[HB E90]

I'm LTB a MT LCI 335 E90. Its very hard to find a good one. To make it worse in my search I put in MT and so many are listed as MT but are AT's WTF? So I've driven both and the AT seems decent ie 6 speed with paddles and I just found out that just putting it in the sport shift position it will shift on its own more aggressively until you touch the paddles or shift knob. Is that how it works? I know noob stuff but I'm more impressed with the sport AT. How do you enthusiast's like it? Maybe I could live with it. So I'm just throwing it out there to see if many were in the same boat and got a sport AT and are happy with it or are wishing they held out for a MT. Are they reliable? up to 400 lbs WTq? I figure I will do a moderate tune soon which is why I want a N54 E90. Oh and how about tuning, speed limiters, etc. Do you get more power / speed out of MT like some others when tuned or not? Motors exactly the same?

[Antetokounmpo]

Search. Tons of info on this.

AT can hold 550wtq or so. People have gone higher without issues though.

If you want a MT, you won't be happy with an AT in the long run.

[JasW]

Originally Posted by HB E90

I'm LTB a MT LCI 335 E90. Its very hard to find a good one. To make it worse in my search I put in MT and so many are listed as MT but are AT's WTF? So I've driven both and the AT seems decent ie 6 speed with paddles and I just found out that just putting it in the sport shift position it will shift on its own more aggressively until you touch the paddles or shift knob. Is that how it works? I know noob stuff but I'm more impressed with the sport AT. How do you enthusiast's like it? Maybe I could live with it. So I'm just throwing it out there to see if many were in the same boat and got a sport AT and are happy with it or are wishing they held out for a MT. Are they reliable? up to 400 lbs WTq? I figure I will do a moderate tune soon which is why I want a N54 E90. Oh and how about tuning, speed limiters, etc. Do you get more power / speed out of MT like some others when tuned or not? Motors exactly the same?

It's gotten harder and harder to find an MT, but not impossible, certainly not if your only qualification is that it be an E90 335i. I was actually looking for months and months for an E93 M3 with an MT -- and a CPO to boot. Every one that came up turned out to be a DCT instead of an MT, despite the dealers calling the DCT a "manual" (HA! It most assuredly is not.) When I came across a CPO E93 335is with an MT, I jumped on it. As much as I wanted an M3, I did not want one with an AT. Which essentially meant that I could not get an M3 because it turns out when those few M3s with an MT (and that are E93) come off lease and into the dealership, the dealer puts them on eBay for a quick cash sale to buyers sight unseen.

You'll have to spend some time, but again, since you're only looking for an E90 335i, you should be able to find one eventually. And I am firmly of the opinion that you are missing out if you get a 3 series with an AT.

[Johnny Boost]

If you go the AT route, you can always do the Alpina transmission flash. It makes the transmission shift more aggressively when you are in sport (DS) mode and regular drive (D) becomes an economy mode. I have it and I love it.

[csu87]

[HB E90]

^ LOL I figured I would get something like that

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

If you go the AT route, you can always do the Alpina transmission flash. It makes the transmission shift more aggressively when you are in sport (DS) mode and regular drive (D) becomes an economy mode. I have it and I love it.

I already found that and would definitely get it if I end up with an AT. Thanks

[mike5809]

Originally Posted by Heel Toe

AT can hold 550wtq or so. People have gone higher without issues

Just an FYI I was getting flare shifts when FBO running E50, putting 430 tq to the wheels from a mustang dyno. Car was a 2011 with only 40k on it. No issues when not running E50 with custom map. Not saying transmission couldn't handle it - just saying my experience.

[924er]

It depends on the person.

I am a 6MT kind of guy but gave up and got a 6AT. I don't regret it as I'm never having to worry about replacing my clutch and I believe it's faster in a straight like but that's just me. Hope I didn't start a debate

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by mike5809

Just an FYI I was getting flare shifts when FBO running E50, putting 430 tq to the wheels from a mustang dyno. Car was a 2011 with only 40k on it. No issues when not running E50 with custom map. Not saying transmission couldn't handle it - just saying my experience.

Yeah, I mean everyone's mileage will vary. I've seen some on ST with 600whp+ on stock AT. There's obviously people that have problems at lower power levels too.

[Game]

Originally Posted by Heel Toe

Search. Tons of info on this.

