F30 335i manual vs Auto

dave550i · 10-30-2020, 02:14 PM

what's the views on my dilemma, looking at both a auto 335i and a manual 335i has much as i love the ZF8 Auto i fancy a go in a manual again but should i?

Armaan · 10-30-2020, 02:34 PM

Very much down to personal choice. I'm in a manual now and the auto is just so good it's hard to choose...I've driven both and day to day I think the auto is easier to live with, but with the last 6 months being as they have been, my manual is so much more engaging to drive when I do.

Armaan

dave550i · 10-30-2020, 02:57 PM

Hi Armaan, my thoughts too, in most scenarios the auto takes some beating
its just with a manual box you feel a bit more in control i think, not so much with the Zf box but with a lot of autos there was always the chance the box would change gear mid corner causing a few hairy moments, whereas driving with a manual you can pick your own gear until you want to change cogs.

MattOz · 10-30-2020, 04:45 PM

I owned a manual F31 335i. Should have been a great step up from my manual E91 335i. Sadly, the gearbox calibration and emissions requirements meant that the rev hang in the F31 made the car poor to drive. Loved the idea, but BMW poorly executed it.

Now, mine was a 65 plate, so one of the last. Apparently the earlier cars didn't suffer from it. I'd always take a manual 'box over an auto given the choice. However, the ZF8 is a cracker.

Definitely test drive a manual and see if it suits you.

SkyJawa · 10-31-2020, 05:34 AM

BMW manual boxes imho are crap. The Zf is so good it’s a no brainer.

sensible · 10-31-2020, 05:44 AM

Until I bought a BMW I had never owned an auto. Bought my 3 series with a sports auto box and now have a 4 series GC with the same.

With sports mode, sport on the gear selecter and the paddles you can drive it how you want. The 8 speed auto box is very good.

HighlandPete · 10-31-2020, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave550i

..its just with a manual box you feel a bit more in control i think, not so much with the Zf box but with a lot of autos there was always the chance the box would change gear mid corner causing a few hairy moments, whereas driving with a manual you can pick your own gear until you want to change cogs.

Surely if you are driving in such a way that an auto will be likely to change mid corner and cause hairy moments, it is the time to be driving the auto in manual mode, with the shifter or paddles.

Personally don't see an issue to be honest, you have 'options' with the auto.

J555 · 10-31-2020, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

BMW manual boxes imho are crap. The Zf is so good it’s a no brainer.

Can't agree more. I am a manual guy, love shifting in many cars (particularly Japanese, but also some Swedes and Germans), but BMW's manuals ain't and never been for me.

Today, ZF is a great box, even more with possibilities of further tweaking with xHP. The daily usability with ACC and stop/go is a different level, too.

MY340i · 10-31-2020, 07:59 AM

I would say the e46 manual is better than the f30 manuals by far

330XDave · 10-31-2020, 10:00 AM

Personally think there's an argument for a manual M2 over DCT.

HighlandPete · 10-31-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barsj111

I would say the e46 manual is better than the f30 manuals by far

One problem is the later MT boxes have to handle more torque. Not the best direction for retaining a sweet and slick changing box.

AT can handle higher torque, without the user losing the creamy changes.

Londoner · 10-31-2020, 01:52 PM

Never owned an auto before my 340i but not sure I could go back now. Trouble is the 6 speed manual is a bit crap in the F30, I liked the box in my old E92 330i a lot better.

Ennoch · 10-31-2020, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave550i

what's the views on my dilemma, looking at both a auto 335i and a manual 335i has much as i love the ZF8 Auto i fancy a go in a manual again but should i?

Very different car for me with the 335D, and I do have a fun manual in the garage that I can drive any time I want to feel involved, but the 8spd ZF box is absolutely brilliant. You can throw it in eco for chilled driving when you're in no rush, comfort for normal and then sport or the paddles when you want to go on a run. I still find paddles a little disconnected as you're not physically putting the gear lever in a specific space and so you're not immediately aware of what gear you're in (and therefore have to be careful on downshifts) but it's a lovely box that just works really well and suits the car. I wouldn't pick it in something flickable like an MX5 or GT86 etc, but in a bigger car which isn't so sharp handling I think it's perfectly suited and simply couldn't imagine picking a manual over it.

HarryTee · 10-31-2020, 05:40 PM

I could decide whether it'd be manual or auto, so I ended up buying both

skipraider · 11-01-2020, 03:32 AM

I'm in a manual 335i and I love it. As good as the new autos are, they don't know what I'm thinking. If I want to use the low down torque - I can, if I want to give it some revs- I can.

