[whmacs]

Hi All,
After encouraging my son (I’m 46) to buy an older BMW (1998 318i 5 speed manual) as his first car, I’ve caught the bug and would like to get a BMW myself. Compared to my current model 2.4l automatic Honda Accord, his car is alot of fun to drive! Up until I purchased the Accord, I had always driven a manual. The automatic transmission in the Honda seems to remove all that fun (even with it’s ‘manual’ mode and gear paddles on the steering wheel ).

I’m looking at a used / demonstrator 2010-2011 (MY10.5 - MY11) 320d Coupe. There are a number available, however they are all automatic. I’m torn between an automatic and manual. Test driving an automatic 320d is no issue, but test driving a manual may well be.

I would really appreciate some advice on a manual 320d vs an automatic. The main reason to purchase the coupe is to put a bit of fun back into driving. My current limited thinking = manual.

While my dear wife is tentatively ok with my minor mid-life crisis, cost however may become a factor if the only way to get a manual is to order a new 320d Coupe. Budget wise I’m looking at < $70k. A new order may put a new manual out of my price range. If a manual is a better option, I could hold off awhile until funds allow a new purchase. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Stephen

[Max555]

Originally Posted by whmacs

While my dear wife is tentatively ok with my minor mid-life crisis,

Best mid life crisis you can have, you won't look back no matter what your end purchase is.

[Jeef Beef]

Second hand manual 135i coupe. Do it.

[RaihaX]

Could I tempt you in something better with your budget

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=1333C767A632

a lot of 335i within your budget!

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Second hand manual 135i coupe. Do it.

or what Jeef said

[John_01]

For me its hard to see the attraction of a manual transmission with a diesel. I'm not the world's biggest fan of Diesel engines, but I admit their torque is perfect for Auto transmissions. IMO, You would be better to get a 325i if you want to enjoy a nice sounding free-reving engine. 325i is nice to drive but not very fast. I think BMW Australia made a mistake ordering the first batch of 320d coupes and convertibles and got a whole shipment will all manual transmissions.

Second hand 135i is also a nice idea. Heaps of fun . You won't regret it as long as you find a decent example within your budget.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

the 320d is great...

manuals are great...

unfortunately manuals and diesels just don't really gel. plus resale will be rather poor.

Sub 70k there are LOTS more fun cars than a 320d (even if pwoh thinks otherwise!)

[Ninjaoz]

its weird E92 320d comes in manual but not in the sedan variant E90.

i've recently sold my E90 320i LCI in manual, it is not as popular as auto but definitely an enjoyment driving it!!

[Rivenscyr]

Get a 135i

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by Rivenscyr

Get a 135i

Join the dark side

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by John_01

For me its hard to see the attraction of a manual transmission with a diesel. I'm not the world's biggest fan of Diesel engines, but I admit their torque is perfect for Auto transmissions. IMO, You would be better to get a 325i if you want to enjoy a nice sounding free-reving engine. 325i is nice to drive but not very fast. I think BMW Australia made a mistake ordering the first batch of 320d coupes and convertibles and got a whole shipment will all manual transmissions.

Second hand 135i is also a nice idea. Heaps of fun . You won't regret it as long as you find a decent example within your budget.

I drove a 6MT 123d coupe as a loaner once - thinking the exact same thing. It won't go well together.

The car was surprisingly fun to drive. Better than the previous 123d coupe 6AT that I'd driven. It didn't feel like I'm labouring through the gears at all, and it was still happy to rev to 5,000rpm.

320d may be another matter altogether. I am still vouching for a 135i/335i as a mid life crisis car.

[Rivenscyr]

135i is also suttle and doesnt draw any attention

123d is meh, its torque band/power band is too linear whereas the 320d has small capacity, big boost and really shoves you back flat footed

[whmacs]

Originally Posted by whmacs

Hi All,
After encouraging my son (I’m 46) to buy an older BMW (1998 318i 5 speed manual) as his first car, I’ve caught the bug and would like to get a BMW myself. Compared to my current model 2.4l automatic Honda Accord, his car is alot of fun to drive! Up until I purchased the Accord, I had always driven a manual. The automatic transmission in the Honda seems to remove all that fun (even with it’s ‘manual’ mode and gear paddles on the steering wheel ).

