Auto driving

[Leemc2009]

How many of you drive automatic E30's?

The E30 I recently got is an auto.. and my first auto ever. Up until today I've been driving it everywhere in D.. so today I tried using the 1, 2, 3 as well..

Really driving the auto drinks alot more fuel!! I just wanted to see if it would go sideways like my old C280 used to.. On a private road.. not the public highway!

[mrLEE30]

i have a 320 cab auto and its slooooooooooooooooooooow!!! the 2.5 is OK, my old 325 ''sport'' was an auto and yes it went sideways quite easliy!!

Autos do tend to use more fuel in city driving conditions, and be a little careful using 123 as prolonged hard use with overheat the thing.

[mhuk]

auto here 325i.

With my toyo t1r's on the rear it's hard to brake traction but in the wet it slides no problems.

[djk]

Used to have a slushbox 320i. It was actually quite a laugh to drive it hard, as it protested so much at harsh treatment. Juicy as fook though compared with my identical manual.

[Leemc2009]

I dont ever abuse my car though.. I hate over revving or thrashing.. just enjoy getting up to 5-6k sometimes..

[George]

Auto here also, in a 325i cab.

Stick it into D, relax and let the world pass you by...

[SteSE]

I got my first auto car ever this Saturday just gone and”¦love it. I've always looked down on auto's and thought them to be rubbish. A classic case of making an unfounded opinion and sticking by it no matter what I'd admit. Having now got one I can see the appeal, there so nice and relaxed to drive. Plus with the e30 the little sport dial is fantastic. You can be cruising around then, turn the little dial to S, boot it for a bit and slide it back to E like nothing happened.

Only draw backs so far is I haven't quite worked out when it will kick, can't use the engine to break, no double clutching and I'd imagine they were the breaks out much quicker. Oh and I keep forget to change gear and stalling my van

[Leemc2009]

I have been coming to junctions and end up putting my left foot down and unable to find the clutch.. but driving my girlfriends astra yesterday I stalled coming to traffic lights and only braking!! quite funny.. but I'm loving owning an auto!

[dom-1984-320i]

There a different driving style for sure. Mine is an auto and it can have its fun moments, not many granted but can get my back end out no problem. I did want a manual ideally when looking, but as i was after a good chrome bumper, body work was far more important. It just happened that the best chrome model i found was an auto and had been a shopping trolly for an old dear for 15 years so i bought it. I really do miss driving a manual and will at some point this year get the conversion done along with chucking a 2.5 in there. I have nothing against auto e30's at all and the box on mine is super smooth and makes for a nice cruiser, i just feel i am missing out on a little bit of the fun factor not owning a manual e30.

[SteSE]

I agree with the above, you also feel less in control. Mine too will be getting the manual treatment in the not to distant future.

[dom-1984-320i]

i just want a bit more hands on fun out of the car, you only get that with manual i think.

[stonesie]

I drive auto's for a living and love having a manual car where I tell it what to do and when

The only auto I could get on with when I was a mechanic was a Honda prelude with the SSS gearbox (sequential sport shift) bit slow to change gear but combined with the 2.2 VTEC it could still be persuaded to move along quite nicely... Normal autos are cruisers, heavy on brakes and at some point it will 'kickdown' half way round a wet roundabout... Which could be interesting

[Spike121]

Yip 325i cab also,

I used to drive it in D all the time untill my mate told me i could drive it like a manual!! now its mainly in second round town and 3 and D elsewhere

[dom-1984-320i]

Yip 325i cab also,

I used to drive it in D all the time untill my mate told me i could drive it like a manual!! now its mainly in second round town and 3 and D elsewhere

Not sure i would advise that!

[Topblag]

I've got as 325i Auto Conv and just bought a 325 Sport auto. I live in the city and can't cope with manuals in constant traffic jams. They are heavier on fuel than manuals but I'm about to invest in a couple of Speedtouch's mild chips as I'm told they give you back 2-3mpg.

Interesting point about overheating the manual shift option if you use it too much. I'll watch for it the next time I indulge in the symphony of an M20 block at 6000 RPM in 2nd gear !

I also heard an urban myth that engine's allied to auto boxes last longer but I'm not sure about the science behind it.

[E30Gheko]

I used to have a 325i auto. Bought as an engine donor for my manual 320i but when I got it home it was in such nice nick that I flogged the 320 and just kept it.

I have to say it was a great car, but quite thirsty iirc.

[stonesie]

I also heard an urban myth that engine's allied to auto boxes last longer but I'm not sure about the science behind it.

It's based on the thinking that auto's don't get thrashed as much...

[Topblag]

Simple enough then - I've had less speeding fines since I converted to driving autos only.

