How bad are the automatics? (128i)

[bonez318ti]

Im looking at a 2008 128i convertible tomorrow that has an automatic transmission.

My question is how bad are the autos? I owned a 318ti in a previous lifetime and it was an automatic and while it did its job and didn't give me any problems I definitely wished for a manual occasionally (but I was into autocrossing into that time). My previous few weekend/fun cars were all manuals, and unfornately my wife never got to drive them (several Miatas, Mini Cooper Conv).

Will I regret getting the slushbox?

[K9Leader]

I have a 2010 328i x-drive E91 with the GM auto and a 2011 128i with the 6sp manual. The E91 has been my daily since 2018, and it is very good for daily/dog-hauling/commuting/highway travel. Do I occasionally, when on back roads, wish it were a manual? Yes. But if it were, I would find myself more often wishing it were an auto when doing daily driver things.

The manual in the E82 is just right for that car.

[fast1eddy]

If you’re looking for a top down cruiser I don’t think an auto would detract too much from the experience. My first drive in an E82 was my cousin’s 128 convertible with auto. I was hooked immediately by the size and feel of the car. It reminded me of my old E30 convertible. Drive one. If you like it go for it. Your wife will enjoy it too.

[Meestah Chow]

After a few decades driving stick I got the best low mileage 128i I could find and it had the GM auto. The auto isn't bad per se but it's no manual.

You'll probably want to drive it in sport mode almost all of the time, otherwise it will short shift for economy. You can also select gears manually with the shift lever, it's not the same as a manual but it'll do if you want to use the whole rev range.

[fotontom]

My first 1 series was a 128 automatic 'vert. At the time, I worked for a chain of trans shops. First thing I did was have the trans fluid changed. Car had maybe 94K on it at the time. Yes, the fluid was very dark because it was never changed. But the car performed very well until I swapped it for my current manual M-sport. The trans has a good reputation for durability, the key is getting the fluid changed regularly, like every 60K.

[NVHoo]

In 95% of your driving, the auto is fine. As others have said, the auto makes driving in heavy traffic much more pleasant.

[NorthernDancer]

I've had my sport pkg 6 speed manual for 12 years now and love it. HOWEVER, a few years ago I drove an automatic and was very pleasantly impressed so go for the auto.

[Blau]

I have an auto. I exclusively shift in sport with the steering wheel shifters because I can be more predictable that way. My car in it's current state of mods is super fun to drive. I've been collecting the parts for a manual swap but I've been dragging my feet ever since I got a manual Honda Fit.

Ignore AT hate. It's corny. Drive what you want/can afford.

[gjm120]

Many complain about the short shifting in regular mode. In keeping up with normal traffic it will shift somewhat quicker than being "sporty". Still, there is nothing near a lugging in the next gear.

[carscatscoffee15]

The GM auto isn't too bad ......

...... after you at least get it tuned


It definitely helps with the shift points, you get a quicker response/feel. Do I wish I had a 6MT? Yes... But my auto was on 16k miles when I got it and now 5.5 years later, it only has 36k.

So ultimately I chose milage and reliability as a determining factors in picking my vehicle.

Best of luck with whatever you choose and most importantly, enjoy it! Manual swaps can definitely happen and have been done so it's not entirely out of arms reach. Once my car hits higher milage, that's the route I'll take.

[MotoWPK]

I have 128i E88 with auto and about 46k miles. Overall I've been very happy with the transmission.

I find the auto shift points in standard and sport ocur when they should and the transmission is responsive in downshifting when called upon with throttle.

I often manually shift it sport mode which provides a nice blend of auto and manual, with the transmission responding promptly to shift commands.

Only complaint is when in manual shifting mode, it will lag in 2-3 shifts with more than moderate throttle and RPM. Never understood why as it doesn’t do this under the same throttle/engine speed conditions when shifting automatically, either in drive or sport mode. Others have reported this so conclude it's the nature of the beast.

Now I've also owned 3 bimmers with the ZF 8 speed tyranny (have one of them currently), and that is an excellent transmission, regardless of type, but I remain quite happy with 6 speed in my E88.

