330i/335i M sport, Man or Auto?
Discussion
Hello
We are thinking of changing our beloved civic type R to a "sensible family car"
Two cars that have caught our eye are the 330i and 335i touring in m sport guise. We would prefer a manual box but It has been suggested to me that given time the automatic would be a better choice for these two engines.
I have had a brief drive in an auto 330i and enjoyed the car but had this niggle that once the tiptronic "touring car" fantasy has worn off it might all get a bit boring and I would hanker after a manual. Looking around it appears that most second hand examples of these two cars are auto's, am I wasting my time trying to find manual examples.
Out in left field, how would an Alpina D3 (std not bi turbo) stack up as a more economical drivers car against these two?
Cheers in advance.
We are thinking of changing our beloved civic type R to a "sensible family car"
Two cars that have caught our eye are the 330i and 335i touring in m sport guise. We would prefer a manual box but It has been suggested to me that given time the automatic would be a better choice for these two engines.
I have had a brief drive in an auto 330i and enjoyed the car but had this niggle that once the tiptronic "touring car" fantasy has worn off it might all get a bit boring and I would hanker after a manual. Looking around it appears that most second hand examples of these two cars are auto's, am I wasting my time trying to find manual examples.
Out in left field, how would an Alpina D3 (std not bi turbo) stack up as a more economical drivers car against these two?
Cheers in advance.
Tinkerbell said:
Hello
We are thinking of changing our beloved civic type R to a "sensible family car"
Two cars that have caught our eye are the 330i and 335i touring in m sport guise. We would prefer a manual box but It has been suggested to me that given time the automatic would be a better choice for these two engines.
I have had a brief drive in an auto 330i and enjoyed the car but had this niggle that once the tiptronic "touring car" fantasy has worn off it might all get a bit boring and I would hanker after a manual. Looking around it appears that most second hand examples of these two cars are auto's, am I wasting my time trying to find manual examples.
Out in left field, how would an Alpina D3 (std not bi turbo) stack up as a more economical drivers car against these two?
Cheers in advance.
Hi Steve.We are thinking of changing our beloved civic type R to a "sensible family car"
Two cars that have caught our eye are the 330i and 335i touring in m sport guise. We would prefer a manual box but It has been suggested to me that given time the automatic would be a better choice for these two engines.
I have had a brief drive in an auto 330i and enjoyed the car but had this niggle that once the tiptronic "touring car" fantasy has worn off it might all get a bit boring and I would hanker after a manual. Looking around it appears that most second hand examples of these two cars are auto's, am I wasting my time trying to find manual examples.
Out in left field, how would an Alpina D3 (std not bi turbo) stack up as a more economical drivers car against these two?
Cheers in advance.
I've an 08 330i manual saloon (272ps version) and I can confirm it is a very lovely thing indeed. I think you should be able to find a 330i in manual but probably les likely to find a 335i. In my humble opinion the manual would be the thing to go for with an n/a petrol engine which might guide you towards the 330. The economy is stunning as well !
I like Alpinas but you're not getting a straight six with the D3 so that's pretty fundamental...
Manual 335is are extremely hard to find in saloon or (especially) touring form.
Unless you are prepared to wait/travel/be flexible on spec you may have to go for a 330i if you want manual. It all depends how you like your drive - I am a big fan of N/A petrol engines with a manual box so I know what I'd choose.
However if you prefer low down shove and 'easier access' to your performance then an auto 335i will suffice.
Forget the D3 unless you are doing mega miles, and please ignore anyone who mentions other diesels as, like their cars, they drone on and smell funny.
Unless you are prepared to wait/travel/be flexible on spec you may have to go for a 330i if you want manual. It all depends how you like your drive - I am a big fan of N/A petrol engines with a manual box so I know what I'd choose.
However if you prefer low down shove and 'easier access' to your performance then an auto 335i will suffice.
Forget the D3 unless you are doing mega miles, and please ignore anyone who mentions other diesels as, like their cars, they drone on and smell funny.
Depends on where you live.
I'm in London and have to say that I love my auto box for most of the time. No it won't be quite as rewarding as a manual when you're up for some serious fun, but being fair it's getting a lot more difficult to do that nowadays. Additionally, you can stick the car in manual override, which gets the experience a little closer to a manual, and if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you could try left foot braking. The result is a bit like a touring car racer, i.e. left foot braking whilst using a sequential gearbox. There still isn't quite the level of control that you get from a full on manual, but it has it's own benefits.
I'm in London and have to say that I love my auto box for most of the time. No it won't be quite as rewarding as a manual when you're up for some serious fun, but being fair it's getting a lot more difficult to do that nowadays. Additionally, you can stick the car in manual override, which gets the experience a little closer to a manual, and if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you could try left foot braking. The result is a bit like a touring car racer, i.e. left foot braking whilst using a sequential gearbox. There still isn't quite the level of control that you get from a full on manual, but it has it's own benefits.
I travel on the motorway alot and deal with rush hour, thus meaning the Auto is perfick !
