[annie_359]

Originally Posted by Revert

I have never know anyone to drive an Auto in the UK. Even in Brum where it gets pretty busy.

My best mate drives one of those new Mini's where you can change it from manual to automatic and vice versa depending on ur mood.. She originally passed her automatic practical test 6 years ago and then sat her manual practical test about a year ago, so has a licence for both but is too dopey to handle manual, bless her

Apart from her, my colleage drives an automatic Jeep but that's coz she has two babies and is always on the phone (ssssh!! ), note-taking and doing other crazy stuff whilst driving

Those are the only two people I know who drive automatics in London and almost everyone I know drives..

I wanna help chip in and help my Dad buy an Automatic as he gets really bad pains in his left shoulder and changing the gear really makes it worse, especially in the winter..

Annie

[YOUSUFofSD]

manual is a much better option when driving. you are more into driving. makes you more aware of your surroundings...only during traffic would automatic be worth it.

your able to pop-start your car if you need to. lighter usually than an automatic tranny, easier and cheaper to fix than an automatic tranny. And if you have ever had automatic transmission problems you know how bad it can get.

[sixpakistan]

OK.. I've got a problem.

I have a new car being delivered 12/31. I had a choice between a six speed manual and a 'manumatic' automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Now, the automatic transmission in question is made by ZF and is a true performance gearbox - no lag, rev-matched downshifts, and all. And it's nice to have the choice between shifting or not shifting, depending on what you're doing.

But I don't know if a paddle-shifted automatic is going to leave me feeling as connected to the car to the same extent as the 6 speed.

Do I back out and look for a 6mt or not?

[sally]

Originally Posted by sixpakistan

OK.. I've got a problem.

I have a new car being delivered 12/31. I had a choice between a six speed manual and a 'manumatic' automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Now, the automatic transmission in question is made by ZF and is a true performance gearbox - no lag, rev-matched downshifts, and all. And it's nice to have the choice between shifting or not shifting, depending on what you're doing.

But I don't know if a paddle-shifted automatic is going to leave me feeling as connected to the car to the same extent as the 6 speed.

Do I back out and look for a 6mt or not?

i think being the geriatric that you are, it's not really a good idea to invest $$$ in a new car because..well you never know. you might get in the drivers seat one day and randomly find you've forgotten how to drive


so you should return it

[PrayerWarrior]

Manuals are better for me now, but I reckon when I'm old I would want an automatic!

[Anderson]

Originally Posted by sally

i think being the geriatric that you are, it's not really a good idea to invest $$$ in a new car because..well you never know. you might get in the drivers seat one day and randomly find you've forgotten how to drive


so you should return it

Listen I love sixpak but if you want to diss him again please contact me first, i'll help you think of something that won't make children cry, it's the children I care about......poor innocent kids.

[sally]

Originally Posted by Anderson

Listen I love sixpak but if you want to diss him again please contact me first, i'll help you think of something that won't make children cry, it's the children I care about......poor innocent kids.

tell the children to stop crying because they can gain access to his will and change things around, with the progression of memory loss

[sixpakistan]

if you can't tell a clutch from a carburetor, you probably shouldn't be posting in this thread

[ShahRukh]

Originally Posted by sixpakistan

OK.. I've got a problem.

I have a new car being delivered 12/31. I had a choice between a six speed manual and a 'manumatic' automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Now, the automatic transmission in question is made by ZF and is a true performance gearbox - no lag, rev-matched downshifts, and all. And it's nice to have the choice between shifting or not shifting, depending on what you're doing.

But I don't know if a paddle-shifted automatic is going to leave me feeling as connected to the car to the same extent as the 6 speed.

Do I back out and look for a 6mt or not?

Well! Depends on the car you're purchasing as well as on your driving style.

BTW, What car have you ordered?

By manumatics, i suppose you're talking about cluthless manual/automatic cars. Having worked at a rental company, i have driven many new manumatics (maxima, altima, accord, and all sorts of american cars with manumatic option like the 300s, magnum, charger STGs, etc. ) as well as trucks with triptronics but in my personal experience I didn't enjoy it much as manumatics or automatics make no difference to me because having no clutch means you cant utilize engine power to the max.

