rene525d

Have an E60 with 6 speed manual. You need to get used to quick shifting from 1st and 2nd gear. 1st gear is soo low you practically need to shift as soon as you hit the gas pedal Took me a while to get used to. Apart from that MT rocks and in my opinion it is more solid than most auto trannys and more enjoyable to drive. I just like the way the clutch feels in this car.

guysk8r1717

+3

PaoChe

I've noticed in the AT unless you come to a complete stop, it starts in 2nd gear. So why BMW bothered to replace the 5spd AT from the E39 baffles me, must have been more efficient with a 6spd AT.

nycmedic86

Once you go stick, you dont go back : )

turboawd

trans starts off in 1st gear when in DS mode only.

tuffluck

completely untrue.

sticks are fun, within reason. if you live in a congested city and drive in traffic every day, it's a disaster to own a manual. owned a sport's car with a manual for 7 years and cannot tell you how much simpler and convenient an auto is in DFW.

shad951

Go with the auto if for anything resale value. E60 with manual tranny is going to be way harder to sell down the road. (Ask any dealer) My buddy's leased 2007 525i was mint and low miles when his lease was up and he gave it back to the BMW dealer. It sat on the dealer lot 3 months after he turned it in only because it was a 6-speed. The sales manager told me it would have sold the first week had it been an auto. I love the 6-speed and had it in my last two 3 series. But when I got my new 535i I went for the auto for the long term resale value of the car. I have the Sport Auto Transmission and I love it. Good luck in your decision.

JayArras

I'm reading with amusement some of these replies. To me, it's a no-brainer. You're either a stick man (or woman) or you're not. There's nothing to be ambivalent about. I, personally, love the 6-speed manual on my 530xi, and waited until a manual became available in a crowded field of automatics. Sadly, manual transmissions are becoming more and more rare on luxury sport sedans these days. Those of us who wouldn't have it any other way are becoming a dying breed.

To my mind, if you have to ask this question, buy an AT. You'll be happier in the long run.

FRONJONI

If this is your daily driver, and you're in traffic in and out, I would stick with the auto. I know many people will say "my car is my daily and its a stick and I love it" but they are a small percentage of enthusiasts IMO. If this is a second car for you and you want the stick for weekend thrills then go for it, but I doubt that is the case because a 525i stick isnt giving much thrills (i know my 525i auto gives no thrills whatsoever).

Keep the auto, if money isn't the driving factor, get a nice e36 stick for thrills (way off topic but why not throw it out there, its inexpensive and fun to drive).

twh

love my manual 530xi