Because there are numerous areas where an automatic is a superior gearbox to a manual. I can think of almost no real benefit to a manual except one - on the right road at the right time of day in the right car, nothing will beat manually shifting gears yourself as you enjoy the road. This is perhaps 1% of driving and if you're buying a 4 cylinder diesel saloon car its probably 0.1% of driving.
Meanwhile, a manual gearbox is inferior in traffic, it's inherently less smooth to drive, it's more effort when you're just driving normally, it's less able to handle higher power and torque, it's frustrating and annoying to have to keep changing gear to keep a car in its narrow power band if its got something like a 4 cylinder diesel in it (Honestly, a manual 4 cylinder diesel is about the worst driving experience its possible to have. I'd probably rather just have an electric car than one of those. Automatic makes 4 cylinder diesel actually work - I can't see how anyone can genuinelly find enjoyment from changing gears manually with a 4 cylinder diesel engine!?).
We have one of each - the Mini has a manual gearbox and a small 1.5 litre petrol turbo engine. It's a small and light car, it's fun to drive and the manual gearbox doesn't detract from this in any way (Plus the auto in the Mini is rubbish). But when you're driving big heavy saloon cars or similar, the manual just brings disadvantage rather than advantage.
It has always been difficult enough to find good cars of this type with a manual gearbox - these days its almost impossible. Even if you disagree with everything I've said above, the fact the manual gearbox on the current 3 Series was only available for a short time on the base cars only with the poorest specification should be enough of a reason to just rule it out. I think the whole argument is largely irrelevant because the number of 3 Series ever sold with a manual gearbox and the upgraded stereo must surely be a single figure number.
If you still really want the enjoyment of a manual gearbox then I have to wonder why you'd want a 2 litre diesel saloon car to go with it.
I hear what you're saying (or see it
). I think for most people auto is great - I always recommend them because of how sloshy the ZF8 is.
But:
- I don't drive in traffic - when I do I have my Porsche and gucci belt at the ready, to show everyone I'm a high salary earner.
- I actively like changing gear - me and my other half have a background in mechanical engineering, so we both enjoy the engagement from physically moving a gearstick, pressing the clutch and getting that sweet gear change. Engine is irrelevant for this.
- Doesn't need to handle higher power and torque - it's rated for the engine and it's not going on a dyno
- It's not a powerful car - don't need it to be quick. Ample low down torque + gears I'm in control of = smoother experience.
As previously mentioned, I don't like driving manuals because they're sportier - I think a dual clutch is much sportier, I like driving them because of the direct, physical control I have of the gears.
Just for clarification - I'm not sure a manual 981 would have worked for me. I don't think it has enough torque in 6th.
My mum used to have a manual A5 2L TDI. The car was a dream on the motorway. Effortless overtakes and speed control with absolutely 0 extra thinking required, other than doing standard checks to overtake.
Much like my manual 135i. It's the best motorway car I've owned with 450nm of torque. If it wasn't for the 34 MPG I get on a run I'd keep it
You're dead right about them being rare, though. I think there were 6 in the country with HK when I last checked. Having not driven an auto yet though, I'm currently happy to wait as long as I need to find the right manual 3 series with HK.
I'd imagine the time taken from decision to arriving at your chosen new speed between the auto and the manual would be at best identical and more likely quicker in the auto, regardless of the fact you perceive it down shifting as adding time. It'll downshift almost immediately and then instantly have more power and torque available for the acceleration than it would have done had you just accelerated in 6th year. If you want to stay in gear and accelerate you can do that with an auto as well, you know. It's up to the driver whether it kicks down or not?
I used to have absolutely the same view as you and always got the manual not auto but the leap forward with the introduction of the 8 speed in 2008 was so huge that it changed everything for me.
It's not just about the speed, it's the number of decisions to make.
You're probably thinking "what, the decision to pull a paddle twice?" - it's a small thing, I know. But I can't describe how much I love how effortless manual driving is on a motorway.
Regarding the staying in gear. I found that the amount of acceleration I needed in a 320d (and the S5 actually) always made it hesitate, almost like it couldn't work out whether to stay in gear or change down. If it did change down, I found it would go in to 7th, and then work out if it needed to change again - often doing so. I found it jarring.
PDK - foot down, picks a gear, goes. On the way to work today. Down to 50 as a lorry is overtaking uphill. As it moves over, foot down, 2nd IMMEDIATELY and I take off.
Much quicker and hence tolerable. Still prefer torque pulling me through it as changing to 2nd and 3rd all the time drinks fuel.
It is likely to be very car and engine specific - I drove an Audi A6 with the 200bhp 2 litre petrol once and that thing was very annoying on roundabouts, doing basically everything you describe - accelerate, nothing, nothing oh there we go, great. But this is as much the engine as it is the gearbox. Pick the right engine.
Though I do remain surprised by your experience with the S5. I've never driven an S5 but on paper it has everything you need for the ideal automatic experience - was it the 8 speed?
From memory, exact same box as in the M340i. Sport mode was quick but it would stay in 7th regardless of (legal) speed on motorway. Around town it'd stay in 2nd, maybe 3rd at 30. Lower torque in the S5 compared to M340i. 440 vs 500nm I think.
I think you're right about it being engine specific. It's why
@Robbo doesn't have this issue - 730d before I think and now an 8 series?
I don't think the ZF8 suits the 2L diesel. Not enough torque for 8 gears and it's always hunting.
If you want the extra responsiveness at roundabouts for example, the easiest thing to do is push the gear lever to the left. This will keep it in the best gear, cut out any stop start, and it will respond as fast as any manual can.
Not quite sure how this works on the very latest cars with the new style gear switch thing.
In the cars I've owned, knocking to the left locks it in gear. But if I'm having to do that at every roundabout, may as well have a manual
Edit: Feel like I go on about the PDK a lot - but it's genuinely a very nice package. In the name of science, obviously, if anyone is down on the south cost and wants to do a back to back with PDK and ZF8, let me know
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