BMW 330CI M SPORT, AUTO OR MANUAL?
Discussion
HI ive posted a topic on here before regarding a 330ci and various other cars, ive now decide to go for the 330 over various other cars, thanks for your views guys. just got another itching problem tho, steptronic, auto or manual??? i know its a fairly straight forward answer, i mean the manuals bound to be better and obviously quicker due to shifting gears manually. but is the steptronic actually like? a lot of people like it, and others dont because they've experienced the manual version. im after a auto myself, never actually owned a auto/triptronic before so its going to be different, whats your views on the auto guys? im not no rally driver or nascar racer, so i dont need to be going 0-60 in 2 seconds haha, but is the auto really that sluggish, a lot of people seem to think so? whats the auto like in the lower range of the revs, i dont want it coughing up on low revs, whats the pick up like? also im going for a convertible version, so ive already lost some performance due to the extra weight, will getting a auto convertible be that slow compared to a manual coupe or clubsport version?????? my mates a absolute petrol head, and he's gone through lots of bmw autos, and he swears by them. im not so sure to be honest, he claims cars like bmws and mercs are known for there auto boxes, im still not completely convinced, as ive not experienced them, but ive owned 2 manual bmws before, 1 of which is my current car
any views would be greatly appreciated
any views would be greatly appreciated
I have a 330d auto, used to have a 528 auto. Both brilliant. As said these cars suit them, might not be the right choose on an Evo or scooby but right on a BM. They aren't slower, ok the actual shifting may take a tiny bit longer and you wouldn't want to use it on a track, even with tiptronic, but 99.9% of the time it's the box to have. I would never go Bk to manual for a daily driver now
paoloh said:
Auto every time for me.
Both boxes have no real issues but I feel the 330 really suits an auto box.
Agreed - large powerful engine coupled to an extremely good auto box is quite compelling.Both boxes have no real issues but I feel the 330 really suits an auto box.
Not driven an e46 auto, but on my e60 it was so good that it was always in the gear you were expecting, changed exactly when you wanted it to, and I hardly ever used the steptronic in normal driving because you could precisely control the gearchanges with your right foot!
For a fast blat steptronic gave you the ability to take it to the next level and maintain control of the changes when driving didn't match the patterns the box would expect.
And you can eat a sandwich in slow moving traffic cos you've got a free hand
Anyway. Test drive.
BMWBen said:
Agreed - large powerful engine coupled to an extremely good auto box is quite compelling.
Not driven an e46 auto, but on my e60 it was so good that it was always in the gear you were expecting, changed exactly when you wanted it to, and I hardly ever used the steptronic in normal driving because you could precisely control the gearchanges with your right foot!
For a fast blat steptronic gave you the ability to take it to the next level and maintain control of the changes when driving didn't match the patterns the box would expect.
And you can eat a sandwich in slow moving traffic cos you've got a free hand
Anyway. Test drive.
That's where my auto 330ci differed. It made smooth progress on the road but the box was all over the place in town. It could never make up its mind what gear to be in. I owned it for a year and it was the only automatic I've ever owned. I don't think I'll be bothering again...Not driven an e46 auto, but on my e60 it was so good that it was always in the gear you were expecting, changed exactly when you wanted it to, and I hardly ever used the steptronic in normal driving because you could precisely control the gearchanges with your right foot!
For a fast blat steptronic gave you the ability to take it to the next level and maintain control of the changes when driving didn't match the patterns the box would expect.
And you can eat a sandwich in slow moving traffic cos you've got a free hand
Anyway. Test drive.
Anyway, In my opinion, it's a beautifully engineered car. So much so that you are a little coccooned from what's going on (you don't feel the speed you are doing etc.). I think you need the manual version to give you that extra bit of driver interaction.
The Crack Fox said:
Mine is a manual, I don't think you'd get full enjoyment of that fabulous engine with a slushbox. If you're a city wafter, fine, if youre a driver who wants to really enjoy the car at it's best on a decent road, go manual.
Just my 2p.
Agreed. I owned the manual and auto versions. It's a fantastic engine which I thought was slightly strangled by the auto box. The manual was much more fun on the open road. I'd definitely have another... Just my 2p.
If you get a Manual (5sp) then check that the lever does not stick in the right hand side of the gate when removing it from 5th gear (only when cold), mine does and it's due to a pin and bushing fault which is apparently quite common....not critical but a bit irritating. It's an easy fix requiring new parts at under £10 but the box has to come off to change it.
I have the 5sp and it's great, though I was not ready to accept an auto a 22, i'm sure it's a good box but needs flushing at 80-100k despite what BMW say about it being lifetime sealed. A 6th gear came in on the facelift in 2003 ish and would be nice on the motorway for cruising (though i'm not sure if it's a higher final drive or whether the gears are just closer together)
Great cars and a brilliant engine, have seen 37mpg out of mine on a long motorway run at 70, averages 27-28mpg in mixed driving, auto will likely be a bit less.
I have the 5sp and it's great, though I was not ready to accept an auto a 22, i'm sure it's a good box but needs flushing at 80-100k despite what BMW say about it being lifetime sealed. A 6th gear came in on the facelift in 2003 ish and would be nice on the motorway for cruising (though i'm not sure if it's a higher final drive or whether the gears are just closer together)
Great cars and a brilliant engine, have seen 37mpg out of mine on a long motorway run at 70, averages 27-28mpg in mixed driving, auto will likely be a bit less.
get a manual, i had a 330 ci convertible m sport auto. never got over 24mpg, wheres the manual will get 30 mpg with the same driving.
the auto is a belt driven on clutched smg gearbox so slower and not as involing.
also my gearbox broke and dealer wanted 4.5K to fix and indies wated 3.5k to fix and to be fair its not that rare they break either!
i honestly would save the cash and buy a m3 i really regret i didn't as my uncle has a m3 pays about the same for his m3 as i did for the 330 and his has cost less to run!
its much much better to drive too.
the auto is a belt driven on clutched smg gearbox so slower and not as involing.
also my gearbox broke and dealer wanted 4.5K to fix and indies wated 3.5k to fix and to be fair its not that rare they break either!
i honestly would save the cash and buy a m3 i really regret i didn't as my uncle has a m3 pays about the same for his m3 as i did for the 330 and his has cost less to run!
its much much better to drive too.
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