[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Spacebug

^ well said...

Manual all the way for me. I know expensive supercars are fitted with flappy paddles nowadays. I think this is a shame. Although that said I have never driven one (not likely to either!) so can't be too critical, the the main point for me is that I want to be connected to the car in the way that a manual car demands.

Sure when I'm stuck in traffic on the M25 then I'd love an auto but why would I want to compromise the enjoyment I get out of the best bits of driving just to make the worst bits a little better..

The Nissan GTR made a significant jump in performance due to going DSG auto. Sure it is quick when you have 100 millisecond gear changes, but not nearly as much fun round a track than a RWD manual. Sadly all the others have jumped on the bandwagon.

What manuals need to fight their corner is a sequential dog box, but sadly, pro only territory.

[ZMM_OMG]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Great post

.........erm can I have both?

Of course you can... when you buy the manual.

[gadgetboy]

I have read over on another forum that if you have sports+ and the flappy paddles, you can make the the car completely manual. See here for details:

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...=706170&page=1

Is this appplicable to all models, assuming you have the auto sports transmission as an option or is this just on the 335i?

Sounds like a good compromise to me between auto and manual.

[TMP]

Originally Posted by gadgetboy

I have read over on another forum that if you have sports+ and the flappy paddles, you can make the the car completely manual. See here for details:

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...=706170&page=1

Is this appplicable to all models, assuming you have the auto sports transmission as an option or is this just on the 335i?

Sounds like a good compromise to me between auto and manual.

this is a good find and is bloody great news.

Well overdue as the Alpina's had this for the e90.

[matx1982]

Auto or DCT all the way. I used to be the same, then was forced auto on me when I bought a 335d. Several times I left something like a Ferrari standing at a round about or lights whilst he was rolling trying to find his gear, low end torque and amazingly fast automated gear selection was able to compensate big time for any 0-60 times.

Once you start driving the BMW auto/DCT changing gear becomes as pointless as turning your headlights on (it's automatic now on most things).

The M3's DCT is amazing... however, it has some negative points that the 335d didn't have... so nothing is perfect.

I agree with the driving experience stuff... but you cannot change as fast as some of these auto's... so it all depends what you want.

Either way I think you'll love it.

Mat

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

... I owned a Golf R DSG just before my F30. And the box had LOTS of problems even after all these years. It selects the wrong gear a lot of times. Normal is way to sluggish and sport is way to aggressive for daily driving etc. The 8-speed is just perfect.

I considered a Golf R as a replacement for a Golf GT; however the 'R' was the same price as the F30 (once spec'd similarly) and, even though it's VW's flagship car I wasn't spending £36k on a Golf! The F30 also came with more as standard. For me it was a no brainer and am delighted with the F30 and it's 8 speed Sports Auto. BUT I would have loved to have test drove the R to compare; how did it compare - I made the right choice, right?!

[edz_f06]

So NISFAN, do you miss the MT now you've had your car a little while?

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by edz_f31

So NISFAN, do you miss the MT now you've had your car a little while?

+1

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by zofinger

I considered a Golf R as a replacement for a Golf GT; however the 'R' was the same price as the F30 (once spec'd similarly) and, even though it's VW's flagship car I wasn't spending £36k on a Golf! The F30 also came with more as standard. For me it was a no brainer and am delighted with the F30 and it's 8 speed Sports Auto. BUT I would have loved to have test drove the R to compare; how did it compare - I made the right choice, right?!

The Golf R is of course a lot more "race". It is hard to compare them as they are so far apart. The F30 is a lot more refined, has better comfort and is a more mature car. The Golf just wants to be raced all the time. Having a R and just cruise through traffic is a waste of money. It was fun to push it, but since I'm older now and mostly just drive from A to B the F30 is the better option.

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

The Golf R is of course a lot more "race". It is hard to compare them as they are so far apart. The F30 is a lot more refined, has better comfort and is a more mature car. The Golf just wants to be raced all the time. Having a R and just cruise through traffic is a waste of money. It was fun to push it, but since I'm older now and mostly just drive from A to B the F30 is the better option.

