E60 530d - Auto / Manual

[Hell27]

Anyone out there with experience of both 6 speed and autos on the E60? Looking for a 530d, but unsure of which box.........
Manual - more drivers choice, quicker, better acceleration, mpg, less tax.
Auto - more commonplace, easier to drive, smoother, better in traffic.

I'd be interested in hearing of any experiences from either camp.

Cheers people!

[CS111]

It depends alot on what type of driving you will be doing and what you personally prefer.
Most are autos but mine is a manual, simply becuase i like driving manuals

[welwynnick]

I think there's a surprisingly big difference in fuel consumption, in favour of the manual. I only have a diesel manual, but I'm always hearing stories about how people are disappointed with the consumption of their auto.

In general I think the statutory fuel consumption tests figures artificially favour autos for some reason, but even then, diesel autos almost always come out significantly worse than manuals, and I would have been e xpecting to pay around £100 a year more tax if I had got an auto.

Nick