Originally Posted by alpac

I use manual shifting on my X5 90% of the time. I 'grew up' driving manual transmission and find the manual shifting of the X much more natural to me. It also gives direct control over which gear the car is on and consequently more control of the car. I will put it on fully automatic only when stucked in a traffic jam. A big advantage of gearing down without reducing speed (unlike with an automatic) is an increase in power from the engine, useful when climbing, passing or before entering a sharp curve. For example if I am driving a little bit 'sporty' mode on a little empty back road I shift down just before entering a sharp curve so as to get more control of the car via its engine power.