[illini335]

Hi guys,

I'm about to place an order for 335xi (M sports and premium) in manual. However, my commute is about 100 miles everyday (mostly on GS parkway a nightmare during rush hour ). Does anyone have this kind of long commute with a manual car? I just want to hear your experience. Go with manual or I'm better off with AT?

Thanks

[merchomini]

if its mostly highway a manual would be fine, youll just throw it in 6th on the highway, and then when u get off the hgihway ull be happy its not a boring auto since u just sat with cruise control on for so long

[s2slow206]

I usually have a commute of about 70 miles and in heavy seattle traffic. I have never had an issue with any manual car, i wouldn't change it. I enjoy changing my own gears to much to let a little traffic stop me otherwise.

[Axelfuzz]

I have a 100 mile commute once per week. The manual sucks when I'm in traffic. If you do most of your driving in heavy traffic, get the auto. I've been regretting the manual a ton lately.

[captainaudio]

I commuted from Manhattan to Hicksville, Long Island for several years in a cars with MTs. Driving an MT is traffic was never an issue for me.

CA

[GarySL]

I grew up driving manual in and around San Francisco & San Jose. I never regretted having a manual then & I don't regret it now albeit my high traffic days are much fewer. And you will undoubtedly have some non-commute driving in off days that you can thoroughly enjoy the manual, ftw!

[Kolyan2k]

see maybe you like DTC tranny, if not then get manual....shouldn't be a problem in traffic

[ndog14]

It comes down to are you use to it? If not, no. Currently I do not have to worry about daily traffic with my manual, but learning on auto first I would choose to get one if I knew I would face horrendous traffic everyday. If I learned on manual first I would have no problem with a manual everyday.

[idrift4wd]

get an automatic! Its a pretty good automatic tranny, allows you to utilize its low down torque to the fullest, and its just as quick! IMO perfect for a daily driver.

[Hale]

My first vehicle was an 04 Tacoma with a manual tranny and it was tragic in heavy traffic, but driving my friend's 97' Miata was a different story. I'm sure the manual 335 would be a fine choice, but you can't go wrong if you can get the auto seven speed DC for a smooth ride and lightning fast shifts.

[illini335]

thanks guys. i think i will stay with manual then. previously I had G35 in MT and it was a blast to drive to work everyday (20 miles commute). For my new job, the commute is 5 times longer, so I had some doubts about driving MT in long commute and in heavy traffic. thanks to clear up my doubt

I assume it is ok to stay in the 2nd gear during stop and go traffic?

[Kolyan2k]

interesting question.... I stay in 1st mostly

[gds52]

If u hv been driving MT, u shd be good.

However, If u still have any doubts, rent a MT car for a week n drive it during peak traffic hours.

[gds52]

1st or 2nd, it depends on ur car speed...but I wd always put it in neutral when stopped.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by illini335

thanks guys. i think i will stay with manual then. previously I had G35 in MT and it was a blast to drive to work everyday (20 miles commute). For my new job, the commute is 5 times longer, so I had some doubts about driving MT in long commute and in heavy traffic. thanks to clear up my doubt

I assume it is ok to stay in the 2nd gear during stop and go traffic?

In heavy traffic wbenever possible I would pace myself so that I was not constantly having to engage and dis-engage the clutch. Occasionally you will get someone behind you who will start honking the horn if you allow a gap of more than 2 feet between you and the car in front of you.

If you enjoy driving an MT, shifting is second nature to you and feel that you will miss it go for the MT.

CA

[B-737]

my commute is 100 miles from the shore to Newark, GSP and Turnpike. although i dont do the drive everyday... i picked the auto because i figured Friday night traffic on the way home would suck during the summer, rush hours, as well as local driving in the summer...

I REGRET getting the auto, get the manual!

[MisterSkiMask]

Whatever you are used to will be fine. I am occasionally annoyed by mts (at the end of the day in baaaadddddd traffic) but frequently annoyed by ats because they don't do what I f*cking want them to do when I want them to do it (particularly automated manuals)

[TheStigsTwin]

Yeah, manual is awesome. Frankly I prefer it in all traffic. It makes boring drives just a little better and really, people complain about it in the city but when you are in a groove you really don't think about the shifting, it just flows naturally.

[bbbuzzy]

If you are driving 100 miles every day in traffic, you are going to be mad very often. Get whatever you want. You need to be happy with your car. Good luck with that.

[illini335]

Originally Posted by 335isWhite

Test drive a MT and see how the clutch feels like. from the very first moment you will be able to feel of you cand drive it in a stop n go traffic. I test drove a MINI copper JCW MT and a 2012 Jetta. and I still can say how soft and comfortable was the Jetta. but the Other issue is the resale value of the MT cars. because honestly there are people out there who don't even know how to drive a stick car!

Yea I test drove the VW GTI before, the clutch feels pretty light and comfortable (I got the DSG for my current car). I want to test drive a MT 335, but my dealer doesn't have it in stock. I assume the BMW clutch should be pretty smooth comparing to G35? Does anyone has experience driving Nissan MT and compare to BMW 335 MT? Thanks again

[vapore0n]

I used to have a manual and hated being on traffic.
I now have an automatic and miss the manual transmission

The BMW auto behaves really good though.