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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Manual or auto?



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      07-20-2005, 05:19 PM   #23
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Once again, I think we must not be a representative sample of BMW owners. In the USA I think I saw a stat that something like 70% of bimmers sold in 2004-5 are auto.

Sometimes it's fun to be different!
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      07-20-2005, 05:51 PM   #24
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I have the manual 325i.. I like it...
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      07-20-2005, 07:20 PM   #25
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I bought a manual 330i, and love it. I would never buy anything else. BUT, I have a 325i loaner car right now with Automatic, and it is kind of fun! It's an E46. It's kinda fun to see when the auto tranny shifts, and it is very smooth. It might seem quicker and more comfortable to zoom around town in, especially since the MT on the E90 can be a little balky.

I am actually having fun in the automatic 325i. I didn't think I would be but I am. I am sure I will be happy to have my manual 330i back, but for now it is a nice novelty. If you are not worried about performance driving (max performance that is) then I think the auto is a good choice.
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      07-21-2005, 12:17 AM   #26
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I'm with Oprah ... if you talk on the phone and want an automatic, might as well get a Lexus. If you want to drive, get the stick.
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      07-21-2005, 12:27 AM   #27
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manual all the way ... When i get to drive an auto I totally forget and I'm looking for clutch and thinking WTF!! ha ha
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      07-21-2005, 03:28 AM   #28
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Here in Malaysia, they don't even sell manual BMWs. This is the first automatic car I've ever got (a while ago I never thought I would), and I wouldn't have the E90 any other way. But that has something to do with a 400+hp Evo for the weekends...
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      07-21-2005, 06:44 PM   #29
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Apologies in advance for this potentially moronic post...

The only manual I've ever driven on a regular basis was my parents spare pickup when I was first learning to drive and I don't remember the manual fondly. Its been 20 years or so and I've always driven automatics. Apparently I'm missing out.

A manual E90 didn't even cross my mind until after I ordered my car and started reading this board. I'm totally happy with my Steptronic, but everyone's enthusiasm for the manual makes me wonder. Now I feel bad that I did not test drive a manual, though I would likely have tossed the salesman all over the place with my rusty shifting.

When I think of manuals I think of tedium, yet clearly others think of fun. Can folks attempt to quantify what makes a manual so much fun on a car like this? Steptronic manual mode isn't much fun, though I understand it's a completely different beast from a real manual.

- Collin
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      07-21-2005, 08:39 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lumberman
I am ordering my 330i, but still struggling to order manual or auto. I live in a small city, I know auto would be suitable for daily use, however I want every bits of control from this machine

For those who had ordered, just want to hear what did you chose?
Step is the the way to go...IMHO, unless you race your new car.
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      07-21-2005, 09:53 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by collinp
Apologies in advance for this potentially moronic post...

The only manual I've ever driven on a regular basis was my parents spare pickup when I was first learning to drive and I don't remember the manual fondly. Its been 20 years or so and I've always driven automatics. Apparently I'm missing out.

A manual E90 didn't even cross my mind until after I ordered my car and started reading this board. I'm totally happy with my Steptronic, but everyone's enthusiasm for the manual makes me wonder. Now I feel bad that I did not test drive a manual, though I would likely have tossed the salesman all over the place with my rusty shifting.

When I think of manuals I think of tedium, yet clearly others think of fun. Can folks attempt to quantify what makes a manual so much fun on a car like this? Steptronic manual mode isn't much fun, though I understand it's a completely different beast from a real manual.

- Collin
I don't think you can quantify it. It would be like explaining why it's fun to drive fast down a windy road to someone who has no desire to do so. It's just a lot of fun to shift and you get more control over the car's operation. Automatics and manuals both have their place. But a car like the 3-series is especially pleasurable to shift.
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      07-21-2005, 10:33 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by collinp
When I think of manuals I think of tedium, yet clearly others think of fun. Can folks attempt to quantify what makes a manual so much fun on a car like this? Steptronic manual mode isn't much fun, though I understand it's a completely different beast from a real manual.

- Collin
For those who drive a manual it is just more of an experience. Here is my analogy - steptronic is like playing a video game of something, manual is like actually doing it.
manual gives you a better connection with the car and greater control over what it does.
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      07-21-2005, 10:35 PM   #33
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bluetooth takes care of cell phone problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by chef13
If you live where there is traffic, manual is a pain in the ass. My daily commute consists of coffee and talking on a cell phone in bumper to bumper traffic, which would make continuous manual shifting a bit difficult. I got the auto with the tiptronic shifting. Granted the tiptronic is not a manual trani, but you can hear the engine rev...get that lag as you shift...then punch it and feel the push. I get about 90% satisfaction from it.

