[Ganryu]

I'm thinking about getting a 330 and I'm trying to decide between the step and manual. How bad is the step? The reason I ask is because I have to do a lot of stop and go driving and I'm not sure if it will be a hassle but I've heard from a lot of people that the step is not very responsive when shifting in manual mode.

 

[xS3x]

get a manual.

 

[e46boy]

dont' make the same mistake me and that fob xs5x (sp?) :tongue: did.. get a manual

 

[GarrettF]

5spd..man up and learn to drive with a clutch correctly..stop and go driving aint that bad!

 

[xS3x]

dont' make the same mistake me and that fob xs5x (sp?) :tongue: did.. get a manual

:tsk:

e46BOY u have to learn how to respect your elders



:lmao:

 

[EviLSydeSiLk]

I have 5speed. It is one of the easyiest tranny's on the planent for stop and go driving. U can cruise in 1st gear no problem. No rabbit hopping.

 

[Tommyboy]

forget the 5-speed, order the performance package and get the highly desired 6-speed!!!

 

[K-DOG]

get a manual, be it 5 or 6 spd, the performance difference is uncomparable....b/w auto and man

 

[3rd_collective]

definitely manual, i had a step and thought i could live with it..i was wrong, i bought a 00 328ci step december last year and traded it in just this past weekend for an 03 325ci 5spd...needless to say i am loving it!!

 

[MooDogg]

manual gives you more driving excitement, better gas mileage, and a cheaper sticker price to boot

 

[p0tpie]

automatic BAD

 

[z's330i]

Manual !! I was worried that it would cause probs cuz of stop and go traffic, but It's 2nd nature now and it's soooo much fun! : )

 

[nullptr]

When you have dreams of driving at high speeds through traffic like they do
in the movies ... are you driving an auto? Hell no! There is nothing more
fun than driving a Bimmer hard with a manual* ... you won't regret it

* Especially with a SSK

 

[Daft]

If you're buying new then get the SMG. The best of both and there is no comprimise.

 

[tpzblu330ci]

Manual, no doubt, I have heard several with Steps who die for a stick but none vice versa(none the I have seen atleat). This is not to say the Step is bad, its one of the finest autos out there by far :thumbup:

 

[Choson1]

RE:

It's a shame seeing folks use traffic as their only excuse to get a step. As if the only people who are allowed to get a stick are those who don't drive through traffic.

Okay, who in the entire USA doesn't drive through traffic? Everyone and their mother does. Unless you live in Montana, you are going to drive through traffic with your car...there's no way around it. So stop using that lame excuse and get the tranny that puts more horses to the ground!

By the way, stick shift rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :flipoff:

 

[PhilH]

Re: RE:

It's a shame seeing folks use traffic as their only excuse to get a step...So stop using that lame excuse and get the tranny that puts more horses to the ground!

By the way, stick shift rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :flipoff:

:werd: :stupid:

(although I'm not trying to convince my wife to drive a manual...she says, "why make driving more complicated?" ...but she's no car enthusiast)

 

[BGReddy00]

i had a 5 speed in my 00 328i i switched to the step in my 02, cause everywhere in florida its constant traffic and stop and go...and i dont race my car like I use to back in highschool

 

[tpzblu330ci]

i had a 5 speed in my 00 328i i switched to the step in my 02, cause everywhere in florida its constant traffic and stop and go...and i dont race my car like I use to back in highschool

I stand corrected

 

[bmwti]

Re: RE:

It's a shame seeing folks use traffic as their only excuse to get a step. As if the only people who are allowed to get a stick are those who don't drive through traffic.

Okay, who in the entire USA doesn't drive through traffic? Everyone and their mother does. Unless you live in Montana, you are going to drive through traffic with your car...there's no way around it. So stop using that lame excuse and get the tranny that puts more horses to the ground!

By the way, stick shift rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :flipoff:

It is a shame that this bothers you so much, everyone buys what they want for their own reasons. Well guess what, the big reason I bought the step is because of traffic, so please dont tell me that it is a lame reason, it is MY choice and not yours. If you can handle your traffic fine good for you, if Id rather enjoy the comfort and conveniance of my step in traffic, than good for me. Seriously why do you care so much what reason someone buys what they feel is best suited for them??? :thumbdwn:


To answer the question of the thread starter, if you want more fun then the manual is truly a better option.
If you dont like driving a stick in traffic, or youre just lazy, or you cant drive a manual, or you actually like step better, or you dont want to piss off other members of this board who only consider Manual BMW drivers as true enthusiats then by all means get the stick:thumbup:

Edit- also manuals have better gas milage.