I’m looking at a used / demonstrator 2010-2011 (MY10.5 - MY11) 320d Coupe. There are a number available, however they are all automatic. I’m torn between an automatic and manual. Test driving an automatic 320d is no issue, but test driving a manual may well be.

I would really appreciate some advice on a manual 320d vs an automatic. The main reason to purchase the coupe is to put a bit of fun back into driving. My current limited thinking = manual.

While my dear wife is tentatively ok with my minor mid-life crisis, cost however may become a factor if the only way to get a manual is to order a new 320d Coupe. Budget wise I’m looking at < $70k. A new order may put a new manual out of my price range. If a manual is a better option, I could hold off awhile until funds allow a new purchase. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Stephen

Thanks Guys,
I really appreciate all the responses and great suggestions for a first time poster.
So it sounds like an automatic may be a better match for the 320d? I'll organise a test drive and see how things go.

I would looovvveee a 335i coupe. I however have a major stumbling block with the finance committee. She will only approve my "mid-life crisis / toy / waste of money" (her words not mine) if it is 1 - 2 years old and still has a reasonable amount of warranty. She still blames me for encouraging our 17 year old to buy an older BMW. It needed a few parts, so she has come to understand non-warranty BMW repair costs! Thus the committee won't entertain spending approx. 70k on a 2008 model car, this has led to the idea of the 2011 320d coupe.

A manual 135i is a possibility, and I'm sure I'd be grinning like the village idiot driving one, but i do really like the 3 series coupes.

Maybe keep my eye out for a later model 325i manual coupe?

Regards,
Stephen

[Max555]

Originally Posted by whmacs

so she has come to understand non-warranty BMW repair costs! Thus the committee won't entertain spending approx. 70k on a 2008 model car,

I recently purchased my 2007 update with 26k on the clock from a Melbourne BMW, it came with 12 months warranty, 1 free service etc as per their premium used cars... I had the offer of extending the warranty to 3 years, which I didn't do because of my future plans for the car.In my opinion if you look the right car with the right history is out there.

[John_01]

Originally Posted by whmacs

Maybe keep my eye out for a later model 325i manual coupe?

325i coupes with MT are around. Also keep in mind the 125i which has a 3.0 litre verion of the engine in the 325i. The larger engine gives more torque.

[sbce90]

**waits for PWOH's usual 320d spiel, but he's overseas so we might have to wait**

The others have pretty much covered it all already.

- 320d in AT is good, but probably not what you're looking for in terms of driving.
- 320d in MT is a bit of a mis-mastch
- 325i MT provides a sweet N52 engine
- 125i MT provides an even sweeter N52 engine
- 135i MT is probably the car you will end up being happiest with. Power/torque/easy tuning.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by whmacs

Thanks Guys,
I really appreciate all the responses and great suggestions for a first time poster.
So it sounds like an automatic may be a better match for the 320d? I'll organise a test drive and see how things go.

I would looovvveee a 335i coupe. I however have a major stumbling block with the finance committee. She will only approve my "mid-life crisis / toy / waste of money" (her words not mine) if it is 1 - 2 years old and still has a reasonable amount of warranty. She still blames me for encouraging our 17 year old to buy an older BMW. It needed a few parts, so she has come to understand non-warranty BMW repair costs! Thus the committee won't entertain spending approx. 70k on a 2008 model car, this has led to the idea of the 2011 320d coupe.

A manual 135i is a possibility, and I'm sure I'd be grinning like the village idiot driving one, but i do really like the 3 series coupes.

Maybe keep my eye out for a later model 325i manual coupe?

Regards,
Stephen

For a mid-life crisis car, DEFINITELY stay away from the diesels. PWOH will hate me for this but I'm taking advantage of his absence.

