E46 manual vs auto

[anonymous-user]

Hi all, did a search for this (both on PH and the net) but most of the topics seem to be about M3's. I'm looking at picking up an E46 over the next few months, probably one of the midrange straight 6's. Originally I wanted an auto for the wafting factor (all I seem to do these days is either blast down the motorway or sit in town traffic) but I've seen a few tidy manuals around. What are the two like to live with? Other than personal preference is there anything that should steer me towards one or the other? Not had an autobox before so I don't know how robust they tend to be.

[BlueProp]

Symbolica said:

Hi all, did a search for this (both on PH and the net) but most of the topics seem to be about M3's. I'm looking at picking up an E46 over the next few months, probably one of the midrange straight 6's. Originally I wanted an auto for the wafting factor (all I seem to do these days is either blast down the motorway or sit in town traffic) but I've seen a few tidy manuals around. What are the two like to live with? Other than personal preference is there anything that should steer me towards one or the other? Not had an autobox before so I don't know how robust they tend to be.

I had a 2003 325i auto/steptronic a couple of years ago. The autobox does have failure stories on web forums, but so soes the manual (clutch/DMF), but the auto is a lot more to rectify.

Best test on the ZF auto in the E46 is make sure it reverses properly, meaning it moves as it should. One of the first signs of failure is a loss of reverse.

[Matt UK]

I've had a manaul e46 320i and an auto 530i auto. The auto suits the 5 well and is very smooth.

No point in a mid-range six, just get the 330i - mpg and running costs don't vary much across the range.

[anonymous-user]

Matt UK said:

No point in a mid-range six, just get the 330i - mpg and running costs don't vary much across the range.

Interesting... I shall investigate

[obscene]

As above, get the 330... oh, and a manual