pete_h Posted October 17, 2016 Report Share Posted October 17, 2016 Hi all, Will soon be in the market for another E46 - I have automatically discounted the autos due to a previous bad experience with a auto car we had (Ok, it was a Smart ForTwo but still...) which had a bad habit of lagging at roundabouts etc How are they in an E46? Is changing the oil a straighforward DIY task? I am pretty sure Manual is the way to go for me but interest to hear from those with Autos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_h Posted October 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2016 Been reading that due to the narrow power band on the diesels, an auto is the much better choice? Currently torn between Diesel / Petrol - do around 12k a year so not a massive amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted October 20, 2016 Report Share Posted October 20, 2016 Having owned a 330d with a manual gearbox, and driven one with an auto, I'd go for the manual, for sure. The autos are slow to change, and not responsive in the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_h Posted October 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 cheers TriggerFish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 I didn't realise the Auto was that bad on the 46. The one in my E93 is epic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 It wasn't awful - for commuting, it would be fine, I'm sure. For a spirited drive, I'd not take it. I'd guess there's about a second or two between requesting a gear change in manual mode and it actually happening. The one 335d I've been in had a much, much better gearbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Even under load mine shifts instantly, no waiting at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 I know - impressive how much they've improved. Have you experienced the new ZF 8 speed units? They're amazing! The speed of double/triple up or downshifts is insane! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 The auto isn't bad at all. My 330 auto flies when pushed but you need to know that it is programmed to pull away in second unless you select sport mode or you floor it, then it performs well from take off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovin_it Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 I have had a couple of SMART cars, a fortwo and a roadster. Don't compare auto boxes to those, they are absolutely s**te! BM are totally different, that being said, manual for me every time. pete_h 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MICK 330 Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Probably too late now to add my penny worth Pete but.........Go manual every time mate! I have a manual 03 330d & 05 Auto 330Ci. I wish id have waited for a manual Ci. A fantastic engine strapped to a average box! My opinion I know but point to point for a "spirited" drive id take the manual diesel. The Auto is fine for 99% of the time but I just feel the car would be soooo much more fun with a manual box. Yes you can move it to "manual" mode but it just doesn't feel the same to me. My opinion which I'm sure loads would argue with & we all like different things so try both before you buy. As above comment from Triggerfish....modern auto`s are unbelievably sharp. I had an Audi A3 auto hire car not long back & wish my Ci changed gear as fast plus somehow it never seemed to be in the wrong gear. Even when you put your foot down it never took a deep breath...then changed gear. Happy hunting! pete_h 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasa Posted November 3, 2016 Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 13 hours ago, MICK 330 said: Probably too late now to add my penny worth Pete but.........Go manual every time mate! I have a manual 03 330d & 05 Auto 330Ci. I wish id have waited for a manual Ci. A fantastic engine strapped to a average box! My opinion I know but point to point for a "spirited" drive id take the manual diesel. The Auto is fine for 99% of the time but I just feel the car would be soooo much more fun with a manual box. Yes you can move it to "manual" mode but it just doesn't feel the same to me. My opinion which I'm sure loads would argue with & we all like different things so try both before you buy. As above comment from Triggerfish....modern auto`s are unbelievably sharp. I had an Audi A3 auto hire car not long back & wish my Ci changed gear as fast plus somehow it never seemed to be in the wrong gear. Even when you put your foot down it never took a deep breath...then changed gear. Happy hunting! eh,i test drove an e9x touring auto,not flappy,and i was not impressed with the auto and its updated from the e46 auto box,so now i know its manual until my left foot falls off. MICK 330 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz2435 Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 I love my auto. However it all comes down to how your going to use it. I only do 5000 miles per year and it's mostly used around town or motorway driving so ticks the boxes for these uses. I'm no Fangio, so even on roads that are suitable for spirited driving, Sports mode is sufficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 I've got an auto. I bought the car as a 3 litre touring for commuting and general workhorse duties, and it's great. Shifting in auto mode is seamless, sport mode is spritely, and although there is a slight lag on manual mode (about a one second delay between choosing a gear and it selecting) it's not a huge problem. My auto touring did 15k miles last year, including 145mph on the autobahns in Germany, and a sub 10 minute Nordschleife lap time. If you're buying it for a B road attack machine or prefer manual in the first place then manual is for you. If it's going to spend it's life on the motorway or in traffic then you might as well go auto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWagon Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 Auto's in traffic and on the motorway are a dream. Everywhere else it feels like you're missing out. The conversion from auto to manual is fairly straight forward and working auto boxes are snapped up pretty quickly and for good money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 On 11/8/2016 at 14:17, MWagon said: Auto's in traffic and on the motorway are a dream. Everywhere else it feels like you're missing out. The conversion from auto to manual is fairly straight forward and working auto boxes are snapped up pretty quickly and for good money. Not sure I agree there. Manual would have been nice on the Nordschliefe but with diesel powerbands I'd feel like I was constantly shifting gears. For me, Auto with a Diesel engine, Manual with a Petrol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz2435 Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 1 hour ago, dontpannic said: Not sure I agree there. Manual would have been nice on the Nordschliefe but with diesel powerbands I'd feel like I was constantly shifting gears. For me, Auto with a Diesel engine, Manual with a Petrol. I agree with this. Currently looking to replace the family car and irrespective of the car itself it'll have either: Diesel/Auto or Petrol/Manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWagon Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I guess it depends how you feel about changing gear. But yeah, a diesel auto does make sense with its narrow power band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