[JimD]

I ordered my e88 manual in 2009 after driving only automatics and a manual 3 series. I think the manual 1 is better than both. The automatic sometimes lags when you push on it. Didn't do what I wanted it to occasionally. The manual is great. Nice short throws and my clutch is fine at about 120K miles. I've driven a manual transmission more than automatics and have been driving for over 50 years now. Shifting is not an issue for me although my left knee is getting somewhat arthritic and I had to move the seat back some to keep that leg straighter.

I don't think it's terrible but if you like manuals you will like the manual more. It's the difference between an OK automatic and a nice manual.

Mileage is better for the automatic only because of gearing. BMW evidently believes people driving manuals will not downshift when they need to. The automatic actually hurts mileage except the gearing allows the engine to turn fewer rpm which makes up for the inefficiency of the torque converter automatic.

[mizzourahslim]

Nothing bad or wrong with AT, as all the previous posts have suggested.

I will add to follow this reset procedure, as it worked for me when I bought my car.

It really changed the shifting dynamic from the previous owners driving habit to adapting and syncing itself to my style.

After the initial “feeling the car out” phase, I did this during the second week of ownership (07-21) and it has remained fantastic since.

[RFChas]

I've been driving cars for 40+ years and for most of those years, it was all manuals. Three Mustangs, Maximas, and last manual purchase being a G35 6MT. I've driven F250's with three on the tree. I took my test in a stick.

I quit buying sticks when the auto's became better options. No longer did the manual give you an extra gear. And when I was intro'd to the ZF 8 sp's and turbo 6's? I mean, come on man...

Recently picked up a 32k mile 2008 128i. Seriously. 32k time capsule and wasn't a convertible. And the GM 6sp auto.

Look, if you're kinda new to driving and want to experience a stick shift for some romantic reason, by all means... go for it. But I'll be straight up, I'm having a hoot getting aquainted with the sport mode and paddle shifters. And frankly, it all offers more flexibility than the stick shift. It's easy to downshift with approaching hill or corner. Easy to hold the rev's in a good spot. And reality is, your N52 motor going to probably live a longer life at a lower avg rev range.

And maybe it's just me, but I think that the auto and sport mode have adaptive learning kinda thing happening? I don't know... but GM has been in biz of making some pretty good slushboxes for long time. It doesn't pop like a DCT or more modern ZF's. But it works great.

Get the stick shift if that's what ya want. And I get it. But there is a reason the auto was an option and today, most performance cars are autos.

BTW: I have a 636 with a 16k redline and 6sp with a clutch. Yea... I'm not missing anything on my 128i with the auto. Not a thing. Cheers all!

[adam787]

So you've changed your mind, but my dad hasn't. in recent years I have come to appreciate more the convenience and smoothness of automatic transmissions and I try to prove it to him here is the review of it.

[Gray_Panther]

I have an E82 in manual. My parents have the E88 with the GM slushbox.

When the top is down I don’t care if the clutch pedal is missing. The ride is very enjoyable!

The GM trans is also very durable looking at posts through the years.

I wouldn’t mind owning a convertible with the automatic transmission.

[RFChas]

And just thinking on it... I've paddle shifters on both the 335i and M40i and I've never bothered. Just pop the ZF in sport mode and seems to do a pretty good job keeping the turbo spooled up and in the power. But now, the paddle shifters in the 128i? I find 'em far more useful and engaging. Like I said, I'm having a hoot playing around with 'em in the little 128 but rarely messed with them in the others.

The other thing too... thinking on the 3 stage manifold... not sure the same benefits are found with auto vs manual? I mean, it's really in the upper rev ranges that benefit is realized? I have that right?

Anyways, my intent, at least right now with the 128i is to not mod the car but instead, spend the $$$ in maintaining the super clean time capsule condition. Black Saphire. Very classic. Y'all know the deal, when parking the car and walking away, turn back to check it out? Yea... the honeymoon stage of having a cool new ride. Good fun. Cheers all.