Good luck with your new ride!!
Just activated my bluetooth and voice activation. One push on the steering wheel allows me to call any programed name (or just say the number) without any holding on to the cell phone (stays in my pocket). Can easily shift my manual 330 e90.
psyran
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      07-21-2005, 10:44 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobnaz
Step is the the way to go...IMHO, unless you race your new car.
the only reason to get a slushbox is if you don't know how to drive a stick or if you're handicapped.

it's not hard to shift for yourself.

BMW automatics aren't that durable, manuals will last longer

Lot's of people never bothered to learn, or just don't want to
That's just sad
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      07-21-2005, 11:12 PM   #35
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Same situation...

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. Not sure if anyone knows the area, but I live in downtown Seattle (as of August 1st), and commute about 15 miles to the East Side for work. Both ways are either REALLY slow or total bumper to bumper. Seattle also is really hilly, so there are a bunch of hills to navigate.

Originally, I had wanted to get a manual for the "fun factor" that you are all talking about. However, the more I thought about it, it didn't really seem to make sense with all of the hills and the near bumper to bumper commute everyday.

The other thing is that I have no idea how to drive stick =). I've never touched a manual car in my life. So, for someone like me, does it make sense to save $1,275 to go with the manual and have fun, or would the traffic/hill situation I noted above make the manual not even worth it, especially since I have no idea how to drive a stick? Would it take long to learn to drive stick? Could I learn really quick somewhere so that I could at least test drive a manual? Any thoughts? =)

Thanks!
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      07-22-2005, 09:09 AM   #36
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Hey Matt,

the car's got hill holding now, so it won't roll back on you on hills (I personally think that's kind of lame, but it would make it easier to learn)

the only tricky thing to learn is getting the car rolling from a stop, it's just being able to release the clutch as you push the gas. Once you get that smoothly the rest is easy, shouldn't take more than a couple days to get it nailed.

If you've never been taught or learned, there may not be a point to ever learning as only 10% of new cars are sold with manuals, and they may eventually go away. On the other hand, maybe you and everyone else who doesn't know already should go buy manuals so that they won't go away
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      07-22-2005, 09:30 AM   #37
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I think if you do not know how to drive a manual, then you do not really know how to drive.
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      07-22-2005, 10:20 PM   #38
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there is nothing like a manual.......if you want to feel your car and to be in complete control take a manual...

the thing i hate about automatic is the lag when you press the gaz and the fact that you don t control the shift gears...

But if you prefer a confortable ride over a sporty ride it s better to take an automatic especially if you drive downtown....
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      07-22-2005, 11:52 PM   #39
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Hrm need SMG.. perfect compromise, too bad they axed it for now
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      07-23-2005, 01:05 AM   #40
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AUTO - Wife made final decision!
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      07-23-2005, 08:14 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by collinp
When I think of manuals I think of tedium, yet clearly others think of fun. Can folks attempt to quantify what makes a manual so much fun on a car like this? Steptronic manual mode isn't much fun, though I understand it's a completely different beast from a real manual.

- Collin
With a maunal transmission, you are driving the car, with an automatic, you are going for a ride.
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      07-23-2005, 09:20 AM   #42
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Ward:
What is the significance of the Oprah Winfrey photo under your name?
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      07-23-2005, 11:26 PM   #43
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nothing, it was just the funniest picture I saw in the avatar stockpile this site has
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      07-24-2005, 11:20 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ward
the only reason to get a slushbox is if you don't know how to drive a stick or if you're handicapped.
Ward, thanks so much for qualifying your blanket response.

I love the action of the manual. The feeling of the torque starting to engage under your foot. A perfect quick shift between second and third. But unfortunatly, I can't drive a stick on a daily basis and I understand why others can't as well.

Three back surgeries in the past year make me think I'm growing older than I really am (33yo). I never really want to consider myself handicapped, but I guess I am since the fun of a manual has been taken away from me.

I guess I'd rather be handicapped than one of those "pussies" you guys talk about who drive an automatic because of their own choice, or worse yet, their wives choice.

This coming from a guy who's wife made me get an auto in my 911. I was just going to put up with the pain to drive a 911 correctly, but she is the one who pointed out my physical shortcomings.
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