I just stick to the principle that my daily runner will always be an auto, and the weekender a manual
The auto is sufficient to do hooning, as in the real world it having an auto in twistys has rarely been a problem for me. For overtakes it just requires you to either plan the overtake including the kick down time etc, or to just whip it into sport or manual first.......
In my honest opinion the auto gives you both words, manual if you really want, and an auto. It just makes life so much easier.
Ps I hope that anyone who says the Auto boxes are crap in the BMWS have driven one for at least a 1000 miles rural and urban
I just stick to the principle that my daily runner will always be an auto, and the weekender a manual
The auto is sufficient to do hooning, as in the real world it having an auto in twistys has rarely been a problem for me. For overtakes it just requires you to either plan the overtake including the kick down time etc, or to just whip it into sport or manual first.......
In my honest opinion the auto gives you both words, manual if you really want, and an auto. It just makes life so much easier.
Ps I hope that anyone who says the Auto boxes are crap in the BMWS have driven one for at least a 1000 miles rural and urban
Edited by ipwn on Friday 29th May 18:13
I think if going 335i then it has to be auto, it just suits the engine perfectly, there is power across the whole range and the rev range is short at around 5500rpm so you don't get that sense of fun working the gears anyway.
The 330i would be my choice over the two engines, I loved my 335i but ultimately I found it a bit souless for the above reasons really.
Plus the 330i returns so much better mpg that it does make a real difference, I managed 38mpg in my loaner over 2 days and 500 miles, the 335i would have been 28mpg doing that run.
I think a manual or auto in that engine would be good, you will always sell it on again no problem as there are so few around.
D3??
Hmm, my wife had a 320d sport touring and that was chipped to 210bhp, and it was pretty impressive, light and nimble, would get to 60mph in 7 seconds and would would keep up with things like Audi 3.0tdi avants which surprised a few people.
But it is a diesel, it has around 2500rpm that you can use and therefore in manual guise it becomes really hard work and not much fun, you are constantly working the gears on everything but motorway work.
So I would only consider it in auto, it suits the diesel perfectly, only problem with that is the auto returns around 33-43mpg depending on driving style, which meant right now the 330i would cost no more to run, plus you have a lovely sounding straight 6, a proper rev range and a call that has some soul and isn't just a mode of transport.
The 330i would be my choice over the two engines, I loved my 335i but ultimately I found it a bit souless for the above reasons really.
Plus the 330i returns so much better mpg that it does make a real difference, I managed 38mpg in my loaner over 2 days and 500 miles, the 335i would have been 28mpg doing that run.
I think a manual or auto in that engine would be good, you will always sell it on again no problem as there are so few around.
D3??
Hmm, my wife had a 320d sport touring and that was chipped to 210bhp, and it was pretty impressive, light and nimble, would get to 60mph in 7 seconds and would would keep up with things like Audi 3.0tdi avants which surprised a few people.
But it is a diesel, it has around 2500rpm that you can use and therefore in manual guise it becomes really hard work and not much fun, you are constantly working the gears on everything but motorway work.
So I would only consider it in auto, it suits the diesel perfectly, only problem with that is the auto returns around 33-43mpg depending on driving style, which meant right now the 330i would cost no more to run, plus you have a lovely sounding straight 6, a proper rev range and a call that has some soul and isn't just a mode of transport.
dxb335d said:
Gor for the 335i, easier to drive. Effortessly quick also.
But also a hell of a lot less interesting because it is so effortless, so depends what you want from your car really, something that you have to push quite hard but very rewarding, or something that always has the power on tap making it more relaxing. gizlaroc said:
dxb335d said:
Gor for the 335i, easier to drive. Effortessly quick also.
But also a hell of a lot less interesting because it is so effortless, so depends what you want from your car really, something that you have to push quite hard but very rewarding, or something that always has the power on tap making it more relaxing. If your into your cars, go for the 335i tune it up. Id prefer a manual one. Like you said though it suits the 335i engine. He is buying a touring after all...
If he wants a involving drive, i suggest he buys an ariel atom.
dxb335d said:
gizlaroc said:
dxb335d said:
Gor for the 335i, easier to drive. Effortessly quick also.
But also a hell of a lot less interesting because it is so effortless, so depends what you want from your car really, something that you have to push quite hard but very rewarding, or something that always has the power on tap making it more relaxing. If your into your cars, go for the 335i tune it up. Id prefer a manual one. Like you said though it suits the 335i engine. He is buying a touring after all...
If he wants a involving drive, i suggest he buys an ariel atom.
I have a 330Ci auto, and if I could buy again I'd probably hold off for a six speed manual, as there are times that the benefits of the auto box are outweighed by the little niggles.
A 6-speed box, set in (say) fourth, would have enough range and the engine have enough torque to basically cover most driving needs without the need to change. Factor in cruise control (standard) and it's basically an automatic except it's manual. Errr...
A 6-speed box, set in (say) fourth, would have enough range and the engine have enough torque to basically cover most driving needs without the need to change. Factor in cruise control (standard) and it's basically an automatic except it's manual. Errr...
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