x5 3.0i Manual or Tiptronic?

manny · #1 04-11-2005, 02:14 AM

I'm planning of getting an X5 3.0i with aero kit and 20 inch wheels, but i can't decide whether to get the 6 speed manual or 5 speed tiptronic. Any advise will be very much appreciated...............thanks

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The Big Easy · #2 04-11-2005, 03:08 AM

Manny, depends on your style of driving and personal prefs, but mine is a manual, I have never purchased autos. Even if your stuck in traffic in So Cal, changing gears is therapeutic for me as is being in total control of the car. Nothing nicer than letting her rip, and changing when you want to. Fuel consusmption = does it matter......?!

So, yes, 6 sp man please!!

Cheers,

manny · #3 04-11-2005, 03:46 AM

Thanks very much for the advise .....TBE................Manny....yes, me too never purchased autos.....but people at the dealership keeps suggesting that if I'm buying SUV should be auto.

dkl · #4 04-11-2005, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manny

Thanks very much for the advise .....TBE................Manny....yes, me too never purchased autos.....but people at the dealership keeps suggesting that if I'm buying SUV should be auto.

The sales guys are only trying to push what they have on the lot, which are 99% 5speed Steptronics. So...just get whatever you want and ignore the sales pitches.

Wagner · #5 04-11-2005, 07:11 AM

Since it's the 3.0 I6, I would consider the manual...if it was the V8 with more tq/hp I would go auto, thats just me a lot of peeps would go manual either way. IMO I bought the X5 4.4 to kick back in when driving, so the auto was my route (the Z is for racing)

Curious Joel · #6 04-11-2005, 03:23 PM

Although I way prefer manuals to drive (you're more in control, more involved, etc.), in the X5 I would get the automatic. My 330 is a manual, and it's fun.. My X5 was an auto, it was great too. But they're different types of cars. The 330 is small, sporty, etc., so it's more suited to a manual. I think it's just more practical to get an automatic in the X5. That being said, I've never driven a 3.0i, let alone one with a stick shift, so I don't really know the X5 driving experience with a manual. Other than my opinion, the best advice I can give is to drive both, and see which suits you better. If I lived in a city, it'd definitely be an auto for me,though.

JCL · #7 04-11-2005, 06:04 PM

Gotta agree, I like manuals a lot, but I just didn't see the X5 as that type of vehicle. My dealer had one in stock, but one look at the residuals scared me off. Check out how few 3.0s actually have the manual. If you are going to keep it a long time, then it's not so much of an issue. Also, I drive in traffic every day, and didn't need the hassle. Maybe I am just getting old....

Jeff

Matsoutback · #8 04-11-2005, 06:57 PM

I have just (1 month) got my manual 3.0d. Coming from larger cars (SUV's) I find the manual to be great for the X5. I think it makes the car "feel" smaller and more fun. I bought the manual blind, could not get a test drive, and the dealer also tried to talk me out of it. Mine is the first one they sold in this city.(100,000 people). The shift feel is very good and the clutch becomes better after the first 1000k's. Never driven the 3.0 petrol but it may be even better. The diesel have low (no) touque at low revs and takes a bit of a shuffle to get things moving. However, once underway, absoulutly fantasic. I have a miata as well and I gauge all manuals to its slick little 5 speed. Not quite a flick of the wrist like the mazda, but the best I've used in a larger vehicle.

Mat

DIAZ · #9 04-11-2005, 06:59 PM

In terms of preference I would definitely get the manual. I just purchased a manual, and my friends all have automatic and its so much faster. If you are purchasing new I would go with auto because of the resale values, it much harder to sell a manual x5 to a soccer mom, or to any women in general. So if you buy preowned and let someone else take the hit then its worth it, but otherwise consir the resale value. Just to get an idea, I just bought a 2003 3.0 5speed manual with 24k miles, certified until 09/2009 100k miles from BMW Certified Preqoned at BMW dealer, in mint condition, the car looks like its new, its even hard to convince someone that its preowned and its got leather, and no sunroof and I got in for $28,500 after negotiating. The cheapest X5 I could find in automatic with the same miles, but an 02 and it had sunroof and premium package, BMW CErtified was $31,000 after negotiating it down from their 39500 sticker. But they did not want to go under 31k because it was easier for them to sell an automatic transmission.

Matsoutback · #10 04-11-2005, 07:17 PM

Sure, resale has to be an important part of any choice, but dont forget (Australia anyway) the manuals are nearly 3gs cheaper to start with.....In our used car prices guide(s), the manuals have similar depreciation rates to the autos. This may be because there are so few, so if you want a second hand manual, you have much less to choose from. You might have to wait longer, as a seller, but maybe you have a captive group of buyers.

I'll let you know how I go in 2-3 years....

Mat

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