are the automatic transmissions ok

No, the automiatic transmissions in BMW as well as Audi from 2000 and newer have issues. My husband and I had a 325i and was having some issues with the Tiptronic. There's a part that does go out and for the life of me I can't remember what it's called right now, but it is a part that does not come from the US it has to come from Germany, and by the time you're ready to fix it your spending 1,500 bucks from shipping to putting it in. The manual transmission is your best bet. I had learned this information from my dad a while back. So, if you're planning on buying another one get the manual.

to add to the other reply its steptronic and every manufacturer have issues with transmissions and isnt really a educated decision to make the choice based off someones dad telling them.not trying to be mean or anything but ive had to replaced alot of clutches due to incorrect shifting and than ive had to replaced automatics.and depending where you live if you go about it right anything and everything can be covered under a waranty called goodwill.trust me i know.so ya they have problems and so do the manuals.