Tell me about the autobox on the E90

Nocturne_sa · 31 Oct 2010 at 17:39

Specifically 318d m sport. Is it worth the extra £££? Commute will involve rush hour traffic so would be a good idea to go auto as opposed to the short shift/hard clutch.

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 17:42

It's worth the extra £££ if you want an automatic instead of a manual. On a reasonably new car it's a personal choice thing.

Do you want an auto? Then its worth it.

Quite why anyone would buy a 318d is beyond me, though. Please dont - the engine is woefully underpowered and the 320d is considerably better.

PMKeates · 31 Oct 2010 at 17:43

A small diesel engine and a traditional automatic is never going to be a great combo. I have been using an auto for my relatively long commute (120 miles per day) and it has been a total godsend. Driving the 530 around the M25 is far less stressful than driving the 330 was.

DM · 31 Oct 2010 at 17:51

You cant beat an auto

Nocturne_sa · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:12

[TW]Fox;17688963 said:
It's worth the extra £££ if you want an automatic instead of a manual. On a reasonably new car it's a personal choice thing.

Do you want an auto? Then its worth it.

Quite why anyone would buy a 318d is beyond me, though. Please dont - the engine is woefully underpowered and the 320d is considerably better.

Sadly I don't have a choice re 318d. We have an eco friendly company car scheme and this is the best it has to offer.

I wan wondering if anyone has actually driven a 318 auto, wanted their impressions.

PeterNem · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:15

Is the 320ED an option?

Nocturne_sa · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:18

PeterNem said:
Is the 320ED an option?

Yes but comes standard with 16" alloys which spoil the overall look of the car. The m sport kit looks much better imo.

DM · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:20

Nocturne_sa said:
Yes but comes standard with 16" alloys which spoil the overall look of the car. The m sport kit looks much better imo.

So you are honestly thinking of getting a rubbish car over a half decent one because of how it looks?

Especially when they both look like every other 3 series anyway, thats madness.

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:21

I had a 318d for a week and I covered 1500 miles.

I cannot emphasise enough how unsuitable this engine is in this car.

Stuff the all show no go, get the 320d ED.

Nocturne_sa · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:30

Oh and I don't think you can get an auto on the 320ED (the option is not available via the ordering system).

TS7 · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:30

Auto for sure. Manual just makes commuting in rush hour traffic unpleasant.

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:31

The 318d was bad enough with a manual.

At least test drive one. I was having to change down through the gears to keep up with traffic at times on dual carriageway hills.

I've not previously had to do this since I drove... infact even my Xantia didnt do that.

DM · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:37

An auto is going to be hunting through the gears like a nutter in 318 form.

Nocturne_sa · 31 Oct 2010 at 19:50

The other option is A3 Black edition 2.0 tdi.

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 19:55

Whats the 1 Series option?

PeterNem · 31 Oct 2010 at 19:56

118d I expect (119g iirc)... I assume limited to 120g CO2 - seems loads of car schemes are now shaping up this way.

DM · 31 Oct 2010 at 19:58

Is there no cash alternative you can top up and get yourself something decent?

Nocturne_sa · 31 Oct 2010 at 20:04

Peternam is correct.. 118d on the 1 series.

How about I go for the 318d and get it remapped?

[TW]Fox · 31 Oct 2010 at 20:05

You cant remap a car that belongs to somebody else.

DM · 31 Oct 2010 at 20:07

[TW]Fox;17689887 said:
You cant remap a car that belongs to somebody else.

Well you can, you just have to remove it after