Manual or auto with paddles???

J

jamesditchy

Active member
 Liverpool
On the lookout for a 3.0si for a while now. Been to see a few but up to now they sellers haven't been 100% accurate with their descriptions.

I've never owned an auto car, only driven them as hire cars on holidays. Question is what are the experts on here's thoughts on the auto box. I've always gone with a manual but just wondering what people's thoughts are on this.

Thanks
 
Manual on the z4's are lovely for rev matching and heel-toeing :thumbsup: especially with clutch delay valve delete! Makes for a very involving, fun drive

Can't comment too much on the autos, only driven a paddle Zed once, and remember thinking it was very responsive and good to drive

Horses for courses :P
 
I've got an auto and absolutely love it but mine's a daily driver and I do 15-20k a year in it. I very rarely use the paddles, they seem pretty pointless to me. I also drive a manual Z3 every so often and must admit that you feel a lot more involved when pushing on in a manual.

Personal preference really, depends what you're using it for.
 
probably one of the most contentious subjects on here...most people who own an auto love them, die hard manual owners will write them off as not worthy, I went auto for the first time with my zed and although I originally had a manual in mind also I was conviced by some members on here to try the auto and happy that I did as I wouldn't change it now, the paddles are ok but i prefer to use the stick when driving in semi auto...best to have a good test drive and see if you like
 
Ive had a couple of 3.0 Si autos & a couple of 3.0 Si manuals & its all down to personal choice as to whether you can live with either
What i can confirm is the autos are rapido off the mark to 50/60mph ( especially with sport button :evil: ) & change quickly & smoothly whether in tip , paddle or auto mode
If i owned a Z for everyday i think it would have to be auto :?
 
A typical Auto v Manual debate guys!

I've driven manuals for 25 years. Been an auto driver for last four years. I'll never voluntarily go back to manual.

Got sports auto on my 535. Auto box is lovely but paddles a gimmick IMO. Again, a love or hate, marmite thing.

2.5 Z4 I am going to get is Auto and I wanted Auto only. Collecting it in Feb :)
 
My favourite thing about the auto is the speed off the line. There's no revving, letting the clutch out, or fluffed gear changes, just hit the accelerator and the power is instant :driving:
 
I daily drive a manual doing 20kpa including some city traffic and it's not a hard clutch to use. Then I enjoy it more when free to do so. As said there's no right or wrong answer but both gearboxes are perfectly capable of all types of driving.
 
I see your looking for a 3.0Si Auto. In the E85 that would be my choice as the later cars have a 6 speed rather than 5 speed box. Never driven a zed auto but if early models use the boxes from the E46 and the later ones use the same boxes as the E90 then there's a noticeable difference in gear changes and refinement. The E90 is definitely a nicer box than the one used in the E46, not that the E46 has a bad box, its more a case of good and even better.
 
This is definitely something you need to try for yourself.

I'll tell you manual as I'll never voluntarily buy an auto unless the car I want is only offered in it. I hate the way they drive, not just the lack of shifting but the throttle is not as crisp either. While dual clutch gear boxes fix that part a bit they have their own issues in my opinion.
 
My preference is always manual, but that is a personal thing. I have had 4 autos, but only in saloons and each time in cars where you probably wouldn't ever find a manual (MKII Granada Ghia, Ford Scorpio, Merc 280e and C280).

To be fair auto. probably suited those cars quite well so I didn't mind so much, but no auto in a Z4 for me thanks!

But there isn't necessarily anything wrong with that, you just need to decide which you prefer - ideally by trying both!

Whichever you go for I hope you find one you like. :thumbsup:
 
I have always preferred automatics especially as Im driving 40-50k business miles a year.

When I bought my Zed back in the summer, as it was mainly for weekend use, I opted to buy one with a manual box as its definitely fun and a lot more involving to drive - however if I was using it as a daily means of transport then I would certainly look for an auto.
 
patriot66 said:
jamesditchy said:
Well it's a manual for me. Just bought a 3.0 si. Can't wait to get it :driving:
Click to expand...

Excellent news James ! Spill the beans...what colour, spec, year etc :D
Click to expand...

Great news James. :thumbsup:

Looking forward to the photos - I hope you knew we rather like them on this forum? :roll:

But have a good drive first! :driving:
 
Just bought today. Not collecting until tomoro or saturday. 3.0, titan silver, my sport, MV2's, sat nav, black leather, electric memory seats, immaculate body work and for some reason a carbon wrapped lower bumper. Will post pics when I get it home to its final resting place.....at last
 
jamesditchy said:
Just bought today. Not collecting until tomoro or saturday. 3.0, titan silver, my sport, MV2's, sat nav, black leather, electric memory seats, immaculate body work and for some reason a carbon wrapped lower bumper. Will post pics when I get it home to its final resting place.....at last
Click to expand...

Sounds nice :thumbsup: Look forward to the photos and seeing it in the flesh. Enjoy your drive home ! :driving:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
E85 centre console - auto vs manual
Replies
2
Views
390
x-driver
x-driver
G
The auto vs manual debate
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
Jollygiant
Jollygiant
M
E89 28i mpg Manual vs Auto
Replies
11
Views
895
Fady
F
F
E89 - Manual vs Auto?
Replies
13
Views
833
FunkyGBrown
F
S
Manual v auto: Different Steering Column?
Replies
18
Views
1K
raymond.harper
R
Back
Top Bottom