Going from Manual to Automatic. How was it?
Discussion
I’ve always had manual cars and I love the feel of changing gear, accelerating, dropping a gear before a corner etc.
I’ve not really driven an auto before.
Looking at some BMW options at the moment and most are auto in the spec and style I like.
For those of you that went from a manual to an auto, how did you find it? I’m worried about losing the involvement in driving. But I see a lot of people recommending automatics that love driving. I must be missing something.
I’ve not really driven an auto before.
Looking at some BMW options at the moment and most are auto in the spec and style I like.
For those of you that went from a manual to an auto, how did you find it? I’m worried about losing the involvement in driving. But I see a lot of people recommending automatics that love driving. I must be missing something.
Went from a manual 987.1 cayman to a zf8 auto box M135i.
As a daily driver I would never go back to manual again. It’s so easy.
For a fun weekend toy manual.
Wife has an auto 911, mustang was Auto, we both agree for daily driven it’s the way forward, especially if your commute is during rush hour traffic.
As a daily driver I would never go back to manual again. It’s so easy.
For a fun weekend toy manual.
Wife has an auto 911, mustang was Auto, we both agree for daily driven it’s the way forward, especially if your commute is during rush hour traffic.
You can manually control the gear changes on most automatics nowadays so you can still maintain that involvement.
The BMW ZF8 is also a lovely gearbox with seamless changes in full auto mode but also very satisfying sharp changes in manual mode, one of the best gearboxes out there in my opinion, and very reliable as well.
Try one, you will be impressed.
I switched to auto boxes about 20 years ago and would never switch back to manual now.
The BMW ZF8 is also a lovely gearbox with seamless changes in full auto mode but also very satisfying sharp changes in manual mode, one of the best gearboxes out there in my opinion, and very reliable as well.
Try one, you will be impressed.
I switched to auto boxes about 20 years ago and would never switch back to manual now.
I had one auto once, a Z4 Coupe.
Gotta admit, for driving to work and back, fantastic.
Bit s
te when out for a blat though. However, it wasn't exactly a state of the art box, and didn't have proper paddles, although I did use the stick like a computer game.
If I was buying that car again, I'd definitely have the manual version. To add insult to injury, the main reason I sold it was because of gearbox issues.
That said, I've tried modern ones and they're a lot better, but I still wouldn't choose one for fun unless there wasn't a manual version (e.g. Alpine A110).
Gotta admit, for driving to work and back, fantastic.
Bit s
te when out for a blat though. However, it wasn't exactly a state of the art box, and didn't have proper paddles, although I did use the stick like a computer game.If I was buying that car again, I'd definitely have the manual version. To add insult to injury, the main reason I sold it was because of gearbox issues.
That said, I've tried modern ones and they're a lot better, but I still wouldn't choose one for fun unless there wasn't a manual version (e.g. Alpine A110).
NDNDNDND said:
Every time I drive an auto I just get bored.
It's a surefire way to turn every journey into a boring, joyless chore.
Cue a lot of people getting very defensive...
Not defensive at all but my daily commute is 40 miles across country. It’s an early morning plod of all limits between 30 mph and SC NSLIt's a surefire way to turn every journey into a boring, joyless chore.
Cue a lot of people getting very defensive...
It’s not enormously exciting so I can’t see why having an manual could possibly make it any different
What would be the difference and make it exciting?
BenS94 said:
I swap between them all the time when getting a new car, automatic is easier and can still be fun and engaging, Manual is clearly an afterthought to those who offer them, BMW do have nice self-shifters, but a lot just feel woolly and ste, auto is better there.
I think Catch one while you can,it won't be long before a New Manual will not even be an option.... I ordered my New M2 with Manual to my displeasure that it was an £600 option over Auto...te, auto is better there.
NDNDNDND said:
Every time I drive an auto I just get bored.
It's a surefire way to turn every journey into a boring, joyless chore.
Cue a lot of people getting very defensive...
Driving in any sort of traffic, dual carriageway, motorway or tedious trunk road is slightly less of a joyless chore when you can stick the adaptive cruise on and go with the flow.It's a surefire way to turn every journey into a boring, joyless chore.
Cue a lot of people getting very defensive...
