What do you folks think of the manual vs. automatic? I might not be used to the mt on the bmw but it felt a little rough. Rougher than my old GSR. The automatic was pretty smooth even during the gear change.

I'm getting ready to buy a 335i and deciding which one to get!

The manual car will hold more resale value and be easier to sell.

Plus, it's inherently simplier to fix and, as a rule, are less problematic. You'll also lose less horsepower to parasitic loss.

Plus, manual is, uh, just more fun!

If you are driving a manual now and you still love driving the manual buy the manual. I've been driving nothing but stick since 1983. For me my next car will be an auto. I just don't enjoy the stick as much as i used too specially in traffic.

I believe that you have more control and feel with the MT. However, if I lived in an area with heavy traffic, the AT is the way to go. Fwiw, I tested the AT and didn't like the shift points when I was just driving mildly. I really needed to keep my foot into the gas to keep it from shifting in the "old man's mode".

The AT shifts better than you ever will. The MT is more fun than the AT ever will be. Take your pick. =]

What do you folks think of the manual vs. automatic? I might not be used to the mt on the bmw but it felt a little rough. Rougher than my old GSR. The automatic was pretty smooth even during the gear change.

I'm getting ready to buy a 335i and deciding which one to get!

Hi, this is my first post here.

My last car was an Audi A4 with a 5 speed manual transmission, which is what I liked driving, so I was looking for a stick in a BMW 335 sedan. The manuals were harder to find - it seems the dealers out here order more auto's, so I ended up with the auto. Now I'm really glad I have the auto. For one, it's a tremendous performance transmission. The steptronic shifting is right on the money in manual mode. Even in auto, performace shifting is fine. There is plenty of engine resistance in downshifting too, similar to a manual clutch. It's just a sweet transmission.

In city driving, I kind of think the manual transmissions in general are a thing of the past. Now we have cell phones and I-pods, digital radio, etc. and you need your hands free to work these devices.

My only complaint about the auto is it kind of kicks in hard right off the line. I have to take it easy on the gas pedal for a smooth start, or the car lurches forward. There is so much torque.

Anyway, I recommend the auto if you drive mostly in city, or a manual if you like to have fun on the open roads, highways, and mountains.

Chris

Most of the reasons for getting a manual have been listed here as have the reasons for Auto except that in most cases a manual will get you a little better MPG. Which is something to really think on these days, with gas prices what they are and only getting worse. I know BMW claims it is the same, but they have in small print varies according to driving habits. Fact is you have much more control over the engines speed with that manual. I forgot to mention I have gotten 29MPG consistantly on Highway and about 24 in town with my manual with normal driving habits...whatever that means.

The MT is better after the CDV mod ;)

Rougher than a Honda? The only reason why it's "rougher" is that the engine actually produces torque, I've yet to feel car with actual TQ that is silky smooth, but that is because it has to deal with lots more force.

And I've driven many cars and the MT on my BMW is just as smooth as anything.

It is much easier to sell an automatic of thinking about resale. The majority of people out there do not want a manual. That's why the dealers order most with automatics.

MTs are more of an enthusiast car and will be more desirable than AUTO in certain circumstances. So there is some truth to that statement.

It is much easier to sell an automatic of thinking about resale. The majority of people out there do not want a manual. That's why the dealers order most with automatics.

Even the lease quotes on the 3 series advertised in the paper all have one option listed - automatic transmission. BMW apparently prefers leased cars not having MT.

That don't matter, they are just trying to attract the average Joe off the street.

The manual car will hold more resale value and be easier to sell.

Plus, it's inherently simplier to fix and, as a rule, are less problematic. You'll also lose less horsepower to parasitic loss.

Plus, manual is, uh, just more fun!

Manual is the way to go. Thhis is my first BMW (328I conv) with manual transmission. I love driving it. I cannot wait till the snow, SALT and sand disapperas so I can drive it again.

In the United States an automatic transmission is FAR FAR more desirable then a manual. Manual transmission drivers are a niche market in the U.S. and a great many folks don't even have clue how to drive a manual these days.

I agree that to an enthusiast a manual might be more desirable but when it comes time to sell your car you are going to get more hits from non-enthusiasts and if you trade you will take a hit for the manual.

Manual's, however are much more fun to drive, even if in today's world automatic transmissions are as good if not better for overall performance then their manual counterparts in many cases.

As to the smoothness issue, like was said above the more power and torque involved plays a part in this as well as the fact that Honda makes a damn good manual transmission and there is no taking away from that.

Don't forget you save some money getting the manual. This may offset any hit you take at resale time.

Don't forget you save some money getting the manual. This may offset any hit you take at resale time.

Very good point here.

