Going from manual to automatic

matthab said:
i tried a auto once and for motorway mile crunching id always recommend one. But in the city and fast a roads i just dont feel as in control.
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Surely on the motorway, traffic jams aside, they have no benefit over a manual? When I'm mile munching, I rarely change gear...

In a motorway traffic jam, they are a godsend though
 
iaind said:
Surely on the motorway, traffic jams aside, they have no benefit over a manual? When I'm mile munching, I rarely change gear...

In a motorway traffic jam, they are a godsend though
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Yea, that's my experience at least; they aren't much of a benefit when you are just moving along at 50-70mph at a set speed, I would say they do have an advantage in that you don't have to spare a thought for gears or where your left hand and foot is and if you do want to alter your speed much you just press and go or slow ...but that's a bit situational I guess.

The real advantage of the auto is around town, in traffic jams and stop start traffic they are fantastic.
 
The auto box is very good. I just don’t see the point of a manual box these days as it does it so well. It’s got to the stage where I rarely use the paddles or the up/down stick shift.
 
Justintime said:
Only problem is its an auto box, i prefer manuals. Has anyone made change and prefer it?
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Personally I love my autobox (DSG + paddles) for every day driving. I previously drove a manual and now find manuals so onerous for commuting, going to the shops, and other every day car usage scenarios. My next everyday car will be an auto and so will the one after that.

If I bought a toy for the weekends then it would be a manual, but for most people's everyday purposes, manuals are just pointless. Yes if you nail it 1% of the time, then for that 1% you might have wanted a manual, but paddles go at least some way to regaining that level of control and are arguably more fun than a manual gearbox anyway.

Go for the auto, you won't look back (unless it craps out lol).
 
Talking of crapping out, and thus expensive repair costs.
I did find it interesting that whilst looking for my Volvo, that whilst there were a small number of horror stories about repair costs on autos, that the majority of box related issues were dual mass flywheel failures, which only come on manuals and cost big bucks to resolve.
Anyone else see this?
 
Don't like autos, I had to basically tuck my left leg away because it kept going to put the non existant clutch down.
Definitely don't feel as in control either, really didn't like it.
 
Justintime said:
Has anyone made change and prefer it?
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On a dull daily, yes. I still can't understand why people want to sit in traffic and have to wally about with the clutch and gears in something as dull and uninspiring as a modern euro hatchback when an auto would do all of that for you while you sit back and enjoy the radio.
 
Justintime said:
Ok how about going away? :rolleyes:
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No thanks, it is a perfectly valid statement to make. It should not be any more difficult to find a good manual or a good auto for most cars ... clearly if it is it means that either there are far, far more autos than manuals (like 95-5%) or that BMW owners do not look after their cars, as such due to there being so few manuals there are very few cars in good condition
 
I get around said:
Don't like autos, I had to basically tuck my left leg away because it kept going to put the non existant clutch down.
Definitely don't feel as in control either, really didn't like it.
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Speaks inexperience.

As many people in this thread have indicated, you need to spend some proper time with a decent one. 99% of people will not want to bother with a manual again, except in weekend toy/sports car circumstances. I truly believe that any other opinion is simply a misguided one.
 
rypt said:
No thanks, it is a perfectly valid statement to make. It should not be any more difficult to find a good manual or a good auto for most cars ... clearly if it is it means that either there are far, far more autos than manuals (like 95-5%) or that BMW owners do not look after their cars, as such due to there being so few manuals there are very few cars in good condition
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Abit of research (autotrader) shows that there are more autos only in the 3 litre engine size for 3 series cars. I'd say thats down to the fact that an auto suits a bigger engine, in which case most people that buy 3 series are pretty clued up. Percentage wise its 66% autos to manuals.
 
Robbie G said:
Ok, that has to be the worst ever reason for disliking an auto! A chimpanzee would stop waggling his left leg around after about five attempts!
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I would hear it revving and my brain cuts in "need to change now" every time. It just became annoying, it's muscle memory or something.

Aside from that it just feels wrong not changing gear. No clutch control available, no decision when to change up. Just feel completely out of control of the car.
You've still gotta pop it into neutral at the lights as well unless you weld your foot to the brake, annoying everyone behind you.
And on all but the very best ones they're slower and less economical.

Just seems pointless to me, I prefer manuals.
 
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You dont, you simply are inexperienced with automatics. This is the case for 99% of people with your viewpoint.
 
I recently bought my mum a 1.2 Micra Auto as she needed an auto after an operation. I've driven it quite a bit and can honestly say I love it. Nippy and nimble compared to my Mondeo and quite fun to drive.

It's made me think about my next car and almost regret getting the 6 Speed Manual Mondeo.
 
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