[CptJoe732]

Hey everyone, been looking for a 335i for a while and can't seem to find something that suits my tastes / price range. Recently found a decent mileage 335i that's automatic but I'm used to a manual 5spd. Who has come from a manual and dropped into a 6spd automatic. What's your input, are you happy or wishing you got the manual? Any experiences would help me out. Thanks

[BuellsterR1]

Here you go.....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=800617

Enjoy!

[Revlis]

If you're an enthusiastic driver, or at least fancy yourself a "real" driver, settling for an automatic can be soul crushing. A bad step. I had to settle for Auto's the first few years I was married cause we could only afford one car. Those were the freaking dark ages.

The Steptronic ? Auto isn't bad, but my impression from having driven a couple BMW loaners and a test drive in an N55 Auto is that it is still a slushbox, still an auto, and essentially kills the experience.

[CptJoe732]

Originally Posted by BuellsterR1

Here you go.....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=800617

Enjoy!

Thank you for not bashing lol

[N54 Junkie]

I went from a 6 speed rotary to an auto. For me personally, I sit in traffic for hours everyday and while I miss my manual dearly, it is nice not to have to constantly work a clutch to go 20 feet and then either hold a clutch down or drop to N. Its all personal choice. If I didn't have to sit in traffic, I'd have a manual.

[cap1]

Went from a six-speed manual to an automatic 335i. I do miss the manual but with the Alpina transmission flash manual or sport mode is a ton of fun.

[g335]

I'd rather drive a 325i manual over a 335i automatic. driving experience is much better with a third pedal. IMO

[g335]

I'd rather drive a 325i manual over a 335i automatic. driving experience is much better with a third pedal. IMO

[Beemw335]

Originally Posted by g335

I'd rather drive a 325i manual over a 335i automatic. driving experience is much better with a third pedal. IMO

Driving experience with less than 200hp?

Originally Posted by CptJoe732

Hey everyone, been looking for a 335i for a while and can't seem to find something that suits my tastes / price range. Recently found a decent mileage 335i that's automatic but I'm used to a manual 5spd. Who has come from a manual and dropped into a 6spd automatic. What's your input, are you happy or wishing you got the manual? Any experiences would help me out. Thanks

Went from a manual '94 Cobra, to a manual '03 Si, to my now auto 335. No, I don't regret it one bit. The auto in these cars aren't too bad at all...I certainly would have considered going manual again, but BMW just doesn't do it right IMO. The shifter and clutch feel too sloppy/disconnected IMO. I've driven a bunch of manual 335's before buying this one. I've also spent a ton of time behind the wheel of my buddie's E93 M3 as well and it was no better in that car either. Just not my cup of tea I guess.

[kaede]

I have not bought a single auto car until my recent purchase of Merc E63 Wagon. Do i wish it's manual? Nope. Will the driving experience be better with a Stick and a Clutch Pedal? Probably. Honestly though, if the transmission of the car was made right, it doesn't really matter whether or not its manual or auto. There are tons of phenomenal auto cars (Dual Clutch transmission, or DSG, or DCT, or PDK, or whatever the hell you want to call it) and they drive insanely well.

When i consider buying a car, i always think of this first, was the car designed in the beginning to have a manual tranny? or auto? For eg, E46 m3, no brainer, manual for sure. The new F10 M5? Auto. FR-S/BRZ? Manual. e9x? Manual. F30? Auto. One can probably have a very good idea/sense what a car was initially designed for. But at the end of the day, you should go with your heart, go test drive both, see what you like! Good Luck!

[CptJoe732]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Went from a manual '94 Cobra, to a manual '03 Si, to my now auto 335. No, I don't regret it one bit. The auto in these cars aren't too bad at all...I certainly would have considered going manual again, but BMW just doesn't do it right IMO. The shifter and clutch feel too sloppy/disconnected IMO. I've driven a bunch of manual 335's before buying this one. I've also spent a ton of time behind the wheel of my buddie's E93 M3 as well and it was no better in that car either. Just not my cup of tea I guess.

Well I had an Act Hd-ss in my WRX and you got a work out from that thing. Ive been in a e46 m3 and it was meh. I just cant see myself spending a ton of money on a 335i and not getting a manual.