You can get BRAND NEW 135i's for a bit over 70k. MY10 one with low kms and 6MT will be easy pickings. Take a drive in the twin turbo. You'll make your decision then and there.

Originally Posted by SBC

**waits for PWOH's usual 320d spiel, but he's overseas so we might have to wait**

The others have pretty much covered it all already.

- 320d in AT is good, but probably not what you're looking for in terms of driving.
- 320d in MT is a bit of a mis-mastch
- 325i MT provides a sweet N52 engine
- 125i MT provides an even sweeter N52 engine
- 135i MT is probably the car you will end up being happiest with. Power/torque/easy tuning.

+1 billion

[luster]

I tend to agree, a manual 320d wouldn't be very fun :/

[QLD]

Originally Posted by whmacs

Hi All, (I’m 46).............
....The main reason to purchase the coupe is to put a bit of fun back into driving.
....my dear wife is tentatively ok with my minor mid-life crisis

You have a cheque for $70k... and I have the perfect car for you... auto, yes... but the sexiest mofo Coupe you'll need to assist you through these 'mini-crisis' moments.. and rest assured - it will put a smile on your face when you put your foot down

[playwithonehand]

Ｇｒｅａｔｉｎｇ　ｍｙ　Ｂｉｍｍｅｒ　ｂｒｏｔｈｅｒｓ　

Ｓｅｅｉｎｇ　ｓｏ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｌｏｖｅ　ｆｏｒ　ＰＷＯＨ　ｉｔｓ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｊｕｍｐ　ｉｎ　： Ｄ　

Ｔｏｔａｌｌｙ　ａｇｒｅｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｗｈａｔ　ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅ　ｓａｉｄ．　Ｎｏ　ｐｏｉｎｔ　ｇｅ ｔｔｉｎｇ　ｄｉｅｓｅｌ　ｉｆ　ｙｏｕ　ｄｒｉｖｉｎｇ　ｍａｎｕａｌ　ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　ｄｉｅｓｅｌ　 ｐｅａｋ　ｔｏｒｑｕｅ　ａｒｅ　ａｔ　ｌｏｗ　ｒｅｖ　１７００－３５００ｒｐｍ　ａｎｄ　ｙｏｕ　ｄｅ ｆｉｎｉｔｅｌｙ　ｗａｎｔ　ｈｉｇｈ　ｒｅｖ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｍａｎｕａｌ　ｃａｒ．

Ａｌｓｏ　ｉｆ　ｙｏｕ　ｈａｖｅ　７０ｋ　ａｎｄ　ｎｏｔ　ｆｕｓｓ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｆｕｅｌ　ｃｏｎｓｕ ｍｐｔｉｏｎ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｉｔｓ　ｎｏ　ｂｒａｉｎｅｒ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ａ　Ｎ５４／５５　１３５ｉ．．． ．．ｔｈｅ　ｂｌｏｏｄｙ　ｂｅａｓｔ　ｃａｎ　ｒｏｃｋ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｌａｄｙ　ｓｏ　ｈａｒｄ　ｔｈａｔ 　ｓｈｅ　ｆｏｒｇｏｔ　ｗｈｏｓ　ｈｅｒ　ｄａｄｄｙ．

ＰＳ：
Ｉ　ａｍ　ａ　Ｂａｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｂｕｃｋｅｒ　ｎｏｔ　ａ　ｄｉｅｓｅｌ　ｌｏｖｅｒ　:thumsup :

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by playwithonehand

ｔｈｅ　ｂｌｏｏｄｙ　ｂｅａｓｔ　ｃａｎ　ｒｏｃｋ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｌａｄｙ　ｓｏ　ｈａｒｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｓ ｈｅ　ｆｏｒｇｏｔ　ｗｈｏｓ　ｈｅｒ　ｄａｄｄｙ．
　

I asked my girl and she verified this.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

I asked my girl and she verified this.

Definitely go for 135i come visit us at the 1er forum!

[Dec540]

Go a 135/335. The money you save on depreciation alone will well and truly cover maintenance costs and a few mods