The Time Has Finally Come!!

venom3469 · 07-08-2011, 07:07 PM

Ok so things have finally started to fall in place and the mustang is up for sale.
I'm finally about to be a proud owner of an 07 335i but here is my big question.

Should I go with the fun manual or fast precision auto?

What type do you have and would you prefer the other or not change and why?

Beemw335 · 07-08-2011, 07:08 PM

Auto is better for everything.
Manual is if you lile the feel of a 6mt
Choose performance vs feel

CPWINCH · 07-08-2011, 07:27 PM

i have auto but before this i drove my bros 6mt e90 m3. I like having auto better especially due to traffic here in cali but 6mt is alot more fun. I would go for auto if uve never had manuel cuz u might hate it

loweredram · 07-08-2011, 07:34 PM

I feel the AT is better. after owning a manual I was real worried about going with the 335i AT with steptronic but my buddy convinced me to try it and it was the best decision i ever made. I love the paddles and it shifts excellent. But try them both if you can .

etichi · 07-08-2011, 07:46 PM

no right answer. Manuals are much harder to find especially in the e90. I have a manual but you have to get the ssk and do a cdv delete to really make it great. My opinion an auto neuters the whole experience of driving a 3 series. 5 or 6 or 7 series sure, but not the 3.

Tee212 · 07-08-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beemw335

Auto is better for everything.
Manual is if you lile the feel of a 6mt
Choose performance vs feel

yup in a nut shell but also age and driving conditions plays a major role.

venom3469 · 07-08-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

i have auto but before this i drove my bros 6mt e90 m3. I like having auto better especially due to traffic here in cali but 6mt is alot more fun. I would go for auto if uve never had manuel cuz u might hate it

Haha I have (hopefully had if not to much longer) a 04 manual supercharged mustang gt...manual is no problem to me a pain in traffic but manageable. In the mustang world no brainier manual but for BMW's it different.

The BMW has the double clutch technology which makes faster shifts than humanly possible. I just feel ill miss the felling of a manual shift...just seems right.

Most likely though ill go with the auto but if I have the chance ima test both out first before making my decision.

Bakeme521 · 07-08-2011, 07:55 PM

6MT all the way.

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 07-08-2011, 08:03 PM

If you are getting an 07, then you won't have DCT.

Quantitative differences between the auto and MT are:

1. auto shifts faster
2. auto won't miss shifts
3. auto has better gearing
4. a monkey could launch the auto with ease
5. most likely MT can hold more power, but depending on your goals you may never need this.

Having said all that, I drive an MT and wouldn't change it. It's the qualitative differences that you have to decide for yourself.

Zeph · 07-08-2011, 08:13 PM

6MT, I special ordered mine and I won't buy an auto. My work truck is an auto, which my company provides. My wife's car is an auto too, and I hate driving it.

I guess it is personal preference, but you can say "my car won" or you can say "I won"

venom3469 · 07-08-2011, 08:34 PM

Looks like my best bet is to try to test drive both and figure it out.

335hype · 07-08-2011, 09:43 PM

6mt

dooks · 07-08-2011, 11:01 PM

I briefly entertained the thought of an auto when I was searching for mine - test drove one at the local dealer since there were absolutely no MTs nearby. My thought was that the steptronic would provide what I wanted in terms of fun, but in reality, I would likely wind up rarely using it. However, with the MT, I'm effectively "forced" to engaged with the transmission every time I'm at the wheel. Forced is a strong word here, because I personally love driving with a MT.

Good luck!

tibra1 · 07-08-2011, 11:05 PM

Def manual..

1) Manual gear box is lighter..
2) U wont experience exhaust drone when u do DPs and exhaust
3) AT heats up waaaaaay more than a Manual
4) Easier and cheaper to service (clutch vs rebuilt AT)
5) AT costs more as an option (manual is free)

AT sucks..IMO

Forcefed3 · 07-08-2011, 11:05 PM

Coming from an AT owner, go with the MT.

kdiggz · 07-08-2011, 11:24 PM

04 mustang...that has to be the worst shifter I have ever come across in my life. It's like off center and completely mind boggling in design. You will love the BMW manual in comparison

azwillnj · 07-09-2011, 12:29 AM

The only auto I would EVER consider getting is a DCT with paddles that listen to you. Ask yourself this question: do you want to drive your car, or do you want it to drive you?

plague · 07-09-2011, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azwillnj

The only auto I would EVER consider getting is a DCT with paddles that listen to you. Ask yourself this question: do you want to drive your car, or do you want it to drive you?

thank you... this is an OPINION question i guess.. so my personal opinion is DEFINITELY get a manual. if you like driving...get a manual. if you enjoy more control of rpms and feel of car. get a manual. if you like to drive fast every now and then and whip the car about with full interaction, get a manual. if you want status. fuck status... but....ya. still manual.. the factor of a AT being faster is nothing new right now and how is the tiny tiny fractional increase in straight line speed even comparable to the advantage of a manual.. it just isnt. you wont even realize it. and if you plan to mod extensively or think you MAY do so, and i mean upgraded turbos etc..... the AT isnt gonna hold up too long to too much HP without being built up.. the MT will be ok. just another perk.. then again if you like AT, nothing wrong with that.. manual for me, thats all.. its opinion, though, there is nothing wrong with an AT .

