auto or manual?

[bullyd]

im looking for a 3.5 doner car, auto's are coming up generally 30-40% cheaper than manuals, is it worth spending the extra for a manual or are auto trannys as strong?

[DanH]

Looks like everyone likes to spend someone elses money...

It might be a lot cheaper and easier to just buy a 535iM than to do a swap on your 520i.


im looking for a 3.5 doner car, auto's are coming up generally 30-40% cheaper than manuals, is it worth spending the extra for a manual or are auto trannys as strong?

[biondani]

You pay extra for manual? In the UK, autos are more expensive than manual cars.

Ian

[dacoyote]

You pay extra for manual? In the UK, autos are more expensive than manual cars.

Ian

Yes sir.. thats because it american 50% of the people cannot drive worth ****... and the other 50% knows they cannot drive worth ****....

Charles

[bullyd]

You pay extra for manual? In the UK, autos are more expensive than manual cars.

Ian
i AM in the uk and every 535 manual ive looked at is loads more cash than a auto coz they are rare as **** in uk, 8/10 advertised are auto

[Interceptor]

i AM in the uk and every 535 manual ive looked at is loads more cash than a auto coz they are rare as **** in uk, 8/10 advertised are auto
Germany is not that far from the UK - you can find insanely pristine 535i manuals there!

Oops, I forgot, you have the steering on the wrong side :)

But then again, maybe it's not important if it's a donor car.

[romus]

Its same everywhere. Took me months to find a manual one and automatic would have been few grand cheaper. Only 5% of 535i's were manual if the info i've read is correct. That makes them VERY rare :) - and me a proud owner ;)

[uscharalph]

im looking for a 3.5 doner car, auto's are coming up generally 30-40% cheaper than manuals, is it worth spending the extra for a manual or are auto trannys as strong?
I'm pretty sure my next BMW will be a manual.

[gale]

Personally I will never own another automatic BMW from a performance point of view. The ZF 4hp22 auto will probably last forever in a 520i if it gets the proper fluid/filter changes and is never rev'd in neutral. If you're leaning towards a manual and are weighing costs of buying a manual or converting an automatic, it would probably be cheaper to buy the manual unless you got all the parts at a good price.

[Springfield1952]

I own both - a manual in the M5 and slushbox in the Touring. The manuals for fun and the auto is for commuting.

Good luck,

Curt.