getting a '06 X3, i can't decide between the 6 speed manual or the 5 speed automatic. they are both no cost options. i love the manual shift, but everyone in the house can't drive a manual but they can learn. but the auto is really quality, give a smooth shift or a high performance shifts.

Get the auto if you're the only one who can drive a manual. The manual will also be very difficult to sell later.

aus is right that the manual will be harder to sell, not many people want a manual luxury SUV. However... they are so much fun.

Get the manual. I did..... Why should you?
1) Much, much more fun and control.
2) Friends won't ask to borrow your car.
3) It would be good if everyone in your family knows how to drive a stick.
4) Why spend the next 2, 3, 4, 5 or more years compromising on what you drive just to please some hypothetical buyer for your car.
5) You live NJ surrounded by millions of people ... somebody will want a stick.
6) If you trade the car - the transmission choice won't make much of difference- the Kelly Blue Book and NADA values are the same for manuals and autos.
7) Did I mention the manual is much more fun?

thanks for all the posts

the reason why i posted was because i didnt know if the X3 was sporty enough for the manual to be nice. because in trucks usually the manual is only available in the cheap base version. if i was getting a 330ci it would most def be a manual. i dodnt know whether to just rock the truck as a luxo or if its sporty or fun enough to get the stick. plus all the points u guys said. how quality is the 6spd? is it as relyable as the auto?

The x3 is a pretty sporty car. I think it handles really well for what it is. I'm pretty sure the manual transmission is MORE reliable than the automtic, at least, that has been how it has been for BMW transmissions now for decades.