Manual vs Auto (Reliability)

[M0957A]

Howdy peoples.

Just wondering here. What is more reliable in long term. Automatic or Manual transmission on e46 ?? (318i)

I keep hearing auto boxes failing on e46 from 30k to 150k on the clock, showing me that they are not the most strongest out there.

However im yet to hear something bad in regards manual trannys.

Keeping in mind that both would be used for city cruising (to/from work).

I used search function but was unable to find much in regards these two.



Any help is most appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Chet]

My brother have a auto E46 with 102k on it and it runs fine. No major issue so far. My 5 speed is fine with 125k. I think both are very reliable. I suggest auto if you are commuting to and from work. If you are constanty doing city driving with stop and go it might bother afterwards with a 5 speed.

[polizei144]

i've got 85k on my 328ci auto. no problems yet. *knock on wood*

[Manolito]

I have heard that people with M3s with shifter paddles on the steering wheel eat through auto trannys in short order. 30k miles is not uncommon for those.

Through the years, my experience is that auto trannys don't stand up to manual shifting. Just because the manufacturer put a manual shift gate in the console, that does not mean that it is a good idea for transmission life.

Manual trannys in BMWs are pretty robust if you put the proper oil in them and you don't abuse them with your driving or with weighted shifters that put pressure on the shift forks as you drive. Remember that you will need to replace the clutch every 100-150k miles.

If most of your driving is between stoplights, you will be happiest with an automatic. Even if you behave yourself, plan on a rebuild around 200k miles.

If most of your driving is on the freeway, you will pick up 2-4 mpg with a manual.

Insurance companies used to charge less for cars with automatics, but I have not heard of that happening for many years. My carrier has no idea what kind of trannys my cars have.

PS - Perhaps I should retract the mpg comment. We drove the 2004 330 with a 5 sp automatic down to daughter's graduation last weekend. Two adults and luggage going down, loaded to the ceiling with books and other junk coming back. 70 mph all the way. Three tank (premium fuel) average mileage for the trip was just over 28 mpg. Pretty good for a car with wide (M3) wheels. I don't know what mileage a stick shift would get in the same car, but surely not more than another 1 mpg or so. My '97 328 stick gets 30 mpg on the same trip with two adults and luggage, but that car has narrower tires and a smaller frontal area.

[n2bimmer]

manual is always more reliable.