Yeah - chalk and cheese really. Am getting on a bit (which attracted me to the R as it was understated for it's performance capabilities) so the F30 suits me down to the ground.

I tried the DSG in a Golf GTI and it was impressive. It was only a 15mins T-drive so can't compare fully to the F30 8AT except to say I feel the F30 box is great. I'm not using the paddles as much as I thought i might; the most I use them is to down change and engine break, taking the pressure off the brakes!

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by zofinger

Yeah - chalk and cheese really. Am getting on a bit (which attracted me to the R as it was understated for it's performance capabilities) so the F30 suits me down to the ground.

I tried the DSG in a Golf GTI and it was impressive. It was only a 15mins T-drive so can't compare fully to the F30 8AT except to say I feel the F30 box is great. I'm not using the paddles as much as I thought i might; the most I use them is to down change and engine break, taking the pressure off the brakes!

The DSG is great in manual mode. But in auto it is WAY to slow in D and a bit to aggressive for daily driving in sport. So if you are using it as a daily you need to use the paddles. The 8AT is almost as quick and fun in manual but amazing in auto.

[Redbaron1973]

I have the manul in my hire car F30 - it is nothing to rave about and am so so pleased I have ordered 8At with paddles.

[zofinger]

I get the general impression UK owners prefer AT (having, by and large, been brought up and passing their test with MT's). Some will always prefer more control of course, but in general it's the US guys who seem more passionate at having an MT. Perhaps they generally pass their test on an AT so having an MT is additional kudos/shows a better ability to drive? This F30 is my first AT and whilst i can get some control with the paddles, I'm so happy not having a clutch!

[RichardM]

I've driven lots of really crap automatics and it's only the latest auto boxes with a reasonable powerful engine I'd consider in an auto. Anything else for me would still be a manual.

[F30AM]

This BMW is my first car with AT. I simply love the 8 speed AT in my 330d M Sport. I will never go back to a MT. It's so clunky. I won't miss it one bit when I sell my GTI. I've seen the light at long last.

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by F30AM

This BMW is my first car with AT. I simply love the 8 speed AT in my 330d M Sport. I will never go back to a MT. It's so clunky. I won't miss it one bit when I sell my GTI. I've seen the light at long last.

+1. Can't see me ever going back to a manual...ever.

[Spacebug]

Afraid I'm not with you guys on this, but each to their own.

I had a F30 320d AT modern (lovely interior ) on test for 3 days before getting mine. I have to admit the AT was nice, but I still couldn't live with it.

I am in the states quite a lot and the ATs that I have driven over there are really dire, at least the BMW AT is a class above the norm in the US.

[rado]

I find driving on the street to generally be boring. To me, a manual transmission makes street driving a little more engaging and fun. IMHO paddle shifting will never be as rewarding as smooth rev-matched up shifts and heel-and-toe downshifts. A good DCT or DSG may be faster on the track, but the F30 is my street car. I'm glad the 8AT sport is a great auto trans, but I'm not ready to retire my left foot yet.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I will never go back to a MT. It's so clunky. I won't miss it one bit when I sell my GTI. I've seen the light at long last.

Originally Posted by zofinger

+1. Can't see me ever going back to a manual...ever.

You say this, but only after driving the F30 with its great 8 AT 'box. Remember, not all auto's are equal and if you moved to a different brand you may wish you had manual.

[Alpine F31]

I love love love my sport 8AT. I'm going to keep it and add another car with a 6MT to the stable.

I do miss my manual, but not in this particular car.

[Axman85]

One word:

YES.

You're buying a sports car, not a granny mobile.

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by Axman85

One word:

YES.

You're buying a sports car, not a granny mobile.

20yr of driving MTs - I'm grateful to have the gears on the steering wheel and one less pedal!