[Wildcat Jon]

I drove a 330i SP 6 speed today for 40 minutes through the twisties and was unbelievably impressed with not only the ride quality, which is firm, but not too harsh, and the fun of the 6 speed, which I haven't driven in 15 years. However, I do drive in alot of stop and go traffic and therefore will get the auto. Dealer said they don't get many SP/Autos. I'd have to order anyway. I found that an interesting comment. Any others have auto and SP? Any problems finding? Thx.

[Athos]

Originally Posted by Wildcat Jon

I drove a 330i SP 6 speed today for 40 minutes through the twisties and was unbelievably impressed with not only the ride quality, which is firm, but not too harsh, and the fun of the 6 speed, which I haven't driven in 15 years. However, I do drive in alot of stop and go traffic and therefore will get the auto. Dealer said they don't get many SP/Autos. I'd have to order anyway. I found that an interesting comment. Any others have auto and SP? Any problems finding? Thx.

I test drove a 330i with an automatic transmission and the sport package (dealer demo) less than two weeks ago. Maybe your dealer wanted you to buy the car at hand.

[RedStripe]

I'm going to echo his Athos's remarks. The guy wanted you to buy the car.

[marcus330i]

Yeah...maybe he meant the first assortment of cars coming in are SP manual. The majority of 3 series (sport or not) are automatics.

[silverado]

The dealer I used had a 330i arriving with sports package and automatic. Interestingly, I had the same experience you had and decided to go with manual because the fun the drive is definitely worth it for me. Luckily, we found a car that was in the NJ port and pulled it, so I didn't have to order one and wait.

[Armen52]

Sport/Auto here on the 330i. My car was an order anyway because of the uncommon color combo so nobody ever mentioned anything about hard to find sport/auto combos. I seriously doubt it though.

I think more than 2/3rds of 3 series sold are auto.

[Broken1]

That's funny, it's completely different here. Most poeple opt for manuals in a sporty car such as a 330i. It might also be because an auto box costs R13000 (more than $2000) more. That means a std 330i Auto will cost R360 000 or around $60 000 *shock* Shame poor us, we get ripped off holy, considering they BUILD THE CARS IN THIS COUNTRY(south africa)!!!

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by marcus330i

Yeah...maybe he meant the first assortment of cars coming in are SP manual. The majority of 3 series (sport or not) are automatics.

Like in Johannesburg as Broken1 also said, here in NL it's 75% manual 25% auto box. In the rest of Europe it 'll be almost the same.

It's not a 5 or 7 series(doh) which are 99% bought with auto boxes(EU)

[CnoteMD]

The first E90 I test drove was a 330i with manual and sport package. When I brought my wife back to look at one, they had the car on the showroom and only automatics were left to test drive.

I took it for a drive anyway, just to show my wife what I was planning to buy. The salesman couldn't understand why I was going to buy a manual while living in the NJ/NYC area. It seems that most of the cars in this area are automatics. Just try doing a CPO search at the BMW website; there are way more automatics in this area available.

I've driven a manual in congested cities (NYC, Boston, Atlanta) before, and I will do it again.

Michael

[Wildcat Jon]

Guy knew I wasn't buying that one yesterday and was very low pressure (no pressure). Maybe they just don't allocate as many auto sp. Who knows. I'm probably going ED anyway after comfort access is available unless I get $2K off sticker (which may be unlikely). Also, considering the Xi but only if it has wheels as nice as the SP 162s.

[Armen52]

I believe the style of the wheels on the various Xi cars is detailed in the large "Product Information" brochure. There is a PDF of it in a sticky at the top of the general forum.

[DHC]

My CA said only 8% of BMWs sold in the USA were manuals. That seems awful low but I guess it includes all the 5s and 7s.

There was no question I was getting a manual. It's a good one, by Getrag, and I can't wait till I'm rowing my own on my great commute through North Atlanta (Riverside Drive, north of Johnson's Ferry for you locals!).

I test drove the step, as well. It's a real good auto and has almost imperceptible shifts but I just can't see myself getting THE sport sedan and no manual.

YMMV.

[matrix]

Three years ago I leased a 530i with the Auto/Step....It was the first Auto tranny car I have ever owned (was experimenting). To make a long story short, I just picked up my E90 330i with the sports pack and a 6SP manual. Boy it felt good to be back home in the "manual" world, even if I live in new York.

[Athos]

I went back to the dealer today (getting to be a ritual). With this thread in mind, I counted 15 E90s. Only one had a manual! At least three cars were 330s with autos and the sport package.

[pharding]

Wildcat John:
Please list your location and ride. It makes the board more interesting and gives us insights into where you are coming from. Thanks.

I have the sport package and the steptronic on my 5er e60 and it works fine for me. The manual transmission is great except in city driving. My son in LA ordered an e90 with sport and the steptronic tranny. The dealer said that it is extremely rare to sell a mt at their dealership because of the heavy stop and go traffic.

[CC 330i]

I have seen many automatics with sport package at several dealers in CA and Oregon. I agree that I think the dealer just wanted to sell you the car they had on hand, high pressure or not.

[Wildcat Jon]

Again, he knew I wasn't buying anyway until comfort access is available. I just think he was bored on a beautiful Friday afternoon and wanted an excuse to ride around the twisties with someone. . .

[cosmosblau]

There are NO sport / Auto / premium 325i's on any lot for sale in Southern California currently. There are a few on the way on boats right now (like mine).

It seems much easier to get sport package / auto on 330i's.

[Wildcat Jon]

Product info guide says xi sport wheels will be the 158s in 17 inch. Any thoughts on those. I haven't seen alot of pics of those wheels. 162s in 18s as an option?

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by cosmosblau

There are NO sport / Auto / premium 325i's on any lot for sale in Southern California currently. There are a few on the way on boats right now (like mine).

It seems much easier to get sport package / auto on 330i's.

Ahh, my bad. I thought we were talking about 330i 's ....

[Wildcat Jon]

Looks like from the product info guide that the 158s in 17 inch are the wheels on the 330xi sport pkg. Any more pics of the 158s out there besides the three pics in the wheels guide posted above? Help?

[DerekS]

In the May issue of BMW Car mag,pp.52-58, you will see a review of the E90 330i, equipped with 158's and Pirelli Euforias. I prefer these wheels to the stock 159's for the non-sport version 330i. They give the car a more aggressive look.