[vladinecko]

I know that all the differences between automatic and manual tranny have been discussed here multiple times, but I couldn't find any info on whether or not there is a big difference in resale value of those two. If you're not leasing, this becomes an issue once you want to upgrade in the years to come (to E90 M3 in my case, loooong years till I get there though ).

Anyone has that info? I would much rather prefer a manual, but if it's going to be hard to sell or sell for way less than it's worth, I'll go for an automatic.

Also, any info on resale value of 325i vs. 330i?

Thanks!

[fatass]

Well, in general you can bet that automatics will be easier to sell than manuals. That said, in terms of resale 'value' lets say that you spend $1,200 more purchasing the automatic. Five years later the difference between a used automatic and manual may only be $400. This means that you lost $800 on that option.

Same goes for the resale value of the 325i vs the 330i. I believe that the residual of the 325i currently is better than the 330i by only 1% on a 3 year lease.

[visor]

Fisrtly, as discussed many times before, buy it for yourself; not for whomever is going to buy it from you in 3-7 years down the road.

Secondly, like the leather vs. leatherette resale value issue, you will not get all your money back on the option on resale, whether it be auto, premium, etc. You'll be lucky to get 2/3 to 3/4 back.

Thirdly, manual is a rarity, and that sometimes can be good for the seller when demand exceeds supply on the 2nd hand market.

[CA330i]

When come time to sell, you will probably get more (superfluous) interest with an automatic, but I don't belive there will be much difference in price. Get what you want... manual

[longtran]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

I know that all the differences between automatic and manual tranny have been discussed here multiple times, but I couldn't find any info on whether or not there is a big difference in resale value of those two. If you're not leasing, this becomes an issue once you want to upgrade in the years to come (to E90 M3 in my case, loooong years till I get there though ).

Anyone has that info? I would much rather prefer a manual, but if it's going to be hard to sell or sell for way less than it's worth, I'll go for an automatic.

Also, any info on resale value of 325i vs. 330i?

Thanks!

see, if it was someone like me. i would difinitely get the manual. when searching for cars, i only look for manual. i know it is cheaper but very fun to drive. i know if you take it to europe it's an easy sell. lol

[David328M-Sport]

i had no trouble getting a very good resale value for my old e46 323i manual when i traded it in for my e90.

not a real issue to be worrying about at this time when the model is so new. iagree with the others, just buy what you want and don't worry about something some years away.

enjoy your car, no matter what you settle for.

[ward]

some people may worry about buying a car with an automatic tranny that's never been serviced over 70-80 thousand miles

people will always be looking for both,

if you want an idea, go to kbb.com and look at a 5 year old 3 series with 60K miles and see what the difference is for those cars. I'd imagine that'd give you an idea of what to expect

[CC 330i]

Yes, it's like this:

80% of Americans would pay a little more for an Auto. (but)

I wouldn't even consider an Automatic BMW.

So there you have it.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by ward

if you want an idea, go to kbb.com

ward, your avatar cracks me up every time i look at it

thanks all for your input. here is what I found out from KBB on a 7-year old 328i with 84,000 miles in it and good condition because that's probably the closest where I will be in 7 years with the 330i E90.

Trade-in Value
Manual - $6,745
Automatic - $7,150

Private Seller Value
Manual - $8,580
Automatic - $9,050

If you look at the private seller difference, that's almost $500! Which means, spending $1,200 on an automatic at the beginning will have you loose its value $100 every year after that. Which means, after 10 years, it shouldn't really matter. But it does. Here are the results with a 10-year old 325i with 100k miles in it:

Trade-in Value
Manual - $4,495
Automatic - $4,850

Private Seller Value
Manual - $6,035
Automatic - $6,450

So, after 8+ years, you get your money's worth with an automatic since the difference between a manual seems to stabilize and is still worth more.

But, of course, as you said, it will be a matter of supply-demand kind of thing.

[Nikki]

Yeah it's because people today are too lame to actually learn how to drive their cars, they can't figure out how to push in an extra pedal and move a knob around? Either that or they're too lazy to do it. But they talk on their cell phones, drink coffee, and read the newspaper during their morning commute--that seems like a challenge! sigh*

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by Nikki

people today are too lame to actually learn how to drive their cars, they can't figure out how to push in an extra pedal and move a knob around

but, if I had to commute somewhere every morning, I wouldn't be even thinking about this and just go for auto. If you commute (bumper to bumper) and drive the stick, you can literally grow a second calf on your left leg...
thank god that is not an issue for me. rock on public transportation! :rocks:

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

but, if I had to commute somewhere every morning, I wouldn't be even thinking about this and just go for auto. If you commute (bumper to bumper) and drive the stick, you can literally grow a second calf on your left leg...
thank god that is not an issue for me. rock on public transportation! :rocks:

I commute 2 miles every day except Friday. It takes 25 minutes with no traffic and 40 minutes with traffic. I don't mind, I just put it in neutral alot.

