[mauibuilt_328]

Right now i'm just thinking about it but, currently i have a 2011 328i E92 MSport with every option available except cold weather package. Didn't think I would need more power that the 335 offered so I went with the 328 initially. NOW I'm thinking about upgrading. There's a AW 2011 335i E92 MSport at the dealership that I really like. ONLY thing is it's an automatic. I've been going back and forth on whether or not i'd be okay with an AT and just wanted some of your opinions on this. Thank!

[JS-NA.E92]

I'd keep the 328 since it's a manual but if your power hungry then go with the 335, only 335 auto i'd get is the 335is if it's 2011 and up since it has DCT. I don't know if the previous models has DCT but some do have paddle shifters.

This is my first automatic car and I wished I waited for a manual, but good enough for me since it has Steptronic, still not fun as a manual though.

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Originally Posted by JS-NA.E92

I'd keep the 328 since it's a manual but if your power hungry then go with the 335, only 335 auto i'd get is the 335is if it's 2011 and up since it has DCT. I don't know if the previous models has DCT but some do have paddle shifters.

This is my first automatic car and I wished I waited for a manual, but good enough for me since it has Steptronic, still not fun as a manual though.

+1 having a fast car with auto is kind of lame (opinions vary) you will enjoy being able to shift in the 335. I had a auto 328i I was looking to trade it for a manual 335i. Dont give in wait and find one with 6spd it took me forever and at one point in my search I said screw it I am tired of waiting (cant find any manual e92 with nav) made a deal to get an auto 335i did all the paperwork and shit ready to sign my name and all assuming the car didn't have any problems and would pass my mechanics inspection. Car came back $2000 worth of work for a bunch of crap wrong with the car, dealership would only cover $500 so I walked. Happy I did the cars color combo and options weren't my first choice but I was tired of waiting. few weeks later found a manual one with all of my first choices (AW/Coral Red, 6pd, NAV, Logic7, M sport, CPO) Went to dealership that day and bought it. I am so happy I waited and I am sure you will be too when you find a manual one. It only took like 5 months but it was well worth the wait (6spd hard to find). I guess everything happens for a reason and the 335i I initially looked at (automatic one) was not meant for me! Glad it had all the problems with it goes to show there is some sort of god out there who was watching my back because I would not have been happy today driving that auto 335i. Anyways just stay patient and you will find the right car paddle shifters don't nearly give the control or fun a manual offers. On a side note My 335 looks exactly like your 328i just not lci

[sjk9671]

Take a lesson from me.

In august last year I bought an 08 e92 335i with nav and everything you could want, except it was also an auto. I figured I would be cool with it since it had the power I wanted but also all the luxury features. Long story short: I ended up taking it back to the dealer after 3 weeks and trading it in for an 08 AW e92 335i with no nav or CA but a stick shift.

I'm 1000000% glad i did. Its entirely diff car. I love this car so much more than the previous one.

[JustinGTP]

I would not settle on an automatic, so when I went to the dealer, I had them pull up all their inventory that was manual. Luckily for me, they had a 2 year old 09 335i with everything I wanted and in the perfect colour combo and in manual. I could not pass that up. How often does that happen?!

[mauibuilt_328]

Thanks for everyones input!! I test drove that 335 automatic yesterday. It was an e92 with the bmw power kit 2 and with every option available. It was a quick drive since it had 5 mpg left in the tank The MPG actually went to '---' on the way back to the dealership lol. Like everyone else said, the power was definitely there, but it being auto took the fun out of it. My hand kept reaching for the shifter lol. I also tried out the paddle shifters... not as fun either. In the end i'm holding off on the trade in and it made me appreciate my 328i 6MT again haha. Taking everyones advice on being patient with finding the right one. Thanks again for your inputs.

