Stick or auto tranny?

[1stBimmer]

I've had my 135i convertible (auto) for a week. I leave for work at 7am and it takes me 40 minutes to go 16 miles. The traffic in Baton Rouge since Katrina is the pits! Average speed on the way to work is 20 mph. Winding country roads are just a figment of my imagination. As an every day commuter, with the reality of traffic jams, the auto is the better "every day" transmission. I may miss it if I ever get to some roads where I could use the manual, but as of today I'm glad I purchased the auto.

[roadburn]

To each his own. Really.

You guys with the automatics can always have your friends tell you about grabbing serious 2nd-gear rubber....

[imported_Katera]

I went on a drive tonight with my wife in the 135i Vert <manual>. On the way home I was telling her how happy I was that I got the Ipod option and how well it worked. She turns and says..."I'm just glad you got the stick, anything else would of disappointed me with this car". She was right the manual kicks butt in this car.

[oneill3]

Originally Posted by Katera

I went on a drive tonight with my wife in the 135i Vert <manual>. On the way home I was telling her how happy I was that I got the Ipod option and how well it worked. She turns and says..."I'm just glad you got the stick, anything else would of disappointed me with this car". She was right the manual kicks butt in this car.

I think I need to get a new wife

[CAMike]

I originally ordered the step but after a lot of back and forth I changed my order to get the manual. I had a manual when I lived in the Bay Area of California and had a 1.5 hour+ communte each way...it sucked and after 2 years of that I got my first auto trans. I've gotten them in every new car since then as I remember what it's like driving a stick in traffic like that but I don't have traffic worries where I am now and I enjoy rowing my own gears so went back to the manual. If BMW offered the DCT in the 1er, I may have gone with that but for me the manual makes sense where I live. For those that drive in major traffic every day, I do not blame you for getting the step and think you made a good decision. Luckily, I am in a place that I had a reasonable choice but for some the only reasonable choice is the step. Ignore the "purists" that try to bash you for your choice. They got what they wanted and you got what you wanted. As long as you both are happy, it shouldn't matter one way or another to someone else. Essentially they are the same car and based upon many different driving comparisons, it is almost a wash in race times between the two.

[BMW Dreamer]

I was 100% pro manual, but now I might get the auto after hearing how fast it shifts. Plus its been running as fast as the manual, consistantly. HMMM. VERY hard decision, because I love downshifting on corners using the manual trans to brake and then accelerate. HMMM. What do I do ???

[CAMike]

If traffic driving isn't of concern then get what you think you will be happiest with. Me, I decided that was the manual. I love shifting my own gears and it is also a simpler trans than the Step in terms of one less thing to break after I get out of the warranty period. Something about the sound of a manual driving away as oppossed to an auto also...I decided that I would enjoy the manual more so changed my order. Good luck with your decision! Based on glowing reports from both camps I really don't know if there is a bad choice...

[plien69]

Jeff,

I'm going to offer some personal advice, which I rarely do on forums. But you're one of the more active members on 1addicts with over 2100 posts, and I feel like I have a sense of where you're coming from.

If I may be so bold, I recommend the manual transmission for you. It doesn't seem like you have an outright need for an automatic (traffic, family, whatever...), and you come from a Civic Si stick shift (am I right?).

The character of the car suits a stick shift. If I didn't have a family need for an automatic (read: wife), I would have gotten a stick, and I firmly believe that it would be that much better a car.

The Steptronic is great, don't get me wrong. I love the fast shifts. But I do sometimes find myself wishing I had 3 pedals and was rowing my own.

This is just my opinion.

[MastaMind]

After only a week of driving the 6MT, I can tell you that it's an exremely easy and forgiving setup. The clutch is so light that it takes barely any effort to modulate. So, don't discount the 6MT even if would be used in heavy traffic.

Wow, Jeff 1962 is banned...

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

Wow, Jeff 1962 is banned...

Wonder who he mouthed off to this time

[Brandon26pdx]

The ZF 6-speed is probably a good reliable auto tranny, but the GM (?) built auto in the 128i I'd be leary of. BMW has a history of pukey autoboxes in the E46's too. They cost a fortune to service and replace if they go cow on you.