[Cotty]

I have had my auto for 6/7 years and dont even think about it, just chuck it into D and off I go. I give it the beans and with one of Ant's mild chips it double kickdowns and goes like a bat out of hell (within reason).

Not good on track unless its straight with a christmas tree I did a 16.6014 on the 1/4 mile and it only has a mild chip.

[SeymourCake]

I got a 325i Auto convertible.

I am VERY torn.

In one way, i love it when the the top is down and I am just crusing along town.

but then in the other hand, I feel like I am missing out on all the fun!

I will eventually get a manual conversion though. Hopefully this year. But £500 is alot of money.

[Topblag]

I'm going to add the mild chips to mine soon also - worth it for the fuel gains alone !

[djk]

I got a 325i Auto convertible.

I am VERY torn.

In one way, i love it when the the top is down and I am just crusing along town.

but then in the other hand, I feel like I am missing out on all the fun!

I will eventually get a manual conversion though. Hopefully this year. But £500 is alot of money.

Is your car relatively original? You'll lose quite a bit on resale if it is and you molest it with a manual conversion. Better to sell up and buy a manual IMO.

[DavieP]

I've got an auto 320 and it's good fun when pushed and beautifully relaxed and quiet when not. In stop-start traffic it really takes the pain out of constantly shunting through the gears - especially if you're knackered after a hard day's work.

Give it the boot and it's up and away, howling like a banshee. I stuck an Evolve chip in over a year ago and it really gave it some legs, especially from about 2K revs. I don't think the fuel consumption is that bad at all. It easily does 25mpg or so around town and mid 30's on a long run. In slow and steadily moving traffic, keeping the econometer in the 50mpg range is a piece of pi55. Not that it matters very much. If I was that bothered about fuel consumption I wouldn't be driving an E30.

I can't see me ever bothering with a manual box again - too much like hard work. My only gripe with the E30 auto is that the selector cover looks utterly naff - a sort of upturned plastic dimple with a nasty, bristly gash running down the middle. Bloody 'orrible thing that looks as though it was just thrown onto the central console as an afterthought. If only it could be replaced with something a bit more classy.

[robbo86]

I had a 318i slushbox until february, but its now a pretty decoration on the father in laws drive (really should get that shifted). It was replaced for a manual IS engine but I do at times miss the slushbox.

[robbo86]

Normal autos are cruisers, heavy on brakes and at some point it will 'kickdown' half way round a wet roundabout... Which could be interesting

The trick is to shift it into second yourself before you reach the roundabout, that way it wont kick down by itself.

[bss325i]

I had a 318i slushbox until february, but its now a pretty decoration on the father in laws drive (really should get that shifted). It was replaced for a manual IS engine but I do at times miss the slushbox.

I take it the conversion is finished?

How is it?

[robbo86]

Conversion is finished . I do enjoy the car, brings out the idiot in me though but far more lively then a 318i slushbox. Needs a lower diff though becuase a 4.45 leaves it rather short in 1st and 2nd. Still had 125 out of it though.

It needs a bit of fine fettling and fixes for my temporary bodges (ie correct throttle cable and cage for the ecu rather than gaffer tape) and it seems to dribble a bit of oil from the crankcase seal but not at a tremendous rate so its livable with for now and I dont have any money to get it fixed because I am plowing it all into my wedding. I suspect I need a new thermostat as well as the temp guage doesnt want to get above the blue. It once struggled up to the quarter mark, but thats the hottest it has read.

I am looking at doing a COP conversion as I did not fancy welding in the bracket for the coil pack so it is held in place with cable ties atm.

All in all though. Very happy. Cheers barry.

[SeymourCake]

I got a 325i Auto convertible.

I am VERY torn.

In one way, i love it when the the top is down and I am just crusing along town.

but then in the other hand, I feel like I am missing out on all the fun!

I will eventually get a manual conversion though. Hopefully this year. But £500 is alot of money.

Is your car relatively original? You'll lose quite a bit on resale if it is and you molest it with a manual conversion. Better to sell up and buy a manual IMO.

crap I didn't even think about that. My car 95% original.

The question I need you guys to help me answer now is...

Am I missing out on the "E30 drive" by not having a manual? In my head I always seem to think that for some strange reason. I mean for example you can't make the back flick out at your will. Overall it's all a bit too..... restrained (I have not driven a manual e30 before).

[DavieP]

The question I need you guys to help me answer now is...

Am I missing out on the "E30 drive" by not having a manual? In my head I always seem to think that for some strange reason. I mean for example you can't make the back flick out at your will....

I suppose it depends on what you mean by the "E30 drive" and whether you have the skill to control the back end when you've got it out. Also, how often and where you intend to demonstrate such a manoeuvre? Even with a manual, there's a great risk of incurring terminal damage to you, your car and/or someone else if you do it on a public road.