I personally have a 5 speed but as a previous owner of two 3 series automatics I'll say that they are much more "ultimate" than any american and almost any Japanese car. The suspension and handling alone, not to mention the looks are enough to make them the best all around automobiles whether the gears shift themselves or you shift them. Not wanting to start a flame war or anything, but to be the "Ultimate Driving Machine", i.e. a pure driver's car, I do not believe an E36 can be either a four cylinder or an automatic, or God forbid both! What are your thoughts?