335i AT is so boring!

vbmw335 · 06-17-2007, 04:50 PM

I came from a 01 330i stick shift. I am very disappointed the more i drive this car..its got about 9000 miles on it so far. I think i should have got the stick shift instead of auto. Doesnt matter how fast it shifts and how much faster its than a manual car...its Just not ENGAGING enough.Just wondering if its just me or there others who feel the same...

anyone on the fence and thinking hard of making the move from stick to auto ....my recommendation would be go for the stick shift you wont regret it.

RRGOO7 · 06-17-2007, 05:00 PM

im glad i went with stick now......sometime i drive my girlfriends 335 with the paddles and i become too relaxed in it

EHDEN · 06-17-2007, 05:08 PM

i love my AT and paddle shifters. With my long commutes to work and miami traffic, it works GREAT for me!

sflgator · 06-17-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHDEN

i love my AT and paddle shifters. With my long commutes to work and miami traffic, it works GREAT for me!

+1...and with PROcede, this thing is an 6AT BEAST!!!! :rocks: btw -- I always use my paddle shifters...M1-M6 and without a clutch, I don't have any leg cramps.

RedGT3 · 06-17-2007, 05:30 PM

I love my AT my STI was driving me crazy.

Zirenz2006 · 06-17-2007, 05:42 PM

I love my AT with paddles.

duk · 06-17-2007, 05:45 PM

your bad for buying it

Swoop · 06-17-2007, 05:49 PM

I'm in the same boat...I miss my stick...

gerbs · 06-17-2007, 06:00 PM

I feel for you guys out there. I luckily haven't, and won't make this mistake myself... but every other week when a "damn I'm a fool for getting the step" thread pops up, it reinforces how significantly different the entire driving experience is with a manual transmission - no matter what car it is...

20 more days of automatic transmission horrible-ness for me

... Sold my previous vehicle (manual) a wee bit early

At least you guys won't make the same mistake again, eh?

Neema · 06-17-2007, 06:03 PM

AT with paddles FTW, AT without the paddles......no thanks, only then would I have gone for stick.

DrGP · 06-17-2007, 06:07 PM

You've just learned the hard way. AT= steering. 6MT = driving. Not that AT is bad, but 6MT is better.

chbrules · 06-17-2007, 06:09 PM

I was really on the fence about making this my first stick car, but, besides the fact I'm not overly confident in my manual skills, I figured the only major difference is a clutch. It's a luxury car and I want the option of being able to be a fat lazy American when I want.

I always used the manual mode on my AT in my 325i and I loved doing so. No hassle of a clutch, and with this new AT it shifts faster than a mofo.

vbmw335 · 06-17-2007, 06:19 PM

I just dont understand how some guys here can equate the joy of driving a manual car to a AT(doest matter how fast it its..its all about the control and doing the real work - driving. Someone rightly said its as simple as driving vs steering. I honestly had more fun driving my 330i stick than this car. Traffic was a pain but once you get used to a stick shift its almost second nature. I just did not realize it would take away so much excitement of driving away from me..in 2 years after my lease i am definitely looking at m3 or a used Porsche turbo.

Zeeman · 06-17-2007, 06:26 PM

MT is the only way to go! Loved it my e46 and I will love it even more in the 335 (when I finally get it 4 - 6 weeks from now!)

sflgator · 06-17-2007, 06:29 PM

What do all of you die-hard MT fans say to the guys with M5, M3 SMG's, Audi DSG's, Ferrari's, Lambos, etc. without clutches? "confused2 Do you call them wimps for not driving MT's?

All I can say for the MT car (any MT car) is ..."been there, done that."

Not for me anymore, but I think a good AT (or DSG) with Paddle Shifters is the best of both worlds.

chbrules · 06-17-2007, 06:35 PM

I'm a technological advocate, so I love the idea of SMG, or even an AT pretending to be SMG. I really want to drive a ferrari with SMG, the 360 or 430.

De90man · 06-17-2007, 06:54 PM

...that is exaggerating a bit no?!