Get the manual. It's perfect. Well, it's perfect once you remove or replace the CDV with a modified one. Just do a search on this and other forums for CDV or clutch delay valve. It's a cheap part if you order the modified OEM valve and it's very easy to swap out. It shifts buttery smooth and always engages exactly how I want it to. I've sat in Southern California traffic on the freeways thinking about my decision to buy a manual this time (after 5 years with an automatic)... and I just smile and know that I made the right decision. I even love it in stop and go traffic because that small sacrifice is well worth the enjoyment I get of driving it and shifting through 6 gears all day.

Go for the manual. It's more fun plus your wife, neighbor, boss or children will never want to drive it!

If you are driving a manual now and you still love driving the manual buy the manual.

Nobody can say it better than that.

In the United States an automatic transmission is FAR FAR more desirable then a manual. Manual transmission drivers are a niche market in the U.S. and a great many folks don't even have clue how to drive a manual these days.

I agree that to an enthusiast a manual might be more desirable but when it comes time to sell your car you are going to get more hits from non-enthusiasts and if you trade you will take a hit for the manual. .

I would say that a BMW is a niche car anyway.

I have never had a problem selling my manuals. My one and only automatic sold also, but only after a long parade of tire kickers. So my experience has been that while the number of tire kickers is reduced when advertising a manual, the number of serious buyers is not.

IMO The lack of manuals in the 3 series says more about the car’s evolution than it does about transmissions in general. After all even Aston Martin has gone back to a MT in the DBS.

I had two previous performance cars, both were sticks and fun to drive. My 335i is auto, and much more fun to drive thanks to DS mode and the paddles. I toyed with the idea of manual vs. auto before the purchase, and I hoped that I wouldn't have any regrets afterwards.

No regrets here at all!!! I used to be one hell of a manual driver, but the auto shifts better than I ever could. In most cars, the manual is faster than its auto counterpart, but not necessarily in the 335i. All things equal, the MT driver would need to hit every shift perfectly and at the perfect shift point just to stay even with the AT.

Test drive them both, see which one you like best and which one is likely to work best for your driving conditions and habits.

All great replies! I was actually quite taken with the AT (I must be getting old or something) as I really enjoyed it, though I've been driving MT for the last 20 years. But also I was thinking resale as well as probably only enthusiast would want it years down the road. I agree that someone that just wants a used bimmer would probably want automatic. Going to the dealer to check it out again!

It is much easier to sell an automatic of thinking about resale. The majority of people out there do not want a manual. That's why the dealers order most with automatics.

There's no doubt about it. But I wouldn't let that drive my decision. It boils down to what you like, want, "gotta have" the most.

Rougher than a Honda? The only reason why it's "rougher" is that the engine actually produces torque, I've yet to feel car with actual TQ that is silky smooth, but that is because it has to deal with lots more force.

And I've driven many cars and the MT on my BMW is just as smooth as anything.

Honda shifters > BMW (and most other cars).

I agree with the traffic point made earlier mostly because I'm not yet willing to admit that I'm aging...

That being said, the AT with the paddle shofters is SO much fun. I agree, not as much control or "pure" driving experience as an MT but for a daily driver I want the convenience of AT.

Sport mode with the paddles is surprisingly responsive for when I want to have fun.

Good luck

My wife ordered my 335i in January of last year. We picked it up in May. I always wanted a 3 series and she ordered it loaded to the gills including AT. I nearly cried when I saw it was AT. I have come to love the tranny now. I don't like the paddle shifters they are too small but I get the best of both worlds with this car. Great in rush hour and outstanding on the track. I only wish it had a locker out back.

I've driven MT's for the last 15 years and my last was a RSX Type-S. I personally preferred my 335i in AT. Sometimes I just got tired of the whole clutch/stick thing, it does nothing for me anymore. Living in north NJ there are not enough open roads to enjoy it. But it is up to your preference. It is an equally enjoyable machine with either tranny.

In the United States an automatic transmission is FAR FAR more desirable then a manual. Manual transmission drivers are a niche market in the U.S. and a great many folks don't even have clue how to drive a manual these days.

I agree that to an enthusiast a manual might be more desirable but when it comes time to sell your car you are going to get more hits from non-enthusiasts and if you trade you will take a hit for the manual.

Manual's, however are much more fun to drive, even if in today's world automatic transmissions are as good if not better for overall performance then their manual counterparts in many cases.

As to the smoothness issue, like was said above the more power and torque involved plays a part in this as well as the fact that Honda makes a damn good manual transmission and there is no taking away from that.

+1

This is what I say all the time.

