Manual vs auto transmission

[fjdude]

Was hoping i could get some insight from fellow Terbites. Thinking of getting the new bmw 3 series coupe but i'm not sure whether i should get a manual.

the only thing that appeals to me is that it feels manlier to drive stick (my warped view i guess). I've heard everyone tell me its a pain in traffic but other than that is there any other reason why i shouldn't get a manual?

thanks

 

[tboy]

Well, the car will perform better with a manual and will get better gas mileage if you drive it right. But if you don't know what you're doing, and never driven a stick before, I don't know if it comes with it but the new trannys with the ability to manually shift are great ideas. You get the best of both worlds....

But if you know what you're doing you can really make a sports sedan stand up and dance with a std something you can't do (or it is much more difficult) with an automatic.

 

[Asterix]

Was hoping i could get some insight from fellow Terbites. Thinking of getting the new bmw 3 series coupe but i'm not sure whether i should get a manual.

the only thing that appeals to me is that it feels manlier to drive stick (my warped view i guess). I've heard everyone tell me its a pain in traffic but other than that is there any other reason why i shouldn't get a manual?

thanks

Besides saving gas, the real difference is if you enjoy it or not. Personally I have more fun driving a stick, and feel that much more in control of the car.

 

[gridiron]

Also alot less trade in value with stick. That the dealer can tell you

 

[frasier]

How about a compromise and go with a semi-automatic or sometinmes called "auto stick". Not sure if BMW has it, but I know some other high end cars do.

 

[ragingbull666]

How about a compromise and go with a semi-automatic or sometinmes called "auto stick". Not sure if BMW has it, but I know some other high end cars do.

Is this car is you're daily driver?
Buy a stick if you enjoy driving the car from a performance perspective. You won't get better gas mileage with a manual car unless you shift at specific shift points (low rpm"s) which takes all the fun out of driving stick. An automatic car will apeal to more people when it comes time to resell and brakes are cheaper than a clutch to replace. Plus with traffic and congestion now days driving stick is a headache. It would be nice if you had a secondary car that you cruise around on you're personal time that was standard...eg sports car, convertible etc, just not a daily driver. IMO.

 

[danmand]

A real man drives a manual transmission, but if you are spending any time on the QEW or the 401, get an automatic. The new computer controlled automatic transmissions are very good. My 500SL is automatic, and I really never miss the manual.

 

[TRX]

manual is more fun to drive and is more economical for transmission fluid maintainance

 

[james t kirk]

Simple.

Buy yourself the BMW in the automatic to use as your daily sled.

This spring, find yourself a nice C2 corvette, or an Autin Healy 3000, or a Triumph TR5, etc. etc. with a manual.

Then you've covered all your bases.

Besides, the old sports cars - you drive them, they don't drive you. There's things like "choke" (what is that he said), manual steering, leaky door seals, solid axle suspension, etc. etc. A real man's sports car in other words.

 

[BackwardsBret]

While for most makes it true that a manual has lower resale value that may not be true for a BMW, especially a 3 series. They really appeal to people who like to drive rather than being driven and those are the people who like a manual.


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[BuffNaked]

Get stick. Anyone who tells you it's a pain in traffic is a spoiled princess. It's a more enjoyable driving experince and you open the door to alot of techniques for driving that you don't have with automatic.

 

[k57]

I think you have all the info you need here. Some types of vehicles DESERVE to be fitted with a manual tranny, such as the one you wish to buy. If you REALLY know how to drive a stick the argument about driving in urban traffic is BS.
By the way, I don't care what anyone says, 'autostick' type set-ups suck and never measure up to the real experience of shifting with a manual.

Resale is an issue for run of the mill, bread-and-butter vehicles: If you're concerned about depreciation, stick to an automatic in those cases.

Also, repair bills will be higher if you don't know how to properly drive a stick (ie burned out clutches, etc.)

 

[carguy34]

Get the automatic, the new 3 series coupe comes with a 6 speed automatic and you can shift the gears if you want to (manumatic). The new Porsche 911 turbo comes with both manual and tiptronic (automatic) and the automatic transmission is faster 0-60 than the manual. Now a days even Ferrari and Lamborghini have automatic transmissions available, so I don't think manual transimissions are more "manly". Are you looking at the 328 or the 335 coupe ? If you get the BMW let us know how you like it, i've been looking at it too.

 

[Svend]

I prefer the automatic, especially in heavy traffic going up hills where you have to ride the clutch.
I have no problem driving a manual, it's just a bit more stressful and I like a relaxing ride. If I was on a winding road in a nice little sports car a manual would be more enjoyable.
I also don't see why driving is considered "manly".

 

[BackwardsBret]

i dont know about that.....not one person i know who bought a bmw bought it because they like to drive....it's a plus, but that's not the reason they bought it....they bought it because it was a BMW. the main reason they bought it was simply because of the name and the associated cachet that comes with it.

Quess I'm showing my age. People used to buy BMWs because they liked to drive. But then that was when one was referred to as a Bimmer. Then the yuppies came along and started calling them Beemers.


b

 

[allaboutben]

I found that driving manual in traffic a lot was a real drag. I only get automatic transmission now.

If you're a rookie stick man, dont break yourself in on a BMW. You dont want huge repair bills.

 

[pritty_kitten]

How about a compromise and go with a semi-automatic or sometinmes called "auto stick". Not sure if BMW has it, but I know some other high end cars do.

tiptronic is not the same, and if the tranny goes, a bitch to replace. dont go half assed, just pic one or the other.

 

[danmand]

I found that driving manual in traffic a lot was a real drag. I only get automatic transmission now.

Same here, I would prefer to drive a manual, but sitting on the 4xx highways is just too painful without an automatic.

 

[AudiA4Guy]

Get stick. Anyone who tells you it's a pain in traffic is a spoiled princess. It's a more enjoyable driving experince and you open the door to alot of techniques for driving that you don't have with automatic.

Ditto. I went to an automatic one time thinking to myself, I'm getting older and will probably get used to it. Boy was I wrong. I HATED driving auto. VERY boring. So I had to sell it. Especially since it was an A4 turbo with Quattro. I totally missed out on it's true ability.
Nothing beats driving stick. Gotta love the total control you have with the car and the heel and toeing etc. The last thing on my mind was traffic. I don't find it a pain at all cuz like anything else, you'll get use to it.
Also, don't think of the resell point because a grand difference is nothing if you can enjoy the car more over a few years period. In other words, don't let things like traffic or depreciation steer you away from driving stick.
What I like to say is, "I'd rather drive the car, then have the car drive me".

 

[Samthe12man]

If you want to 'drive' the car, get the stick. That's the fullest experience! The high performance engine acts 'best' with a manual transmission. The shiftable automatic is just so much hype and waste.