[fatass]

I think that a lot of people on the boards here are buying 330i's in manaul with a sports package. That's just the type of people who surf the boards here. That said, majority of BMW buyers are purchasing 325i's in automatic.

[Squawks]

Originally Posted by Nikki

Yeah it's because people today are too lame to actually learn how to drive their cars, they can't figure out how to push in an extra pedal and move a knob around? Either that or they're too lazy to do it. But they talk on their cell phones, drink coffee, and read the newspaper during their morning commute--that seems like a challenge! sigh*

Uhhhhh...quite a lot of people out there who KNOW how to drive manual, DROVE manual for long long periods of times, OWNED a manual...but guess what? ENDED up getting automatic in the future.

Come on, kids. Enough of this bashing. It's pretty obvious that automatics will one day take over the world and completely dominate manuals. Oh wait, market-wise it already has. Henry Ford would be upset if he was still alive today.

Don't even make me mention DSGs or the fact that there is no left pedal in F1. They're both faster than manuals and ok, I'll give it to you guys that they'll be less physically demanding and thus less fun.

As I said previously, get manual windows, manual sunroofs, manual door locks, non-power steering, and for the love of all of what's left of humanity, end the indolence.

[billgti]

i've been driving manual in LA for the past 5 yrs and i ended up getting automatic cuz i grew tired of all the traffic there is in LA. i do about 3 hrs everyday going less than 30 miles. anyway, the point is not all of us with autos are lowly people who can't drive stick.

[Squawks]

Amen, billgti. What you just said, however, is hypocrisy among the faithful, manual votaries. It only enervates their gang/bandwagon when yet another fellow manual'er has fallen prey to the depraved clique of automatic'ers.

Isn't it funny how the only people who carp about transmissions are the ones who drive manuals? Are you not happy with what you have? Stop complaining about what others decide on and ESPECIALLY stop debasing others from their choices (i.e. Nikki - but since you are a young, ingenuous gal, I condone you).

3 hrs for less than 30 miles in LA? That's not bad - a buddy of mines is only 2 miles away from work, but takes 1 hour. And you know how you can't ride a bike in hot LA.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Uhhhhh...quite a lot of people out there who KNOW how to drive manual, DROVE manual for long long periods of times, OWNED a manual...but guess what? ENDED up getting automatic in the future.

I find this to be true too. I've met several people that still drive manual after years and just cannot wait to get rid of it and switch to auto. i guess it all depends on how much you have to drive in tedious traffic and how you want to drive your car. and as fatass pointed out, 330i + Stick + Sport Pckg type of people probably drive more on windy, fast, side roads rather than LA type of cities.

Why is Europe almost all in manual? They do have big cities and traffic too, so what's different then?

[Squawks]

In Europe:

1) Automatics cost more and quite a bit of Europe would be hesitant to spend the extra money on such a transmission
2) Manuals conserve a bit more gas in an area already soaring in gas prices
3) Automatics are heavier, further diminishing fuel savings

It costs what, $7 a gallon there on average? I never took that into consideration for the ED planning but now I must. Expecting to run me like $1,000 on gas costs alone.

[cosmosblau]

Originally Posted by CC 330i

.....I wouldn't even consider an Automatic BMW.

....

I bet you would if you had to commute on the 405!

[stressdoc]

It is especially interesting that the manual trans is so popular in Euro even with diesels, where the kick from winding out is, how to put this politely, diminutive. From a thrills perspective, you might as well have a steptronic on a diesel. I guess it must boil down to economics; less expensive to buy, run, and maintain.

[MonacoBlueNJ]

Why are transmissions the only thing in which poeple refuse to give in and go with better, smarter, easier and more convenient technology? When talking SMG type transmissions, or even steptronic types, How can you say you'd rather use an extra pedal for no reason? When you mow your lawn would you use a non-motorized mower and then argue that you do it because you like to mow your lawn? Better yet, do you call the guy down the street with a ride-on mower "less of a man?"

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by MonacoBlueNJ

Better yet, do you call the guy down the street with a ride-on mower "less of a man?"

Yes.