[trey100]

I see most people here who have 335s either have RWD 6MTs/8AT or xdrive with an 8AT. I'm looking to lease a 335 xdrive but was leaning towards a 6mt. Ive driven a couple of autos now but had an e90 335 rwd 6mt and loved it. I do not want to start a 6mt vs 8at war but looking for opinions from any owners of 6mt versions of the xdrive 335. Needless to say dealerships do not have any around here to test drive. Any reason to not go with the 6mt? I know the 8at's have shorter gearing so they probably feel faster (and are faster?). Anyway, any opinions good or bad are appreciated as I plan to do something soon.

Thanks!

[BiggerTwin]

I have had 3 E92 335i xDrive coupes and 1 E90 330xi sedan, all with 6 speed manuals. I loved them. Some of them came with rather long sticks and for $100 I put on the shorter M shift which made them a little nicer in both feel and looks. The maual on my E46 M3 was very sloppy and I had to install a UUC short shifter for around $450 to get an acceptable shift action. No such problems with the E90/E92 manuals.

Alan

[Axman85]

Have a 335xi with 6MT and it's great. Nothing like hauling ass and rowing through the gears.

[trey100]

Thanks Alan. Having owned the E90 with 6MT, my only issue was problems with the delay during quick shifting (at least 1-2). The car I am considering is an F30 msport.

[trey100]

Axman - is yours an F30?

[joeyb26]

I have an F30 sport line 335i xdrive with the 6MT and i LOVE it. yes maybe the 8 AT can shift faster, but it's no where near as fun (in my opinion) I'm able to shift rather quickly between 1-2 gear, i dont think theres too much of a delay, then again not as fast as the auto but much more satisfying

[JK479]

Xdrive and 6 speed is rare

[trey100]

Originally Posted by 2013335ixdrive

I have an F30 sport line 335i xdrive with the 6MT and i LOVE it. yes maybe the 8 AT can shift faster, but it's no where near as fun (in my opinion) I'm able to shift rather quickly between 1-2 gear, i dont think theres too much of a delay, then again not as fast as the auto but much more satisfying

I think some of the 8AT advantage is also that the gearing is shorter (easy to do with 8 gears and automatic shifting). There is no denying that the recent road test of the 335 xdrive with MPPK and 8AT doing a serious 13 flat in the 1/4 mile is quick for a DD. I drove the 8AT and although it was fine I am excited that BMW continues to make the 6MT available on the xdrive models.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by JK479

Xdrive and 6 speed is rare

I agree but I can't understand why. If you look at the classifieds for S4s, about 25% are manuals, and that is with the DCT being available. I don't see why the BMW cars would be much different. That's is partly why I started this thread. I was wondering if there was a reason I should not get the 6MT with Xdrive.

[trey100]

One other item - are you guys getting xdrive a with the staggered setup or 225 all seasons all around? Any handling or ride comments in either case?

[JK479]

Originally Posted by trey100

I agree but I can't understand why. If you look at the classifieds for S4s, about 25% are manuals, and that is with the DCT being available. I don't see why the BMW cars would be much different. That's is partly why I started this thread. I was wondering if there was a reason I should not get the 6MT with Xdrive.

If you read back to the Manual VS Automatic debate, some of the key highlights are the NEW 8 speed Sport Auto is a quick, precise shifter. Beats the 6 speed by .2 seconds to 60, and is more economical.

I used to defend 6 speeds to the bitter end, but I turned the corner and started to realize the tech we love about BMW really should include this 8 speed Auto. Its very good at working with the engine.

People also complain that 1st gear is very short on the manual and need to shift immediately after 3,000 RPMs to get a smooth shift. I dont know if this is true or not, but my feelings about manuals are shifting

Honestly its a personal decision, but I started to wonder if I was stuck in a moment on manuals or if I truly hated automatics. Turns out I was just stuck in a time period where they were performance gains, and used for speed. I never realized the automatic was faster until that discusssion.

and the thing about a 6 speed xdrive... name another car company who makes a rwd/awd, Turbo 6 with manual, xenons ect... none exist. BMW is still king. ANd the 3 series is still the prince of the smaller compact sport sedan category. If you wand 6 speed on Caddy, you get a 4 cylinder... For me the BMW is about the Inline 6. Again though, i might be caught in a moment of the past about inline 6 vs 4

[xlover]

Originally Posted by trey100

I agree but I can't understand why. If you look at the classifieds for S4s, about 25% are manuals, and that is with the DCT being available. I don't see why the BMW cars would be much different. That's is partly why I started this thread. I was wondering if there was a reason I should not get the 6MT with Xdrive.

as an S4 owner i think this is because if you are shopping AWD only, then the S4 comes out of the box as an enthusiasts car. It has the lowered sport suspension standard no extra ride height like BMW builds into its AWD models and electronic limited slip available right from the factory. the xdrive suspension was the primary reason i passed on an e92 335 xdrive coupe in a manual for the S4. someone wouldnt cross shop a luxury line or modern line 335 xdrive against an S4. The average S4 shopper is more likely to be an enthusiast because it only comes as the sport setup than the average 335 xdrive shopper because the 335 xdrive appeals to a wider range of customers, and enthusiast shoppers have a higher % manual take rate then general population.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by JK479

If you read back to the Manual VS Automatic debate, some of the key highlights are the NEW 8 speed Sport Auto is a quick, precise shifter. Beats the 6 speed by .2 seconds to 60, and is more economical.

