Manual or auto?

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

I put my toilet paper on the roll so the end comes out on the top. It works just as well the other way around. Same with AT/MT; advantages to each. Might do better to look at cost to own.

That being said I drive MT because I always have, but have driven AT and it's a horse apiece in terms of function. I go with what is comfortable.

Hey, you just posted on this forum again, even though you only have a 128i.

[TX78666]

Manual.

[KingOfJericho]

Manual.

[TheSt|G]

Auto simply ruins the car, DCT is mildly better.

[tccox]

Steptronic, nearly as good as a manual and that's after forty years of driving manual.

Ah guys , I was just a having a little fun here. No I do not think a Step is "Much Better" than a manual, but for a auto , its a damn good auto. About 90% of the fun of a manual I'd say.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by tccox

Steptronic, much better than manual and that's after forty years of driving manual

Youngsters! After 50+ years of driving manuals, Steptronic leaves me unimpressed when compared to a BMW MT.

Tom

[RPM90]

It's good that we have consensus among us enthusiasts.

A transmission is a MUST HAVE.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Youngsters! After 50+ years of driving manuals, Steptronic leaves me unimpressed when compared to a BMW MT.

Tom

I agree.

Tom K. have you tried the new 8spd auto?

I think you'd be very impressed that this has to be the best auto trans BMW has ever made.
It may even be better than the DCT.
There have been a disheartening number of negative threads and comments about the DCT, now that drivers have had considerable time with them. BMW needs to relook at the mechanicals of the system and/or the logic software.

The new 8spd auto is a torque converter auto, but it's performance is quite impressive. There is modern and high tech control of the TC, and it feels like it locks up at very low rpm, thus giving a very connected feeling between engine and trans even at lower speeds.
I test drove it back to back with an Audi S4 with the 7spd DSG.
BMW's 8spd "sport" auto shifted as quickly up and down as the DSG, and with the smoothness that a torque converter can give.
Thus, there is no jarring shift up, and rev matched smoothness going down. As I was using the paddles, gear changes occur even before I would release the paddle. Even on multiple gear downshifts, like 5th to 2nd, it was uncanny how quickly it would execute.

Full auto mode in the 335i could have been more responsive, but in the 328i it was very responsive even in full auto mode.
But in manual mode it's extremely quick and responsive for a torque converter auto.
It's performance really has me thinking I may want to own it for a while to see how it works out in the long run.
I am concerned though that after a few weeks I may miss the
"active-ness" of an MT. Even though the shifts are fast and smooth, we know there is an esoteric quality and involvement that's inherent to a manual trans. That's one of the reasons why I love MT's.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Youngsters! After 50+ years of driving manuals, Steptronic leaves me unimpressed when compared to a BMW MT.

Tom

Driving the 128/328 leaves me unimpressed compared to the 135/335. Yawn

[Diver]

IMO, if you are going to track your car go manual. Otherwise go DCT. On pre 2011 135i's go manual unless you are a drag racer. Having said all of that, if you are going to be driving in nasty rush hour traffic, a manual can be tiring. I have the DCT and enjoy driving it in manual mode.

[Adam135]

The steptronic in my 135i shifts faster and more consistent than I ever could. Not afraid to admit it

[IZAGLO]

My 09 135i was my 1st car with paddles....30 years of driving MT cars and loved it. Started with a Z, then Saab 99EMS and mostly Honda Si's and a Subbie and MazdaSpeed3 thrown in till the BMW..my first...I got bored being locked in to having to shift all the time and wanted a option so i took a chance and have been pleasantly surprised how much i like the option to paddle shift or space out in D and just deal with steering., which at times is plenty to deal with..there is NO spacing out with a MT you are alway's connnected ..But now i find myself enjoying paddle shifting so much and the options it gives me i am confused wether to get another or go back to a MT...it's a very hard choice as both are good trasmissions. The only thought i will leave you with is if you are young in your 20' or 30's and have only had a few MT cars than i would suggest you go MT as i think ALL young dudes or dudessss should be driving MT cars till they get in there 40's or 50's like me..My son wants to buy my 135i and many times over the only thing that i tell him is be VERY sure you do not want a MT.....I think he should get the MT myself ,but traffic and at times when you he does not want to be worrying about shifting the auto/manual is a very VERY nice option. My buddy who had a M3 with 30 grand of mods on it and a MT suggested the paddle shifting as he upgraded to a Scudiera and loves the paddles..i went with his advice and am happy!!

