I've jsut got 270 auto - got to say that the auto box is very good, and it doesnt take you long to learn how to adjsut your throttle behaviour to make the auto work for you as well as a manual.
A good auto box with a reasonably powerfull engine will always drive well and you will really appreciate it at the end of a long day.
The auto is 4 speed in comfort mode or 5 speed in standard, and also has push left for drop down and push right for moving up, ive already had a play and its quite slick if you want to pretend you have a sequential box