135i: Manual vs Automatic (non DC-T)

mcmn · 06-19-2011, 07:21 AM

Hi guys and girls

really struggling to select between manual and auto. Those who were debating a similar decision and have committed - can you let me know which way you went, and why? Any regrets?

Paul

Some questions:
1. Manual results in slower 1/4 times is this the same for track performance?

Honny · 06-19-2011, 08:53 AM

First if all both transmissions are great. As mentioned manual allows greater driver involvement where auto not really much any at all. The auto (pre DCT) also have the stupid paddles that require time to get used to.

However saying that I do have the auto. The reason is I drive my car daily and the transmission is superb. It's silky smooth and gear changes seem effortless. I haven't driven the DCT but I've heard mixed comments, some day it's great on track and slight judders on city driving.

So really you can't go wrong with either one. If its your daily car I recommend a auto if it's a occasional drive definitely manual.

MikeVictor · 06-19-2011, 03:49 PM

I can't remember, but the DCT is only on N55 engines, yes?

Jatran661 · 06-19-2011, 04:24 PM

I have a dct and it shift super fast, but I seriously miss the 3rd pedal. It is just more fun somehow.

JB4-335 · 06-19-2011, 04:26 PM

I have the auto and I personally think it a great box. Shifts are smooth yet fast. I normally prefer manual car's but really enjoy the auto with paddles.

MrBlonde · 06-19-2011, 05:12 PM

6MT is the only way to go .. and that's from a drag racer.

BMWRX · 06-19-2011, 05:22 PM

Although the automatic transmission in my car is brilliant, I really do miss the connection with the car that a manual gearbox provides.

JB4-335 · 06-19-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWRX

Although the automatic transmission in my car is brilliant, I really do miss the connection with the car that a manual gearbox provides.

Agree

sparoz · 06-19-2011, 09:26 PM

The performance of the DCT and the Auto is better than the manual. You can't physically change faster. However, I feel there is much more of a connection with the manual, and you can definitely do more with it - ie heel toe, rev match, double clutch - all these fun things which you can't with an auto or dct.

At the end of the day - it is personal preference. If I am going to pick for you - I will say manual so you can buy my car

mcmn · 06-20-2011, 02:46 AM

thanks all - this post has resulted in me being able to choose the transmission of the car.. 6MT i think may get a lookin,

sparoz you have a 135i for sale? coupe? mods?

sparoz · 06-20-2011, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmn

thanks all - this post has resulted in me being able to choose the transmission of the car.. 6MT i think may get a lookin,

sparoz you have a 135i for sale? coupe? mods?

coupe, no mods apart from non-rft. Posted in the For sale section. You have to PM me for more details.

Superdaws · 06-20-2011, 03:36 AM

I test drove both the auto (not DCT) and the manual.. Hated the auto box.. I know alot praise it but its shift changes etc although smooth didnt "fit" correctly in change times etc etc. Typical auto for me tho i guess... Im sure DCT is fantastic on the 135 but i havent tried it.

sparoz · 06-20-2011, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superdaws

I test drove both the auto (not DCT) and the manual.. Hated the auto box.. I know alot praise it but its shift changes etc although smooth didnt "fit" correctly in change times etc etc. Typical auto for me tho i guess... Im sure DCT is fantastic on the 135 but i havent tried it.

I see what you mean. Ie, when I used to drive a 318i with auto - you just need to put it in sports mode and down shift manually. I then flick it back to auto for its upshifts

.

MikeVictor · 06-20-2011, 05:52 AM

Sparoz's car is a good example of a clean car. n54 too.

Zuzu · 06-20-2011, 06:51 AM

I have driven all three (DCT/MT/AUTO), and IMHO, you cant discount MT, until you have driven it on some twisties..

banglemangle · 06-20-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianf2002

my 2 cents...the 135i is a 'drivers' car. MT's give you control & involvement with the car, AT's rob that aspect of driving.

I have had over 16 cars, only 1 AT, which was my last E46 Special Edition coupe, great car, but hated the AT... it numbed the driving experience.

Of course it always comes down to personal preference

If you go auto at least go with the DCT

Mine is a mechanics car!

ippykaye · 06-21-2011, 09:00 PM

I'm struggling with the same choice too- not an easy decision to make. Manual winds hands down for involvement and being 'at one' with the car. Then again, I'm in traffic a lot and that's when auto/DCT looks attractive.

I'm also tossing up between new or buying used and saving some $....decisions decisions. This forum is great for info though!

135 Jie · 06-21-2011, 09:27 PM

I was also in the same position when purchasing my car. I was thinking, why pay extra for an auto? Of course then I was advised the DCT is available and with all the great reviews I pulled the trigger on that option.

Yes the DCT is awesome, and it did blow my mind when I first got it, but after about a year of owning it, I really do miss a manual car, it would just be so much more interactive. I find myself being extra lazy with the DCT and keeping it in auto mode most of the time, and (maybe its just me) I seem to lose track of which gear im in with the DCT. Its like you have to pull the paddle 5 times to shift down to 2nd from 7th and you have to mentally keep track of which gear you are in. While with a manual you can always feel which gear you are in, naturally it just sticks in your head.

However having said that, do I regret getting the DCT now a year down the track? No not really. It still blows my mind how fast it can shift, but since I have never driven a MT 135i, I guess my mind just wonders every now and then if the grass is greener on the other side.

