New Motor

635CSi wrote: Mick525i wrote: Its an auto too. Better resale. and worth the extra 2 grand. Much better bet in the long run. If we stop buying from dodgy dealers then they will stop trading. I am not directing this at any one dealer. Mick An auto is actually a bad thing when it comes to a bimmer in some people's books, they are really overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the manual. If I was ordering a brand new 5 Series instead of spending my hard earned on an auto gearbox I'd spend it on leather.

See what I mean I never aggree with you

I have several motor trade friends, Merc's and BMW sell better and get more money when fitted with an auto box. Infact I have heard them say "dont buy a manual Merc, you will never sell it again".

It is more of a problem on Mercs because of the customer they have, but its there on BM's as well. Ask a trader to choose between 2 similar 520's and he will go for the Auto every time. We are talking 5 series here not 3's and 1ers... thats different.

Mick

I prefer the manual, but it can have its downsides as i learnt to my dismay.

Mercedes are great manuals as its an aul fellas car

Mick525i wrote:  Also you already have a concern about a gearbox noise. What has the dealer said about that??

He said he hadn't notice anything !! going back to check the service history and bring a mechanic friend with me.

He also said the car has been here for over a year on irish plates, I'll wait and see... not going to let the heart rule on this on.

635CSi wrote: Mick525i wrote: See what I mean I never aggree with you I have several motor trade friends, Merc's and BMW sell better and get more money when fitted with an auto box. Infact I have heard them say "dont buy a manual Merc, you will never sell it again". It is more of a problem on Mercs because of the customer they have, but its there on BM's as well. Ask a trader to choose between 2 similar 520's and he will go for the Auto every time. We are talking 5 series here not 3's and 1ers... thats different. Mick I never said Merc make good manuals, they make absolutely terrible manuals as a matter of fact... You've driven a 520i manual but never a 530i manual, now that would be an absolute hoot! No offence to you, but I think your opinion is a buoyest one.

None taken.

Yep proberly a bit buoyest but I have always thought large exec saloon's sell best in Auto Trim. If Im tearing accross the hills I would much prefair a manual box anyday. But for normal day to day driving the Auto suits very well. 1 1/2 hours into abbey street from rathfarnham this morning in traffic. never changed gear once. never even had to move my left foot.

Mick

Good one Mick - 635CSi calling anybody biased (I am presuming this is what he means) is rather like kettles calling pots black!

lesurely wrote: Mick525i wrote:  Also you already have a concern about a gearbox noise. What has the dealer said about that?? He said he hadn't notice anything !! going back to check the service history and bring a mechanic friend with me. He also said the car has been here for over a year on irish plates, I'll wait and see... not going to let the heart rule on this on.

Good idea, the message from this thread is just to be carefull.

Mick

Mick525i wrote: None taken. Yep proberly a bit buoyest but I have always thought large exec saloon's sell best in Auto Trim. If Im tearing accross the hills I would much prefair a manual box anyday. But for normal day to day driving the Auto suits very well. 1 1/2 hours into abbey street from rathfarnham this morning in traffic. never changed gear once. never even had to move my left foot. Mick

By the way, I was referring to only the 5 Series when I said manual is better because I feel the auto totally blunts the driving experience. I believe that every other executive cars should have a slusher though.

flyingalexf68 wrote: Is your Volvo an auto or manual 635? And have you ever driven a modern auto? The Steptronic auto's in todays BMW's are far superior to most old stlye slush boxes. In auto mode they change quickly and smoothly and always at the right time. Going down a hill or braking they will downchange one or more gears depending on how you're driving and kickdown is usually perfect. And of course you can put it in manual mode and change your own gears. Basically I think the Steptronic is perfectly suited to the 5 series (especially a diesel one) and it doesn't detract from the driving experience at all. I wouldn't even consider a manual gearbox if I was buying a any 5 series. Unless it was an M5.

My Volvo is a manual, it would be more suited to an auto because it is more of a cruiser than an 'ultimate driving machine'. It's comfort orientated rather than involving, the gearbox in it has a bit of a long throw but is still pleasant to use. My preference in an A6 or an E Class would obviously be auto but in a 5 Series it would definitely be manual.

Well I guess it's personal preference, I have driven a 525i Steptronic and it was alright but I still would have preferred a manual, I drove a manual 520i recently and loved it, I like the dogleg gearbox. I could imagine with all the power from the 525i combined with that gearbox would be phenomenal! I admit the Steptronic is a brilliant gearbox, it's fine in a bigger Bimmer such as a 6 Series or 7 Series but from 1 Series to 5 Series I have to say I would prefer manual.

Actually come to think of it, we have gone majorly off topic here!!!


Edited by 635CSi

Lesurely, If you want to check any BMW out for service history that has a FULL BMW service history go to your local BMW dealer and talk to them very nicely and give them the VIN number and they can pull up every single service, wiper blade, bulb etc. that has ever been put on the car.

I got a full history on my car after I got it and was very impressed as to the detail that was in the print-out!

It even gives you a list of the factory fitted options/extras that are on the car!

635CSi wrote: Mick525i wrote: LOL, but I was really just asking out of curiosity. So go on 635, tell us, whats your transport? Mick I drive a Volvo S70, somehow I think I've mentioned this before. I love it, it's sprightly, it's very comfortable as Volvo's go and has a bit of prestige. It doesn't really suit my image though, I'm half the age of the average driver of one of these! I've owned a rusty old E30 which went to the scrapper, that counts me as a former BMW owner. Bear in mind that just because I'm a Volvo driver doesn't mean I'm not a die hard Bimmer fan...

My 65 year old uncle drives one

Nice car though.

Mick