[bonny]

I have a wonderful e90 325i automatic. She has 170kms and apart from lifter tick, is clean and runs like a dream. My mechanic says DO NOT SELL as he says everything hing is over priced and not as good as my dependable 325. In 5 years she’s had new shocks, coils and plugs, coolant flush, AC Freon replacement and that’s it https://19216811.cam/ https://1921681001.id/. The thing is, I really want a manual but am genuinely fearful of losing this work horse. She is my 5th 3 series (e30 e36 E46 e46 e90) and if I was to get a manual , which one???

[StradaRedlands]

Can you do a manual transmission swap on it? Even with the expense, cheaper than a new car. You can drive it for at least double the current km on it without any drama. Sounds like you have a good mechanic, so have that conversation with him. He'll either be eager to do it, or say nope, too busy. If on the eager end of the continuum, start collecting part!

If you do move on and find a good car, stick with the N52 engine. You know what you're getting there.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Can you do a manual transmission swap on it? Even with the expense, cheaper than a new car. You can drive it for at least double the current km on it without any drama. Sounds like you have a good mechanic, so have that conversation with him. He'll either be eager to do it, or say nope, too busy. If on the eager end of the continuum, start collecting part!

If you do move on and find a good car, stick with the N52 engine. You know what you're getting there.

depends of his 325 equipment. If it's a base boring model, with grey ext. and beige int. on vinyl... I'll gamble it a bit and try to find a E90 328 with a maintenance record, mid to fully loaded and manual. I also agree to stick with the N52

[marvinstockman]

You can shift your automatic manually.

[crashoverride]

You can drive an automatic without having to switch to a manual.

To better answer your question the N52 engine is considered the last of the reliable being naturally aspirated and didn't come with the HPFP and carbon build up walnut blasting requirements.

So although it sounds like your car is dialed in. If you were to make a change sticking to the N52 engine would keep you with a happy mechanic and be a good start in searching for a manual.

[The Nightman]

I used to be MT only and my E90 was my first automatic. I hated it until I retrofitted paddle shifters and can live with this compromise