Most people who install Linux probably don't have any problems with the KDE automounting functionality, but I don't install Linux like most people. I like to start out with a completely minimal install, then I can add just the packages I need one step at a time. This has 2 advantages: first is that your install takes up very little disk space giving you a very lean and mean system, second is that you become familiar with all the various packages installed on your system and have a better idea of what they do which comes in handy sometimes. The major drawback is that some things that "just work" on most linux installs don't want to work for me. It is usually just a question of dependencies and configuration though, and with a little research and digging you always get it working in the end.
