Opinions on manual BMW's
04-15-2009, 03:24 AM
#32
Members
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had a manual bmw and now have an auto.
The BMW auto box is the best in the business - really smooth, excellent gear choice, and the ability to switch to manual mode if you want.
I do a lot of slow motorway driving, and town driving too + the fact that it's very hard to find a 545 in manual, so I went for the auto. I do miss manual sometimes, but I don't regret the auto, it's really really good, and was the right choice.
The BMW auto box is the best in the business - really smooth, excellent gear choice, and the ability to switch to manual mode if you want.
I do a lot of slow motorway driving, and town driving too + the fact that it's very hard to find a 545 in manual, so I went for the auto. I do miss manual sometimes, but I don't regret the auto, it's really really good, and was the right choice.
04-15-2009, 03:29 AM
#33
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 55 525D Sport
Full Black Leather
Visibility Pack
Media Pack
been manual all my life got the beamer in auto and loooooooooove it never going back to manual lol
04-15-2009, 04:36 AM
#34
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 594
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535i 6-speed
Model Year: 2008
I've owned a '90 325i, '95 525i, and now '08 535i...all have been manuals. My biggest problem with automatics is when it shifts gears when I don't want it to...such as when I have cruise control ON and I start up a long incline...it downshifts...I REALLY hate that. Now that's just me, and I have no issue with anyone wanting an automatic. Statements like "you have an auto because your lazy", or "your not a good driver because you have an auto", are just ridiculous. It's just a preference...like color, or tires.
I will say this though. When I was looking at a new car, I looked at the '08 MB E350 and the '08 BMW 535i. The E350 was not available in manual, but thre 535i was avaiable in manual or auto. I drove all (3) variants...350 (auto), 535 (auto) & 535 (manual). To me...the 350 auto transmission was WAY better than the 535 auto. The 535 auto was very jerky/touchy/sensitive...especially when starting from stop. I could never press the throttle light enough to leave a red light without getting that initial jerk. My brother has an X5 auto and it is the exact same way. I drove a 7-series auto...exact same thing. The 350 is very smooth off the line and shifts like silk, plus, as good as the 535 looked (premium & sports), the 350 had an AMG "package" (wheels, bodywork,etc...not engine)...and I actually like the looks of the 350 just a bit more. However, I chose the 535 manual because 1 - I liked the 535 interior much better than the 350, 2 - I was coming from a '95 525i and the 535 was similar in many ways...the 350 was very different in almost all ways, 3 - The 535 had more power and handled/drove better. BUT...if I would have decided to go with an auto...I very likely would have chosen the 350.
I will say this though. When I was looking at a new car, I looked at the '08 MB E350 and the '08 BMW 535i. The E350 was not available in manual, but thre 535i was avaiable in manual or auto. I drove all (3) variants...350 (auto), 535 (auto) & 535 (manual). To me...the 350 auto transmission was WAY better than the 535 auto. The 535 auto was very jerky/touchy/sensitive...especially when starting from stop. I could never press the throttle light enough to leave a red light without getting that initial jerk. My brother has an X5 auto and it is the exact same way. I drove a 7-series auto...exact same thing. The 350 is very smooth off the line and shifts like silk, plus, as good as the 535 looked (premium & sports), the 350 had an AMG "package" (wheels, bodywork,etc...not engine)...and I actually like the looks of the 350 just a bit more. However, I chose the 535 manual because 1 - I liked the 535 interior much better than the 350, 2 - I was coming from a '95 525i and the 535 was similar in many ways...the 350 was very different in almost all ways, 3 - The 535 had more power and handled/drove better. BUT...if I would have decided to go with an auto...I very likely would have chosen the 350.
04-15-2009, 04:57 AM
#35
Members
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by russdx' post='847824' date='Apr 15 2009, 07:29 AM
been manual all my life got the beamer in auto and loooooooooove it never going back to manual lol
04-15-2009, 05:51 AM
#36
Members
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boonton, NJ
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 530XI
I've been a diehard manual fan for a long time. We just got a 6 speed 530xi and the tranmission is simply awesome. Smooth engagement, very light clutch. Nice for traffic, nice for cruising, nice for spirited driving.
On the flip side, my truck is an auto and I love driving that too. sometimes I am lazy and want to do as little as possible and the auto suits that. HHAHAAH
On the flip side, my truck is an auto and I love driving that too. sometimes I am lazy and want to do as little as possible and the auto suits that. HHAHAAH
04-15-2009, 08:43 AM
#37
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[quote name='jsal' date='Apr 14 2009, 12:31 PM' post='846991']
I think the CDV was only on the V-8's but I could be wrong. There is a fix for that.
I replaced the CDV on my I-6. Gotta do this simple mod if you're going to purchase the manual. I think the manual is way more fun than auto.
I think the CDV was only on the V-8's but I could be wrong. There is a fix for that.
I replaced the CDV on my I-6. Gotta do this simple mod if you're going to purchase the manual. I think the manual is way more fun than auto.
04-15-2009, 08:49 AM
#38
Contributors
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
My first E60 was auto, 2nd was SMG and now I have a manual.
To be honest, I could take it or leave it. It's a nice tranny, if you like manuals, but I am getting tired of the clutch. I've driven manuals since I was 14, and the majority of my cars were manuals, but I will be moving back to auto on the next one...just personal preference at this point in my life.
To be honest, I could take it or leave it. It's a nice tranny, if you like manuals, but I am getting tired of the clutch. I've driven manuals since I was 14, and the majority of my cars were manuals, but I will be moving back to auto on the next one...just personal preference at this point in my life.
04-15-2009, 09:13 AM
#39
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
I don't know, but last I checked, aren't you supposed to downshift when you START up a long incline? That's the way I used to drive my manuals, but that could just be me....
04-15-2009, 10:36 AM
#40
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 594
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535i 6-speed
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='848125' date='Apr 15 2009, 12:13 PM
I don't know, but last I checked, aren't you supposed to downshift when you START up a long incline? That's the way I used to drive my manuals, but that could just be me....
BTW...what year is your Targa?