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Petrolhead Question Time: Are Manuals Always Better? (ft. BMW E39 540i)

JayEmm on Cars

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Today, the great pub debate of the ages. Watch me pour fuel on the fire of the petrol vs manual debate.

#Savethemanuals #Automatic #carguy

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20 Comments

@JayEmmOnCars Creator 2 years ago Pinned

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@cgturbo975 2 years ago

This exact car that you are reviewing is my old car, it still has my plate on it. Absoultly loved this car and was very sad to see it go when i traded it in for an E46 M3, it has so many features and even the head rests are electric. Glad to see its still on the road and someone else is enjoying it, sounds like someone has changed the exhaust which i like and the gearknob has been changed cos its not an M model just a straight 540i

@geraint8989 2 years ago

For gawd’s sake don’t let that E39 see what BMW have been designing since. It doesn’t deserve that.

@yOnKiNaToR 1 year ago

I just turned 40, and have NEVER owned an automatic; and I live in the US. Its getting harder and harder to continue this. I'm basically in a continual restoration mode of my old cars since nothing new is manual. I feel like a horse rider living right after the model T was invented.

@morphyon 2 years ago

I‘m not saying they are always better… I only say, I want to have a choice

@ResevoirGod 2 years ago

Certainly not better when I have sprained my ankle

@bighonklol 2 years ago

My weekend cruiser is an automatic v8. It's carefree, effortless power at all times. My daily is manual. It all comes down to personal preference.

@daveblock4061 2 years ago

As Gordon Murray espouses; Numbers mean nothing, it is all about the driving experience.

@DaffyDuck-b8f 2 years ago (edited)

So many bots in comments with pictures of women. .....They appear like mushrooms after rain when you upload a new video. Anyway, always pleasure to watch your content, Jay!

@F3udF1st 2 years ago (edited)

Yes.
That BMW sounds exactly like the Buffalo in GTA San Andreas!

@mountain_walker 2 years ago

E39 still looks sharp today

@petec2583 2 years ago

I had a 1998 E39 540i auto until just recently. The auto box was perfect for cruising tbh and suited the character of the car, only when wanting to press on did it become a bit annoying. Then I had it flashed with the Alpina gearbox software - completely different. More revs, more torque converter lockup, better shifts, earlier downchanges, and manual mode becomes true manual - you can hit the limiter! Transformed the car, a perfect halfway house in my opinion. And if you have the software and a cable, it costs £0 😁

@stephendavies6949 2 years ago

Now in my late 50s, I really enjoy the effortlessness of driving a powerful auto V8, for example. I can focus on how driving the car makes me feel, as opposed to the mechanics of making it go & stop.

@АлиханДжаилов 1 year ago

10:39 Uffff, the buzzing exhaust sound is nice to listen to right now

@alexanderstefanov6474 2 years ago (edited)

The E38 740i was also available with a 6sp manual, those cars are super rare and expensive now, I'm still kicking myself for not buying a minter in Germany several years ago, it even had velour upholstery

@Checkyoursix77 2 years ago

Depending on the type of car. My Porsche is manual and my Jaguar is automatic, perfect!👍

@indigo3094 2 years ago

I'm a huge petrol head and BMW enthusiast, I can't stand driving manuals 95% of the time. If I'm on a track, in a certain type of car, then great give me a manual, but every other time I'm driving a car, I want it to be an auto.

@jamesonslow 2 years ago (edited)

Here's one for you. Automatic RX-8... sacrilege! Particularly when the 6sp manual option is one of finest shifts around.

@gilesl 2 years ago

I had a manual e28 535i and it really made the car come alive

@MrManwen 2 years ago

I have to agree that while most cars are desirable MTs, some are far better suited with automatics - depends on the character and engine of the machine in question 👍🏽

Also, side note : that E39 looks absolutely gorgeous flowing down the road with that freed up V8 grumble 🤩