[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by sokdo

I'm not too sure myself but I think you are fine with the auto gear box with the stock turbos with the ecu reflashes. I'm pretty sure you will need to change it out once u get some aftermarket turbos

Agree.

Originally Posted by seanl

FWIW, a clutch is significantly cheaper to replace than an auto trans.

Agree.

I'm all up for the DCT in the M3, and that's my plans in a couple years after my extended warranty runs out, but there's a part of me that wants to stick with the manual since it's so fun to drive and because the maintenance and parts on it in comparison is so inexpensive.

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by ZTUNER

If you want to compare Auto vs manual reliability you need to look at it like this

Manual
Clutch replacement if it breaks
Flywheel cost
Potential to break rear end with slicks / abuse
Potential to break / wear out synchros
It is harder / more expensive to upgrade manuals and you have to factor in the strength of the diff / axles /driveshaft etc. An auto imposes a lot less stress on the diff / axles and driveshaft since it applies torque smoothly compared to a manual driven agressively.

Auto
Yes you can burn up an auto if you abuse it enough. If you do why replace when you can rebuild with stronger components. At this time there have been virtually no failures of the auto trans. Maybe after these cars get older there will be failures and at that point people will identify the fixes and the safe limits. Meanwhile i would suggest getting the auto oil replaced at atleast 30 - 40 m intervals even though BMW claims its a lifetime fill. You can always send the oil for analysis to show wear on the clutch packs. Highly recommended for people with higher mileages.

Harry

Absolutely right. A clutch and flywheel are not inexpensive. And I have seen a car break 3 axles in a row with the manual trans and DRs. The thousands spent there probably would have been $0.00 with the automatic trans.

[ducati955]

i would never buy an auto sports car.. it really doesn't matter if an auto is faster... fun factor 0... wow you can step on a pedal and beat me by two sec.. lmao... my friend has a gtr, lets me drive it, its fkn sick!!!!

BUT- unless they make it stick, i would never buy one

to each their own like always

[JB335]

Yeah, that silly Ferrari Enzo with its auto gear box. Not a sports car at all.

Technology is a good thing. embrace it

[midlife]

Originally Posted by matts335

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but I thought the 335d only comes with auto because the manual couldn't handle the torque.

this may be true, but i remember reading that the 335d has an auto that is different from the 335.
as i remember, the disel auto tranny is rated for alot more torque.

maybe the way to go is with aftermarket turbos and /or other mods that get us past (say) 550+ whp,
... then someone needs to gp and buy a 335 disel auto tranny and see how it works in a N54 335 ??

[bmw3355]

ahahah you guys actually think auto is faster?!?!?! thats so funny manual ofcourse is faster look up any 0-60 times manual is always noticably faster thats so funny how u guys this auto is faster

[midlife]

Originally Posted by bmw3355

ahahah you guys actually think auto is faster?!?!?! thats so funny manual ofcourse is faster look up any 0-60 times manual is always noticably faster thats so funny how u guys this auto is faster

over the last year, it has been reported by many - including terry at BMS -
that the auto tranny is approx 2 tenths of a second faster (2 car lengths) in the 1/4 mile than the manual.
most if not all of the fastest N54 1/4 track times are with autos.

...also note that the rear differential in the automatic has a 342 final ratio and the auto has something like a 315 final ratio:
hence: many people swapping out for aftermarket LSDs are opting for the automatic final differentila ratio.

sorry to disappoint, but nothing but the facts...

[ar design]

Originally Posted by bmw3355

ahahah you guys actually think auto is faster?!?!?! thats so funny manual ofcourse is faster look up any 0-60 times manual is always noticably faster thats so funny how u guys this auto is faster

Autos are faster. There is a reason most drag cars are auto, and lots of Supra guys are doing TH400 conversions

[ar design]

Originally Posted by midlife

over the last year, it has been reported by many - including terry at BMS -
that the auto tranny is approx 2 tenths of a second faster (2 car lengths) in the 1/4 mile than the manual.
most if not all of the fastest N54 1/4 track times are with autos.

