Manual v Auto

rG-tom said:
very much depends on the car. I'd have no problem at all getting an e9x BMW with the sports auto gearbox,
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I would not however get an e46 BMW with a torque converter auto, did not like it at all!
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They are very similar boxes, you seem to be under the impression they are like night and day. Both boxes are torque convertor automatics, the E46 had the 5 speed 5HP19 and the 335i you had was fitted with the 6HP21. Both are ZF torque convertor automatics.
 
What are you buying a 2 seater for?
If it is to have a nice looking 2 seater that you will not drive hard very often then an auto z4 wont be too bad. If you want to drive it hard though, you would be better off with the manual version.

Myself, having owned an auto BMW petrol and currently an auto BM diesel, I'd happily have an auto z4.


Cant say that sitting in slow moving heavy traffic for hours with the roof down will be a nice experience though. I found it horrible in my old convertible!
 
Dual clutch autos such as DSG etc are very good. Conventional autos (torque converters) can be good also.

Supra autobox is fantastic as you find out if you read any supora forum or drive one. Whereas the MX5 auto is crap (current MX5). Same goes for things like the Yaris Auto.

Very depndant on the box, manufacturor etc. Normal kinda of variables :p

You will never have the same feeling of control when in an auto than in a manual regardless of any kind of paddel manual mode and other gadgets, it just ain't the same.

Autos however are very useful for driving in traffic.
 
I could have gone for the DSG box in my Octy vRS when I bought it a couple of months ago.
However in the end I decided against it.
I'm fond of the 6-speed manual.
The only annoyance is in slow moving traffic - but I've been driving manuals for 18yrs so I'm kinda used to it.
 
I would generally avoid autos unless the car is hybrid or electric, in which case CVT makes far more sense.
 
Unless you're going to be regularly pounding twisty B roads or on track every weekend I cant see why you'd want a manual gearbox in a car with an engine with a bit of poke.
 
I've driven audi with the 7 speed DSG and it's a very good box, but didn't really feel much different from a proper torque converter auto. I wouldn't have been worried buying either as I drive all over the place and usually seem to end up stuck in traffic where and auto of any type is much more relaxing than a manual. The manual modes on both worked well and even slinging down back roads I'm happy with auto
 
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For me when i'm moving cars around at work or taking one in to test and I get a nice big luxurious comfortable car i'm usually disappointed that they chose a manual. For me things like high end A6's or 5 Series should have an auto and a nice big engine. If it's supposed to be the kind of car that you sit back and relax in while you make your journey then it should have an auto.
I'd question the choice of a Z4 auto as its a little chalk and cheese unless it has a very good auto/dsg box. Don't you want something a little more roomy and comfortable to drive about in? 60 miles a day in traffic sounds a complete nightmare, so if I were you i'd choose a nice place to be not a 2 seater.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2768726.htm

Above sounds great, looks good (to me anyway) and would be a nice place to sit in traffic, fully kitted out with low miles too. Haha just read the description and it's a CAT D. I've driven a few z4's and for me 6'2 they feel a little cramped, don't fancy spending time in traffic after a days work in that every day.
 
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For any regular heavy traffic driving it has to be an automatic. There's no contest. The manual modes on the modern torque converter automatics are very effective, though not at all like driving a manual car.
 
Peerzy said:
Don't agree with that.

A manual 330i or 335i was so rare that 2 BMW dealers both told me they would not be able to source me one to test drive as everyone got them with the auto apparently.
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Sorry that statement was a bit of a blanket one. I was talking more at the "utility" end of the market, Focus, Mondeo etc.
 
lordrobs said:
Sorry that statement was a bit of a blanket one. I was talking more at the "utility" end of the market, Focus, Mondeo etc.
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That's because autos don't really suit the 'low power' engines found in such cars. You need a bit of grunt for a autobox to be enjoyable. A buzzy low powered engine constantly jumping through the gears is just irritating.
 
Joshy said:
That's because autos don't really suit the 'low power' engines found in such cars. You need a bit of grunt for a autobox to be enjoyable. A buzzy low powered engine constantly jumping through the gears is just irritating.
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That depends on your definition of enjoyable. Enjoyable to some is not having to constantly wave your left arm around.
 
What's with this 'Complete control' rubbish? It only decides when to change gear, it doesn't actually drive the car for you :p.
 
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