Auto owners move to Manual?

[Buschy]

like is says.
I know there are several threads but I could find one exactly like this.

in my younger days I had MT's but for the last long time I been I guess lazy, been driving autos. all my last cars are autos, my 335 x5 truck, etc etc.
I dont think I have owned a MT in 10 years.

With that said, I really want to get the Mt in the 135, since its fun, but will the fun wear off daily driving?

This needs to be answered by people that went from autos to MT cause if your used to MT of course it would be fine.
thanks.

[Maine1]

I drove manual RX7's for many years, then I went into hibernation driving auto Grand Prix's for a while as the kids grew up. Now I'm back in a manual and really having fun with it. It's like riding a bike - you never really forget how to do it. It took a little while to to get used to the different gear shift placement but now it find it's way without thinking. On new cars the 1st to 2nd shift is awkward but it does get better over time. Some have done the CDV mod to eliminate that problem. The fun hasn't worn off yet - especially with that engine wanting to zip through the gears all the time.

[akak1997]

Buschy, I's faced the same question when deciding whether to get a stick for the 135. My first car was a manual when I lived in the UK (shift with Left hand), then I've been driving auto since I came to the USA. The 135 is very different from my first manual. It has more than 3 times the hp/torque to begin with and the shifter is much better than my first car.

Yes, the 1st->2nd shift is a bitch, but I think I've figured it out. Just don't completely lift your throttle, keep your foot just touching the gas while shifting from 1st->2nd, this will slow down the rev drop and you can have enough time to shift into 2nd smoothly.

I've dealt with serious traffic jams here in LA, not daily, but enough. But I still won't go with an Auto for the 135. I seriously doubt the fun will ever wear off. (when it does, MOD it hehe). The rush you get WOT on 2nd and 3rd always make me smile.

[lovemywhip]

my 1st car was an auto 350z and i switched to mt 135i vert and i LOVE it... never gets boring and i dont think ill ever go back!

[InsaneSkippy]

I had 2 cars before the 135i, both were auto's. I knew I had to get the 135i in a stick or I'd regret it the whole time. To be honest, I haven't looked back since I made the decision.

[Darth One]

i think the 135i has the capacity to always put a grin on your face regardless of the transmission. i've always been a manual guy myself, but after comparing the two i was very content to buy the step, save myself a 3-month wait and get VERY aggressive discounting in the process.

but to answer the question, it really isn't a big deal to move from auto to manual. you'll get used to using your left foot more, and if the car is your daily driver you'll figure out the shifting (it's harder to do on a test drive though)

i learned to drive manual when my family moved to Asia and got used to driving manual in stop-and-go traffic that sometimes lasts for hours. if a lazy ass like me can do it, you can too! :biggrin:

[stampchez]

My last car was an auto and I regretted it every day for almost 6 years. Even commuting is much more fun now.

[3toM]

That's all good to hear. I am glad the OP asked this question. My first car in my teen years was an old mercury tracer. Not much of a car, but enjoyed having the MT. Have been in the auto ever since, and now am seriously considering going back to the MT for this car. It just seems to fit the car better and I am hoping will be more fun that way.

[PA135i]

The 6 speed trans in my 135i is perfect. No regrets here.

[Buschy]

Thanks for all the answers, kinda what I thought. Also, jsut to note, I had no problems shifting on the test drives, I have no problem driving MT at all, I love it, jsut wondered if it would get old since I been a lazy AT driver for , well ten or more years or what ever.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by akak1997

Yes, the 1st->2nd shift is a bitch, but I think I've figured it out. Just don't completely lift your throttle, keep your foot just touching the gas while shifting from 1st->2nd, this will slow down the rev drop and you can have enough time to shift into 2nd smoothly.

I found the same thing. Makes that first shift much smoother.

[ModlessG]

My wife drives the 135 its a manual. She took it in to have the windows tinted and our broker loaned her his auto 135. She thought it felt really slow after driving her car. The manual in the 135 is a well engineered unit. IT shifts nicely and the clutch works good as well.