...also note that the rear differential in the automatic has a 342 final ratio and the auto has something like a 315 final ratio:
hence: many people swapping out for aftermarket LSDs are opting for the automatic final differentila ratio.

sorry to disappoint, but nothing but the facts...

3.08 in the MN6, 3.46 in the Auto I believe. Part of the reason the Autos are faster.

[ohaywood]

Manual is much more fun.

[FotiosF90M5]

Originally Posted by bmw3355

ahahah you guys actually think auto is faster?!?!?! thats so funny manual ofcourse is faster look up any 0-60 times manual is always noticably faster thats so funny how u guys this auto is faster

do some research before posting stupid stuff. Do you honestly think we are all morons. In the 335i, the manual is funner, but the auto is faster, ahahah

[retrodrive]

Its ok, I only buy cars that come with a "man" option

[ducati955]

Originally Posted by JB335

Yeah, that silly Ferrari Enzo with its auto gear box. Not a sports car at all.

Technology is a good thing. embrace it

thats real shifting, and there are always exceptions!

[midlife]

Originally Posted by fotios335i

do some research before posting stupid stuff. Do you honestly think we are all morons.

+100

Originally Posted by fotios335i

In the 335i, the manual is funner, but the auto is faster, ahahah

i always love manuals, but i love my (AT) paddle shifters more
also, i do not miss the manual at all in rush hour traffic.

with the new automatic tranny technology, the only time i would consider a manual now is if i was going to do alot of circuit track racing.

[GreenPlease]

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but I thought the 335d only comes with auto because the manual couldn't handle the torque.

That is correct sir.

According to this page the auto gearbox code for the e92 335i is GA6HP19Z. Curiously, on ZF's website, the lowest code I can find on a gearbox is 6HP21Z and it can hold 450NM of torque

Edit: the third page on this pdf (very informative btw) shows the 6HP19Z is rated for 400NM of torque on the input shaft (times .737 for the conversion and you're looking at 298lb/ft). I'd imagine that's the continuous rating so multiply by 1.5x for instantaneous loads and you're probably looking at 450lb/ft as the upper limit for what our auto tranny's can handle.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by ar design

3.08 in the MN6, 3.46 in the Auto I believe. Part of the reason the Autos are faster.

You're right with the gearing but IMO the only reason why the autos are faster is because the shifting is quicker and not because of the gearing.
I ran an MT with a 3.46 rear end and I was quicker.

[midlife]

Originally Posted by bmw3355

ahahah you guys actually think auto is faster?!?!?! thats so funny manual ofcourse is faster look up any 0-60 times manual is always noticably faster thats so funny how u guys this auto is faster

btw, i am looking at your signature, what is a 3355 ??

[GreenPlease]

Looks like the 335D uses the 6HP26, good for about 575NM of torque. Possible upgrade path for anyone with an auto looking to push big power from new snails. FWIW, auto tranny replacement will run you $4,966 according to bmwfans.info. Same site says that a new torque converter will run you $1,466.

Unlikely you'll f'up your entire transmission as I believe autos are designed to have the torque converter fail first, so $1500 isn't the end of the world if you push too much power, especially if you save the drivetrain downstream of the transmission.

[GreenPlease]

Also, FWIW, when I first got my car I was like "damn, I should have gotten a manual." Then I spent 2.5hrs on I-4 in bumper to bumper traffic. No longer regret the auto.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by bmw3355

ahahah you guys actually think auto is faster?!?!?! thats so funny manual ofcourse is faster look up any 0-60 times manual is always noticably faster thats so funny how u guys this auto is faster

Maybe it's because you're clueless? Those 0-60 times are really inportant you know. Go side by side against an auto and you'll see that an auto is quicker.
Trust me. I have an MT and with all everything being equal, an auto is quicker.

[Craig@SupremePower]

+1 it's 2009.... and unless you drive a cab running off propane in guatamala there's no reason to settle for a manual!

Originally Posted by JB335

Yeah, that silly Ferrari Enzo with its auto gear box. Not a sports car at all.

Technology is a good thing. embrace it

[ThePrinzeofcatz]

i guess there arent really any downsides of the auto, i say just get one, but if you feel you can shift it fast enough then the MT isnt much slower then the auto imo, and still a shit load more fun