Manuals were fun when you had cars with narrow power bands and you had to keep them on cam.
Driving can be involving without a clutch. To me, people who think they need a gearlever to stir are missing out on a lot of the other dynamics of driving. I've had them all, including a manual V12. I, for one, and speaking as someone who's raced, am quite content with an auto. It's not giving up!
R6tty said:
Driving can be involving without a clutch. To me, people who think they need a gearlever to stir are missing out on a lot of the other dynamics of driving. I've had them all, including a manual V12. I, for one, and speaking as someone who's raced, am quite content with an auto. It's not giving up!
This ^I don't want to start EV wars, this is just my opinion, I'd take a car with an engine with either gearbox over an EV, it's part of a cars soul and character - heck I'm even enjoying my 3 cylinder in the 2 Series. Something not that long ago I was VERY against in a BMW, especially.
NDNDNDND said:
Every time I drive an auto I just get bored.
It's a surefire way to turn every journey into a boring, joyless chore.
Cue a lot of people getting very defensive...
Very much depends on the car and the auto box. My DCT M2 is an absolute hoot to drive. Stick it in Sport, use the floppy paddles. Marvelous. It's a surefire way to turn every journey into a boring, joyless chore.
Cue a lot of people getting very defensive...
Big plus is I can stick it in full auto mode when I'm in traffic.
Depends entirely on the kind of car being considered and what type of roads you do most of your driving on. Stuck every day on some dreary trudge from suburbia to the office in overcrowded South East England then I'd probably go auto every time.
Living in darkest Aberdeenshire where traffic is non existent and I only rarely even come upon traffic lights then I prefer a manual in most things, only opting for an auto for big wafty cars.
Living in darkest Aberdeenshire where traffic is non existent and I only rarely even come upon traffic lights then I prefer a manual in most things, only opting for an auto for big wafty cars.
Well... I enjoy driving a manual most when I'm either accelerating hard and going up the gearbox, or braking hard and heel and toe downshifting. I don't do either of those things on my motorway commute, or when in stop start traffic through town.
So.... I have an automatic for my daily driver. And a manual for my fun weekend/ track car!
So.... I have an automatic for my daily driver. And a manual for my fun weekend/ track car!
Going back to the OPs question.
Manual for years and years (35ish) constantly travelling for work. Over one million miles easily. A few years ago I was able to opt out of the car scheme and take an allowance. Decided on a 330i but manuals are rare so bought an auto. For a daily I would never go back, especially with slow traffic in any built up area today.
Have a PDK weekend car, would have liked a manual but again much smaller numbers so my budget didn't permit. If I were buying another I would like to get a manual
Track car, sold and being collected tomorrow. Manual all the way
Manual for years and years (35ish) constantly travelling for work. Over one million miles easily. A few years ago I was able to opt out of the car scheme and take an allowance. Decided on a 330i but manuals are rare so bought an auto. For a daily I would never go back, especially with slow traffic in any built up area today.
Have a PDK weekend car, would have liked a manual but again much smaller numbers so my budget didn't permit. If I were buying another I would like to get a manual
Track car, sold and being collected tomorrow. Manual all the way
There are some situations where it’s better, and some situations where it’s worse. But, that’s not to say it’s better or worse overall: it’s just different. No bad thing.i have an auto these days. I’ve become quite fond of the waft factor, and find driving more relaxing that ever.
One piece of advice: for the first few drives, be sure to tuck your left foot by your seat. It’s amazing just how hard a car will stop, and will come as something as a surprise
One piece of advice: for the first few drives, be sure to tuck your left foot by your seat. It’s amazing just how hard a car will stop, and will come as something as a surprise
R6tty said:
Driving can be involving without a clutch. To me, people who think they need a gearlever to stir are missing out on a lot of the other dynamics of driving. I've had them all, including a manual V12. I, for one, and speaking as someone who's raced, am quite content with an auto. It's not giving up!
I can actually see this point of view to be fair. My Mini is a manual, but has rev matching which does actually remove some of the work, and I do find I can concentrate more on the driving itself without worrying about my blipping or heal and toe (which I'm rubbish at!). A great compromise for me as I keep the bits I like and outsource some of the footwork magic to the car 
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