I bought an auto 650i and didn't really get on with it. I know the newer ZF boxes will be much better, but things like shifting down on the motorway when on a slight incline with slight increase in throttle were really annoying. I found that i very rarely used the manual shifters either. I'm sure I'll end up in an auto car next time as that is all available with my engine choice. This is one of the reasons I have kept the 335i so long.

dave550i · 11-01-2020, 06:45 AM

As above that's exactly my thoughts

Marksw76 · 11-01-2020, 01:57 PM

Just expect clutch judder from 10k onwards if you go for the manual. Seems to be a common problem with BMW clutches for some reason

BBri89 · 11-01-2020, 03:17 PM

ZF8 is an incredible box, far better than I thought possible from a torque converter automatic.

I find the F30/G20 manual pretty poor for a marque like BMW.

Would get an Auto every day of the week

F30lancs · 11-24-2020, 07:28 PM

Vote for manual from me. I don't know why but I just prefer the feel of a proper 6 speed manual box, just love it. I've had 3 manual 3 series in a row and honestly dont know why people dont rate the manual box. I am guessing that people who arent used to the clutch delay valve are finding the gear changes rough. Once you know how to change on a car with the CDV, it is pretty decent. My next car will be a 335i or 340i so hoping there are some manuals still around as they getting rarer.

Russbmw · 11-25-2020, 11:37 AM

I've had BMW's from the e34 era onwards, and to be honest, I font think any manual has been perfect. The e34 was OK, and before the e90x autos with paddle shift and then the newer zf8 auto box that came along, I'd say a manual would have been more engaging.

My e34 was fine but felt notchy.

My e39 was manual and was nothing but irritating. Noticeable and noisy gear chatter at 60k miles. Had a brand new gearbox, flywheel, clutch and shift linkage fitted by bmw, and literally almost exactly 50k miles later, it was starting to do it again.

E46 325 was manual, that was ok... not silky smooth again.

Wind back 20 years or so, and yeah, I'd have a manual, but with the zf8 box, no way I would be arsed with manual. Less gears and I'd imagine therefore slightly worse gearing for acceleration; plus traffic and generally shit dirivng conditions make manual a waste of time and an unnecessary ballache in my opinion.

I would like manual "fun" car (like an old e39, or z3, lotus exige, etc... That kind of thing), but for a daily... fuck that.

I also don't believe a manual is any more desirable these days when you come to sell it on.