[Imola.ZHP]

^ I was leary, too, of a gear box branded by GM, but either the boards I frequent all have manual drivers or there really isn't many problems with them...

I wouldn't let it scare me, 4yr/50k warranty should sort out any bugs you THINK you might have with one...

[jayce]

ive ordered steptronic 135i. test drove one last day, the step was leet and smooth. probably one of the best auto existing
plus, I found this paddle shifter very fun.

yes i know its not fast as manual...... but not a huge amount of diff

yes i know its not fuel efficient...... but not a huge amount of diff

if we were talking about auto vs manual 10 years ago, I would definitely stick on manuals no question about it.

but the auto technologies have improved so much now that it does not have a HUGE difference with manuals anymore.

plus with the new paddle shifting, it's like driving a Formula One car. lol if you know what my point is.


basically, with being 100% honest, the only reason i chose step is because it has one of the finest auto-manual mode.

[Omega Man]

I think you'll post better times than a stick machine but that's another story. The whole deal with the stick is in getting it mastered. It's not an easy car to drive stick IMHO because you have to really wind it and hit it just right for the shift to be seamless. But that is what I love about being engaged with a manual transmission.

[scorcherjf]

Sorry if this has been asked before but...

I'm interested in a manual 135i but none of the dealerships around here have a manual ANYTHING for me to look at/try besides M3's and the occasional 3-series. I currently have an 2003 330xi manual, but the throw is quite far and I was wondering if the 135i's manual would be shorter? The salesmen look at me funny whenever I ask anything about the manual gearbox but I guess it's just really important to me...

[theanhdy]

I regret not getting an automatic. Everytime I drive the car I wish it was automatic, so much easier.

[1080eyes]

My wife wanted a automatic.
So we got the auto. when I get into our 128i, i go into the step trans mode. Gives me a thrill and some good performance.

[uofmtiger]

For those that do not know how the auto works in the 135i, there is a good explanation here:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...41&postcount=7

In short, the DS mode will hold the lower gear until you upshift if you are using the paddles.

I got an auto for the same reason I prefer CDs over vinyl, media computers over CDs, etc... They offer more flexibility. The vinyl vs CD debate is similar to the manual vs auto transmission debate. There are people that are thrilled with the whole process of getting up, moving the needle, flipping, etc... in the quest for better sound and to get "more in touch" with the music. I like vinyl on occasion, too...however, on most days I prefer to sit on the couch and use modern technology to access my entire collection with a remote.

The step in the 135i offers a lot of flexibility to suit my moods. The paddles in DS mode are really quick for shifting manually (when I am in the mood), the DS mode revs the engine to higher RPMs when I am in the mood for a more sporty ride, but do not want to use the paddles, and the D mode is for when I am in heavy traffic. Great flexibility with minimal loss of speed (actually I have read that the paddles are faster than the stick).

Personally, I like the flexibility/versatility of the step in the 135i. The manual would be nice for the weekends, but I don't want to bother with it every day. But thats just my own feelings on the subject. If you want to use both feet and it makes you feel more in touch with the car, then by all means, get the manual...I encourage vinyl lovers to listen to their turntables, too. (in other words, just because it is a perfect fit for one person, does not make it the right choice for everyone)

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by 1ster

It's not about the speed. It's about the involvement.

agree completely.
0-60 times are basically a wash....so i don't think this is even the issue.
its about driving interaction and the direct link between the driver and the engine. the automatic can't provide this.:wink:

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by 1080eyes

My wife wanted a automatic.
So we got the auto. when I get into our 128i, i go into the step trans mode. Gives me a thrill and some good performance.

were you allowed to pick your wife's car??? i doubt it.
then why did she pick a main feature of your car?

i'd never let a woman pick my car, just like i'd never pick a car for a woman.....:smile:

[uofmtiger]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

agree completely.
0-60 times are basically a wash....so i don't think this is even the issue.
its about driving interaction and the direct link between the driver and the engine. the automatic can't provide this.:wink:

Not really true, the paddles, especially in DS (manual) mode, give you a direct link to the engine.

[atr_hugo]

Owning a manual and not having a large amount of time with the auto, does it downshift at WOT in manu-matic mode? I think it does based on a couple of test drives but want to be sure. I know it upshifts automatically as you approach the rev-limiter (which is a pain on autox courses).