[Nitrousbird]

From a strength perspective in these cars, the manual is the clear winner. This is a fact that a lot of people in this thread have obviously not researched.

If you take a look at all the big power boys running singles, they are running the stock manual (typically with an upgraded clutch). A few are running autos, typically heavily rebuilt by Level 10, but even then that isn't good enough and some have had to go the way of a manual swap.

An auto is preferable for a drag car. This is an awful drag car platform; these cars can put down good HP but run crappy track times. When you have plenty of a number of guys running 500-700RWPH range yet only a couple that have barely broken into the high 10's, that's sad. Fact.

Since this is a crappy drag platform, no reason to get the auto, which is pretty boring to drive in these cars.

[Game]

MT forever.

[Memaxndapickel]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

From a strength perspective in these cars, the manual is the clear winner. This is a fact that a lot of people in this thread have obviously not researched.

If you take a look at all the big power boys running singles, they are running the stock manual (typically with an upgraded clutch). A few are running autos, typically heavily rebuilt by Level 10, but even then that isn't good enough and some have had to go the way of a manual swap.

An auto is preferable for a drag car. This is an awful drag car platform; these cars can put down good HP but run crappy track times. When you have plenty of a number of guys running 500-700RWPH range yet only a couple that have barely broken into the high 10's, that's sad. Fact.

Since this is a crappy drag platform, no reason to get the auto, which is pretty boring to drive in these cars.

You do know the guy bought the car 4 years ago(he picked an auto) and guess what he loves it. Also omg wait for it.....he said it is FUN. Your view may be that this is not a fun car in auto but that's simply not true for everyone.

[Air Drop]

If you want to drive your car, get a manual. If you want to ride in your car, get an automatic. You'll be fine in either.

[melloww22]

Forget everyone else, the decision is yours. Go with what you can drive best.

I went to auto from manual for one reason.

"SoCal Traffic" but I do miss shifting gears on open road.

[Memaxndapickel]

I love driving stick. My first car was a 98 gti Manual and I loved it. I bought an auto 335i because I wanted something my wife could drive and enjoy also. I'm happy with my pick though as the 335 does every thing I need it to and puts a smile on my face. If I were single I would have went with a Manual.

[sk55]

6 MT. Only issue at around 500 Hp and over 6k rpm you will get misfired on cyl 5 and 6. Only option go with SMFW. Stock clutch only good to 450 to 500 starts to slip.

But If ur quarter mile junkie get auto.

[AirbusPilot]

Turbocharged cars generally run quicker with automatic transmissions.

Most vehicles I've owned have been manuals, and I love shifting my 71 550 hp convert vette.

But, I chose an auto when I bought my 335i a month ago, and have no regrets.

[braddman]

I came from a number of manual E36 M3s with where the Auto transmission is absolute shit. The transmission on the 335i is excellent. I am aiming for mid 500s at the wheels and I'm hoping it will hold up to this power level.

[Eddien123]

It's about having fun. An auto can maybe take .05 off a drag run but who cares when all you're doing is stomping your right foot. The ZF autos in E90's weren't THAT much better as far as shift speeds concerned. F30? Yeah but E90? Not so much. If you're going for ultimate performance and just want to put the best times down then I guess go with the auto and get a tune to increase shift speed further.

[KiwiRD]

This is an argument that can't be won - it will only ever be a battle of opinions. If you own an auto, you will speak for the auto, and likewise for the manual. Both have their good points and bad points, and we all know what they are. For me though, as I only drive mine on the weekend, it's manual all the way. It just feels that little bit more unique and more focused than an auto does. Practically all cars these days are autos, and probably for good reason - but we don't buy these types of cars for their practicality and ease of use. We buy them because we love driving - and for me, that means it has to be a manual. I couldn't care less about an auto being .5 seconds faster to 60 mph. How often do I drive that way? Pretty much never. Drag racing is not what this car is about anyway. When I want an auto just to cruise around in with minimal effort, I take the gf's Mazda 3. When I want to drive a car, and actually enjoy it, I take the BM. As for strength, the ZF manual in the 335i is exactly the same unit as in the US-only E60 M5, so it can handle the power just fine.

[Riceball777]

I have only owned manual cars during my 15 years of driving. And I will always only drive manual cars

But. Autos are superior to manuals in every way. That simply are faster and get better gas mileage. Manuals are just for the purest like myself that enjoy the feel and connection to the car that a manual transmission gives.

On this car you also will need a manual what going for big power like 700+who because the autos won't hold that much power.

Back in the 90's manuals were superior because they got better gas millage due to the autos have normally 1 less gear. You can shift a manual way faster than an auto and the autos typically did not hold a lot of power. None of this is true for modern auto transmissions. And minder automated dual clutch transmission are even better that that.

But I still vote for manual due to the more enjoyable driving experance.