Six cylinder BMW - Manual or Auto?

[DEEMAN1]

Which is the best option for a E46 6 Cylinder BMW (328i sport)?

I would prefer a manual with a sweet engine like the 328i but most of the ones for sale are auto.
Is there a reason for this, was the manual gearbox not as good?

What are the autos like to drive?

Many thanks

[slipstream 1985]

DEEMAN1 said:

Which is the best option for a E46 6 Cylinder BMW (328i sport)?

I would prefer a manual with a sweet engine like the 328i but most of the ones for sale are auto.
Is there a reason for this, was the manual gearbox not as good?

What are the autos like to drive?

Many thanks

if town and motorway driving only and as a car as a "tool" then auto. If you actually care about driver involvement then manual all the time.

[Motorrad]

Manual box is less prone to fking up. The auto box suits the way these cars are used in 90% of situations.


Same applies to the 5 series E39 which is why I bought a manual. They are also more economical. I got an easy 29mpg combined out of my E46 330ci manual.

[Jimmyarm]

Those earlier auto boxes blunt the (percieved) performance quite a lot IMO, they suit the bigger 5 series but I prefer the manual in the baby model

[david_h]

I was disappointed with how bad the auto box is in the 330ci, with the 530i I could forgive it as it is more of a motorway cruiser and less involving to drive.

Also mpg w as disappointing on my 330ci auto for the performance available.

[Herman Toothrot]

I'd go biggest engine 3ltr, I have just replaced an Audi a6 2.7T Quattro with an E46 325 - I thought the smaller car wouldn't feel too slow, but it really is sluggish unless it's doing 6000rpm which in normal commuting etc isn't where you are in the rev range. I like the auto box though and for a road car can't seem much reason to go manual.