[earlyMLC]

Two pieces of advice information:

1. I visited BMW WELT Munich this month and the guide there said there was a big resurgence in manual ordering (Munich is a 3 factory). He says this is partly due to cost but mostly due to the wish to have the best 'driving experience' - having driven the manual 135i I know exactly what he means

2. My car broker gave me some good advice. If the car is a daily commuter and you are stuck in traffic - auto. If you have a short commute and like to drive - definitely manual. He feels the 135i in particular will be remembered/sort after as a drivers car and will always attract enough of a manual lovers market for resale.

[modbargains]

I've already driven MT cars and nothing else, when I get into AT cars I also look for the clutch and shift out of pure habbit. It annoys my that my left foot and right hand have nothing to do but sit there. A LOT of people have asked me if I get sore or tired from being in traffic clutching and shifting and what not, for me no, it just becomes a daily routine after some time. You'll love it, I've had no problems here.

[arok]

Originally Posted by **********s

I've already driven MT cars and nothing else, when I get into AT cars I also look for the clutch and shift out of pure habbit. It annoys my that my left foot and right hand have nothing to do but sit there. A LOT of people have asked me if I get sore or tired from being in traffic clutching and shifting and what not, for me no, it just becomes a daily routine after some time. You'll love it, I've had no problems here.

Ditto, it's been all manual for me... Sometimes when I drive my parents car, I look for the clutch... In my dad's SMG, I'm always in manual mode... probably out of habit?

I deal w/bay area traffic and don't really have any gripes about the manual transmission

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by **********s

I've already driven MT cars and nothing else, when I get into AT cars I also look for the clutch and shift out of pure habbit. It annoys my that my left foot and right hand have nothing to do but sit there. A LOT of people have asked me if I get sore or tired from being in traffic clutching and shifting and what not, for me no, it just becomes a daily routine after some time. You'll love it, I've had no problems here.

======
I agree. I mean, if you drive a big old sedan like a 5 series or DTS or something like that, i say go for the automatic.
In a car like the 1 series....its just not the same experience driving the step-trans. It feels like a video game driving the 1 in the automatic....not as interactive. My test drive was in the automatic. I wouldn't say it was boring, but you feel disconnected from the car with the step.

In my opinion, the only way to drive a little "go-cart" like the 1 series is the manual.

[miro2296]

My 135i is my first manual car to own! Always been driving Auto cars, but love the 6 speed though. GO WITH THE 6 SPEED!!!!!!!!! :thumbup:

[lambammm]

Buschy, I think you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice by getting it in automatic. In my opinion there's no point in getting a little monster like the 1in anything but MT, especially if you're going for the 135. Sure, traffic can be a pain in the ass, but I'm more than willing to deal with that for the increased control and fun factor. If you're going to get an automatic car save some dough and don't get a performance coupe. Anyways automatic performance coupe sounds oxymoronic, doesn't it? :iono:

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by arok

I deal w/bay area traffic and don't really have any gripes about the manual transmission

cool im in san mateo too, never seen another AW here.

[jpick]

I respectfully cannot imagine buying a 135i with an auto. I drive in DC traffic. The manual never ever bothers me. I would negotiate everything on my 135i except the manual transmission. No way. No how!

I also have a VW GTI 06. they have a good paddle shift transmission available, I got the manual. I love to shift, and sitting on the clutch in traffic never bothers me.

[Dan203]

Personally I hate driving a manual in traffic. Especially this one as the clutch is not very forgiving. Luckily we have little to no traffic around here, so it's not a big deal. But if I lived in a big city with a lot of stop and go traffic I'd probably get an auto.

This is why the new 'Dual Clutch" transmissions are becoming so popular. They have all the ease of an auto without the power robbing torque converter. Plus they produce faster gear changes then even the fastest person could muster on a manual.

Dan

[akak1997]

Not trying to turn this into one of those Manual VS Dual Clutch VS Auto thread, but if the Dual Clutch is available for the 1er, I'd still go with the traditional manual. It's the act of shifting that I enjoy.

Of coz, if this is a track car, I'd go for the Dual Clutch, but that's another story.