Originally Posted by 06530-6M' post='609312' date='Jun 24 2008, 05:18 PM

First post: I'm looking at a pristine condition 06 530i with a manual transmission and keep flip-flopping back and forth on whether or not I'll like it. My first three cars, a VW and then Audi Quattro's, had manuals and I swore I'd never go with an automatic. I then made an impulse buy on a car with an automatic and have had them ever since -- last three cars including my current 02 530i Sport Premium. I have loved this car more than any other I have ever owned, including my previous BMW 3-series, and have never regretted that it was an automatic.

Have any of you out there previously driven a stick, gone to an automatic, and then back to a stick again? I "remember" that I really enjoyed the manual driving experience, involvement with the car, and all that -- just don't want to regret my final decision. Btw, I live in the suburbs, work out of my home, and never have to be in thick traffic because I simply avoid driving the applicable roads during those times of the day.

Hope I'm not rambling ... Help? It's my only concern about this specific 06 because otherwise it seems to be everything someone would want. And, no, I haven't test driven it as it's out of state. Again, I loved the VW and Audi manuals, but have never driven a BMW with it. This is not my first "can't see it in person before buying" car purchase, so please don't be concerned about that part ... I'm comfortable with the screening process.

Do you really enjoy your manual? Any regrets? Any feedback would be much appreciated. I'm sooo on the fence, lol.

Btw, I'm WELL AWARE of the whole Manual vs. SMG debate here in the forums. I'm not looking at an SMG model right now. Let's not go there ... Hope that saves you some time ...

Outstanding community here btw!

Thanks in advance.