Good point Nick, but don't forget that the BMW box has, in effect, 4 modes.

Economy, when it starts in 2nd and gets to top as fast as possible
Comfort, again starts in 2 and changes up early, but changes down more easily.
Sport, when it starts in 1st and the change point is linked to throttle position and movement, it will go to the red line in each gear
Manual, when all gear changes are up to you, it only takes over if you hit the rev limiter and when you stop.

Also, in Comfort and Sport the box learns your driving style and in sport will hold a gear after a change down to see if you need more power again.

If you memory of auto boxes are more than 6 or 7 years old these new ones are as night and day.

I wonder if the automatic transmission could actually be harder to deal with in some scenarios, for instance if it does an aggressive upshift whilst you are accelerating hard with some rear end slip - whereas in a manual you might hold the gear until its straightened out to save any "grabbing".

I always think an automatic is something I'll have when I'm old. The manual box on that BMW 3 litre engine is wonderful.

I always think an automatic is something I'll have when I'm old. The manual box on that BMW 3 litre engine is wonderful.