You ride in a car with AT
You DRIVE a car with MT

If anything people should learn MT so you can drive anywhere in the world. You still rent MT in Europe :)

You ride in a car with AT
You DRIVE a car with MT

So what would you be doing with the new DKG (http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080117.004/new-bmw-m-dkg-transmission)? :)

DSG/Dual Clutch/ Clutchless Manual are "in betweeners" built for making the car faster in stats. I think if you read/follow the super car world and read about people who test these cars with DSG/F1-type gear boxes they never really seem to like them as much as MT.

Technology doesn't always equate to more fun.

Technology doesn't always equate to more fun.

100% agree.

There are several automatics not to mention the DSG type setups that are technically superior to any true manual transmission and if one is simply looking for the best times, winning the race etc. one would be smarter to let the newer technologies take control. As I said in my early post many "automatic and automatic-esq" type boxes are technically superior to their manual counterparts these days.

That being said there is just something intangible to rowing your own gears in a traditional manual transmission. Doesn't have to be going fast, doesn't have to be hitting the perfect down shift, it simply has to do with zoning out and becoming one with the car and "driving".

I am not a good manual transmission operator. I am not going to win any races with one but damn if I don't like the sensation of rowing through those gears or hitting that perfect down shift or simply feeling the snick snick of a good shifter.

Just like magazine racing, It's about way more then performance and some folks get it and some don't, doesn't make either right or wrong.

Most of what I wanted to post has already been posted, but manual is the way to go and it's not even close.

I started out as a MT guy for my first 10 years of driving. Back then there were 2 speed AT's and 4 speed MT's. I then went AT's for decades because my wife doesn't drive a stick. Now I'm back to MT and I love it.

A few things are clear:

- AT's keep getting better
- The # speeds with an AT (6) now = #speeds with a MT (6).
- You'll be more likely to miss having a MT in a low powered car than a powerful car
- The AT in the 335 is better the AT in the 328
- The 335 has PLENTY of power

So, a 335 AT is a great car. You are paying a much smaller penalty in terms of power and responsiveness than most people with an AT. And you are saving the hassle of shifting, especially in traffic.

For me, I just cannot imagine buying a high performance car that is not manual. I don't really care how good the AT is, I prefer to shift my own gears. I have driven with paddles, etc and hated them. It just does not feel right to me. However, this really is personal preference, you need to buy the car that you want. Afterall, you will be the one that has to drive it everyday.

Common the whole idea of having a car such as the 335 is to be able to shift through the power. You can't beat a feeling like that !

Most of what I wanted to post has already been posted, but manual is the way to go and it's not even close.


spoken like a true closed minded person.

Common the whole idea of having a car such as the 335 is to be able to shift through the power. You can't beat a feeling like that !

yeah.....but sucks when you eat the dust of the person driving the AT.

spoken like a true closed minded person.
It's not close minded.

From what I've always read about people who like AT more is that they compromise.

"I drive in traffic'

"I can't move my leg"

"my wife drives it"

MT is more of a "driver's" option.

yeah.....but sucks when you eat the dust of the person driving the AT.

Depends on what your goals are. If you are driving for the sheer "sport" of beating everybody else on the road then yeah I guess it does suck so to speak.

There are a great many folks who don't see driving, even a performance car, as a competitive thing 24/7. They see it as an enjoyable experience in its own right. I, personally, don't have some uncontrollable urge to participate in a stoplight grand prix with every other car around me.

Now I am certainly not saying that the auto is a wrong choice, hell my 335 is an auto, but my toy cars are always manual. I just believe that there are many of us who take pleasure in driving not necessarily in racing kills.

The AT has its place - it's faster than the MT, easier to shift, multiple options for driving, better gas mileage. The argument that a real sports car has a MT is like saying real sports cars have dipsticks - with BMW they are usually just available on the MT and are located behind the steering wheel.

Initially I was considering a manual but ran into the same issues as most of you on this thread..it appears dealers rarely stock MTs so I opted for an auto. Actually I was pleasantly surprised! The manual mode is pretty nice sans clutch..which is not really missed..

I always find it funny how people say driving MT is work. This isn't an 1985 Ford Truck...no wonder why our nation is obese as a whole. Moving a leg once in a while is too hard :)

I always find it funny how people say driving MT is work.Yeah but how am I supposed to talk on the phone, reply to my work email, drink my double double half caf latte, watch the DVD in my dash, do a crossword puzzle and read the WSJ while having to row my own gears. :D

You might laugh but I have literally seen each of these things on Nashville highways.

I always find it funny how people say driving MT is work. This isn't an 1985 Ford Truck...no wonder why our nation is obese as a whole. Moving a leg once in a while is too hard :)
Wait till Stop-n-go Cruise control (http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/5series/touring/2007/allfacts/ergonomics/acc_stop.html) becomes a standard option or very affordable one. Then no one will order MT. And you think people are lazy now!