In a few years, there won't be a manual option ANY performance car.

So, you will buy that shift-paddled Aston, Porsche, or Ferrari and you will love it. Just a progressive purists do.

I don't get the negative AT banter. Sounds like fred flinstone crying about missing that feeling of the road on his bare feet...

'Step' into the future gents and voluntarily reprogram what you think an engaging driving interface is. Or just wait and have it done for you by all the carmakers you know and love.

OtuaCarGod · 06-17-2007, 06:55 PM

I owe my ex gf for helping me decide on my MT. I'm so glad I got it. I was leaning towards the IS350 (auto only), till she was thinking about getting a new car. There was a Civic she was looking at and liked but it was a stick. so i drove it a couple times for her, and I realized how much I missed driving a stick. So i went to go drive a 335i and fell in love. And they all lived happily ever after!

FotiosF90M5 · 06-17-2007, 07:10 PM

I hate all auto's except for my 335i step.It just works really good.no regrets for me.Ive had 16 cars and 14 have been manuals.The 330i 06 I had was my first auto and it was too slow.wasnt happy, but the 335i step kicks ass.I still miss a manual but I dont regret my decision.

wj4 · 06-17-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by De90man

...that is exaggerating a bit no?!

In a few years, there won't be a manual option ANY performance car.

So, you will buy that shift-paddled Aston, Porsche, or Ferrari and you will love it. Just a progressive purists do.

I don't get the negative AT banter. Sounds like fred flinstone crying about missing that feeling of the road on his bare feet...

'Step' into the future gents and voluntarily reprogram what you think an engaging driving interface is. Or just wait and have it done for you by all the carmakers you know and love.

I highly DOUBT that manual, as a whole, will become obsolete.

Quote:

doest matter how fast it its..its all about the control

+1. It is fun being able to rev match while down shifting. It's the whole experience that makes it fun for me.

topracer · 06-17-2007, 07:22 PM

I like driving my MT. However I really like the rev matching down shift on AT. I think even a pro driving can't do it as precise as the computer.

DFW_M · 06-17-2007, 07:33 PM

BMW without the MT is not really a BMW. No matter how smooth or how fast the AT is, that is not it. It will never be a sub for the MT. Yes, it may be more convenient int he traffic, though, I really find the MT to be OK even in traffic -- if you know how to drive in heavy (stop and go) traffic.

Anyway, if the US market was not the most profitable (or the largest) market for the BMW, I doubt they would even introduce the AT...

No way the MT will ever go away from the Bimmer cars...

