Manual or Steptronic?
 

Hey there everyone!

I have finally decided to put in my order for a 2006 X3. The only problem is I am in Iraq so I can't actually test drive an X3 to try out the different options myself. I have decided on a Black Sapphire Metallic with Sport, Premium and Cold Weather package. I am also getting Servotrnic, Nav and Premium sound. The only decision that is sticking in my head is the transmission. My current car is a 2002 BMW M3 with SMG. I like that but I don’t think the Steptronic will compare.

What is your opinion? What do you like about your transmission and what don’t you like? Would you rather have one over the other?

Thanks for your input I’m sure it will be helpful as always!:thumbup:

Andy

Get the manual, you'll regret it later if you didn't. Personally, Steptronic isn't worth anything; it'll automatically shaft for you anyways at certain RPMs, so it takes the fun outta driving.

Andy,

You are in the area of the SWA AOR. IF you break away form Iraq and come to Barhain for R/R you can test drive both the X3/X5 under the Military sales program at Superior Motor. +973-17-813-883 or cell +973-3905-4469 ask for Paul Magill or Noel.. of hit me at dsn 318.439.3834. from 7am-2pm..

Wood56
:)

Thanks for the offer Wood56, I would love to spend some time in Bahrain. However, I don't think I can make it there since I leave Iraq pretty soon (can't really complain about that!). But if I can work it I'll definitely give you a call!

Andy

As pseto said, the steptronic is kind of a joke, as it is only (very) slightly better than any other auto tranny. If you like to do the shifting yourself, the only *real* option is the manual.

The Steptronic is a good automatic transmission. However, a manual is the way to go on any BMW (and most cars).

I join the others who vote for stick (I have one of each). However note that with stick if you ever want to trade it it you will take a huge hit. Dealers have a hard time selling stick cars. However, in the X3 the stick is great and well worth owning!

Assuming you are in the military in Iraq, THANK YOU for doing what you do and keeping us all free!!!:thumbup:

most of the cars i've owned have had manual transmissions, and that is my preference usually. however, i live in an area with a lot of stop-and-go rush hour traffic, and wanted to switch to an automatic to more comfortably suffer through my daily commute. so, i chose an X3 with the steptronic transmission. i find the standard drive setting to be fairly smooth, but unenthusiastic (slow to upshift unless i really punch it). the sport drive mode is better. if i really need to move, i use the manu-matic function, which is helpful. none of this is as satisfying as a manual transmission, but the steptronic makes my commute more bearable.

so my only suggestion is to think about how and where you'll be driving and think about the transmission that will really suit what you need/want. whatever you choose, i'm sure you'll love your X3!

Automatic tranny will bring you better re-sale value in the future. Also, as R6Gilr mentioned, if you are in an area where you'll encounter a lot of stop-and-go traffic, you may want to get the automatic.

Good luck, and stay safe.

Juan

:iagree: And get home safely.

Thanks for the great information everyone. I was leaning towards the manual since most of my driving would be on the German Autobahn and only some city. I was kinda concerned about the resale value but I plan on driving this thing until the wheels fall off so I guess that won't be an issue. Unless of course the 2007 X3 comes with that 300BHP 3.0 twin turbo engine the 2007 BMW 335i has! But I guess that’s a topic for a whole other thread.

Oh and by the way I am a Department of Defense civilian employee serving over here with an Army unit. Thanks for the kind words!

Andy

Manual all the way! I have an X5 in manual and its mad fun to drive, I agree with the others manual is deftly the way to go.

Go w/ the Manual!

I would have gone for the manual but, like some of those above, i live in a big city (New York City), and, sadly, a stick in bumper to bumper traffic is not a lot of fun, esp when it's 95 degrees out (we use the car more in the summer than any other time).

I think there's no question its superior (from a performance standpoint) and a hell of a lot more fun to drive.....Just depends on your usage, and whether you mind sitting with your foot on the clutch in first gear for an hour or so.

I went the Auto because thats all that is available here in Australia for the 3.0 Diesel. Its a six speed and a good one. Always owned manuals and am peased to now own an Auto. Its true about resale here too. In the petrol models you cant give a manual away if the auto is an option.

The manual does sound like a lot of fun but the Autobahn wouldn't be a place where you could really use a manual transmission is it? Once in 6th gear I doubt you'd be going through the gears much, for that an Auto seems like it would work just as well. I see a manual tranny good for back road driving, with switch backs and the like. This is a place where a manual transmission really gets fun. Living where we do, a manual is a waste of time, unless you like living between 1st and 3rd, stop light to stop light. Enjoy your new ride. Not matter what you buy, you'll like it just fine.

Yea, I guess going flat out on the Autobahn wouldn't bring out the full potential of the manual tranny. But I live in an area with some hills and there are some pretty fun back roads. Also I'll be making trips to Austria in the winter for some snowboarding. How does the manual handle in the snow? Would the automatic be better in snowy conditions?

Andy

In my opinion, with manual you will always have better control in snowy conditions. Steptronic does give some more options and helps a bit but is not the same as manual. Here are my observations based on mostly my previous manual cars and my current one and only (and the last) automatic X3.

Manual does not downshift unless you do it. That can sometimes make things confusing on slippery conditions with auto tranny when going up a hill or pulling a trailer etc. and suddenly it downshifts when you least expect it. X-drive in X3 helps a lot to get over this and not loose control.

You can control the car a lot better with just applying more or less gas because of not having a torque converter and the delay in transmitting the power.

Engine braking with manual is an advantage. You can use that when coming downhill and don't need to brake in corners to cut your speed etc. Steptronic does help a bit but not that much. Also I find downshifting with step be a bit harsh and not as smooth as with how I do it with manual.

Steptronic does not shift when you tell it to. It may rev another 1000 after you tell it to shift when accelerating. When using engine brake to slow down you cannot skip gears since it goes through every one and thinks for a while before the next move. With a manual I can shift from 6th to 3rd if I feel like it.

Conclusion... I just find manual more flexible to different situations and having better overall control. At the same time I also understand how frustrating a manual can be in a very heavy city traffic.

My vote: Manual. Maybe 20 years from now, automatic.

- p

:iagree: Ditto from me too! A safe journey to both apass and woods56.

Get the manual. My X5 4.4i is the only second automatic I've owned and I miss driving a stick whenever I'm driving in free flowing traffic. But 75% of my driving is in urban traffic so the automatic has been a blessing.

Hmm.. free flowing traffic = oxymoron?

Steptronic
 

Steptronic !!!!!!
Are you kidding me with the manuel stick. This is not a sedan and I also don't understand why you all think the Steptronic cannot be redlined. I think it is the best of both worlds. Who wants to shift with a cell phone or a sandwich?

So that's at least one solid vote for the Steptronic.

I was thinking that the manual would have an out of place feel on the X3 because it's not a sedan. But I was also starting to think, based on everyone's input, that the manual makes the X3 feel and drive more like a car rather that a SAV. I think I like that idea!

Andy

Two votes for Auto! and real life resale!

Thanks!
I would only consider seeling if the 2007 ends up with the 300HP turbo 3.0 in the new 335i. Has anyone heard anything about that? I've scoured the internet but found nothing other than a few pictures.

Andy