Ratio of Auto vs Manual Trans for 135i?

[Fun w/N54]

Does anyone have a link to a year by year breakdown for transmission types?

[TMR013]

I'm sure it's something like 80% auto, 20% manual based on how hard it is to find a manual at a dealer.
And the DCT introduced last year muddles it further.

[TheBingoBalls]

Don't know specifics but all the 1er's I've seen around here, almost all of them are AT, I've seen maybe one or two MT and none DCT.

[2012_135i]

Agree with TMR013 although the ratio might actually be higher in favor of autos. I've never seen another 1er with a 6MT, on the other hand I see hardly any 1ers at all out here so my sample size is too small to really speculate. But a valet guy at a very popular (they park LOTS of cars) hotel in Waikiki told me they rarely see sticks in any cars which made him really impressed with mine. I wouldn't be surprised if the ration wasn't 90% auto to 10% stick. The BMW dealer here doesn't stock any inventory with sticks except the M3 because there isn't enough demand.

[blf1]

I would say autos far out way manuals. I've only seen one 6mt. My 2012 135cic came equipped with the auto, steptronic and paddle shifters. After driving only manual bmws for years, my new car is lots of fun!

[mEekos]

We should have a poll.

[032867]

Automatics have come a long way and now are shifting faster than a human but 6mt is so much more engaging and fun to drive.

[richb811]

My mother drives a 135i DCT... shes in Australia though

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by benveds

Does anyone have a link to a year by year breakdown for transmission types?

I think the manual cars account for less then 4% of 1er's. the ^MT are rare. But that's just my guess %.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by mEekos

We should have a poll.

NO

[JimD]

Nice graphic (with the dead horse).

I would also say that the percentages mentioned so far look like for the U. S.. I would bet the percentage manuals is higher for Europe.

Jim

[032867]

old lady's drive automatics. It would be interesting to find out what age groups drive manual vs automatic, i'm 45 years old.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by JimD

Nice graphic (with the dead horse).

I would also say that the percentages mentioned so far look like for the U. S.. I would bet the percentage manuals is higher for Europe.

Jim

Thanks. And it is much higher in europe. In London I hardly ever see auto cars anymore. Even the coach buses are sticks!

Come to think of it the last automatic car I saw was that Murcielago that almost ran me over last week, I could hear his upshift, the bastard!

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by 032867

old lady's drive automatics. It would be interesting to find out what age groups drive manual vs automatic, i'm 45 years old.

This type of ignorance is why we dont take polls.

[TiM235i]

Originally Posted by 032867

old lady's drive automatics. It would be interesting to find out what age groups drive manual vs automatic, i'm 45 years old.

I'm 55 years old, drive a manual and would say that if you feel that way about autos, you haven't driven a DCT car yet. If they had a DCT with the other options I wanted when I bought, I would now be driving an auto. You cannot appreciate how fast that transmission shifts until you drive one.

[032867]

My daughter just bought a 328 xdrive with dct and it is great unbelivable automatic,she is 22yrs old but I still prefer manual and think it is more engaging.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by benveds

Does anyone have a link to a year by year breakdown for transmission types?

The latest issue of Roundel states that approximately 3% of all current US BMWs are equipped with MT.

As it is not economically feasible for dealers to order them for inventory, I assume that virtually all are special-ordered.

Tom

[wadny]

Interesting. I test drove a 128 with MT and a 135 M-Sport with MT at my local dealer before I bought my 135 M-Sport MT, so it apparently depends on the dealer. Seems like you people on the west coast have trouble finding MTs. I've also test-driven a Z4 with DCT and found it unappealing.

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by wadny

Interesting. I test drove a 128 with MT and a 135 M-Sport with MT at my local dealer before I bought my 135 M-Sport MT, so it apparently depends on the dealer. Seems like you people on the west coast have trouble finding MTs. I've also test-driven a Z4 with DCT and found it unappealing.

Something for everyone. I test drove a manual and found it unappealing. Point is, diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.

[Dackelone]

Another point to understand why BMW and others are going the DCT/autobox route... and pushing that trans over a traditional manual is this:

Few people know how to drive a manual properly(general public - NOT us guys!). I would think the warranty claims are higher on a 6MT vs a DCT equipped car. DCT has no clutch to wear out with use and abuse. DCT has more electronics though to fail.

With an Auto/DCT you can make the engine pass stricter emmision requirements. Having a manual trans pass those same tests is harder. Just look at the new M5 and see why BMW is pushing the DCT as the tech way to go. Even though we "Americans" are the only sales sector that seems to demand a MT option.


I know for me... since I also keep my car(s) a long time... a manual trans is the way to go for me. Now IF I had some physical reason to buy an auto... I think the DCT is one fine slush-box!

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by 032867

old lady's drive automatics. It would be interesting to find out what age groups drive manual vs automatic, i'm 45 years old.

I see you're a new member and I'm pretty new here myself. There have been some spirited discussions on this forum on the relative merits of manual vs. auto and the introduction of the DCT has upped the ante on the auto side. But I can tell you that you're not going to make any friends here laying out silly judgmental attitudes like this even among the manual guys. I'm 62 years old and drive a 6MT. I learned how to drive on a manual (3 speed on the column in those days) and have always preferred the feeling of engagement and control a manual gives me over an automatic. But I don't put down people who choose otherwise.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I know for me... since I also keep my car(s) a long time... a manual trans is the way to go for me. Now IF I had some physical reason to buy an auto... I think the DCT is one fine slush-box!

Agreed about the MT. But I don't believe the DCT has a torque converter, therefore no slush!

Tom