06-17-2007, 04:50 PM	#1
vbmw335 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 263 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: on the moon iTrader: (0)	335i AT is so boring! I came from a 01 330i stick shift. I am very disappointed the more i drive this car..its got about 9000 miles on it so far. I think i should have got the stick shift instead of auto. Doesnt matter how fast it shifts and how much faster its than a manual car...its Just not ENGAGING enough.Just wondering if its just me or there others who feel the same... anyone on the fence and thinking hard of making the move from stick to auto ....my recommendation would be go for the stick shift you wont regret it. __________________ 335i coupe Procede 700 HP EPL Tuned Porsche 911 Turbo E46 M3 SMG BMW X5 4.8 is
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06-17-2007, 05:00 PM	#2
RRGOO7 Colonel 360 Rep 2,451 Posts Drives: GTR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami FL iTrader: (13)	im glad i went with stick now......sometime i drive my girlfriends 335 with the paddles and i become too relaxed in it
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06-17-2007, 05:08 PM	#3
EHDEN Brigadier General 394 Rep 3,893 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [7.00]	i love my AT and paddle shifters. With my long commutes to work and miami traffic, it works GREAT for me! __________________
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06-17-2007, 05:30 PM	#5
RedGT3 Major 76 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: .2 GT3/M3cs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (3)	I love my AT my STI was driving me crazy.
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06-17-2007, 05:42 PM	#6
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1542 Rep 4,558 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	I love my AT with paddles. __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
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06-17-2007, 05:45 PM	#7
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	your bad for buying it __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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06-17-2007, 05:49 PM	#8
Swoop Resident Noob 135 Rep 1,911 Posts Drives: You Crazy w/ My Rear Fogs Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manhattan Beach, California iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2004 Acura TSX [0.00]	I'm in the same boat...I miss my stick... __________________ A/W 335i e90 l Sirius l M6 Wheels l M5 Bumper l Eibachs l 20% Tint l CPE Exhaust & Standback l BLK Matte Trim l Xenon Interiors l Lux 4.0 l 8000k D1S l MTEC H7/H11s l Invisibulbs l BLK Matte Grill l Blacklines l Alum Pedals l Splt Armrest l Rear Fogs l RBT l K&N
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06-17-2007, 06:00 PM	#9
gerbs woof 84 Rep 1,233 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i Coupé [10.00] 2008 BMW M3 Coupé [10.00] [retired] 2004 Suba ... [0.00]	I feel for you guys out there. I luckily haven't, and won't make this mistake myself... but every other week when a "damn I'm a fool for getting the step" thread pops up, it reinforces how significantly different the entire driving experience is with a manual transmission - no matter what car it is... 20 more days of automatic transmission horrible-ness for me ... Sold my previous vehicle (manual) a wee bit early At least you guys won't make the same mistake again, eh? __________________ 2013 F13 ///M6 Sakhir Orange 2013 F30 335i Estoril Blue II 2008 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue 2007 E92 335i Montego Blue
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06-17-2007, 06:03 PM	#10
Neema Major General 788 Rep 7,246 Posts Drives: a few BMWs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	AT with paddles FTW, AT without the paddles......no thanks, only then would I have gone for stick. __________________ LTMW Widebody+1M front bumper+Slek CF Lip\|M3 Hood\|StopTech BBK\|M-Sport Rear Bumper+DD CF Diffuser\|Custom Recaro Seats\|KW V2\|BavX LS3\|M3 Side Skirts+Custom CF Lip\|BBS CHR 19x10.5+BBS Lugs\|LCI Taillights\|RD Sport Anti-Sway Bars\|GIAC S2\|ER Intercooler+CF Shroud+Charge Pipe\|Tial BOV\|Injen Intake\|MS downpipes\|Custom Exhaust\|BMS Oil Catch Can\|M3 DCT wheel+TiD CF Paddles\|BMW CF Trunk Spoiler\|Aluminum Pedals
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06-17-2007, 06:07 PM	#11
DrGP Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: Sapphire 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE, PA iTrader: (0)	You've just learned the hard way. AT= steering. 6MT = driving. Not that AT is bad, but 6MT is better.
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06-17-2007, 06:09 PM	#12
chbrules MSVConrad++ 54 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 2006 325i \| E92 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Peaches iTrader: (0)	I was really on the fence about making this my first stick car, but, besides the fact I'm not overly confident in my manual skills, I figured the only major difference is a clutch. It's a luxury car and I want the option of being able to be a fat lazy American when I want. I always used the manual mode on my AT in my 325i and I loved doing so. No hassle of a clutch, and with this new AT it shifts faster than a mofo. __________________ -Me
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06-17-2007, 06:19 PM	#13