[themyst]

Went from a 6MT 135i to a 6AT 335i, been driving manual for 12 years before the switch (Civic Si, 350z, G35, Celica GT-S) the 6AT is great. I don't miss manual at all. (maybe I'm getting old).

[nightops]

Originally Posted by CptJoe732

Well I had an Act Hd-ss in my WRX and you got a work out from that thing. Ive been in a e46 m3 and it was meh. I just cant see myself spending a ton of money on a 335i and not getting a manual.

you will probably regret it if you dont get the manual. if you test drive one, make sure it has the cdv delete done( you can search this). basically its designed to prevent alot of shock on the trans by delaying the clutch engagement which leads to a very vague engagement point and less than responsive shifting. I had the steptronic in the first 335 i had in it was very good in sport/manu mode where you use the paddles. it rev matched and shifted very quickly, but it was a little too easy and kind of like being in a videogame. As a car i wanted to keep for a long time- i'm glad i got the manual.

[themyst]

Originally Posted by nightops

you will probably regret it if you dont get the manual. if you test drive one, make sure it has the cdv delete done( you can search this). basically its designed to prevent alot of shock on the trans by delaying the clutch engagement which leads to a very vague engagement point and less than responsive shifting. I had the steptronic in the first 335 i had in it was very good in sport/manu mode where you use the paddles. it rev matched and shifted very quickly, but it was a little too easy and kind of like being in a videogame. As a car i wanted to keep for a long time- i'm glad i got the manual.

Not to mention the 6AT has a shorter rear end so it will accelerate quicker and hold boost between shifts and can launch in 2nd gear, along with other things I can't quite remember off the top of my head.

I know of people who even road course their autos.

[zeel]

the 6AT + trans flash = win!

[RnmEvo9]

Only consider the manual if you are aiming for BIG power, otherwise the auto tranny on this platform is pretty stout. I test drove several 6spd 135i and 335i before picking my auto and I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy rowing those gears like I did in my previous platform, so I went with the auto with no regrets.

Test drive both and see what you like better.

[335xiRT1]

Went from 6mt 335i to 6mt 135i to 6AT 335i first auto car ever (been driving for 14 years)
My opinion don't do it.
I regret it.
Now I'm stuck in a lease for another 18 months.
And I have the alpina trans flash.
Its Just not the same.

[BMWM.D.]

It's really a personal thing..... but I've always felt the N54 just works better with an automatic. Drive both before you make a decision.

I've always been a 'manual guy', but both 335i's I've owned have had the ZF auto. I have the luxury of having a weekend car/hotrod that has a 6-speed manual, though, so I get it out of my system there.

FWIW, the automatic N54 cars are usually a little faster, too.

[Leekay07]

I driven stick since I was 17 (just 20 years ago). Anyway I loved my Manual tranny in every car but it did have big draw backs. My WRX hated the winter and had to run none SAE approved redline just to shift in -10 weather. 5th gear was meh and the constant rattle in the clutch drove me nuts. Before buying my BMW I test drive a GS and a GSR Evo 10 and WOW I will never say Auto's are crap again. Take them 2 cars out for a drive and push them equally and come back and post your reaction on here. Since then I never turn my nose up at an Auto. The BMW 335i has an amazing tranny in the AT. I would like it to be a little more willing to change down sometimes but I use my tranny for down shifts to engine break and everything and it seems to never grumble.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Clutch_SST

[shadow191]

The auto in the 335 is one of the better ones I've tried. It's pretty direct vs. some other cars I've had where the torque converter feels "loose" and the car isn't as responsive. Compared to my Infiniti FX35 (basically G35 drivetrain), the 335 auto is much better. And the FX has a decent transmission. And the paddles actually shift quickly. I used to have an IS350 and the paddles were useless because there was literally almost a 1 second lag between hitting the paddle and a shift. So all in all, I don't regret getting the auto. Plus I drive in a lot of traffic and every time I've driven a stick in traffic, I've been very frustrated. Maybe if I had a track car or weekend car, a stick would make sense. But as a compromise, the auto is pretty good.

[335iJWC]

Also depends how hard you are going to drive your car, at a track or spirited driving for more that 15mins the auto requires a huge upgrade to cooling to stay out of limp mode, even in stock form.