic gearboxes.

[marcosgt]

Why the hell would you buy an Auto anything which is intended to be sporty?

I guess you might find the mass market for 330ds prefers autos, but I certainly wouldn't even consider one and I'm sure I'm not alone.

M.

[kambites]

marcosgt said:

Why the hell would you buy an Auto anything which is intended to be sporty?

Since when has a diesel compact exec been intended to be sporty?

[Garlick]

I'll stick my neck out here and say that the auto suits the 330d very well indeed.

I would tick the auto box, but just do what feels right for you

[Animal]

Which would you prefer to drive? If you'd rather a manual then buy a manual; if not, buy an auto.

Presumably you're going to have it for a few years in which case get the one you're happy with!

[Benbay001]

kambites said:

Since when has a diesel compact exec been intended to be sporty?

When cars like that are bought second hand, they tend not to be bought by mile munchers, so an auto isnt a desirable. Get which ever you prefer. (Manual?)

[mat205125]

The autobox suits the size and strength of the BMW diesel engine's powerband perfectly, and my experience leads me to conclude that the autobox makes it far more relaxing, and smoother for your passengers, to make "assertive progress" on the road - It can sometimes be difficult to time the manual shifts perfectly without bogging into the next gear, or shifting too late as the engine falls out of its small powerband*

• = My appologies for showing my driving mortality, and I await a well deserved mocking from the standard PH driving gods along the lines of "Well just shift properly, moron" ....... Christ protect me when they find out I chose an SMG M3, and not a manual

[edo]

kambites said:

marcosgt said:

Why the hell would you buy an Auto anything which is intended to be sporty?

Since when has a diesel compact exec been intended to be sporty?

Not sure if you have driven the current 330d, but whilst no "sports car", it's a hell of an every day weapon, and a hell of a lot more fun than a lot of sportier cars I have driven.

245bhp, 6.1 to 60, nice balanced RWD car, limited to 155mph, so hardly short of go, oh and on a run 45mpg+

[Lucas North]

It amazes me why people buy cars they don't like, just so that in years time someone else that likes it will buy it.

Buy a car that you like, you're the one that's using it.

[kambites]

edo said:

Not sure if you have driven the current 330d, but whilst no "sports car", it's a hell of an every day weapon, and a hell of a lot more fun than a lot of sportier cars I have driven.

245bhp, 6.1 to 60, nice balanced RWD car, limited to 155mph, so hardly short of go, oh and on a run 45mpg+

I haven't driven an E9x one, but I've driven several E46s (which is what the OP is talking about). I wouldn't call it sporty at all. I'd probably use the word "capable", but that's a long way from "sporty".

[ipsg.glf]

I've had a manual 330D E46 and I wouldn't have another one. Would definitely consider an auto, though.

[The Wookie]

Have to say I often wish my 123d was Auto, just because I think it would suit it better.

[Motorrad]

If you like driving and are interested in getting decent economy out of the car then the manual gearbox is a must IMO. Hated the auto E46 I had when mine was in for inspection II. A seven series on the other hand..........

[Webber3]

Drive one first. My dealership didn't have a manual demo car, if they'd allowed me to drive one, I would have gone for the auto box.

The gearbox on my old E90 330i M Sport was terrible. I bought the car new and BMW agreed to replace the gearbox after about 12 months, but the replacement, although better was still stiff and notchy when changing through the lower gears.

You really noticed the difference when you got into another car. We hired some crap box in France and the gearbox was a pleasure to use compared to my BM.

[RRS_Staffs]

I bought an E46 years ago and obviously wanted a manual as only old gits drive autos

There was no way I was buying without a test drive however none of the dealers within 1h of central London could get me a demo in a manual

And so I test drove an auto

And was sold on it immediately

Auto 330d was totally the way to go for me

Cheers!

[Matt UK]

Get what you want. There is a resale market for both

[TVR1]

E46 330d and the autobox are about as perfect a combination as BMW made for the E46. Bags of torque and just right ratios made it a hands down winner. In 2006 we where all running 330d Convertibles and no one ever wanted to change.