Daya · 07-09-2011, 01:26 AM

6spd all the way. Of the five cars I have had, the last four have been manual, the first car I had in high school I shared with my older sister and was automatic.

02 Civic EX - very easy to shift, a little soft, but a good car to learn on
03 Jetta 1.8t - clunky shifting, but felt solid in each gear
05 A4 1.8t - still clunky, was smoother than Jetta, upgraded with TT short shifter, solved everything
07 335 - pretty short throws stock, very smooth and solid, the best of the bunch so far, very easy to drive, even in stop and go traffic. no need for short shifter in my opinion

I love manually shifting through all of the gears myself. It is true that current generation DCT's will shift faster than any human can shift a 6spd, but where is the fun in that? Plus, none of my friends or girlfriend can drive stick so no one drives my car but me

GaryS · 07-09-2011, 06:23 AM

07 no oil cooler, AT, and Alabama - if you track, you can expect some limp mode.

J02 335i · 07-09-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

07 no oil cooler, AT, and Alabama - if you track, you can expect some limp mode.

This is not true, my 07 335i auto with sport package has a factory oil cooler.

GaryS · 07-09-2011, 07:20 AM

Okay, I will revise to possibly no oil cooler if you will revise to not necessarily true. There are lots of 07s with AT that don't have oil coolers. Also IIRC some with MT.

07-08-2011, 07:07 PM	#1
venom3469 First Lieutenant 46 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 08 AW/R 6MT 335i, YZF-R6. Join Date: May 2011 Location: Florence, Alabama iTrader: (0)	The Time Has Finally Come!! Ok so things have finally started to fall in place and the mustang is up for sale. I'm finally about to be a proud owner of an 07 335i but here is my big question. Should I go with the fun manual or fast precision auto? What type do you have and would you prefer the other or not change and why?
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07-08-2011, 07:08 PM	#2
Beemw335 Colonel 62 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: My car is my home iTrader: (2)	Auto is better for everything. Manual is if you lile the feel of a 6mt Choose performance vs feel
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07-08-2011, 07:27 PM	#3
CPWINCH Brigadier General 736 Rep 4,635 Posts Drives: Toyota Prius Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	i have auto but before this i drove my bros 6mt e90 m3. I like having auto better especially due to traffic here in cali but 6mt is alot more fun. I would go for auto if uve never had manuel cuz u might hate it __________________ Follow my BMW instagram @CARMODIFICATION Let me know you are from bimmerpost and i'll follow back
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07-08-2011, 07:34 PM	#4
loweredram Lieutenant 50 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 16 F80 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: ca iTrader: (2)	I feel the AT is better. after owning a manual I was real worried about going with the 335i AT with steptronic but my buddy convinced me to try it and it was the best decision i ever made. I love the paddles and it shifts excellent. But try them both if you can .
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07-08-2011, 07:46 PM	#5
etichi Slow,fast,slow, then you die. 12 Rep 243 Posts Drives: 335i 07,AA short shifter, COBB Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orlando iTrader: (1)	no right answer. Manuals are much harder to find especially in the e90. I have a manual but you have to get the ssk and do a cdv delete to really make it great. My opinion an auto neuters the whole experience of driving a 3 series. 5 or 6 or 7 series sure, but not the 3.
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07-08-2011, 07:55 PM	#8
Bakeme521 Some say... 239 Rep 4,296 Posts Drives: Fresh Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Baton Rouge n NOLA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [8.24]	6MT all the way. __________________ I have exhaust and an intake...
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07-08-2011, 08:03 PM	#9
GeorgiaTech335coupe Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: Black BMW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	If you are getting an 07, then you won't have DCT. Quantitative differences between the auto and MT are: 1. auto shifts faster 2. auto won't miss shifts 3. auto has better gearing 4. a monkey could launch the auto with ease 5. most likely MT can hold more power, but depending on your goals you may never need this. Having said all that, I drive an MT and wouldn't change it. It's the qualitative differences that you have to decide for yourself. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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07-08-2011, 08:13 PM	#10
Zeph Major 27 Rep 1,410 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i 6MT SGM CR/BD Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southeast USA iTrader: (0)	6MT, I special ordered mine and I won't buy an auto. My work truck is an auto, which my company provides. My wife's car is an auto too, and I hate driving it. I guess it is personal preference, but you can say "my car won" or you can say "I won"
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07-08-2011, 08:34 PM	#11
venom3469 First Lieutenant 46 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 08 AW/R 6MT 335i, YZF-R6. Join Date: May 2011 Location: Florence, Alabama iTrader: (0)	Looks like my best bet is to try to test drive both and figure it out.
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07-08-2011, 09:43 PM	#12
335hype Private First Class 4 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: bay area iTrader: (2)	6mt __________________ 335i \| coupe \| 6mt \| premium \| sport \| brushed aluminum \| space gray
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07-08-2011, 11:01 PM	#13
dooks Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2009 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	I briefly entertained the thought of an auto when I was searching for mine - test drove one at the local dealer since there were absolutely no MTs nearby. My thought was that the steptronic would provide what I wanted in terms of fun, but in reality, I would likely wind up rarely using it. However, with the MT, I'm effectively "forced" to engaged with the transmission every time I'm at the wheel. Forced is a strong word here, because I personally love driving with a MT. Good luck!
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07-08-2011, 11:05 PM	#14
tibra1 Banned 129 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	Def manual.. 1) Manual gear box is lighter.. 2) U wont experience exhaust drone when u do DPs and exhaust 3) AT heats up waaaaaay more than a Manual 4) Easier and cheaper to service (clutch vs rebuilt AT) 5) AT costs more as an option (manual is free) AT sucks..IMO Last edited by tibra1; 07-08-2011 at 11:21 PM..
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07-08-2011, 11:05 PM	#15
Forcefed3 Banned 127 Rep 4,732 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: South iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [1.00]	Coming from an AT owner, go with the MT.
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07-08-2011, 11:24 PM	#16
kdiggz Captain 20 Rep 659 Posts Drives: e92 ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY iTrader: (10)	04 mustang...that has to be the worst shifter I have ever come across in my life. It's like off center and completely mind boggling in design. You will love the BMW manual in comparison
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07-09-2011, 12:29 AM	#17
azwillnj First Lieutenant 319 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 2023 M340i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	The only auto I would EVER consider getting is a DCT with paddles that listen to you. Ask yourself this question: do you want to drive your car, or do you want it to drive you? __________________ Current: 2023 G20 LCI M340i xDrive History: 2005 E90 325i > 2008 E90 328xi > 2011 E90 LCI 335i xDrive > 2013 F30 328i xDrive > 2016 F30 LCI 340i xDrive > 2020 G20 M340i xDrive WE ARE!
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07-09-2011, 01:26 AM	#19
Daya Lieutenant Colonel 202 Rep 1,741 Posts Drives: e92 335 space gray/coral red Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335 [9.66]	6spd all the way. Of the five cars I have had, the last four have been manual, the first car I had in high school I shared with my older sister and was automatic. 02 Civic EX - very easy to shift, a little soft, but a good car to learn on 03 Jetta 1.8t - clunky shifting, but felt solid in each gear 05 A4 1.8t - still clunky, was smoother than Jetta, upgraded with TT short shifter, solved everything 07 335 - pretty short throws stock, very smooth and solid, the best of the bunch so far, very easy to drive, even in stop and go traffic. no need for short shifter in my opinion I love manually shifting through all of the gears myself. It is true that current generation DCT's will shift faster than any human can shift a 6spd, but where is the fun in that? Plus, none of my friends or girlfriend can drive stick so no one drives my car but me __________________ GIAC S2 \| Brembo GT BBK 355/345 \| BBS CH-R \| Michelin Pilot Super Sports \| AR Design: DP, S1 Oil Cooler, OCC \| AMS FMIC \| Bastuck Quad Exhaust \| Borla MP \| KW V1 \| Stett: CAI, CP \| Forge DV \| P3 Boost Gauge \| Arkym: Front Lip, Rear Quad Diffuser \| Vorsteiner CSL Trunk \| LUX H8 \| ModMyNav \| MFD M3 Sideskirts \| BMW M-Tech Front/Rear Bumpers, Edition Grills
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07-09-2011, 06:23 AM	#20
GaryS Colonel 37 Rep 2,084 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i [6.50]	07 no oil cooler, AT, and Alabama - if you track, you can expect some limp mode.
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07-09-2011, 07:20 AM	#22
GaryS Colonel 37 Rep 2,084 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i [6.50]	Okay, I will revise to possibly no oil cooler if you will revise to not necessarily true. There are lots of 07s with AT that don't have oil coolers. Also IIRC some with MT.
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