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Having never owned an automatic I’m thinking of getting one of these - what are the advantages (if any) vs manual? Car will be mainly used around town during the week with longer runs at the weekend. Looking at 1.8 Diesel as the preferred option. Thanks
Auto is a lot easier round town.
If it’s the zf 8 speed box it will be more fuel efficient too.
Gear changes will be so smooth that you won’t even notice them.
I had that auto box in a 320d bought specifically for crossing EDINBURGH twice a day - perfect, but don’t run it in eco mode as it’s painfuly laggy.
I’ve had a number of short term BMW cars over the last year while I wait on my new car.
I’ve had
318d manual GT
318d manual tourer
X1 2.0 petrol auto S drive(FWD)
320d manual saloon
318d auto tourer
Whilst not the same model you are looking at I guess a lot of the bits are the same.
My favourite by a distance was the 2.0 petrol auto. It was quick, quiet and great in traffic. And only around 5mpg less than the 318d auto tourer.
If you are dead set on the 1.8d I’d go manual, it feels laboured with the auto box
I've had both a 220d and 218d Gran Tourer as long term hire cars in the last year. The auto is really smooth and suits the car. I haven't tried the 1.8diesel engine, but the 218d with less power was a good chunk less efficient than the more powerful 220d. Its quite a heavy car and benefits from the extra torque allowing it to stay in the higher gears.
On a steady motorway run the 220 would get up around 60mpg, the 218 was down in the low 50s.
I would also recommend the 'luxury' spec rather than the M-sport. The M-sport had low profile tyres and an uncomfortably hard ride, the luxury was more comfortable with better seats IMO. I don't think that a 7 seater MPV is really the type of car that benefits from 18" alloys and bucket seats 🙂
For me the big advantage of the auto is how much less hassle it is, especially in stop start traffic. I have had lower back pain for a while, and also find an auto takes away stress on that too.
EDIT - the 218d had a 150bhp ish 2 litre engine. The 220d had a 195bhp ish engine.
I’ve had a 2.0 X3 for over 5 years that’s auto. I wouldn’t go back to a manual gearbox now. It’s lovely to drive. I thought I’d miss changing gear but don’t. I wouldn’t even bother speccing paddles if the car didn’t come with them.
Auto every time.
1,8d is a bit lacklustre though...unless you can’t afford a 2.0 petrol/diesel
Thanks for all the replies folks, much appreciated!
220D Sport with Manual gearbox here.
I've done 26K in 13 months, and whilst i do like it a lot, i'd probably go with an auto next time.