Manual vs auto transmission

[Dancerfan]

Ive driven manual transmission vehicles all my life for the most part,anything ive ever bought new came with a stick shift,even going back as far as 1976 when i bought a new Chev pickup equipped with a 350 V8 and "three on the tree" standard transmission!
If youre used to a stick,driving in traffic is no problem really,i dont think anything of it!

 

[pritty_kitten]

i agree, its not the same, i had acura 3.2cls, a real beauty but bad tiptronic tranny, and in a rare model its not worth replacing, less probs with a manual, if u know how to manage it right

 

[MmmMilena]

I think manual is better left for sport cars. If you're getting a luxury car such as a 3 series bmw, then get an automatic. If you want an M3 however, then you must get standard ( I dont know if they come in auto anyway..lol). I have a manual car and believe me.. it is fun to drive, but when you are in traffic..boy, it tries my patience!

In my opinion, get one car in auto and one in manual That way you can have the best of both worlds!

 

[pritty_kitten]

hey and look at the bright side, most women dont like stick, so if you married, the wife wont drive the car.

 

[AudiA4Guy]

I think manual is better left for sport cars. If you're getting a luxury car such as a 3 series bmw, then get an automatic. If you want an M3 however, then you must get standard ( I dont know if they come in auto anyway..lol). I have a manual car and believe me.. it is fun to drive, but when you are in traffic..boy, it tries my patience!

In my opinion, get one car in auto and one in manual That way you can have the best of both worlds!

That is true what you said. However....
I wouldn't consider a 3 series full blown luxury. The 7 series would be full blown luxury. The 3 series is more considered a sport-luxury. I would still stick with the manual for the 3 series. Especially since Bimmers make one of the best manual gearboxes.
Another note, don't go with the bottom of the line 3 series. What is it nowadays? the 323? That's just for someone that can say they have a Bimmer. I'd much rather choose the A4 turbo quattro over the 323 anyday.
If you are deciding on the 323, do a test drive between the two and don't think about the badging on the car. Test drive the cars for the cars itself.
However, I have heard that the new 3 series is a twin turbo. If that's the case, then that gets a BIG plus from me.
Just my 0.02 cents

P.S Milena....I still have to book an appointment with you sometime.

 

[MmmMilena]

That is true what you said. However....
I wouldn't consider a 3 series full blown luxury. The 7 series would be full blown luxury. The 3 series is more considered a sport-luxury. I would still stick with the manual for the 3 series. Especially since Bimmers make one of the best manual gearboxes.
Another note, don't go with the bottom of the line 3 series. What is it nowadays? the 323? That's just for someone that can say they have a Bimmer. I'd much rather choose the A4 turbo quattro over the 323 anyday. That's how I felt all my life. Getting the lowest line car in any series is a way of saying they have one and know nothing about the car.
However, I have heard that the new 3 series is a twin turbo
Just my 0.02 cents

P.S Milena....I still have to book an appointment with you sometime.

I agree... I hate seeing folks with the lowest 3 series. Same with the 4x4.. I hate seeing an X3 as opposed to the X5. If you are well off enough to own a beemer as you want to appear to be..then why not get a higher end model for a few extra $$..lol.

Over the summer I rear ended (excuse my terms) a blonde MILF driving a 1996 BMW 328. She got out and started going a tad bit phsyco saying that "this is gonna cost a lot to fix... blablabla, I cant believe this..blah blah blah..I just got the rust repaired and painted, blahblahblha.." I understand that its her car and she probably loves it, but she was acting waaaayyy to high-class about her *1996* bmw(which I only gave her 3 tinnyyy tinnyyy scratches! My car was the more damaged) geesh!

PS. IMO, I think 4 door cars should be auto. My friend bought a 2006 bmw 330, 4door in standard.. I dont like that. LOL, but I have my weird opinions about cars.

 

[AudiA4Guy]

I agree... I hate seeing folks with the lowest 3 series. Same with the 4x4.. I hate seeing an X3 as opposed to the X5. If you are well off enough to own a beemer as you want to appear to be..then why not get a higher end model for a few extra $$..lol.

Or....spend the same amount of money on a better SUV than the X3. But of course, it's not a Bimmer.

Over the summer I rear ended (excuse my terms) a blonde MILF driving a 1996 BMW 328. She got out and started going a tad bit phsyco saying that "this is gonna cost a lot to fix... blablabla, I cant believe this..blah blah blah..I just got the rust repaired and painted, blahblahblha.." I understand that its her car and she probably loves it, but she was acting waaaayyy to high-class about her *1996* bmw(which I only gave her 3 tinnyyy tinnyyy scratches! My car was the more damaged) geesh!

I think the 328 was the top of the line 3 series in 96. Actually, it might be quite costly for parts considering it's an older model. Not sure about that though.

PS. IMO, I think 4 door cars should be auto. My friend bought a 2006 bmw 330, 4door in standard.. I dont like that. LOL, but I have my weird opinions about cars.

