Hello Nairaland experts.

I am considering getting a ride next year. I have seen some nice ones. A BMW 3serries manual drive and a benz E320 auto.

Please kindly advice which is better; the auto or manue, considering I am based in Lagos and with the mad traffic situation. This is also my first car.
I've heard varied opinions on why one shouldn't go for heavy rides like Beema and Benz for a first car. Apart from the "high" maintenance, are there other issues I should be wary off on the two Brands.

Expert advises from experience welcomed.

Thanks

Auto anytime anyday

i only like automatic bcus it is stress free(u know shifting of gears up and down, especially in the traffic).
But if u wanna enjoy performance of a car to the fullest, manual is the answer.
...and as a beginner, i suggest manual 4 u.

and then again, their maintainance cost aint the same, as the manual will cost u lesser.

I'll chose manual anytym anyday

feelme3:
Hello Nairaland experts.

I am considering getting a ride next year. I have seen some nice ones. A BMW 3serries manual drive and a benz E320 auto.

Please kindly advice which is better; the auto or manue, considering I am based in Lagos and with the mad traffic situation. This is also my first car.
I've heard varied opinions on why one shouldn't go for heavy rides like Beema and Benz for a first car. Apart from the "high" maintenance, are there other issues I should be wary off on the two Brands.

Expert advises from experience welcomed.

Thanks

The issues cars in Nigeria have is that most of them in showrooms came with salvage titles so they keep having issues and giving their owners nightmares. Manual Transmissions require less maintenance than the automatic transmissions. They are more fun to drive if you can look beyond the 'clutch action'. The clutch in some cars is easier than in some other cars so it depends on the car and i for one am not sure i can handle a manual as a daily driver. It all boils down to personal preferences so i suggest you think through before pulling the trigger.
Cheers

I prefer Auto for city driving and Manual for expressway.

let me share my experience, I drive both forms of transmission currently but I won't talk about fuel or another thing apart from what you can enjoy from both reason is both cars are from different makers and different class.

So the day I got my manual trans (I bought manual trans cause it was a Naija used car to have satisfaction of transmission failure won't occur) I had to rev upto 3000rpms before the car could move, it stalled like a gazillion times and climbing uphill raved upto 4-5rpms I still wonder why the clutch never gave up on me.

I going to high brew area I was always paranoid (leKki, ikoyi) especially when I have expensive rides behind me. When I am doing uphill in traffic, I was always sweating even with AC on cause of fear of starting from gear 1, within a month, I became king, could hold the car uphill with only clutch, became a guru in engine braking and overtaking was fun for me and also challenging close counter parts, most people just marvel at how I could withstand overtaking them since my car was a puny one.

If am to choose between both rides, I would pick th benz over the BMW I love and think benz is way more rugged than BMW but since the BMW is a manual, I won't blink twice before picking it.

#TEAM STICKSHIFT#

lol,did you really ask that..a nokia 3310 and a Samsung galaxy s5 which is better??

nigeriancuban:
lol,did you really ask that..a nokia 3310 and a Samsung galaxy s5 which is better??

I dont think you have experienced a manual tranny before, have you? Please do before making such comparisons. I am not sure i can handle a manual tranny everyday but i am seriously considering getting a manual tranny ride btw i had a manual tranny beetle in the university and i really enjoyed it.

ivoryhouse:


I dont think you have experienced a manual tranny before, have you? Please do before making such comparisons. I am not sure i can handle a manual tranny everyday but i am seriously considering getting a manual tranny ride btw i had a manual tranny beetle in the university and i really enjoyed it.

I started with a manual golf before I kissed hard labour driving goodbye,the only reason people give for manual is the push and start bables but aside that I don't see any why I would prefer something that will give me hand muscles to what I just relax and it just moves me on....#team toyota

nigeriancuban:
I started with a manual golf before I kissed hard labour driving goodbye,the only reason people give for manual is the push and start bables but aside that I don't see any why I would prefer something that will give me hand muscles to what I just relax and it just moves me on....#team toyota

Funny guy, manual is only stressful because people find starting from gear one stressful. A manual wouldn't be stressed in traffic compared to leaving an Automatic in D "" while the brake is depressed.
On a good day, you can use only the clutch and brake leaving your gear in 1 to beat traffic.

Manual gear has less serviceable interval compared to automatic. apart from push and start, which can come really handy, you have engine braking which is more effective for manual.

I once drove a lincoln navigator auto and when I took it out, I didn't place the gear lever well in P, it was slightly away from P but really not noticeable, imagine the car didn't start, I got delayed for 1hr and also called a battery charger, at the end I just decided to adjust the lever well and the car just started. Also my sienna key will never leave the ignition except the gear lever is in P.

manual has its pros and cons so also the auto, but if you can master a manual well, you will fall head over hills in love with it.

Thanks guys for the inputs. Judging from opinions here, its obvious which I should go for

feelme3:
Thanks guys for the inputs. Judging from opinions here, its obvious which I should go for

Nice

Lets see pictures wen its done

Godforbid bad thing.. me drive auto? Mtcheww... I enjoy my manual, you need to see the way I shakara them in traffic when am in lekki. You need to watch Furious 7 before you can understand

If you want to 'drive' your automobile, think MANUAL; else, you will be driven.

Maintenance is less stressful with manual also.

And for a starter, pls go for a manual transmission.

That's my opinion.

Manual Tranny any day, any time!

Automatic transmission is the better option considering the harsh working and driving environment we live in.
Manual transmission is cheaper to maintain (though with it's own expenses with burnt clutch covers and clutch discs) but will add to work and traffic stress in Lagos and Nigeria driving.

For longer life of the driver (which paramount)- Automatic

For cheaper transmission maintenance - Manual.

xreal:
If you want to 'drive' your automobile, think MANUAL; else, you will be driven.

Maintenance is less stressful with manual also.

And for a starter, pls go for a manual transmission.

That's my opinion.

Won't suggest that for starters unless you want to keep replacing clutch plates. Auto is easier for starters.

luvinhubby:


Won't suggest that for starters unless you want to keep replacing clutch plates . Auto is easier for starters.

Even an expert in auto might still face difficulties with clutch whenever he/she decides to learn the manual.
It depends on the instructor.

As for me, I don't recognise any 'driver' who tells me he/she can't drive a vehicle with manual transmission.

I prefer manual to auto more so in nigeria, where there are so many kazeems.

But know that one day u will have to settle for auto as u age due to arthritis.