[tony20009]

Originally Posted by yakapo

...
edit: just a price comparison - a 2012 tsx v6 w/ the tech package is $38,650. Pricey for an acura but it comes with navi, premium DVDA audio system, rear view camera, etc. A lot of stuff is standard on all the models - leather, hid, heated seats, sunroof, power seats, bluetooth, usb ipod support...

looks like you don't get a lot of options standard on the 328i. I might have to wait a year or 2 and get a used one that's nicely equipped.

I was able to get my son's car for about $38K. 328i with tech, upgraded audio, sunroof, heated seats and heated steering wheel. That's still fewer gizmos and niceties than the Acura you note above (no leather, no xenon lights -- is HID on Acura the same as Xenon on BMW?, no power seats, no cameras). I, like you, considered going the used route so he'd have more gizmos, but in the end, I decided the cache of having the new model might be what he'd prefer.

I can understand how for you that cache may not be worth all that much in comparison to value obtained for money spent. It certainly doesn't mean much to me when buying for myself. And I bought my daughter the wagon, so you know I wasn't thinking about novelty or style then either.

[seis-speed]

Manual for me, I can see why people get the auto, but I have to have a manual gearbox.

[DrivenByE30]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

Manual for me, I can see why people get the auto, but I have to have a manual gearbox.

+1

[LAnderson23]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

Manual for me, I can see why people get the auto, but I have to have a manual gearbox.

+2

[onehungevo]

I have always driven a manual but switch to auto w my last car which was a 135. It was nice but definitely not as fun. I have a manual 335 and happy I did. I really missed it.

[onehungevo]

The clutch catches a little late. I like whatever system that prevents the car from rolling back on hills. Cool feature.

[rdle_F30]

The main reason I'm ordering my 335i rather than buying off the lot is so I can get the 6-speed Manual transmission. It will be my third new BMW since 1973 and all have been manuals. I'm not opposed to automatics, my 12 year old Tahoe is a 4-speed auto and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by onehungevo

The clutch catches a little late.

Unfortunately, BMW has for years installed yet another "helping" feature, the clutch delay valve, between the slave and master cylinder. The CDV restricts how fast the clutch allows the flywheel to engage. It is incredibly annoying if you know how to handle a MT. It's odd how BMW does not trust drivers of its ultimate driving machines.

Fortunately, it is easily defeated by pulling its guts out and reinstalling.

[onehungevo]

Originally Posted by Elk

Unfortunately, BMW has for years installed yet another "helping" feature, the clutch delay valve, between the slave and master cylinder. The CDV restricts how fast the clutch allows the flywheel to engage. It is incredibly annoying if you know how to handle a MT. It's odd how BMW does not trust drivers of its ultimate driving machines.

Fortunately, it is easily defeated by pulling its guts out and reinstalling.

My evo would engage as soon as you started to release the clutch.

[K.Ip]

went with manual
"easy" manual to drive
catch system that helps with rolling backwards

friend has the 8 speed auto
think he is getting the edge on MPG
smooth ride


cant go wrong with either

[Elk]

Originally Posted by onehungevo

My evo would engage as soon as you started to release the clutch.

The clutch will begin to engage quickly, but the speed of the engagement to fully engaged is limited by the CDV, regardless of how fast you release the pedal.

The E46 and E90 has the CDV, as do other lines, but there may be exceptions.

Some are contented with this behavior. It drives others nuts, thus the proliferation of mods to disable the CDV.

[weixp386]

I've never owned an AT and probably never will. When I drive manual I feel Im in complete control of the car, a feeling I cant get driving an AT. I just ordered my 328i today. I test drove the exact same car I wanted, but it was an AT. The dealership did not have any MT available. I could have brought that car home today, but instead I placed an order, which takes just under 2 months to get it made and shipped (plus a $1K delivery fee). The sales reps were looking at me like if i was crazy. The 8 SP AT might shift faster and have a better overall performance, but I think it really comes down to what you enjoy the most.

[Ron Scott]

Automatic here. Been there done that with the manual, but the bloom is off. Today's automatic tech is tight and fun. The MT has a retro allure, I guess...

[cavm335i]

After 16 years of only owning MTs and loving them, I am probably going to go with the AT on my F30. I sit in enough traffic in the city to appreciate not having to touch the clutch and after spending a few days in a F30 loaner, the 8AT is still pretty fun to drive. I also think the new knobs look fitting for a 55k car.

Maybe i'm just getting old?

[uter]

I hope not to regret it, but I'm going to choose AT with paddle shifters when the F31 is available.

As much as I enjoy driving stick in my E28 and E85, I think the no-cost option of an 8-speed technical marvel with fuel economy that's equal to or better than manual transmission is a choice that will be one I can live with and enjoy.

I reserve the right, however, to flip-flop on this decision and order a manual.

[pcbrew]

Originally Posted by uter

I reserve the right, however, to flip-flop on this decision and order a manual.

No issues there. I started off with AT order and switched to MT.
But, still thinking this will be my last MT (unless I get F80 next).

[SGScuba]

Just spent >2 weeks in Germany, more than 12 days of which I'd rented a 116 manual. Really found myself irritated with the clutch/manual transmission in heavy start-stop traffic. So glad I ordered the AT for my 328, which should arrive soon!!

Not enjoying the manual...I must be getting old...

Plus the ASS was a PAIN IN THE ASS!!

[BMWFanatic2008]

I never met someone with MT who regretted not getting AT. Other way around - all the time.

[weixp386]

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

I never met someone with MT who regretted not getting AT. Other way around - all the time.

Good to hear that!

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by uter

I hope not to regret it, but I'm going to choose AT with paddle shifters when the F31 is available.

As much as I enjoy driving stick in my E28 and E85, I think the no-cost option of an 8-speed technical marvel with fuel economy that's equal to or better than manual transmission is a choice that will be one I can live with and enjoy.

I reserve the right, however, to flip-flop on this decision and order a manual.

If you want the "sport AT" with the paddle shifters, then it will cost an extra $500. The standard AT is a no cost option. Both AT's are basically the same, except that with the sport AT you get slightly different shift logic, which speeds up up/down shifts, and you also get the paddles, and the sport AT shifter is a bit different in design.

[wayman519]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

I don't see how an 8-speed automatic transmission could be performance oriented. As I see it, it is in fact geared towards efficiency. I don't want 3 shifts to 62mph, and 6 shifts in the 1/4 mile. It's insane, as fast as the shifts are.

It seems to me that the manual gearbox remains the performance oriented gearbox (until a proper DCT option comes - not one that slips if tuned even 100Nm over the stock torque - like in the current 335i), while the automatic is geared towards lower fuel consumption. I don't think you can have both performance and efficiency from an 8-speed gearbox with fixed ratios. Maybe the Sport Automatic has different gear ratios ? If not, manual remains the only option for true performance.

the ZF8AT skips the efficiency gears when in sport or DS mode.

[nick1212]

I had ordered the 8AT after I test drove a 335i with the paddle shifters however switched it to MT within 15 mins of leaving the dealership once I was driving my MT car back home. The AT is an amazing gear box however for me the connection with the road was definitely missing. Dont think I will go to an AT car unless I have no other option.