I agree with the above. If I get a 335, it will only be through a lease. That being said, need I remind you of the fuel pump issue that is still not resolved with people's car's out for 2 months+ with no guarantee it won't happen again. It's not just bringing the car in for 1 day necessarily. My friend had his steering system replaced - not a day job either. By the way, I get a loaner as well with my infiniti as well as my lexus. No big deal. Also, BMW free service is based on getting an oil changed every 15,000 miles. That's 2 service intervals per 3 year lease (at 12k per year).\

Now, back on topic - If you have any thoughts that you could live with an auto - then you probably won't miss the 6-speed.

 

Possibly, just possibly, designing a car might be a little bit more difficult than you imagine. After you spend a number of years actually designing a road-going vehicle, then you might be in a position to insult the people who have actually been accomplishing what you think is so easy.

 

Yes you can control the gears- the up shifts the down shifts etc.The 05 plus has down shift rev matching. In manualmode for all G's except the 03 Sedan, when you floor it the car wont downshift unless you tell it to. The only major operation differences are the clutch and the tap shift instead of slot shift.

 

I don't think anyone doubts designing cars is difficult, but c'mon, you can't believe that is really the reason BMW doesn't offer one on their 3-series.

First off, many car parts (if not all) are manufactured and designed by other companies, not the car manufacturer specifically. They could have one if they wanted. The reason they don't have one is cost savings and/or model separation and that is it. There are plenty of more complicated parts in their cars than this. I hear this apolologetic attitude all the time about BMW's. Maybe they just want to make more money.

EDIT: It's amazing how they were able to find the LSD's for all of the M cars. I guess they were just lucky on those.

 

I would possibly be interested in an AT if there was a more sophisticated transmission avaliable with 6 or prefereably 7 speeds. Performance wise the MT would be hard pressed to match and only with a focused and skilled driver. The additional gears and a lightning quick shift would work beautifully to maximize immediate engine power along with tall quiet cruising speeds.

Exactly. I have to say even if BMW did make that statement it's complete non sense and a little hard to believe. If you design a new car with a completely new TT engine you wouldn't go to the old parts bin for a diff. and refuse to provide a redesigned LSD. You would spend the money to equip the car with one except that it's a marketing /product differentiation reason and a cost/competition issue. If they give the "lesser" cars everything the M cars have there won't be enough difference from tehm and it will further distance the 335 from the competition in price.

 

+1

I mean, I give lots of respect to BMW engineers for making really great machines, but you can't serious believe they cannot put LSD in the 335i because mechanical reasons. If anything, it is probably a marketing ploy. Which, imo, makes a heck of a lot more sense...

Auto or manual? I am on the same boat...I had a 5AT coupe and when i drove my friends 325i 5MT, I was blown away at how fun manual is (as you can see, I am a n00b at manual). So I would probably pick a manual...unless its DSG or SMG...

If you like manual enough, you wouldnt mind driving it even in heavy traffic...

 

Except, sorry to beat a dead horse here, this is not as simple as you imagine. Plus, BMW was attempting to use an electronic LSD which tied to the stability program and the auto tranny. The only outside supplier of an electronic LSD is Haldex, and BMW, just like VWAG, thought they could do better. Both are currently in the design stage. And, both are having trouble. I really don't understand how this can be so easy for the forum members and so difficult for BMW and VWAG engineers.

Since the DSG and SMG trannys are quite different, and since BMW has already declared SMG "dead" and are designing a true double-clutch w/o pedal replacement, I have a hard time accepting what you say when your knowledge is so limited.

Again, as you say, you are a manual tranny noob. So, until you are stuck in a freeway accident where it takes you over an hour just to get to an exit, you might not want to say something about which you have no experience.

Yes, yes, I know opinions are like rectums, everyone has one. In my dream world there will be two sets of forums; one for nothing but opinions and one for nothing but facts.

P.S. I am not supporting BMW. Personally, (and here is my opinion) I think the 335i would be a much better "driver" with a LSD (and the only available aftermarket LSD is about $2500). But, I think the RFT are such a handling hinderance that the entire driving experience is compromised. I have not heard from a single journalist who drove both the G37 mule and the 335i at APG (both with sport suspensions and auto trannys) that the BMW outhandled or outbraked the G37. The consensus seems to be the 335i is faster in a straight line and rides "slightly" better (at least on this particular "general" road coarse). The consensus is also that the G37 will leave the 335i behind on any sort open road with turns.

 

"Except, sorry to beat a dead horse here, this is not as simple as you imagine. Plus, BMW was attempting to use an electronic LSD which tied to the stability program and the auto tranny. The only outside supplier of an electronic LSD is Haldex, and BMW, just like VWAG, thought they could do better. Both are currently in the design stage. And, both are having trouble. I really don't understand how this can be so easy for the forum members and so difficult for BMW and VWAG engineers."

^^Since you know about the inner workings of this LSD program at BMW - when did they decide to attempt to use an electronic LSD yada yada yada? Since the inception of the 3-series? Or has this been more recently? I am just wondering why the M3 used whatever kind of LSD and now for the 3-series they are in a design limbo for all of these years trying a new system. Or, how about this - while they are having all this difficulty designing this system - why not offer a mechanical LSD in the meantime?



In terms of Auto vs. Manual - This is a personal choice and no one should sway a person one way or another. I stand by my opinion that people who truly enjoy driving a manual will buy one and not make excuses for not choosing one. If the traffic is so bad, why would a person even buy a performance car? You wouldn't even be able to enjoy the car.

 

Once again, the Cayman S has no LSD. But that car is idolized here. Why?

Even without an LSD, the 335i will take a 7. I too wish there was an LSD, but it makes sense to give the M more advantage.
Porsche did the same thing, so that the Cayman wouldn't lap the 911 flagship.

Common practice. If the G had an older, sportier, high end sibling, you bet there would be things left out on the 7.

 

I'm not sure where you heard the 335 will take a 7, unless you mean in a straight line (which I do not doubt it will). From what we have heard so far, the G37 might be better around the track. Then again, that test was with an auto, so the 6mt might have different results.

I agree that the absence of the LSD is not a big deal and most people will not miss it. I am simply stating the real reasons why it doesn't exist on a 335. It has nothing to do with engineering. Also, just because the 3-series has a sportier sibling doesn't mean you take away standard equipment on the lower cars - you should upgrade your sportier car. The fact that the G can have the LSD and bigger brakes and a better NAV system all for a lower price says that Inifniti is spending the money on their cars while BMW is pocketing it.

 

The rear wheel drive of the G and its 6 speed gear box was made for drivers heaven...Im not here to make friends (just kidding) the MT is the ONLY way to fully enjoy this car...Thats my personal opinion and it cant be changed...Before I bought my G I had no idea how to drive stick...I waited MONTHS just practicing on different vehicles before I got up the nerve to go ahead and order my coupe in the 6mt version...I hit traffic DAILY and I can care less about having to constantly put clutch in and out...Because once that traffic clears, its take off time...I also live in an area with plenty of curvey back roads, no way Id enjoy auto over the manual on those turns...

Enjoy the entirety of this luxury "sports coupe" get the 6mt...