I used to defend 6 speeds to the bitter end, but I turned the corner and started to realize the tech we love about BMW really should include this 8 speed Auto. Its very good at working with the engine.

People also complain that 1st gear is very short on the manual and need to shift immediately after 3,000 RPMs to get a smooth shift. I dont know if this is true or not, but my feelings about manuals are shifting

Honestly its a personal decision, but I started to wonder if I was stuck in a moment on manuals or if I truly hated automatics. Turns out I was just stuck in a time period where they were performance gains, and used for speed. I never realized the automatic was faster until that discusssion.

and the thing about a 6 speed xdrive... name another car company who makes a rwd/awd, Turbo 6 with manual, xenons ect... none exist. BMW is still king. ANd the 3 series is still the prince of the smaller compact sport sedan category. If you wand 6 speed on Caddy, you get a 4 cylinder... For me the BMW is about the Inline 6. Again though, i might be caught in a moment of the past about inline 6 vs 4

All good points. I drove the sport auto xdrive (sport) recently and it for sure shifts quickly and is very smooth. There is no doubt it is probably faster but I've had an Auto now for the last 2 cars and I found myself missing the 6MT. I just wish I could test drive one back to back with the Auto but no chance of that around here. Ordering soon - will be a game time decision....

[BmwF30alpine]

I have a 335i xdrive m sport 6mt...love it. Nothing bad to say about it. I had a G37S 6mt prior and this feels better than that.

[64-bit]

Originally Posted by JK479

Xdrive and 6 speed is rare

+1
Hot cakes on sale
If I had the option to buy my car again I would get xdrive with manual I think.

[tristantumble]

Picking up my 335 x drive msport 6 speed in sept. for me driving a manual is really fun, that's why we choose it. I'm sure the auto is faster off the line.

[bbq]

Originally Posted by trey100

Thanks Alan. Having owned the E90 with 6MT, my only issue was problems with the delay during quick shifting (at least 1-2). The car I am considering is an F30 msport.

I had an e90 with 6mt, and now drive a 335xi with mt. Like you said the 1-2 shift in the e90 was a pain. The f30 is much better. 1-2 shift is silky smooth and in general the shift action is much better.

[trey100]

Nice to see some more msport xdrive 6mt owners. I feel better about going with the manual. Thanks everyone!

So do you all have the 225 all seasons or anybody go staggered summers?

[trey100]

Originally Posted by BmwF30alpine

I have a 335i xdrive m sport 6mt...love it. Nothing bad to say about it. I had a G37S 6mt prior and this feels better than that.

That's funny as I had a G35 6MT. Loved the short throws but the vibrations were crazy.

[Stan876]

Originally Posted by trey100

One other item - are you guys getting xdrive a with the staggered setup or 225 all seasons all around? Any handling or ride comments in either case?

Pirelli offer Winters that will fit the staggered set up so you can have the good wheels on all year round if you want no need have the 225's on the back like the dealerships offer but the tyres are big bucks!

[Richm53]

I am on the 6 spd mt wagon. I have had 9 different 5 series since 1990 all of them except one was mt- it was the only boring BMW I ever drove and only got it because it Was the first year x drive was available in a 5 and MT wasn't offered.
In December I ordered a 335xi M Sport MT -because you cant get a 5 xdrive with MT- it is a great fun car to drive or was a until a 17 yo girl ran a light and totaled it last week. I am 95% sure I will order 435xdrive M Sport 6 MT today!

[drob23]

Originally Posted by xlover

as an S4 owner i think this is because if you are shopping AWD only, then the S4 comes out of the box as an enthusiasts car. It has the lowered sport suspension standard no extra ride height like BMW builds into its AWD models and electronic limited slip available right from the factory. the xdrive suspension was the primary reason i passed on an e92 335 xdrive coupe in a manual for the S4. someone wouldnt cross shop a luxury line or modern line 335 xdrive against an S4. The average S4 shopper is more likely to be an enthusiast because it only comes as the sport setup than the average 335 xdrive shopper because the 335 xdrive appeals to a wider range of customers, and enthusiast shoppers have a higher % manual take rate then general population.

Also, keep in mind that the S4/S5, TT-RS and R8 are the only performance variants from Audi that come in MT. This might cease to be the case for the B9...