[Diver]

There is the real world and there are internet forums. In the real world people drive automatics and don't mod their cars. In forums it is the opposite.

The loaner I have to day is a 2011 535i with M Sport, Nav and a couple of other goodies. A comparably equipped 2012 would list for $64,000. It has a manual transmission. I suspect this vehicle was a customer order that was declined. Furthermore, I believe most loaners are customer orders that were declined because there is always something odd about the car.

The gal who was running the loaner desk today was relieved that I could drive a manual transmission and would accept this car for a day or two. She said that very few of their customers could drive manual transmissions, called it a "lost art" and that she hoped the vehicle would be sold soon.

My impression of the car is that it is very luxurious. I would say that in terms of luxury features the move from a one to a three is small compared to the move from a three to a five. Noticeable was motorized control of the steering wheel position and an electrically operated parking brake. I thought the aluminum trim was out of character with the rest of the car. For that matter, the $4k plus M Sport package and manual transmission are both out of character with a 535i because the car is simply not fast enough to be sporty. It doesn't accelerate well at all, although I suppose it has a high top speed.

If I wanted a car as large as a five series, it would have to be equipped with a V8.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Driving the 128/328 leaves me unimpressed compared to the 135/335. Yawn

Then you must love weight. Enjoy your 250lbs of additional bulk.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Then you must love weight. Enjoy your 250lbs of additional bulk.

Since you fancy yourself a 'stig' impersonator you should understand the ever important weight to power ratio in motorsports. Even with the extra pounds the 135 flat out blows off the 128 in this distinction.

By the way, I come up with scant 132lbs not 250. Dont know where you got your facts from?
http://www.bmw128i.com/specifications/

[Diver]

After zipping around in that big luxurious 5'er with a manual transmission I have a few more thoughts on the topic. I can think of a few scenarios where I would acquire a car with a manual transmission

What it boils down to is there is something about the car that makes me want it and it either comes only with a manual transmission (1M), the automatic transmission is crap (Mustang GT), or the automatic transmission while good is way overpriced (Porsche or M3).

I really think in a 135i as good as the DCT is, and with only a $450 charge, it is the compelling choice. I have not had a chance to drive the new 8 speed automatic cars.

Other people have different tastes and priorities. Someone who takes their car to a road track might strongly desire a manual transmission because the DCT will not hold its gear at red line. The whole line of reasoning that one is more in control with a manual really seems like nonsense after driving DCT and manual equipped BMW's back to back, especially in city traffic.

[x97Melbourne]

Seems like a weird thing to be asking.....it's not like "should I get the comfort access"? A question like this I could understand.

Auto or manual is personal preference and I'm not sure why you would care what others think. Are you just looking for attention??? ))

Go test drive both and choose for yourself. Just because I think manual is better....it doesn't matter!!!! This is your car not mine.

[analemma]

Manual. Unless you commute a long way in really bad traffic.

[Adam135]

Originally Posted by Diver

Someone who takes their car to a road track might strongly desire a manual transmission because the DCT will not hold its gear at red line.

In DS and manual mode it should hold the gear, unless you hit redline.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by Adam135

In DS and manual mode it should hold the gear, unless you hit redline.

That's what I said.

[ATSR]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

Seems like a weird thing to be asking.....it's not like "should I get the comfort access"? A question like this I could understand.

Auto or manual is personal preference and I'm not sure why you would care what others think. Are you just looking for attention??? ))

Go test drive both and choose for yourself. Just because I think manual is better....it doesn't matter!!!! This is your car not mine.

+1000

Couldn't agree with you more. The same thing goes for people asking for what color to get, or even worse what car to buy!!! And I can guarantee you these are the people that are the first ones to say "I don't care what other people think..." LOL

I believe color and transmission choices are the most personal ones when it comes to buying a car. Every time I get a new car, the two questions I get asked right after what car it is, are:

1. What color did you get?
2. Is it a manual or auto?

OP, go drive them both and choose whatever YOU like most.


EDIT: If you want my opinion, get a manual. I have an auto and I hate it.

[AKBimmerxi]

Only time I get an auto is if there is no manual option (i.e. my truck), I keep my cars a long time and I like the benefit of shifting my own gears to suit my mood at the time. Also I feel that in the long run manual transmission cars cost less in maintenance costs IMO.