[Spaceman]

Automatic... for LA traffic that is. We have the 3 out of the top 5 worst freeways in the world. Our 405 freeway is virtually a large parking lot during rush hour... You wouldn't want to get stuck in stop-n-go traffic for 3 hrs a day in a manual. :mad:
6 years of manual is enough!

[abc]

Originally Posted by SCA

During the 80's & 90's BMW NA used to sell approx. 60% manuals and 40% automatics, that has changed. Currently it is approx. 65-70% automatics vs. 30-35% manuals.

A note of interest, if you purchase a manual and later try to sell it yourself, you are more than likely going to have a harder time trying to sell it vs. an automatic, especially in a sedan.

i wish i can find a correlation stat that shows that women owners/drivers have gone UP for BMW during the 80's and 90's!

[BellasBmw]

So this is going to sound pretty sad- But i HAD to buy an auto, cause i have NO idea how to drive a stick. I think i should have learned on a stick from day 1, but since ive only driven auto's, i tried to learn a stick but just couldnt. I was so used to using only 1 foot, and not shifting, that i would forget haha.. Bummer for me, so an auto is what i got. But i am still very much wanting to learn! (I practice on the step hehe)...

[David328M-Sport]

In Australia, the E90 320i & the 325i come with manual trannies as standard. Auto is an option. The 330i is auto only. We will have to wait until the 2 door variety comes out for a manual 330i.

The cost of the BMWs here in Australia are very high, so people expect them to be autos anyway. I agree that manuals are better for performance, fun and driveability, but autos do have their (non competing performance) advantages as well, no doubt.

I have had a wonderful 13 years of manual 3 series without any problems but it's time for me to move on to an auto for a change.

[Majikthese42]

I will give up my stick shift when they pry it from my cold, dead hand!

I live and work in the NYC area, so much for the traffic argument -- and my wife would never want to drive my car -- nor would I want to drive her's -- so a manual for me is just purrfect! I bought my first MT car 20+ years ago, and learned how to shift in DC traffic, which was awful even then.

If every manufacturer stopped selling manuals, I'd just buy something like an old G50 911 and drive it forever!

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by PHE

Its interesting to see the cultural differences. Manuals are much more popular than automatics in Europe (and probably most of the world). Generally, the only people who drive automatics in Europe are people with a disability. There are two main reasons why we Europeans prefer manuals. 1. If you enjoy driving, you have much more of a feeling that you are in control, and you get much quicker reaction times. 2. We tend to have much more stop-start situations, windier roads and more traffic, so that you need the quicker reaction time to pull away or overtake. Driving an automatic to me would seem dull, and I would not consider it, especially on a performance or sporty car.

I agree...I am surprised actually that BMW makes a Sport Package Auto...seems an oxymoron to me. I am not surprised by the result of the poll too on this website. Most here are enthusiasts....and enthusiasts usually prefer standards.

There are two types of people in this world...those that like to drive...and those that like to be driven....hhhmmm...can't believe I said that....

[Athos]

I ordered the manual because I think it's more fun. However, the automatic in the E90 is pretty nice and it makes a lot of sense for some people.

I ordered my car at Stevens Creek. I can confirm that the vast majority of cars on their lot are automatic. I asked my salesman (after the sale) how many cars that come into inventory are manual vs. automatic. He said that about 1% are manual these days but when he first started selling BMWs in 1986 it was 50/50 auto to manual.

[dnh325i]

I've spent enough of my life with a hot manual vehicle, now I'm ready to be practical in Houston traffic - automatic. I will never again own a standard, unless it's a weekender fun car.

[NY3Drvr]

The pleasure you get from driving a manual cannot compare with the automatic - no matter how good the steptronic is.

[fatass]

Im going with automatic. Basically it's like having sex with a condom on, but otherwise it's about 99% the same to me. I've decided that manuals are better left to two door sports cars for me.

[ag]

Originally Posted by fatass

Im going with automatic. Basically it's like having sex with a condom on, but otherwise it's about 99% the same to me.

Best comment on the forum so far.

[egtlover74]

Originally Posted by fatass

Im going with automatic. Basically it's like having sex with a condom on, but otherwise it's about 99% the same to me. I've decided that manuals are better left to two door sports cars for me.

Well, you are missing the best 1%

[BSM n54iS]

So is DCT now the best compromise on being able to eat, txt and send emails for work while getting from A to B?




















....trying to go for the record here. 12 years...beat that!!

[rsyed07]

DCT

[Jarrod]

This is not a good game. Especially with this Coke/Pepsi thread. You win, OK?

I just leave my DCT in manual mode and take it to redline for shifts.

[peacheyd]

Not a fan of autos , but when I did the London commute at rush hour for a year.. I prayed for for auto lol

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by peacheyd

Not a fan of autos , but when I did the London commute at rush hour for a year.. I prayed for for auto lol

You can't have this be your first post man

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

This is not a good game. Especially with this Coke/Pepsi thread. You win, OK?

I just leave my DCT in manual mode and take it to redline for shifts.

what coke Pepsi thread? Hell I just thought with all the other random threads getting dug up we make a game and have some fun with it.... But if I win then I'll accept!

[jeff408]

I conceder myself a manual guy. But I wanted the auto only because of the manual mode and paddle shift.

[N54B30A]

Having owned 2 auto 335i's and 2 manual 335i's, I can honestly say the manual is leagues ahead, feels like a different car. The autos were fast but had no soul.

[Zajac1]

Originally Posted by sahyoun

Having owned 2 auto 335i's and 2 manual 335i's, I can honestly say the manual is leagues ahead, feels like a different car. The autos were fast but had no soul.

I got the same situation as you. Had 328i coupe auto and now 328i wagon manual. Totally 2 different cars and I stay with manual

[JingChai]

Manual for me, however there are days when auto would be convenient in traffic.

Speaking of Stevens Creek BMW, when my dad ordered his 2006 E60 530i back in 2005, he has to wait an extra few weeks to get his car delivered from the factory because he wanted manual.