Goodbye to One X3

[martz]

Originally Posted by White05X3

My 335i is to be silver/black, manual, sport, premium, nav, cold weather, comfort access, rear shade, PDC, USB/Ipod interface, and Sirius. The issues I am still trying to decide include: 1.) Coupe vs Sedan (I schlep 2 kids to school every morning and one still needs help buckling-up...a sedan would be easier), 2.) Titanium Silver vs Titanium Grey, and 3.) auto vs stick. The folks on the bimmerfest message board and on e90 post have done a great job convincing me that the automatic in the 335i is worth switching to. I just can't quite wrap my brain around the idea of giving-up stick...

Any thoughts?

Truthfully, to fully enjoy the engine and its potential I would go with a manual trans. Plus I believe you enjoy going to the track , Dont you? Its like getting an M3 with auto trans- Boring.
But then again its the daily commute other than the time spent in the track to consider. I live in an area where rush hour can be a real pain. Having a manual trans in short was not the way to go and have given it up . I have always driven manual trans cars all up to 2 years ago only because I was tired of having to shift from 1st to 2nd a million times a day just to get to work. But It's a 335i Turbo you gotta go with stick and no other.
Transporting the Kids ? Sedan. Unless of course the car eventually becomes a weekend car.....

[White05X3]

I do enjoy going to the track! I will probably stick with the stick (no pun intended), but the folks on the web sure make a compelling argument in favor of the automatic.

Thanks for the encouragement! I truly appreciate it!

[AzNMpower32]

I have driven the 335i automatic and rode in a test drive in a 335i manual with a friend. The reason the automatic is compelling is because it's actually really good. The torque converter lockup immediately after takeoff provides a convincing, satisfying "firm" feel so the revs dont rise and fall with your right foot-- like a manual indeed. However, I recommend the manual. IMO the 335i is a great piece, but a bit dull, boring and lifeless unless you flog it hard. Adding a self-shifting gearbox doesn't help.

I remember riding in the passenger seat as my teacher flogged the 335i quite hard, and boy was it thrilling. At a stoplight, he took a quick glance around to check for cops; then he did a relatively normal clutch engagement, and then floored the gas instantly. Chirped the tires, DSC blinked a couple times, and this was on flat, dry pavement. Geez that torque shoved you back straight from 1500rpm to his 5500rpm upshift. But it really was more engaging to ride in a manual, versus drive an automatic-equipped 335i. Just my 2 cents.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Hey Randy! Late to the party but I'm excited for you and your 335 with ED. I know I've talked to you about ED and I will do it one day. Perhaps the next BMW. Ooh! That gives me an idea! My wife and I were talking about a Europe trip in 2008.

Hope all at work is good and your family happy and healthy!

[White05X3]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Hey Randy! Late to the party but I'm excited for you and your 335 with ED. I know I've talked to you about ED and I will do it one day. Perhaps the next BMW. Ooh! That gives me an idea! My wife and I were talking about a Europe trip in 2008.

Hope all at work is good and your family happy and healthy!

Hey Kevin!

I will happily help you plan it, and help you talk your wife into it! What time of the year were you planning to go?

On May 3 I was thinking of doing a HPDE through http://www.drivingconcepts.com The event is at Buttonwillow. Why not bring the e90?

[asawadude]

Scott27 works for BMW. Apparently his job is to seed information in the various BMW web forums and stir up interest in the upcoming BMW models. He's told us about future model offerings far in advance of release dates. I've read and reread his posts here and on E90post.com to see if he's ever fed us any B.S. and he hasn't thus far. So when he says that an X3 N54 biturbo is coming, I'm thinking it's coming.

http://www.xoutpost.com/183922-post15.html

The last 2 digits in the engine designation indicates that N54 is from the same engine block family as the old M54 (217hp) engine. Bore and stroke is identical. The new N54 weighs 12 more lbs than old M54 engine (probably attributable to the weight of the turbos). All three engines (M54, N52, and N54) have been production offerings in the E60. The N54 engine should do quite nicely in the E83 chassis.

The gap between the auto and the 6MT is narrowed greatly. It really comes down to how much driving you do in LA traffic. 50% of my driving is in heavy traffic, so getting an automatic has become a necessity. I think the new GM 6A with paddles is a good compromise, certainly far better than the prior automatic transmissions.

To be honest with you, I think the best way for you to decide is keep test driving both the stick and automatic. See if the dealer can give you a demo or loaner car for a couple of hours test drive. Whatever feels best to you is what you should get.

[martz]

Originally Posted by White05X3

but the folks on the web sure make a compelling argument in favor of the automatic.

Great that you are going manual !

Think about it if you do go matic..... no more heel and toe before the corner on a vehicle that will beg you to power out at the proper gear.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by asawadude

I think the new GM 6A with paddles is a good compromise, certainly far better than the prior automatic transmissions.

You mean ZF 6AT. Not a GM-sourced slushbox!

[asawadude]

My mistake. The new tranny is a ZF. The new GM's are installed in the 328i models.

[White05X3]

Even if they put the bi-turbo in the X3 (which would be awesome), I still would prefer a diesel. Especially since the X3 is for my wife

Chances are >90% that I will not get the automatic despite the amount of time I spend in traffic.

I have not test driven the 335i yet, in any format. Nor, by the way, do I intend to. As it is, the anticipation is killing me...

So for now, I will just enjoy my little Civic Si...