Doesn't matter if you have wierd opinions of cars if you're HOT.
But it's not true that all 4 doors should be auto. It's all dependant on the car itself. The suspension it has and the main target for the car (sport sedan/luxury). For example, the RS4, A4, M5, TSX, any 3 series Bimmer. I'm sure the list goes on, but can't think of them off the top of my head (thanks to your pics).

 

[sybarites]

The latest transmissions cvts (continuously variable transmissions),offered on several new cars offer better acceleration and mileage than manual transmissions

 

[carguy34]

The new 3 series coupes are available with two engines ... the 328 with 230 HP and the 335 with 300 HP. Even the base 328 will be 50k + after a few options and taxes.

 

[AudiA4Guy]

The new 3 series coupes are available with two engines ... the 328 with 230 HP and the 335 with 300 HP. Even the base 328 will be 50k + after a few options and taxes.

So it's the 335 that's twin turbo'ed, right?

 

[carguy34]

yep, 300 HP and 300 lbft torque !! Your into the 70 K + for that model.

 

[AudiA4Guy]

yep, 300 HP and 300 lbft torque !! Your into the 70 K + for that model.

70+ K would be expected for a 300 HP, 300 lbft tq, twin turbo BMW. Now I'm wondering what the new M3 will be like. As much as I like turbo's, I just hope they don't decide to turbocharge that. The M3 should be left N/A.
Hmmm? Any other car out there with those specs for 70 k? STI anyone? Though it's only a single turbo and they're in different classes. But what wonders a chip, downpipe and custom exhaust can do for turbocharged cars.

 

[opieshuffle]

consider the winters as well...

In my experience, having a manual gives you more control in slick, or snowy conditions. You can start in 2nd... work the gears for speed and/or braking.

Unless I'm driving a large 6 or 8 cylinder car, manual always performs better for 4 bangers. You can push the full RPM range.

OP

 

[fjdude]

thanks for the replies

The new 3 series coupes are available with two engines ... the 328 with 230 HP and the 335 with 300 HP. Even the base 328 will be 50k + after a few options and taxes.

was planning on getting the 328i. w/ options it comes to about $54K and i'm only leasing for 3 yrs (yeah i know i lose on interest as opposed to buying outright).

I'm a bit concerned on one of the terbites comments on being a rookie stick shift driver and starting out on the bmw. i know how to drive stick and would drive my grandad's stick shift car when i used to visit for holidays but have never driven stick more than 3 weeks in a row. IS this going to be a huge problem in terms of repairs/maintenace.

any advice on proper way of driving stick?

 

[AudiA4Guy]

was planning on getting the 328i. w/ options it comes to about $54K and i'm only leasing for 3 yrs (yeah i know i lose on interest as opposed to buying outright).

I'm a bit concerned on one of the terbites comments on being a rookie stick shift driver and starting out on the bmw. i know how to drive stick and would drive my grandad's stick shift car when i used to visit for holidays but have never driven stick more than 3 weeks in a row. IS this going to be a huge problem in terms of repairs/maintenace.

any advice on proper way of driving stick?

Just as long as you've driven stick before and know how to drive stick, then I don't see a problem. Kinda like riding a bike. If you know how to ride a bike, you'll always know how to ride a bike. It'll come naturally.

 

[carguy34]

In my experience, having a manual gives you more control in slick, or snowy conditions. You can start in 2nd... work the gears for speed and/or braking.

Unless I'm driving a large 6 or 8 cylinder car, manual always performs better for 4 bangers. You can push the full RPM range.

OP

Some automatic cars have a switch that will start the car in 2nd gear in the snow, plus they have "ESP" electronic stability program which just about does away with any slipping in the snow. I know Mercedes has this and I'm pretty sure BMW's have it also.

 

[TRX]

BMW have it even manual as ETC switch "electronic traction control"

 

[AudiA4Guy]

A lot of the newer cars have some sort of traction/stability control anyways.

 

[dragondick]

Ive driven manual transmission vehicles all my life for the most part,anything ive ever bought new came with a stick shift,even going back as far as 1976 when i bought a new Chev pickup equipped with a 350 V8 and "three on the tree" standard transmission!
If youre used to a stick,driving in traffic is no problem really,i dont think anything of it!

I agree completely. I learned to drive in a manual, & have stayed with manual all my life. I taught my kids how to drive a manual. They took their driving tests in my manual. Even my children said now that they know how to drive a manual, they will never touch an automatic.

There is simply no satisfaction out of driving an automatic.

Any Terbites who want to learn how to drive manual, I offer my free service. You can learn about double declutching, heel-and-toe, all within 3 hours. However, if you want to be really good at it, you must PRACTICE. Then the "flow" comes naturally in heavy or no traffic. Eventually, you will feel that you, the driver, & the car become one.

 

[AudiA4Guy]

...Eventually, you will feel that you, the driver, & the car become one.

Good way to put it. I totally agree.