Value of a Manual vs an Automatic E30

[john325tewerin]

Just wondering what the general opinion is....
....say u see 2 e30 cars, identical in every way except for the gearbox. One is a manual and the other is an auto. Which would fetch more dough.

Does it depend which e30 we are talking about? eg. a manual Sport would fetch more than an auto version. What about a Touring or a 4 Door or a Cabby?

The auto box option was around £1400 iirc. Is there still a premium to pay for an auto e30?

Discuss...

[heyskull]

I think no difference in price now.
Only up to personal preference.
I would love that problem 2 identical cars one manual one automatic.
Had my automatic 316i for 3 weeks now.
So easy and lazy to drive which is good for the 40 mile drive to and from work.

SC

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Does the manual not give a better return on your fuel bill? Plus the general level of control you get with one IMO will make it more valuable.

[boxclever1753]

auto's are heavier on fuel and lose a little on acceleration..

but you can't properly pimp in a manual

[Rosc0PColtrane]

auto's are heavier on fuel and lose a little on acceleration..

but you can't properly pimp in a manual

Pimping is not something you do, it's something you feel!

[pnd]

autos are less fun/involving to drive and therefore less popular in a drivers car like an e30. They are worth less for this reason having said that i would rather buy a good auto and have it converted to manual than own the usual shabby tat that infests the for sale sections. Autos often seem to be in better shape due to appealing to a different sort of owner I suppose.

[JohnnyRob]

I'd imagine like for like the manual would be more salable. On the basis of that I would then say more valuable.

[pacerpete]

Auto 325 tourings are very good news, PROVIDING they are good spec with reasonable mileage and history, they generally fetch more than the equivalent manual car. I nearly always have one amongst my fleet and much prefer them day to day to a manual one. Fuel consumption is virtually identical .