06-19-2011, 07:21 AM	#1
mcmn Captain 28 Rep 693 Posts Drives: MY10 AW 135i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	135i: Manual vs Automatic (non DC-T) Hi guys and girls really struggling to select between manual and auto. Those who were debating a similar decision and have committed - can you let me know which way you went, and why? Any regrets? Paul Some questions: 1. Manual results in slower 1/4 times is this the same for track performance?
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06-19-2011, 08:53 AM	#2
Honny Captain 28 Rep 771 Posts Drives: Something Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	First if all both transmissions are great. As mentioned manual allows greater driver involvement where auto not really much any at all. The auto (pre DCT) also have the stupid paddles that require time to get used to. However saying that I do have the auto. The reason is I drive my car daily and the transmission is superb. It's silky smooth and gear changes seem effortless. I haven't driven the DCT but I've heard mixed comments, some day it's great on track and slight judders on city driving. So really you can't go wrong with either one. If its your daily car I recommend a auto if it's a occasional drive definitely manual.
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06-19-2011, 03:49 PM	#3
MikeVictor Brigadier General 210 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	I can't remember, but the DCT is only on N55 engines, yes?
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06-19-2011, 04:24 PM	#4
Jatran661 Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 251 Posts Drives: Jet Black 135i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (1)	I have a dct and it shift super fast, but I seriously miss the 3rd pedal. It is just more fun somehow.
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06-19-2011, 04:26 PM	#5
JB4-335 Brigadier General 168 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: E92 BSM & E70 AW Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (1)	I have the auto and I personally think it a great box. Shifts are smooth yet fast. I normally prefer manual car's but really enjoy the auto with paddles.
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06-19-2011, 05:12 PM	#6
MrBlonde Colonel 122 Rep 2,695 Posts Drives: Audi TTRS, M Coupe, 1299 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Merewether iTrader: (0)	6MT is the only way to go .. and that's from a drag racer. __________________ .-=[ Kenny ]=-. 1999 BMW M Coupe 10.775 @ 134.35 mph w/1.600 60' (Best 136.07 mph) 25th August 2004. +2010 X5 35D+ Check out the 1Addicts Drag Racing Standings and Drag Racing 101.
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06-19-2011, 05:22 PM	#7
BMWRX Major 98 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: F82 M4 CP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 [0.00]	Although the automatic transmission in my car is brilliant, I really do miss the connection with the car that a manual gearbox provides. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey 2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD
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06-19-2011, 09:26 PM	#9
sparoz Brigadier General 191 Rep 4,848 Posts Drives: VO 1///M; Macan Turbo Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast iTrader: (0)	The performance of the DCT and the Auto is better than the manual. You can't physically change faster. However, I feel there is much more of a connection with the manual, and you can definitely do more with it - ie heel toe, rev match, double clutch - all these fun things which you can't with an auto or dct. At the end of the day - it is personal preference. If I am going to pick for you - I will say manual so you can buy my car __________________ Macan S Diesel - Carrera White Macan Turbo - White 1///M - Valencia Orange
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06-20-2011, 02:46 AM	#10
mcmn Captain 28 Rep 693 Posts Drives: MY10 AW 135i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	thanks all - this post has resulted in me being able to choose the transmission of the car.. 6MT i think may get a lookin, sparoz you have a 135i for sale? coupe? mods?
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06-20-2011, 03:36 AM	#12
Superdaws Lieutenant 114 Rep 537 Posts Drives: 2020 F87 BSM M2C Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	I test drove both the auto (not DCT) and the manual.. Hated the auto box.. I know alot praise it but its shift changes etc although smooth didnt "fit" correctly in change times etc etc. Typical auto for me tho i guess... Im sure DCT is fantastic on the 135 but i havent tried it. __________________ 2020 MY21 BMW M2 Competition 6MT \| Black Sapphire OLD 2010 BMW 135i M Sport 6MT \| Le Mans Blue 2016 BMW F15 X5 30D \| Sapphire Black \| Black Leather
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06-20-2011, 05:52 AM	#14
MikeVictor Brigadier General 210 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	Sparoz's car is a good example of a clean car. n54 too.
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06-20-2011, 06:51 AM	#15
Zuzu Major General 2820 Rep 7,640 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	I have driven all three (DCT/MT/AUTO), and IMHO, you cant discount MT, until you have driven it on some twisties..
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06-21-2011, 09:00 PM	#17
ippykaye Lieutenant 9 Rep 455 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	I'm struggling with the same choice too- not an easy decision to make. Manual winds hands down for involvement and being 'at one' with the car. Then again, I'm in traffic a lot and that's when auto/DCT looks attractive. I'm also tossing up between new or buying used and saving some $....decisions decisions. This forum is great for info though!
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06-21-2011, 09:27 PM	#18
135 Jie Private 5 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2011 SGM 135i, 97 RZ Supra Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia iTrader: (0)	I was also in the same position when purchasing my car. I was thinking, why pay extra for an auto? Of course then I was advised the DCT is available and with all the great reviews I pulled the trigger on that option. Yes the DCT is awesome, and it did blow my mind when I first got it, but after about a year of owning it, I really do miss a manual car, it would just be so much more interactive. I find myself being extra lazy with the DCT and keeping it in auto mode most of the time, and (maybe its just me) I seem to lose track of which gear im in with the DCT. Its like you have to pull the paddle 5 times to shift down to 2nd from 7th and you have to mentally keep track of which gear you are in. While with a manual you can always feel which gear you are in, naturally it just sticks in your head. However having said that, do I regret getting the DCT now a year down the track? No not really. It still blows my mind how fast it can shift, but since I have never driven a MT 135i, I guess my mind just wonders every now and then if the grass is greener on the other side.
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