MT vs AT

gaza01 · 01-01-2014, 01:14 PM

So i'll be changing my car soon so want to get opinions about manual transmissions versus automatics.

I've always loved manuals but do enjoy being lazy in the misses auto. Think im kinda at a cross road really.

The plan is a 335i with all the bolt-ons to take me north of 400bhp. Would you get an auto or manual and why? Also read on here that manual 335is are difficult to sell on. I thought it was the other way round with being that manuals are not as common

makkan00 · 01-01-2014, 01:16 PM

Auto. Biggest reason is Alpina transmission flash with Auto.

Robin330i · 01-01-2014, 01:18 PM

Auto unless you are going for a true sports car.

gaza01 · 01-01-2014, 01:18 PM

Whats the benefit of the alpina flash over a manual? The alpina flash only works on certain years right?...which ones?

breathe3asy · 01-01-2014, 01:29 PM

Manual - because its what driving a car is all about.

makkan00 · 01-01-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaza01

Whats the benefit of the alpina flash over a manual? The alpina flash only works on certain years right?...which ones?

Check coding thread of Uk and read the feedback from the forum members. It's a major transformation especially if your car is mapped.
Cars with n54 post 03/07 are compatible with it. Had an American 335i done today.

skelts · 01-01-2014, 01:37 PM

The DCT box in the later 335i is meant to be excellent, that would be my choice.

E92NeilH · 01-01-2014, 01:43 PM

Auto with the padals best of both worlds

Rudz · 01-01-2014, 01:55 PM

Ideal 335i is what Kerr and Omar have, I so envy them lol

N54 with DCT, you should be looking at cars manufactured end of 2008 - end of 2009 with Auto transmission mate

Mine is a 10 plate with DCT but that is when they changed to N55, getting north of 400 on an N55 has just been made possible but it is mega expensive and still not proven....

I had a manual before but would never go back to one after DCT lol

Next time I drive upto Bromley, feel free to drop by and have a drive ?

Estoril Sport · 01-01-2014, 02:23 PM

The Alpina Switchtronic box is very good, You can drive it as a manual (without the clutch pedal, the up and down stitches are at the rear of steering wheel and are very well located), the gear changes are instant with upshifts under full load now taking less than 100milliseconds. Or for a more leisurely drive put the box in auto.

E92Dan · 01-01-2014, 03:11 PM

I had a Golf GTI DSG, an amazing gearbox, but after a few months it bored me.
My wife's car is an auto and it's great for when you feel lazy, but that's all its good for

Jules59 · 01-01-2014, 03:35 PM

DSG in son's Seat Leon Cupra is excellent and has launch control

zltm089 · 01-01-2014, 04:04 PM

Manual all day long.

gangzoom · 01-01-2014, 04:51 PM

N54 with DCT seems like best of both worlds. Very happy with the normal auto box in mine, first auto car I've owned and now cannot see my self ever buying a manual again.

Jase 320d · 01-01-2014, 05:12 PM

Stick shift lol

Auto's are for motorway cruisers

Manuals are for fun cars

What do you want it to be?

kayfaz · 01-01-2014, 05:45 PM

Manual is much better....it just is

Black_Jesus · 01-01-2014, 07:00 PM

Manual 100%

Josh1a1h · 01-01-2014, 07:34 PM

If you drive around London often... then no question about it. AUTO! Tiptronic is still fun with the alpine flash, autos are faster than manual and you can chill around town.

If you do Motorway miles more often than Manual! You have fun and you rarely need to change gear on a motorway.

E92Dan · 01-01-2014, 07:47 PM

I agree that autos are good around town and in heavy traffic. But for the rest of the time I just find them a bit boring

335tim · 01-02-2014, 02:24 AM

I live in London and for me my auto with paddles is ideal. Easy in traffic but always the option of using the paddles / tiptronic when you want a bit of fun. Ive had nothing but manuals before this car but dont think id be going back to one in a hurry to honest.

nicktyler · 01-02-2014, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaza01

So i'll be changing my car soon so want to get opinions about manual transmissions versus automatics.

I've always loved manuals but do enjoy being lazy in the misses auto. Think im kinda at a cross road really.

The plan is a 335i with all the bolt-ons to take me north of 400bhp. Would you get an auto or manual and why? Also read on here that manual 335is are difficult to sell on. I thought it was the other way round with being that manuals are not as common

I am about to put up my 07 MT 335i with Evolve-R cable for sale. Not sure what age and budget you are looking at but you will find mine low mileage and very well priced. PM me if you are interested.

MattOz · 01-02-2014, 06:04 AM

If it's a 335i, it has to be a manual. In fact, any car that has a choice, it has to be manual. IMO, BMW missed a huge trick not offering the 335d with a manual 'box. Naff all to do with power and torque either, as the 335d hardly pushes the envelope on either. Suspect it was just that they couldn't be bothered. Shame really.

And I'd have the new F30 Alpina B3 if they did it with a manual 'box. Such a cool car.