I been driving traditional manuals for the past 5 years (00civic, then 240sx, and now a modified 93EXR) theres no way you're going to feel as connected with manumatics as you'd be with the traditional manuals. The idea of changing gears by moving the stick up and down is pretty boring. My experience with clutchless manumatics was pretty negative. period. However, I wouldn't totally negate the option of buying one, especially when I hit 40 i'A...and that too for my future wives convenience.

[sixpakistan]

Originally Posted by ShahRukh

Well! Depends on the car you're purchasing as well as on your driving style.

BTW, What car have you ordered?

'08 BMW 335xi

I tend to drive like I stole the car I'm driving

Originally Posted by ShahRukh

By manumatics, i suppose you're talking about cluthless manual/automatic cars. Having worked at a rental company, i have driven many new manumatics (maxima, altima, accord, and all sorts of american cars with manumatic option like the 300s, magnum, charger STGs, etc. ) as well as trucks with triptronics but in my personal experience I didn't enjoy it much as manumatics or automatics make no difference to me because having no clutch means you cant utilize engine power to the max.

Yeah, I've driven the 'manumatics/tiptronics' in cars like that as well, and they're mostly junk (especially the American ones - those transmissions are made by GM). But the ZF Steptronic transmission in the 335 is a different animal altogether. It actually shifts quicker than a human in most street situations (a manual will be quicker around the track with a highly skilled driver, but I'm not going to be tracking this car).

Then again, this is a true "driver's car." As such, it seems like that means it should be equipped with a manual transmission.

BTW a "clutchless manual" is different from a manumatic in the sense that clutchless manuals are true manuals (there's still a clutch, it's just controlled by a computer). The ZF Steptronic transmission is still a true automatic, though (and in some ways is superior to BMW's SMG clutchless manual).

[Jamroll]

Dude, if you're after a real driver's car, why don't you wait for the M3 coupe?

[sixpakistan]

Originally Posted by Jamroll

Dude, if you're after a real driver's car, why don't you wait for the M3 coupe?

1. it's rwd (i want an awd car)

2. it's considerably more expensive

someday though, iA :P

[Jamroll]

I've driven beemers with tiptronic gears, and I've got to say, while they're beautiful cars, and it's a cool feature, it just doesn't compare to a real manual transmission automobile.

I think I agree with ShahRukh. There's this kind of satisfaction you get from the initial "roar" of the engine you get as you slip into 3rd gear on a manual car, that you can't get with an automatic, even one with the tiptronic gearbox.

But to be perfectly honest, unless you have plenty of open country road where you can really let rip, these little things don't make much difference.

[sixpakistan]

Originally Posted by Jamroll

I've driven beemers with tiptronic gears, and I've got to say, while they're beautiful cars, and it's a cool feature, it just doesn't compare to a real manual transmission automobile.

The Steptronic in the 335 is entirely new as of 2007.. the previous BMW steptronics (and the one still available in the 328 and some other models) is a GM version which is considerably suckier

Originally Posted by Jamroll

I think I agree with ShahRukh. There's this kind of satisfaction you get from the initial "roar" of the engine you get as you slip into 3rd gear on a manual car, that you can't get with an automatic, even one with the tiptronic gearbox.

But to be perfectly honest, unless you have plenty of open country road where you can really let rip, these little things don't make much difference.

I don't spend enough time sitting in traffic to justifiably complain about it, though I do spend time in traffic. Honestly, it doesn't bother me THAT much.

But another problem with this particular car's manual is BMW's clutch delay valve. I'd have to get that nuked if I went with manual.

Also, it's difficult to find cars optioned similar to the one I ordered in a manual.. people here that aren't enthusiasts just don't drive manuals anymore.

[bihari]

Originally Posted by sixpakistan

The transmission thread..

Discuss.

hmmm

some autos are fast

but manual is more interactive, and can be manipulated more easily