AT can hold 550wtq or so. People have gone higher without issues though.

If you want a MT, you won't be happy with an AT in the long run.

Can't get any truer than that.

[HB E90]

Originally Posted by 924er

It depends on the person.

I am a 6MT kind of guy but gave up and got a 6AT. I don't regret it as I'm never having to worry about replacing my clutch and I believe it's faster in a straight like but that's just me. Hope I didn't start a debate

That's kind of what I wanted to hear. For an AT it seems to work well and you have options on how it shifts so it doesn't seem to be a huge compromise. Well I'm in no hurry so we'll see if a MT comes along for me but since it would be a DD maybe an AT would be good especially with the Alpina flash. After looking at your sig that's about as far as I would go. For now anyway? Are you in OC?

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by Heel Toe

Search. Tons of info on this.

AT can hold 550wtq or so. People have gone higher without issues though.

If you want a MT, you won't be happy with an AT in the long run.

Not necessarily true. I looked for a MT and couldn't find one.
My last three BMWs were MT. I happen to like the paddle shifters.

What I had to have was a sport package car.

[smuler]

I was always manual, but was narrow in my preferences for colour /age of pre LCI coupe so went for the DCT as there were no manuals I liked.

However, my use of auto mode didn't last long. I had originally expected to drive in manual mode only when I was on a fun spirited drive but I soon began to use it all the time. D mode feels too slow and S mode can feel too aggressive for many daily situations. And neither involve me enough.

I enjoy the DCT and as the car is a daily driver, there are pluses to not having a clutch in traffic and the DCT really suits the car. Therefore, I don't think it's 100% that you would be disappointed in the long run if you go auto.

BUT my advice would be to try as many autos as you can, in manual mode, to make sure you do enjoy this option as you may, like me, tire of pure auto, and still do your best to find a manual as that is most likely your natural choice

[tanayast]

I personally prefer manual, but my current E90 LCI is an Automatic because my wife who also drives it occasionally prefers auto (she knows how to drive a manual but prefers auto).

[Sara]

Youre in socal....TRAAAFFFFFIIIIICCCCCCC...Get DCT.

[HB E90]

^I'd love a dct. Do they come in a 09-10 E90? Only seen them in the IS and M! I'm stuck on a sedan but maybe I need to check out an IS DCT. Hmmm $$$ extra. How does it shift in slow traffic?

[HB E90]

Originally Posted by tanayast

I personally prefer manual, but my current E90 LCI is an Automatic because my wife who also drives it occasionally prefers auto (she knows how to drive a manual but prefers auto).

That's exactly my situation. My wife can drive a stick for sure . She's getting lazy (maybe I am too) and prefers an auto.

[924er]

Originally Posted by HB E90

That's kind of what I wanted to hear. For an AT it seems to work well and you have options on how it shifts so it doesn't seem to be a huge compromise. Well I'm in no hurry so we'll see if a MT comes along for me but since it would be a DD maybe an AT would be good especially with the Alpina flash. After looking at your sig that's about as far as I would go. For now anyway? Are you in OC?

Nah I'm in the valley. I drive to LA for work so 6AT all the way so I can get thru traffic.
The alpina flash is awesome. D MODE sucks but you'll get used to it. M MODE is great. You won't regret getting the automatic. It's more reliable if you are looking to hit 400rwhp and no have to worry about upgrading to a better clutch

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by 924er

Nah I'm in the valley. I drive to LA for work so 6AT all the way so I can get thru traffic.
The alpina flash is awesome. D MODE sucks but you'll get used to it. M MODE is great. You won't regret getting the automatic. It's more reliable if you are looking to hit 400rwhp and no have to worry about upgrading to a better clutch

What part of the valley are you in? I was born in N Hollywood and tried to live there three times but couldn't take it...but the weather is great.

[924er]

Originally Posted by jgoens

What part of the valley are you in? I was born in N Hollywood and tried to live there three times but couldn't take it...but the weather is great.

Granada hills. Why you ask? You gonna buy me lunch?

[PureE92]

Auto is probably faster but manual is more fun. My 2cents

[thkfast]

Before I bought my current 335is (with DCT), I owned 2 335i E90s with Steptronic AT and simply loved them. The paddle shifters were stupid, just slide the stick over into Sport Mode and let it do the work. With a tune, a 335i with AT is a locomotive!