01-01-2014, 01:14 PM	#1
gaza01 Colonel 105 Rep 2,692 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London iTrader: (3)	MT vs AT So i'll be changing my car soon so want to get opinions about manual transmissions versus automatics. I've always loved manuals but do enjoy being lazy in the misses auto. Think im kinda at a cross road really. The plan is a 335i with all the bolt-ons to take me north of 400bhp. Would you get an auto or manual and why? Also read on here that manual 335is are difficult to sell on. I thought it was the other way round with being that manuals are not as common
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01-01-2014, 01:16 PM	#2
makkan00 Major General 886 Rep 9,097 Posts Drives: F83 and F36 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Essex iTrader: (56)	Auto. Biggest reason is Alpina transmission flash with Auto. __________________ F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
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01-01-2014, 01:18 PM	#3
Robin330i Lieutenant 36 Rep 512 Posts Drives: E90 330i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (2)	Auto unless you are going for a true sports car.
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01-01-2014, 01:18 PM	#4
gaza01 Colonel 105 Rep 2,692 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London iTrader: (3)	Whats the benefit of the alpina flash over a manual? The alpina flash only works on certain years right?...which ones?
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01-01-2014, 01:29 PM	#5
breathe3asy Captain 112 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 340i F30 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Sussex, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List E92 325i [10.00]	Manual - because its what driving a car is all about.
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01-01-2014, 01:37 PM	#7
skelts Lieutenant 31 Rep 542 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Essex iTrader: (1)	The DCT box in the later 335i is meant to be excellent, that would be my choice.
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01-01-2014, 01:43 PM	#8
E92NeilH Private First Class 4 Rep 150 Posts Drives: Bmw F20 M135i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Lincolnshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 BMW Msport ... [0.00]	Auto with the padals best of both worlds
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01-01-2014, 01:55 PM	#9
Rudz Lieutenant Colonel 249 Rep 1,721 Posts Drives: F30 335D xDrive Shadow Edition Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (3)	Ideal 335i is what Kerr and Omar have, I so envy them lol N54 with DCT, you should be looking at cars manufactured end of 2008 - end of 2009 with Auto transmission mate Mine is a 10 plate with DCT but that is when they changed to N55, getting north of 400 on an N55 has just been made possible but it is mega expensive and still not proven.... I had a manual before but would never go back to one after DCT lol Next time I drive upto Bromley, feel free to drop by and have a drive ? __________________ ICE Fronts: Morel Hybrid Ovation II 4, Rears: DLS R4, Center: Focal 100CA, Subs: *Earthquake SWS8, JL 10W7, Amps:* Audison LRX 6.9, Audison LRX 2.9, JL Slash 500/1 V2, DSP: JBL MS8
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01-01-2014, 02:23 PM	#10
Estoril Sport Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 260 Posts Drives: Porsche 911.2 S4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Alpina B3 BiTurbo [10.00] 2004 320D M Sport [9.00]	The Alpina Switchtronic box is very good, You can drive it as a manual (without the clutch pedal, the up and down stitches are at the rear of steering wheel and are very well located), the gear changes are instant with upshifts under full load now taking less than 100milliseconds. Or for a more leisurely drive put the box in auto.
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01-01-2014, 03:11 PM	#11
E92Dan Captain 36 Rep 842 Posts Drives: 330d Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: northampton iTrader: (0)	I had a Golf GTI DSG, an amazing gearbox, but after a few months it bored me. My wife's car is an auto and it's great for when you feel lazy, but that's all its good for
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01-01-2014, 03:35 PM	#12
Jules59 Lieutenant 56 Rep 540 Posts Drives: Still searching ... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wilds of Warwickshire iTrader: (0)	DSG in son's Seat Leon Cupra is excellent and has launch control __________________ Jules
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01-01-2014, 04:04 PM	#13
zltm089 Banned 243 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	Manual all day long.
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01-01-2014, 04:51 PM	#14
gangzoom Brigadier General 1685 Rep 3,286 Posts Drives: E90 335i M sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Leicester iTrader: (1)	N54 with DCT seems like best of both worlds. Very happy with the normal auto box in mine, first auto car I've owned and now cannot see my self ever buying a manual again.
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01-01-2014, 05:12 PM	#15
Jase 320d Wheelbarrow Edition 60 Rep 1,608 Posts Drives: Arctic 320d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dumfries and Galloway iTrader: (1)	Stick shift lol Auto's are for motorway cruisers Manuals are for fun cars What do you want it to be?
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01-01-2014, 05:45 PM	#16
kayfaz Lieutenant 30 Rep 572 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Reading, UK iTrader: (1)	Manual is much better....it just is
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01-01-2014, 07:00 PM	#17
Black_Jesus Private First Class 11 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 08 335i AW Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Connect-I-Cut iTrader: (0)	Manual 100%
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01-01-2014, 07:34 PM	#18
Josh1a1h Banned 170 Rep 3,828 Posts Drives: AzuriteBlack 335i E92 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central North to West London iTrader: (2)	If you drive around London often... then no question about it. AUTO! Tiptronic is still fun with the alpine flash, autos are faster than manual and you can chill around town. If you do Motorway miles more often than Manual! You have fun and you rarely need to change gear on a motorway.
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01-01-2014, 07:47 PM	#19
E92Dan Captain 36 Rep 842 Posts Drives: 330d Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: northampton iTrader: (0)	I agree that autos are good around town and in heavy traffic. But for the rest of the time I just find them a bit boring
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01-02-2014, 02:24 AM	#20
335tim Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 214 Posts Drives: e92 335i se montego blue Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: london iTrader: (0)	I live in London and for me my auto with paddles is ideal. Easy in traffic but always the option of using the paddles / tiptronic when you want a bit of fun. Ive had nothing but manuals before this car but dont think id be going back to one in a hurry to honest.
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01-02-2014, 06:04 AM	#22
MattOz Lieutenant Colonel 342 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: Alpina G21 D3S Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Midlands iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [0.00]	If it's a 335i, it has to be a manual. In fact, any car that has a choice, it has to be manual. IMO, BMW missed a huge trick not offering the 335d with a manual 'box. Naff all to do with power and torque either, as the 335d hardly pushes the envelope on either. Suspect it was just that they couldn't be bothered. Shame really. And I'd have the new F30 Alpina B3 if they did it with a manual 'box. Such a cool car.
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