Auto vs. Manual
Discussion
Did a search but I'd like to get more opinions;
I'd prefer a manual but most of the 5's are automatic, for the purposes of being easier to buy, would an auto detract that much from the driving experience do you think?
Can anyone share experiences of both? I'd be thinking along the line of 530i Sport; I believe the auto boxes on the e39 are excellent?
I'd prefer a manual but most of the 5's are automatic, for the purposes of being easier to buy, would an auto detract that much from the driving experience do you think?
Can anyone share experiences of both? I'd be thinking along the line of 530i Sport; I believe the auto boxes on the e39 are excellent?
Edited by Patrick Bateman on Friday 13th November 18:11
The e39 autobox is pretty good (but no where near as good as the 6 speed auto in the e60). It also saps the performance (and economy) quite a bit. If you are a keen driver the manual is a better bet (the exception being the 530d which works really well as an auto). However 530i manuals are very rare (they seem to be more common on the smaller engines- 520i, 523i and 525i). A 530i sport manual is one of the finest saloon cars ever built (fantastic ride, steering, silky smooth engine, 30+mpg)
Steptronic is good, but full throttle shifts are still auto box (as opposed to automated manual box ie SMG) slow.
You really need to drive one of each to decide. Auto is brilliant for wafting and driving in traffic, but you can't beat a manual for enthuiastic driving. Plus an auto is both slower and less frugal.
I bought an E46 auto as it was the right car even though I wanted a manual. I don't regret it but I don't think I'd have another one unless it was a must or the car was perfect otherwise.
You really need to drive one of each to decide. Auto is brilliant for wafting and driving in traffic, but you can't beat a manual for enthuiastic driving. Plus an auto is both slower and less frugal.
I bought an E46 auto as it was the right car even though I wanted a manual. I don't regret it but I don't think I'd have another one unless it was a must or the car was perfect otherwise.
Meh, on that these sorts of cars I will always pick an auto. Day to day, an automatic is really not going to take you away from the 'driving experience'.
It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
4nonymous said:
Meh, on that these sorts of cars I will always pick an auto. Day to day, an automatic is really not going to take you away from the 'driving experience'.
It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
Therein lies the issue, it'll be my only car.It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
Patrick Bateman said:
4nonymous said:
Meh, on that these sorts of cars I will always pick an auto. Day to day, an automatic is really not going to take you away from the 'driving experience'.
It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
Therein lies the issue, it'll be my only car.It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
4nonymous said:
Patrick Bateman said:
4nonymous said:
Meh, on that these sorts of cars I will always pick an auto. Day to day, an automatic is really not going to take you away from the 'driving experience'.
It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
Therein lies the issue, it'll be my only car.It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
I just don't want to lose out on any fun factor, I haven't driven many cars at all though; my car (manual vectra B) and my dad's Mazda 626 (auto), none that could really be considered properly fun in the first place but I did prefer working the gears when I wasn't around town.
Patrick Bateman said:
4nonymous said:
Patrick Bateman said:
4nonymous said:
Meh, on that these sorts of cars I will always pick an auto. Day to day, an automatic is really not going to take you away from the 'driving experience'.
It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
Therein lies the issue, it'll be my only car.It's awesome in those traffic jams, it's good enough on the B-roads, theres the manual mode if you really want to take a little control over the box and that does a good enough job.
Keep the weekenders manual and keep the daily stuff automatic. That's what I say. You definetly won't regret it around town and on the motorwway...well and in traffic.
I just don't want to lose out on any fun factor, I haven't driven many cars at all though; my car (manual vectra B) and my dad's Mazda 626 (auto), none that could really be considered properly fun in the first place but I did prefer working the gears when I wasn't around town.
Patrick Bateman said:
Fox- said:
I spent months trying to find a 530i Sport manual.
In the end, I found one. No regrets. Performance and economy are better with the manual box.
Ah so best to get looking long before I might actually want it.In the end, I found one. No regrets. Performance and economy are better with the manual box.
How much did you pay for yours and what miles?
I would never buy a manual in diesel guise, and I would never buy a manual in anything bigger than a 3 series.
The E39 530i auto sport is, well I reckon, the best all round BMW ever built.
You can always fit an M3 wheel with paddles, this gives you the best of both worlds then, both hands on the wheel when you need it and the step can change gear quicker than I can in the manual.
Can't really see the paddles in this pic but this was my car with the CSL paddle wheel fitted, was a great mod...
My brother now owns that car and driving it again I do reckon it is better than the 535d I swapped to, more nimble, more fun and more comfy, oh, an it sounds nice which helps.
The E39 530i auto sport is, well I reckon, the best all round BMW ever built.
You can always fit an M3 wheel with paddles, this gives you the best of both worlds then, both hands on the wheel when you need it and the step can change gear quicker than I can in the manual.
Can't really see the paddles in this pic but this was my car with the CSL paddle wheel fitted, was a great mod...
My brother now owns that car and driving it again I do reckon it is better than the 535d I swapped to, more nimble, more fun and more comfy, oh, an it sounds nice which helps.
gizlaroc said:
I would never buy a manual in diesel guise, and I would never buy a manual in anything bigger than a 3 series.
The E39 530i auto sport is, well I reckon, the best all round BMW ever built.
You can always fit an M3 wheel with paddles, this gives you the best of both worlds then, both hands on the wheel when you need it and the step can change gear quicker than I can in the manual.
Can't really see the paddles in this pic but this was my car with the CSL paddle wheel fitted, was a great mod...
My brother now owns that car and driving it again I do reckon it is better than the 535d I swapped to, more nimble, more fun and more comfy, oh, an it sounds nice which helps.
Ooh I like that, how much though?The E39 530i auto sport is, well I reckon, the best all round BMW ever built.
You can always fit an M3 wheel with paddles, this gives you the best of both worlds then, both hands on the wheel when you need it and the step can change gear quicker than I can in the manual.
Can't really see the paddles in this pic but this was my car with the CSL paddle wheel fitted, was a great mod...
My brother now owns that car and driving it again I do reckon it is better than the 535d I swapped to, more nimble, more fun and more comfy, oh, an it sounds nice which helps.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff