Auto box versus manual

Poll Poll Do you have manual or auto box.

  • Manual

    Votes: 43 66.2%

  • Auto (incl SMG / DCT)

    Votes: 22 33.8%
  • Total voters
    65
pvr

pvr

Dutch
 Ruler of the South East UK
Just curious what the consensus is regarding the different gear boxes that are available and the popularity of them. I have no idea what the manufacturing split is between manual and auto boxes produced.

To see what the board split is, I have put it as a poll.

My uneducated guess would be that 20% would be auto boxes, but curious what the real figure is.
 
+1 for Auto - Wife's choice really, but with 265bhp there's enough get up and go in sport mode to keep up with the rest of you!
Also, which would you prefer for the daily grind through city traffic - save your left leg from aches!
p.s. Don't imagine this topic is going to be indicative, as the forum's probably biased towards the 'M' which doesn't have the option?
 
IMHO the flappy paddles aren't as much fun on B-roads as I thought they'd be. It'd also be nice if the transmission team at BMW knew about the IAM IPSGA system and taught it not to downshift when cornering hard!
I don't care how fast the auto changes compared to my clutch leg, now I've owned one, a sports car should be a manual!
 
Guiseley said:
+1 for Auto - Wife's choice really, but with 265bhp there's enough get up and go in sport mode to keep up with the rest of you!
Also, which would you prefer for the daily grind through city traffic - save your left leg from aches!
p.s. Don't imagine this forum is going to be indicative, as the forum's probably biased towards the 'M' which doesn't have the option?
Click to expand...

You think there is abias towards M in the forum? I don't think so. I also included the E89 and there is no M there :D

This is not a "what is better" post, just want to get an idea what is out there in the mix.
 
pvr said:
You think there is abias towards M in the forum? I don't think so. I also included the E89 and there is no M there :D This is not a "what is better" post, just want to get an idea what is out there in the mix.
Click to expand...
Yep - I imagine there is a higher % of M's on here than 'in the real world', and more drivers with aspirations to be 'sporty' too - both of which will probably bias the results towards the manual.
It's not the forum itself that is biased, but I imagine those who bought it just for the way it looks, and shades-on-top-down driving, and are less interested in the car generally, might have bought the auto for ease-of-use (and are probably on hairdressers-forum.com instead!)
I'm not concerned either way with which is deemed to be better - 'you pays your money and makes your choice'.
:thumbsup:
 
And don't forget, SMG and DCT are MANUALs not autos so they will add to manual totals.
 
manual everytime!

Even in London city driving its not hard to manage the clutch.

I recently had to drive a new Astra 2.2D hire car which had an auto box... and even when i wasnt using my left foot to break it sucked.
 
its not hard to drive a manual, but it can get tiring when stuck in stop/start traffic for a couple of hours on the M25. Auto all the way for me now (well, maybe manual if I ever have the luxury of a trackday car)
 
Z4 Beemer said:
Smokin said:
And don't forget, SMG and DCT are MANUALs not autos so they will add to manual totals.
Click to expand...

In terms of the UK driving license, they are classes as autos. :wink:
Click to expand...

Really? Interesting. Of course, here in the US, there is no distinction made for transmission type. Each state has its own specific laws/regulations. Some of the more mountainous states include sections on mountain driving on the exam.
 
The first Z4 I ever drove was a 2003 3.0i with auto and I was impressed. Then about 15 minutes later I drove a 2003 3.0i with sport package and 6 speed manual and WOW.... :driving: No way was I going to buy an auto.

There have been a few time when I been stuck in heavy stop and go traffic for hours and I would traded on the spot for an auto... :oops:
 
Manual for me. I prefer to feel like I am actually driving the car and the car is not driving me.
 
Ive had both and both on facelift cars

I LOVED the auto box on my 2.5si and thought there was no looking back
But then when i tried the manual in my current 3.0si i was like - forgot the auto, im all over the manual - car is a beast as your in full control!

As per above, i even prefer the manual despite central london driving
 
Lots of motorway so
Automatic for me with Cruise, Auto Lights Auto Wipers
Shuffle on the ipod and arrive anywhere relaxed
 
Out of curiosity - why does lots of motorway result in a preference for Auto as motorway is just about the only place that you rarely change gear?
 
You would think so,
but with the 50mph speed checks and am pm rush hours it is not fast all the way
In fact sometimes it is hard to make use of the cruise control!
 
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