10-30-2020, 02:14 PM	#1
dave550i Private First Class 82 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2016 640D Vert Melbourne Red Join Date: May 2017 Location: York iTrader: (0)	F30 335i manual vs Auto what's the views on my dilemma, looking at both a auto 335i and a manual 335i has much as i love the ZF8 Auto i fancy a go in a manual again but should i?
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10-30-2020, 02:34 PM	#2
Armaan Major 715 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: F30 320i Sport Remapped Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0)	Very much down to personal choice. I'm in a manual now and the auto is just so good it's hard to choose...I've driven both and day to day I think the auto is easier to live with, but with the last 6 months being as they have been, my manual is so much more engaging to drive when I do. Armaan
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10-30-2020, 02:57 PM	#3
dave550i Private First Class 82 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2016 640D Vert Melbourne Red Join Date: May 2017 Location: York iTrader: (0)	Hi Armaan, my thoughts too, in most scenarios the auto takes some beating its just with a manual box you feel a bit more in control i think, not so much with the Zf box but with a lot of autos there was always the chance the box would change gear mid corner causing a few hairy moments, whereas driving with a manual you can pick your own gear until you want to change cogs.
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10-30-2020, 04:45 PM	#4
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]	I owned a manual F31 335i. Should have been a great step up from my manual E91 335i. Sadly, the gearbox calibration and emissions requirements meant that the rev hang in the F31 made the car poor to drive. Loved the idea, but BMW poorly executed it. Now, mine was a 65 plate, so one of the last. Apparently the earlier cars didn't suffer from it. I'd always take a manual 'box over an auto given the choice. However, the ZF8 is a cracker. Definitely test drive a manual and see if it suits you.
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10-31-2020, 05:34 AM	#5
SkyJawa Major General 3719 Rep 8,636 Posts Drives: F10 530d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (1)	BMW manual boxes imho are crap. The Zf is so good it’s a no brainer.
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10-31-2020, 05:44 AM	#6
sensible Lieutenant Colonel 810 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: BMW 420i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: West Midlands UK iTrader: (0)	Until I bought a BMW I had never owned an auto. Bought my 3 series with a sports auto box and now have a 4 series GC with the same. With sports mode, sport on the gear selecter and the paddles you can drive it how you want. The 8 speed auto box is very good.
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10-31-2020, 07:59 AM	#9
MY340i Major 721 Rep 1,444 Posts Drives: Various Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I would say the e46 manual is better than the f30 manuals by far
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10-31-2020, 10:00 AM	#10
330XDave Major 629 Rep 1,470 Posts Drives: 330d xDrive Touring Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (0)	Personally think there's an argument for a manual M2 over DCT.
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10-31-2020, 01:52 PM	#12
Londoner Lieutenant 168 Rep 470 Posts Drives: 340i msport+ MPPSK Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Never owned an auto before my 340i but not sure I could go back now. Trouble is the 6 speed manual is a bit crap in the F30, I liked the box in my old E92 330i a lot better.
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10-31-2020, 05:40 PM	#14
HarryTee Lieutenant 214 Rep 496 Posts Drives: 2020 M4CP & 2017 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I could decide whether it'd be manual or auto, so I ended up buying both
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11-01-2020, 03:32 AM	#15
skipraider Captain 398 Rep 730 Posts Drives: F31 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: North East iTrader: (0)	I'm in a manual 335i and I love it. As good as the new autos are, they don't know what I'm thinking. If I want to use the low down torque - I can, if I want to give it some revs- I can. I bought an auto 650i and didn't really get on with it. I know the newer ZF boxes will be much better, but things like shifting down on the motorway when on a slight incline with slight increase in throttle were really annoying. I found that i very rarely used the manual shifters either. I'm sure I'll end up in an auto car next time as that is all available with my engine choice. This is one of the reasons I have kept the 335i so long. __________________ F31 2015 BMW 335i - Manual
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11-01-2020, 06:45 AM	#16
dave550i Private First Class 82 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2016 640D Vert Melbourne Red Join Date: May 2017 Location: York iTrader: (0)	As above that's exactly my thoughts
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11-01-2020, 01:57 PM	#17
Marksw76 Private First Class 95 Rep 167 Posts Drives: F30 320i XDrive M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Just expect clutch judder from 10k onwards if you go for the manual. Seems to be a common problem with BMW clutches for some reason
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11-01-2020, 03:17 PM	#18
BBri89 Captain 516 Rep 749 Posts Drives: F31 320d xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: West Sussex, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 320d xDriv ... [0.00]	ZF8 is an incredible box, far better than I thought possible from a torque converter automatic. I find the F30/G20 manual pretty poor for a marque like BMW. Would get an Auto every day of the week __________________ 2015 F31 320d xDrive M Sport (Plus pack) *My progress thread*
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11-24-2020, 07:28 PM	#19
F30lancs Private 17 Rep 72 Posts Drives: BMW F30 328i msport Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: North west iTrader: (0)	Vote for manual from me. I don't know why but I just prefer the feel of a proper 6 speed manual box, just love it. I've had 3 manual 3 series in a row and honestly dont know why people dont rate the manual box. I am guessing that people who arent used to the clutch delay valve are finding the gear changes rough. Once you know how to change on a car with the CDV, it is pretty decent. My next car will be a 335i or 340i so hoping there are some manuals still around as they getting rarer.
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11-25-2020, 11:37 AM	#20
Russbmw Colonel 680 Rep 2,444 Posts Drives: 2018 630iGT sport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Caloundra, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 640i [0.00] 2014 BMW 530d GT [0.00] 2017 Kawasaki Z1000SX [0.00]	I've had BMW's from the e34 era onwards, and to be honest, I font think any manual has been perfect. The e34 was OK, and before the e90x autos with paddle shift and then the newer zf8 auto box that came along, I'd say a manual would have been more engaging. My e34 was fine but felt notchy. My e39 was manual and was nothing but irritating. Noticeable and noisy gear chatter at 60k miles. Had a brand new gearbox, flywheel, clutch and shift linkage fitted by bmw, and literally almost exactly 50k miles later, it was starting to do it again. E46 325 was manual, that was ok... not silky smooth again. Wind back 20 years or so, and yeah, I'd have a manual, but with the zf8 box, no way I would be arsed with manual. Less gears and I'd imagine therefore slightly worse gearing for acceleration; plus traffic and generally shit dirivng conditions make manual a waste of time and an unnecessary ballache in my opinion. I would like manual "fun" car (like an old e39, or z3, lotus exige, etc... That kind of thing), but for a daily... fuck that. I also don't believe a manual is any more desirable these days when you come to sell it on.
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