[dbsjsu]

I've owned the a 2008 335i for a couple months now, but find myself missing 6MT. I was wondering if any of you guys have traded in for a different transmission? Is it really worth doing? I have the paddle shifters, so it isn't as bad as it could be... Also, if you're going to mod the car quite a bit...would it make more sense to have an auto for faster shifts? Avoid missing gears...etc.

[dbsjsu]

No one ?

[tracerit]

i went from an 06 330i 6AT to my current 07 335i 6MT. I only enjoy driving manual less than half the time, kinda like 30%. I've learned that I'm a very tame moderate driver, i rarely drive fast or go over 4500rpm. the car is too fast haha. my commute through traffic is kinda fun sometimes with the manual but when i'm just feeling blah, i wish i had the auto again.

[s0nu]

it depends on how much you enjoy having a manual

i had a 09 e90 AT which I enjoyed, and then I gave that back and got a 12 E92 6MT. I'd never go back. theres nothing like driving on the highway and dropping it to 3rd or 4th gear and just gunning it.

however, i'll admit that on days where im being lazy i miss the AT, but not enough to ever wanna go back. I'd consider DCT, but idk

[mashimarho]

If you want 6mt, get 6mt.... Simple as that.

Although, I will say 6at is faster. Holding boost alllllllll dayyyyy.

In the end, get 6mt..

[VTECaddict]

Some manual drivers are perfectly happy switching to auto. Some manual drivers will never be completely satisfied, no matter how good the auto is.

If you ever wished your MT car was an AT at some point (eg in traffic, etc), then probably just stick with the auto.

If you never thought twice about your MT, but got AT this time because of whatever reason, chances are you'll be more happy back in a stick.

[dbsjsu]

I normally drive automatic, but have been getting better on a friends old project car with manual. Debating if its worth trading or maybe getting a manual project car and keeping the automatic. I keep having this dilemma and its hard to shake. I'm also scared that a trade would have to entail a dealer, which means I'll probably get a horrible trade-in value.

[Delusive]

I've driven manual cars since I was 15 and my BMW is the first auto i've ever had. I like it but I ocassionally miss having a manual, couple months ago I was close to trading in my AT 328i for a 6MT 335i. It was fun to drive, but my daily life i'm usually 60% city and 40% highway. So I kept my car just for looks, not speed, and just to relax and cruise on hot sunny days

If I were to get a manual i'd buy a E46 M3 6MT just for my fun car.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by dbsjsu

I normally drive automatic, but have been getting better on a friends old project car with manual. Debating if its worth trading or maybe getting a manual project car and keeping the automatic. I keep having this dilemma and its hard to shake. I'm also scared that a trade would have to entail a dealer, which means I'll probably get a horrible trade-in value.

Bingo. And in my state, the sales tax is based on the difference between the new car and the trade-in so it rarely pays to go through the hassle of selling privately.

Your idea of a MT project car has merit as you could then decide if you want a MT for your daily driver.

Tom

[N54B30A]

I went from an at 335i to a mt 335i and it was one of the best decisions ive made. Traffic doesnt bother me since ive gotten so used to it i just ride the clutch

[Matts435coupe]

I leased a 2009 bmw 335 back in 2009 I was new to bmws and didn't know how rare 6mts were. I bit the bullet and leased an auto with paddles. After a month I was so bored, I put it on swap a lease and got out of it, made a grand then leased a new 2010 with 6mt. I now on my second 6mt 335 a 2012. Best decision I made, if your a manual guy, stick with manual.

[alexukie]

6mt ftw!!

[Rmk392]

if you find yourself asking this question every time you get in the car, get a manual

[derrick603]

I drove MT cars for 10 years and 200k miles before buying my BMW with an AT. I don't really miss it since my car spends most of its time in commute traffic, but if it was a weekend car, I'd prefer the MT. The 6AT is pretty good though.

[kavadarci]

if you are driving in traffic you will get tired very quickly..bmw 6mt is not smooth nor easy so as the other said it depends how much you enjoy rowing through the gears. i drive short distance so i am ok with manual but if i had to commute a lot in traffic i am selling the car right away. that's just me.

[ndog14]

The ZF auto is worlds better than the GM auto in the non-330/5 E9Xs. If you want a manual consider the financial hit, or gain, by getting a manual v. the reward of shifting. When you were in the market, did you test drive a 335 6mt?

[DFW_M]

The 335is DCT I have now is my first (and last) non-manual car. I love when people say -- You can have it in Manual if you like it. Worlds apart. MT is not pushing the paddles! The DCT is smooth and fast, can be jerky if in Sport mode. I am sure it is a good non-Manual transmission, and loads of fun for some...

[Meeni]

The 330i (ZF AT) is my first AT. Even with the sequential mode, I wish I had a MT again. My next will be MT, don't know if I will try SMG, supposedly a superior kind of AT, but I got the cold feet: the AT experiment is a failure for me..

Now, I decided not to take the financial hit, so that will wait.

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by Meeni

Get the SMG

I wish I had a MT again. My next will be MT, the AT experiment is a failure for me. Don't know if I will try SMG, got cold feet.

SMG =/= DCT

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by ndog14

SMG =/= DCT

Yes, but DCT supposedly feels more like an AT, while SMG is more of a MT with a computer driven clutch. Problem is that I miss heel-toe, and all these fancy transmission do the rev-match automatically.

[VTECaddict]

Originally Posted by sahyoun

I went from an at 335i to a mt 335i and it was one of the best decisions ive made. Traffic doesnt bother me since ive gotten so used to it i just ride the clutch

that's horrible for the clutch. your goal should be to touch the clutch as little as possible.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Some manual drivers are perfectly happy switching to auto. Some manual drivers will never be completely satisfied, no matter how good the auto is.

If you ever wished your MT car was an AT at some point (eg in traffic, etc), then probably just stick with the auto.

If you never thought twice about your MT, but got AT this time because of whatever reason, chances are you'll be more happy back in a stick.

This 335 e92 is the first AT I've had in 36 years and I don't like it. Its not that its not a good tranny (as you say) but just that its boring. I love it when you hit the gas and you dont have to wait for the trans to kick down and by the time it had your opportunity has disappeared. Paddles are easier on the track but, again, not as much fun. The double clutch trans would be better but I would still miss shifting myself. Can't wait to go back to MT...what was I thinking.......