Manual or Auto - not sure which?

M

Motto

Member
 Central Scotland
Hi,

Ok I know this topic has been done a few times but I am having difficulties deciding and what with the changing variations in price now I wanted to ask your opinions..

Basically love automatics but usually shy away from them because of less fuel economy and the fear something might go wrong with them. Thing is that I've driven the manual and found it quite notchy and had difficulties getting in gear sometimes (I normally like a 'notchy' gear change but this bothered me slightly but I may get used to that). The other point is that there are some terrific deals on 3.0i Autos at the moment (see below) which are at or below my budget but the same can't be said for manuals - waht to do?! Any advice on MPG and what would you do given th current market? Cheers.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-169-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200846323367914&distance=164&postcode=eh549lb&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=&max_pr=12000&max_mileage=

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-169-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200848324062308&distance=191&postcode=eh549lb&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=&max_pr=12000&max_mileage=
 
Personally I'd go manual all the way...

Auto will also start to cost more in Tax as it's emissions are higher than the manual - maybe that's why they are appearing cheaper :idunno:
 
gannet said:
Personally I'd go manual all the way...

Auto will also start to cost more in Tax as it's emissions are higher than the manual - maybe that's why they are appearing cheaper :idunno:
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Hadn't thought about that - although looking at Parkers tax projects for the next two years or so the charges look the same...
 
I'd go with Manual, less to go wrong, more economical, more involving when it comes to the drive. It really depends on your driving style. If you like to throw the car around from time to time go with the manual. If you just cruise around and are in traffic a lot then go with the auto
 
Echoing others--depends on what you want. The autos are very, very close in fuel economy now and the BMW autos are pretty good. I have a manual, my preference, but I've driven both and the auto is more than acceptable.
 
Smokin said:
Echoing others--depends on what you want. The autos are very, very close in fuel economy now and the BMW autos are pretty good. I have a manual, my preference, but I've driven both and the auto is more than acceptable.
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Interesting.....

As I've mentioned before the wife will be doing most of the commuting with the Z to keep the miles down as I do mostly town driving through Edinburgh. I must admit I don't really get much chance to thrash any car I own these days so I don't really need a manual for that. If the economy is so close then my only worry is the reliability of the auto - does anyone know of any problems/costs of the Auto box?

I suppose I should book my third test drive now, the 3.0i auto....
 
I haven't heard of any major problems with the auto, I'd have guessed BMW know what they're doing with them by now.

I'd say it's down to personal choice. Many people here will say manual since it's a sports car and we're mostly car nuts around here. If you like automatics then why not go for one, the 3.0i has enough grunt to not be hampered by the automatic gearbox. It's one of the things my dad commented on when he drove my Z4, he'd prefer an automatic (he is getting old though :P )

I do a lot of driving in traffic and often think if the SMG had been a bit smoother then I'd have chosen that.

The SMG and automatic are in the next tax band up though, but the tax rises may have been scrapped now, they'd be in the £400 bracket at just over 225g/km :fuelfire:
 
Herminator said:
I haven't heard of any major problems with the auto, I'd have guessed BMW know what they're doing with them by now.

I'd say it's down to personal choice. Many people here will say manual since it's a sports car and we're mostly car nuts around here. If you like automatics then why not go for one, the 3.0i has enough grunt to not be hampered by the automatic gearbox. It's one of the things my dad commented on when he drove my Z4, he'd prefer an automatic (he is getting old though :P )

I do a lot of driving in traffic and often think if the SMG had been a bit smoother then I'd have chosen that.

The SMG and automatic are in the next tax band up though, but the tax rises may have been scrapped now, they'd be in the £400 bracket at just over 225g/km :fuelfire:
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Well everone tells me I'm a 'young foggie' so that's probably why I like the auto boxes but then again I love sports cars so hence the indecision! Anyone know if the car tax rise has been stopped permenantly or if it is just on hold for a couple of years?
 
gannet said:
I understand it's on hold... til we all have more money....
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:D

Should think about resale values then because sure as sh*t the new car tax will kick just before I go to sell it!
 
Bought a 2.5 auto for the wife a month ago. She likes autos and im not bothered as its her car, moving it to sport mode on the gear lever sharpens things up nicely and its quick enough for general road use. We had a manual 2.5 a few years ago and this car does feel slower but its hardly dramatic. On the subject of reliability there isnt a clutch and to me thats a big benefit with this type of car, something less to go wrong. MPG is averaging around 26 with mostly short jouneys, the one long drive with MWays pushed this up to 30 (which is what the old car used to average).
It is easy to cruise in and the 2.5 is hardly a rocket ship anyway, the auto suits it quite well and for what you have described as the main use it could be your best bet.
 
You should be aware of the Clutch Delay Valve on thee manual and why most of us remove it. It hinders the smooth ear change we have perfected over decades of driving.

I'd buy a 530d auto but a Z4 manual - but that's just me.

Beware of the tax 'delay' and realise that it will bite at some point.

Prices will fall through to February though.

Either way, you will have a fine car.

Regards

Sceptre
 
had auto's 1993 onwards until now! has to be manual for a small sport car :evil:
maybe not if you have to live in the big city traffic everyday :( then go with the auto..
 
Oh oh, I've just seen a car on the Trader and it's a manual, still no dam* pics but sounds great (and yes before you all shout at me again it has heated seats!!) :D

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-62-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200849324476112&distance=190&postcode=eh549lb&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
 
I am going to be quite frank here as I have had both.

Firstly, while the manual is notchy its not as bad as some make out and the removal of the said valve should free up some of this assocaited "notchyness". Albeit, IMO the clutch in big engined beemers can be quitre heavy in said traffic. But manuals are associated with sports cars and give a free'er driving experience.

Secondly, the auto in my opinion is one of the best and smoothest out there. As said, BMW have been making these for some time in their bigger cars so are well versed on how to make a good one. Sitting in traffic in the morning is fine in an auto, your left leg doesn’t get annoyed with first to second shifts, and back again, every 10 seconds- then theres your arm which doesn’t have to move the gear knob. The semi auto mode is great and you can tap out the gears, the upshift and downshifts are very responsive unlike some other manufacturer cars. Autos have come a log way you may be pleasantly surprised, I certainly was and am not someone who is easily impressed. Oh and you get to look cool too when the roofs off with one free arm hanging out the window when in heavy traffic! :oops:

While the board has come up with some valid points, my advice to you is that no one can judge the merits of each car better than yourself. So depends what you want out of the car. Test drive both and make your own mind up. :thumbsup:

Personally, if the car was specced right and was an auto I'd go for it. You won’t be disappointed with either. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Oh btw, last time I taxed my 3.0 auto I paid £210 in August for 12 months go figure!
 
In many ways I echo the views of dannyboy. I'm in the enviable position of having 3 autos and 2 manuals as drives ranging from 1.3 to 6 litre.

On the Z4I have a 3.0i auto and love it to bits and it's the same box as my X5. OK tricked a bit so I can use paddle shifts on the auto, but it's one of the best boxes around. With the sport mode it's very lively and somewhat surprisingly still tail happy.

There are no known auto issues, fuel economy is almost identical, tax will hit you in a year or 2. My wife only drives it because it's auto (some would argue that's a downside)

Also remember that a lot of people shout ‘manual’ because it sounds more macho and supposed to be what sports cars have but reality is it all depends on what you intend to do with it, but in the end you likely already know what in your heart you want.

As Dannyboy I retaxed mine yesterday for £210.
 
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