Can o' worms opened. Manual V auto.

[Blanchimont]

This isn't a autos stuck, manuals are the best post. It's more a question.

I've got an auto M135i currently and whilst effective, and quick, it's not exciting. It's perfect as a daily, but I no longer need a daily as I work from home a lot, and parking is impossible in my work, so I either bus it, or cycle. (cue the many jokes!)

I'm thinking of selling the the 135i and buying a more performance orientated car.

This comes to my main question - Would you buy a DCT car, or get a proper manual equipped car?

It's between 2 cars, a V8 M3, and a DC5 type R.

Would I have more fun in the manual type R, or would the M3 engine be a proper laugh?

[Rawwr]

I like manuals, it gives me something to do. I have a car and two bikes at the moment. The car is manual, one bike is a dual-clutch auto and the other bike is manual but with a quickshifter and auto-blipper. I don't know why I just typed all that.

[Pistonheader101]

Strictly weekend toy - manual

[Fastdruid]

While I'd never say never as things change...unless they do I wouldn't buy an auto car, that includes DCT.

If there isn't a manual option I'm not interested.

[Bumblebee7]

I would go manual. I use my motorbike during the week so car is only used after work or weekends. I want an estate with a decent engine and cannot seem to find one with a manual gearbox. With the advent of electric cars and most people changing to auto it makes a nice change, especially if for a weekend car.

[Ninja59]

Honestly even for the weekend now I would just go with the ZF 8HP.

I just find the 8HP takes everything I want in a car. Probably driven because even at the weekend there is just so much traffic even then. I began to resent my MX5 manual box....which sounds a silly statement, but with the level of traffic we have it just became a bugbear.

I am no fan of DCT personally speaking, so I do have a very biased view. Even in the M4 I found it a bit clunky at slower speeds in comparison with the 8HP, even if it can shift a bit quicker.

[tektas]

I would take the M3. The V8 itself is reason enough to be honest.

[Krikkit]

Why not a manual M3? Best of both worlds!

Honestly though, for a fun car it's manual all the way for me. A daily which sits in traffic = auto.

[RS Grant]

https://youtu.be/oaUCdAdaaj8

Saw this video a few days ago and thought it explained my Auto vs Manual viewpoint pretty well.

I had the choice of waiting (~9 months eventually!) for a suitably specified manual-equipped car or go for one of the many suitably specified DCT-equipped cars available when I was looking for my E92 M3; but I went for the manual for similar reasons mentioned in the video above.

It's a weekend/fun-only car for me and I don't regret the choice I made at all, ever.

Autos only become a realistic option for me once the car starts being strangled by traffic and a grim commute on a fairly regular basis, that's when the appeal of a manual gearbox rapidly drops off for me and I'd reluctantly conceed that an automatic was the best option.

[Ron99]

As others have said:
For fun and entertainment or a small car: manual.
For daily chores in a medium-large car: auto.

[Blanchimont]

It's probably also worth adding that the car will be tracked too.

I must admit I am swaying towards manuals. I've not tried a manual M3, but the manual boxes I've used in BMW's before have been a little notchy, and not very nice (to me) These weren't M cars, so they may be much better.

[culpz]

To answer the question for yourself, you need to ask why you're not finding the M135i exciting. Is it soley because of the gearbox, is it something else, or is it a combination of a few things including the gearbox? Maybe it's not even the choice of gearbox at all. That's all down to you and your personal preferences.

I'm a convert to automatics now and i'm talking about covering most bases. I don't find changing gear using a clutch pedal and a gearstick particularly fun for me anymore, whether it be stuck in traffic or when out for a spirited drive. The BMW manuals i've driven have always been quite notchy and unpleasant.

[Martin_Hx]

I had (well sat in the garage now) a EP3 Civic Type R for about 12 years and now have a 1 year old 125d with the 8 speed sport auto.

The 1 series is so boring to drive quickly, the civic was so much fun to buzz around in and was enjoyable to drive quickly, changing gears! It did have a lovely box though.

Something V8 and manual would be nice, anything with a V8 is fun imo

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for a Manual M3 then you've ticked both boxes.

[457892345]

There is something to be said for working around the quirks of an auto box to get the most out of it, by how you work the accelerator or by taking a turn just right is quite satisfying but its not as engaging as a manual, in anything remotely modern the sport setting in an auto will be quicker and allow you to focus on the other aspects of driving more + you can just use the paddles when you feel like doing it yourself so for most is a logical choice.

Choice depends on your usage and preference but there is some fun to be had on both sides.

Edited by 457892345 on Wednesday 20th June 18:38

[cerb4.5lee]

I didn't even consider the DCT when I was looking to buy my E92 M3 and it had to be the manual. Although the manual isn't that great in the M3 in fairness, and I'd argue that the DCT does suit the engine better.

Having said that though what also persuaded me to go for the manual was the fact that you can't buy many V8's nowadays that come with three pedals. Its two pedal central in the performance car world now.

[DoubleD]

You need to test both so that you can decide. For me, I find automatics rather boring, but others like them.

Only you can decide