Yeah but how am I supposed to talk on the phone, reply to my work email, drink my double double half caf latte, watch the DVD in my dash, do a crossword puzzle and read the WSJ while having to row my own gears. :D

You might laugh but I have literally seen each of these things on Nashville highways.


I can do all that with MT, you don't shift every second. :)

I can do all that with MT, you don't shift every second. :)
Yeah I know, I do that all the time without shifting. You can coast to near 0mph in 1st or 2nd without using the brakes of clutch.
But for you to get the car to do it for you while keeping both your legs off the pedals, you'll need the AT. Not sure why people would not want to use their feet, but I am sure excuses will follow, such as "I need to stretch my legs", "I need to play with my toes", "I am too short", "why do it yourself when the car can do it for you" ... You get the idea.

The AT has its place - it's faster than the MT, easier to shift, multiple options for driving, better gas mileage. The argument that a real sports car has a MT is like saying real sports cars have dipsticks - with BMW they are usually just available on the MT and are located behind the steering wheel.
According to BMW specifications in a 335i 0-60 mph MT 5.4 seconds verses 5.6 seconds with the automatic. The fuel consumption was listed as the same.
Insofar as the dipstick comment goes I'm not buying it. You've shown yourself to not let the facts get in your much opinionated way and have a bad habit of berating others who aren't in lockstep with your ideas.

I got my car in manual and in my opinion it felt better than the AT i test drove.

I got my car in manual and in my opinion it felt better than the AT i test drove.

Then you got the right one. :D It's all about the choice that is best for the driver.

According to BMW specifications in a 335i 0-60 mph MT 5.4 seconds verses 5.6 seconds with the automatic. The fuel consumption was listed as the same.
Insofar as the dipstick comment goes I'm not buying it. You've shown yourself to not let the facts get in your much opinionated way and have a bad habit of berating others who aren't in lockstep with your ideas.

Someone missed the sarcasm train. Oh yeah, and those printed numbers, don't believe everything you read. What is the HP of our cars again and 0-60 times? Oh that's right, they're not the same as the published numbers...

The AT has its place - it's faster than the MT, easier to shift, multiple options for driving, better gas mileage. The argument that a real sports car has a MT is like saying real sports cars have dipsticks - with BMW they are usually just available on the MT and are located behind the steering wheel.

I considered myself a purist when it came to MTs and sportscars and believe you me if they had an MT on the lot with what I was looking for i would have probably snatched it up...but seriously the steptronic has really grown on me and is very responsive! I find it just as fun and those days when you just feel like kicking it in AT mode you have that option also...

I've since changed my "purist" ways...LOL!

It's not close minded.

From what I've always read about people who like AT more is that they compromise.

"I drive in traffic'

"I can't move my leg"

"my wife drives it"

MT is more of a "driver's" option.

You forgot one:

"Never slower than a MT" :stickoutt

Wait till Stop-n-go Cruise control (http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/5series/touring/2007/allfacts/ergonomics/acc_stop.html) becomes a standard option or very affordable one. Then no one will order MT. And you think people are lazy now!
Looks like my next BMW is gonna be a 5-series. So close to auto pilot!!!!:buttrock

Looks like my next BMW is gonna be a 5-series. So close to auto pilot!!!!:buttrock
Yeah not far off. I even read it can use the traffic info downloaded for the sat nav and use that to deduce it should slow down in anticipation of traffic. Then there is that custom 3 series that learns when you drive it once around a course and drives it again the same way, and I am sure few years from now we'll have cars that can practically drive themselves.

No brainer for me. My wife can't walk and chew gum at the same time much less operate a MT. Had a couple of MT cars early in our marriage and thought we were going to end up in divorce. The 335i SP with steptronic and paddle shifters is a nice compromise. Have to admit, I like the MT, but I am also intrigued by the new M3 tranny.

No brainer for me. My wife can't walk and chew gum at the same time much less operate a MT. Had a couple of MT cars early in our marriage and thought we were going to end up in divorce. The 335i SP with steptronic and paddle shifters is a nice compromise. Have to admit, I like the MT, but I am also intrigued by the new M3 tranny.

Ouch...:)
Obviously your wife doesn't read these threads otherwise you may be getting served.... with a quip like that..;)

My 335.steptronic with paddle shifters... I just ordered, which I am going to MODIFY with AA stuff the minute I get it (AA Xede processor, larger BOV, large Intercooler and AA race exhaust) is for my wife...:)

She loves the 2004 Ford 4x4 pickup. Have to admit, the thing is huge! She is happy with the Ford, so I am happy with the 335i.