vbmw335 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 263 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: on the moon iTrader: (0)	I just dont understand how some guys here can equate the joy of driving a manual car to a AT(doest matter how fast it its..its all about the control and doing the real work - driving. Someone rightly said its as simple as driving vs steering. I honestly had more fun driving my 330i stick than this car. Traffic was a pain but once you get used to a stick shift its almost second nature. I just did not realize it would take away so much excitement of driving away from me..in 2 years after my lease i am definitely looking at m3 or a used Porsche turbo. __________________ 335i coupe Procede 700 HP EPL Tuned Porsche 911 Turbo E46 M3 SMG BMW X5 4.8 is
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06-17-2007, 06:26 PM	#14
Zeeman Captain 56 Rep 661 Posts Drives: E90 335 SG Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	MT is the only way to go! Loved it my e46 and I will love it even more in the 335 (when I finally get it 4 - 6 weeks from now!)
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06-17-2007, 06:29 PM	#15
sflgator Major General 148 Rep 5,389 Posts Drives: '09 MB C63 AMG & '08 MB GL450 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. iTrader: (1)	What do all of you die-hard MT fans say to the guys with M5, M3 SMG's, Audi DSG's, Ferrari's, Lambos, etc. without clutches? "confused2 Do you call them wimps for not driving MT's? All I can say for the MT car (any MT car) is ..."been there, done that." Not for me anymore, but I think a good AT (or DSG) with Paddle Shifters is the best of both worlds. __________________ \|2009 RENNtech MB C63 AMG \| Black/Black Leather/Black Maple \| Premium II \| MultiMedia \| iPod \| \| TeleAid \| Charcoal Filter Delete \| BMC High-Flow Air Filters \| High-Flow Secondary Cats \| Clear Side Markers \|
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06-17-2007, 06:35 PM	#16
chbrules MSVConrad++ 54 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 2006 325i \| E92 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Peaches iTrader: (0)	I'm a technological advocate, so I love the idea of SMG, or even an AT pretending to be SMG. I really want to drive a ferrari with SMG, the 360 or 430. __________________ -Me
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06-17-2007, 06:54 PM	#17
De90man First Lieutenant 8 Rep 350 Posts Drives: F30 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	The Manuals demise is the end of Driving?!... ...that is exaggerating a bit no?! In a few years, there won't be a manual option ANY performance car. So, you will buy that shift-paddled Aston, Porsche, or Ferrari and you will love it. Just a progressive purists do. I don't get the negative AT banter. Sounds like fred flinstone crying about missing that feeling of the road on his bare feet... 'Step' into the future gents and voluntarily reprogram what you think an engaging driving interface is. Or just wait and have it done for you by all the carmakers you know and love.
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06-17-2007, 06:55 PM	#18
OtuaCarGod Banned 3 Rep 131 Posts Drives: The nicest car on the lot... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	I owe my ex gf for helping me decide on my MT. I'm so glad I got it. I was leaning towards the IS350 (auto only), till she was thinking about getting a new car. There was a Civic she was looking at and liked but it was a stick. so i drove it a couple times for her, and I realized how much I missed driving a stick. So i went to go drive a 335i and fell in love. And they all lived happily ever after!
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06-17-2007, 07:10 PM	#19
FotiosF90M5 ///M Specialist South Shore BMW 770 Rep 7,108 Posts Drives: 2021 M5 Comp BHG/Silverstone Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Shore, MA iTrader: (62)	I hate all auto's except for my 335i step.It just works really good.no regrets for me.Ive had 16 cars and 14 have been manuals.The 330i 06 I had was my first auto and it was too slow.wasnt happy, but the 335i step kicks ass.I still miss a manual but I dont regret my decision. __________________ 2021 M5 COMPETITION LCI Brands Hatch Gray on SIlverstone, carbon roof, comp wheels, Mperf splitter, carbon pro spoiler, carbon diffuser , carbon paddles, executive pkg. Dinan HAS, RaceChip, dinan spacers, FC stud kit, etc
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06-17-2007, 07:22 PM	#21
topracer Weekend Driver 6 Rep 113 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I like driving my MT. However I really like the rev matching down shift on AT. I think even a pro driving can't do it as precise as the computer.
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06-17-2007, 07:33 PM	#22
DFW_M Major General 1671 Rep 6,587 Posts Drives: Macan GTS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	BMW without the MT is not really a BMW. No matter how smooth or how fast the AT is, that is not it. It will never be a sub for the MT. Yes, it may be more convenient int he traffic, though, I really find the MT to be OK even in traffic -- if you know how to drive in heavy (stop and go) traffic. Anyway, if the US market was not the most profitable (or the largest) market for the BMW, I doubt they would even introduce the AT... No way the MT will ever go away from the Bimmer cars...
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