Manual/Auto?

[BUG4LIFE]

Reckon I want a manual E30 but what do you guys think of the auto gearbox [especially the auto on the M'sport cab]? I know its a 4 speed, but is there special 'sport' setting?

What about performance and fuel economy compared to the manual?

[e30geezer]

Reckon I want a manual E30 but what do you guys think of the auto gearbox [especially the auto on the M'sport cab]? I know its a 4 speed, but is there special 'sport' setting?

What about performance and fuel economy compared to the manual?

hi, it really depends what sort of driving you are doing, town country, bit of both , i have a 325 i se in switchanle sports auto box and i loved manual, but i must say i love the switch auto esp, in sports mode , no more fumbled gearchanges, just effortless crusing,

[delboy8000]

totally agree mate,got my 325se auto this week and its more than enough!especially in sports mode,i had doubts but i think its as good if not better than a manual,long as u dont worry about mpg!

[Brianmoooore]

Manual every time, without a doubt. Autos absorb loads of power, you lose a whole gear, and the final drive is higher ratio, to try to make up some of the loss of grunt, therefore higher fuel consumption.

[A1BMW325iSport]

Manual is a must for an e30 i drove a 325 auto once it was no comparison to a manual 325

mind you, my e34 535 sport is an auto but it has loads of power and is nice for cruising

[BUG4LIFE]

Its the MPG that would worry me the most. I drive about 40 miles-a-day, to work and back [mostly A and B roads], though a few miles to the gallon less wouldn't worry me...but is it a big difference?

My style of driving would be more cruising, though I'd still want the power for overtaking etc...but a 325 cab auto will still have plenty of umph innit?

[e30geezer]

totally agree mate,got my 325se auto this week and its more than enough!especially in sports mode,i had doubts but i think its as good if not better than a manual,long as u dont worry about mpg!

same here mate i love it now!!

[MONSPORT42]

I've had auto E30s since 1985. First a 323iA. I commuted into London every day and the auto was brilliant. I bought a 325Sport iA 4 years ago.
In standard form, the 325 is an 'over-square' engine and as such is quick to rev for a six pot. The torque converter soaks up the early revs and can seem slow to put any power down on the road - loads of noise but no action!
I had a Bexley 2.7 conversion put into my 323 and subsequently swapped that lump into my Sport. This engine is an 'under-square' configuration which revs slightly slower but puts out loads of torque and whilst the torque converter still soaks up some power it gets onto the road immediately and delivers it very smoothly.
So in answer to your question, unless you spend a lot of time in heavy traffic or like a lazy drive, I would go for a manual if I was buying again.
Having said that, I love my auto even though my commuting is now only 8 motorway miles at 90mph!

[motorsport]

Have had a few 325i manuals and they are great fun, playing around with the revs/clutch/arse end etc. However my current is a Motorsport auto and love it to bits. The switchable auto is great and really a 5 speed.
1st 2nd 3rd Drive and an unselectable overdrive 5th which comes in at around 60mph to drop the revs lower than a manual would be at higher similar speeds. Only really notice loss of pace at initial drive off as once on the move you can kickdown the auto box to first gear at around 15-20mph and then watch the car fly to almost 50-60mph with very little effort. Can't do that in a manual. Fortunately I also own a manual Mitzubishi Galant which also flys but with the fun of a manual, i suppose if the BMW was my only ride i would prefer the manual shift.
Lots of pro's and con's. Try them both.
Andy

Andy

[BUG4LIFE]

Definetly loads of different opinions! I only ask cos when I'm ready to look for a Motorsport 325 cab; its condition is the most important to me [as in minter than mint] and am I right in saying most of them are auto's? I've read most of the post on here about the spec of the M'sports - a manual would be my preference [though not over mintness!].

I've had a drive in a manual 325 sport and I loved it [up at WLN], gonna have to try the auto now I reckon?

Oh yeah, another question...how tall are all of you? I'm 6'6" and it is a little tight in the drivers seat [though I think I'll cope]. Anyone else as tall as me and find any problems with everyday driving?

[motorsport]

5' 10" fits perfect.
Problem solved = Buy an auto motorsport for the cruise value and a manual 325i sport for fun.
I had both last year and it was a hard choice on what to drive each day!
Really nice one on Ebay at the moment in the same colouer scheme as mine. Ԛ£3800 with a day or so left to go, hardtop too. As long as they're V Good condition you can bring em up to A1 standard with a bit of effort. I think most will have had a little tinkering/paint to get them mint.
BTW almost all of the last ones were a kinda special edition thingy with auto box/Lotus White leather/hardtops/nogaro silver bbs etc. These bits were added as they where considered to be must have extras, at the time. The 1990 and earlier release motorsports had either auto or manual gearboxes.

[delboy8000]

hi guys,as ive said earlier,got my 325 switch/auto this week and having owned an e30 mk1 325 manual bout 6 years ago i dont remember it being any qucker off the mark,esp in kickdown mode!!maybe my memory is playing tricks but im well pleased with the auto

[dannosail]

I agree. I think the Beemer auto box are pretty solid, second only to the Merc auto boxes. I've got both Auto and Switch Auto 325s and I definitely like the Sport option in the switchable which actually makes the difference.

As the guys have said, auto might be slower to get going but once you're there it's brilliant, it also makes driving that more relaxing.

Sadly my auto box is beginning to groan a bit and has started leaking so I'll have to investigate

[Artis]

manual mate its easy and cheeper to replace when they go wrong

[astondg]

There is only one gearbox, and it requires three pedals.

Go out in any manual car right now (although even better in something with a nice sound, like an M20 with nice exhaust and window down) and accelerate up to a speed that is ok for 4th gear. now start to brake and then heel & toe down to 3rd, keep braking and then heel & toe again to 2nd. Keep doing it until you get a perfect rev match (so smooth you can hardly feel it). Now tell me you still want an auto .

Auto's are ok, I could live with one, but I would always want a manual. I never feel like I am in complete control of the car with an auto, even the tiptronic type. I also hate the way they slur the gear changes, I like a nice clean change. Some of the newer autos are better but when I do it myself and get it spot on there is nothing better

Aston

[E30Adam]

Auto's are slow to pick up speed, not bad when they get up the revs but even with the sport box you won't touch the equivalent manual version.

[dazleeds]

gotta agree
misses e46 has tiptronic and at times its cool but still not a patch on a nice smooth manual Daz