330i coupe manual or auto

[TX1]

Am in the process of changing my e46.
I was after a 335 or a 330 however the possibility of a turbo breakdown after guarantee has run out has put me off the 335 so the 330 seems a safer bet.
Locally there are no manual 330's at approved dealers so yesterday I decided to test drive a 330 auto with the paddles.
The 20 minute or so test drive was ok car drives nicely however as I never owned an auto before I was left a bit confused.
I do not use the car much as use another work vehicle most of the week however I would like to use the car a couple times a week and have some fun.
Will an auto be able to do this ?
I am trying to save myself a 180 mile round trip just for the sake of trying a manual out which I would not buy even if I preferred the box as it as it has 19" wheels and light colored leather.
Also wondered if this was a reasonable price for a 330 se from approved dealer.

£18,995
29,534 miles
Additional equip

18" light alloy Star-spoke style 189
Automatic transmission and paddles
Black trim. high-gloss
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
BMW 6 Disc CD Changer
BMW Assist
Leather interior
Navigation-system Professional
Park Distance Control (PDC). front and r
SA3 Pricing Rule for 620 Voice Control
Voice Control System

Also is there something I should be aware of with this model.
Would appreciate some views, thanks for looking.

Edited by TX1 on Monday 8th March 17:31

[PistonReg]

Personally I'd only consider an auto if living and driving in a large city frequently. I didn't find them fun when I wanted to go fast and the fuel economy is noticably worse. Good luck!

[andyscole]

I have a 330 auto and a 330 manual. The auto is great for long drives or city driving or when with family. The manual is great for those times on your own when the traffic isn't too heavy, mpg is better also. Make your choice on what driving you do most...

[DavidLScott]

I had a 330 coupe auto for 6 years but when my need for town driving reduced I started getting bored with it.
I went to a 130i M Sport manual nearly a year ago and hardly miss the auto at all although I might do if I get stuck in a slow moving jam when I go on holiday soon.

[dibbly_dobbler]

Agree with the above sentiments - if your motivation is 'fun' then I would go manual. If chugging around in traffic then auto.

My tuppence worth would be to go for an MSport with manual - manuals are a bit cheaper than autos so you could probably get a manual MSport for roughly the same as that auto se. Just a thought

[J888SXY]

Isn't the 330 a single turbo, 325 non-turbo, 335 biturbo (except the brand new one)?

[philmots]

J888SXY said:

Isn't the 330 a single turbo, 325 non-turbo, 335 biturbo (except the brand new one)?

325 and 330 are NA 3.0's in different state of tune.

old 335i was twin turbo, new one is single turbo. (same power)

[christer]

TX1 said:

I would like to use the car a couple times a week and have some fun.

Edited by TX1 on Monday 8th March 17:31

TX1

I have a slightly different question/point. As you are looking for a car for fun and occasional use, have you thought about getting something non-saloon based? For the sort of budget you have there may be some more "fun" options around - but it depends on your definition of fun of course!

Some might include:
Porsche Boxster
Z4
Lotus

And there are of course many others....just a thought.... (as personalyl I am not sure I would classify a 330 as a car I would own to have fun in - no disrespect intended).

[NoelWatson]

TX1 said:

so the 330 seems a safer bet.

Ho ho!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[TX1]

Taken the plunge and am picking car up on Tuesday.
Its a 2006 auto model,space grey with 30k and few extras from a local BMW dealer.
Drove it the second time and enjoyed it even more than the first time as wife was not in the back so could put my foot down a bit.
Have to say that straight 6 has a fantastic sound to it when driven in sport mode, the thing I have to get used to is not brake with my left foot as salesman nearly had a a heart attack.
Noel have read your post before as was doing some research on the car, I hope I am not so unlucky, keeping fingers crossed.
Cannot wait till Tuesday, will post some pics when I get it.

[Sticks.]

I'm surprised no one preferred the auto. I wouldn't go back to manual. Auto is best of all worlds - lazy cruiser, easy in town, manual sport mode for fun - apart from a bit less mpg.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy it.

[Urban Sports]

My E90 325i is great as a manual, I do a fair bit of stop start driving on my commute, that is the only time I would want an auto, the rest of the time the manual is great.

I don't mind auto's but I do prefer a manual.

Because of the nature of my commute I only get 22mpg, god knows what the auto would do

[DavidLScott]

Sticks. said:

I'm surprised no one preferred the auto. I wouldn't go back to manual. Auto is best of all worlds - lazy cruiser, easy in town, manual sport mode for fun - apart from a bit less mpg.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy it.

Oddly, I never really got into using the manual option other than for overtaking. It never seemed that natural and I once drove for about 15 miles on a nice back road in 3rd until I realised what I had done.
My wife always used to flinch when I tried to subtly ease the gear lever over into sport as she knew what was coming.