Manual or Auto - not sure which?

Sounds like you should have no worries about an auto, you'd probably prefer it. Whats an extra £50-100 a year for an auto over a manual?

Must be new tax time, I did mine today for £210 (for the manual)

I've been waiting all weekend for the insurance database to update with my new details as the online tax site wouldn't let me renew until they had. Techinacly my tax ended yesterday, I was not looking forward to a walk to the post office, not that I would have been able to today, I'm still waiting on my insurance documents.
 
I was given a 3.0Si Auto Roadster for the week once and I have to say, the auto is one of the best I have ever driven. We aren't talking about notchy, new (old) tech like the Z4 SMG...the auto box (which is made by GM I think?) is no more unreliable than a manual transmission and silky, silky smooth. it suits the 3.0 perfectly, and suprisingly it suits the car too.

With the tiptronic I never really felt like I missed the manual...it was tractable, quick, refined, sounded glorious and it was just a great car. Plus that auto in traffic would be a life saver (try a Z4M clutch in London traffic for more than 2 hours and you will know what I mean!). As above, the manual is the 'macho' choice of 'drivers' but the Auto is so good, unless you track the car or must must must have a manual, I'd consider putting that aside and buying one.

I'm 26 so hopefully not getting that old just yet LOL :P
 
I recently had an E60 530 in auto, fantastic engine and box.Just not sure about it in a Z4...........the decision is yours.

Oh BTW on that link to Autotrader it says 2003 X reg, does it have a private plate? :o
 
*AL* said:
I recently had an E60 530 in auto, fantastic engine and box.Just not sure about it in a Z4...........the decision is yours.

Oh BTW on that link to Autotrader it says 2003 X reg, does it have a private plate? :o
Click to expand...

Yeh I noticed that too - thinking its just a typo....
 
Probably been said already, but it's probably best (and quite good fun too :D ) to test drive both and see which suits your driving style and circumstances the best.

Only thing that might act against them is when it come to resale time - it might be harder to sell an auto Z4 because most people looking to by a car like this may prefer a manual.

But I'm a great believer in buying the car that you like that has the things in in that you like. I've never seen the point in putting up with something you don't really want on a 'special' car, just because the majority view suggests it's the way to go.

Hope you get a nice car and enjoy driving it. :thumbsup:
 
I wondered about this too, were Autos cheaper to buy if they had the same spec as a manual?

I was looking at Autos of the same age (2003) as the poster, and as far as i could tell the tax would be the same on both until at least 2011.

Am I mistaken? Check this link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_172916
Even though the 3.0 Auto would be in the next bracket up due to its higher emissions, the asterisk says: 'Band K [3.0 manual territory] includes cars that have a CO2 figure over 225g/km [Auto] but were registered before 23 March 2006. These cars will stay in band K.'

So isn't the maximum tax for cars from before this date going to be the same for both Manual and Auto?

Everyone seems so certain that tax is higher for the Autos it is making me confused!

I've gone from only looking at manuals to only wanting an Auto after driving one...
 
I think you are correct on the tax (and it makes me happy as an '03 auto driver) People are all quoting from a quirk prior to last weeks budget where the auto was marginally higher CO2 and just tipped into the next band. Again who really knows what will happen to car tax over 5 years but for now older than 03/06 seem to be in for the same treatment
 
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