» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 12-27-2017, 10:19 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Oregon Posts: 2 | Thoughts on the Auto Tranny? Hey folks, I'm still entertaining the idea of picking up a 318ti as my daily but pretty much all the 318's in my area have auto transmissions. I've read generally negative things about the auto transmission in the E36 series and I'm wondering what you guys think of it. I personally don't mind automatic trannys, assuming it doesn't totally rob the motor of power. I had a pair of Foresters years ago and the difference between the manual and auto was night and day. Hopefully the 318 isn't like that! | | | 12-27-2017, 10:46 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | I drove a 4 cylinder Z3 automatic as a loaner back in the day. It was pretty anemic. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 12-28-2017, 04:41 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,451 | I have both. 5 speeds rule for the 4 cyls. Just ensure the trans mounts and Engine mounts are intact to keep the shifting crisp. I also have a 540it. No worry about power loss there but I have also driven the 540i 6 speed and it is night and day. __________________ 1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top 1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52 1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior 1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it 1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP 1995 318ti Active - RIP 1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold 1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold 1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold 1985 635csi sold 1984 533i "Max" Sold 1984 318i sold BMWCCA #160411 SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 12-28-2017, 04:51 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 407 | It's far from great, but you learn to live with it. In my several year search for the perfect ti (still looking), I've learned to look at the whole picture, not just the transmission. A couple years ago I found the most amazing ti, completely flawless inside and out. Not a single blemish. It was even the uncommon color I want. But it was an automatic, so I passed on it. I wish I could go back and buy it, because I've never seen another ti like it since, automatic or manual. The transmission can always be swapped later if you're willing to make the effort. But if you're able to find a good car already with a manual, that's still the best choice! __________________ 1997 318ti 5-speed Moreagrün 1996 318ti auto Hellrot (retired) | | | 12-29-2017, 02:21 AM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: US Posts: 315 | Depends on your driving style but I’ve driven it in auto and it was bearable. It’s not as fast and enjoyable as a manual but that’s expected. I would at least test drive one before you right it off. Plus a trans swap is pretty straightforward. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro | | | 12-03-2018, 11:44 PM | #6 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: NY Posts: 29 | I would go for a Manual .... | | | 12-04-2018, 12:13 AM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Central Florida Posts: 17 | imo automatics are for disengaged driving... like if you wanna eat, text and shave on the way to work. manuals are for when you drive for fun. if you ever catch yourself humming engine revs indexing through gears... you need a manual | | | 12-04-2018, 12:17 AM | #8 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: NY Posts: 29 | I have been driving Manual cars exclusively for the past 35 years ! ...I wouldnt have it any other way ..I hope i can do it until i die ! .... | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |
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