I have always owned manuals - but gone auto with the 530d
* much more relaxing around town and in traffic jams
* with such power but low rev limited, runs out of revs quickly so automatic suits better
* manual is probably virtually unsaleable second hand

Having said that, the mapping is not ideal for such a torquey engine. Works superbly when in a hurry, and manual change works well cross country if want that extra degree - but kicks down far too easily when cruising gently on motorway. I virtually always lock into M6 on the motorway (aptly mainly on the M6 !)

 

Had a 525i manual and now a 535d with steptronic. First I was very dissapointed with the feeling in the auto, but now I really love it. I drive both in city and longdistance and it works fine with both. I just got v23 of the program installed and it cut the consumption with about 5%, better response and it shifts much smoother. v24 will arrive in Dec and it will improve the steptronic even more.

 

Auto suits big diesels very well, I am another that will never go back on this type of car.

As already mentioned, there is a much improved auto box in the 330/335d with response times halved by all accounts. It is good advice to wait for this to be released in the 5 if you are buying new.

 

definately auto..had 4 auto box 5ers and no problems nearly.also the s/h value is better on an auto 5 series car almost recovers rhe cost in p/exchange values. go auto on deisel cars