[1nityrider]

Originally Posted by mauibuilt_328

Thanks for everyones input!! I test drove that 335 automatic yesterday. It was an e92 with the bmw power kit 2 and with every option available. It was a quick drive since it had 5 mpg left in the tank The MPG actually went to '---' on the way back to the dealership lol. Like everyone else said, the power was definitely there, but it being auto took the fun out of it. My hand kept reaching for the shifter lol. I also tried out the paddle shifters... not as fun either. In the end i'm holding off on the trade in and it made me appreciate my 328i 6MT again haha. Taking everyones advice on being patient with finding the right one. Thanks again for your inputs.

I am in the same boat like you but in my case I have never own a bmw before but all my other cars have been MT. I saw a 2007 335i MT, with some Dinan mods and test drove it. Absolutely loved that thing. My only problem, I live in MN and driving a RWD car in the snow is no fun. Yes I was told the car had DSC and traction control but I know friends who have RWD cars that have those options and they say it's still no good. I have being looking for 335xi but all I could find is the automatic with paddle shifting. I starting asking my self, is driving an automatic with paddle shifting any fun. But thanks to you post, I know now that I will have to wait and find me a MT.

[xxwarderxx]

Originally Posted by mauibuilt_328

Didn't think I would need more power

Need not want? I like your style..

[Zero.7]

Originally Posted by mauibuilt_328

Thanks for everyones input!! I test drove that 335 automatic yesterday. It was an e92 with the bmw power kit 2 and with every option available. It was a quick drive since it had 5 mpg left in the tank The MPG actually went to '---' on the way back to the dealership lol. Like everyone else said, the power was definitely there, but it being auto took the fun out of it. My hand kept reaching for the shifter lol. I also tried out the paddle shifters... not as fun either. In the end i'm holding off on the trade in and it made me appreciate my 328i 6MT again haha. Taking everyones advice on being patient with finding the right one. Thanks again for your inputs.

BEST DECISION you could've made IMO. I also made the same mistake as one of the above member and purchased an automatic e46 330i some years back. I was coming from an IS300 with manual transmission. I was so excited to finally get a BMW 330i that I said to myself....it'll be okay, I'll still enjoy it. 13 months later, sold her and got a 330i with manual transmission. All manual cars since 'til this day.

Stay with the 328i manual and keep searching. You'll eventually find one.

[dawgcatching]

In a similar situation, so glad I got the manual. I actually almost purchased a 2008 335xi 6mt, but wifey didn't like the pre-LCI look. Ended up with a 328i 6MT, and although it doesn't have as much power, it is every bit as fun to drive.

[Momomkz]

I would say, stick with your AT 328i, but if you are really power hungry, get the 335is with DCT. I switched from a 128i to a 335is DCT, best decision of my life.

[See5]

I don't miss driving stickshift at all. I drove a manual car for 4 years before this.

In a sportscar I would, but not a sport sedan.

I find cars with a good amount of power and a good auto suit me just fine.

[mashimarho]

My car isn't my car with the 6mt.

[rylak]

test drove a DCT.. fast! but still isn't the same as a MT.

Even if i were to get an M car, i think i would still pick MT over DCT.

[DSC_OFF]

driving is what makes cars fun. take out the user experience and your fun is limited to mashing the pedal straight line. i'd rather hold out for a 6mt.

[bwsteg]

I wouldn't touch the auto with a 12-foot pole, but the choice is yours so choose what you feel comfortable driving...

[gogunbaba]

I am actually one of the few that is lucky enough to own both at the same time. I have a 09 E92 335I AT with every option available only has 17k miles. The car is FBO and my best time is 12.2 on drag strip. I have owned this car for 14 months. I also have a 08 E90 335I Sports package and manual transmission. The car is bone stock. I have had the car for year and a half and it has 56k miles. My E92 is my first auto car. The only thing I can say is there is absolutely no comparison. My E92 has more luxury, it has 150 more HP then my E90. However, give me both cars in any road course in Southeast and I am almost 100% sure I will be faster on the E90. I can never get connected with the auto E92 as good as I do on the manual E90. Maybe it is just me but there is just no comparison.