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      09-22-2020, 08:30 AM   #11
BMWCCA1
BMW Owner Since 1971
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Drives: 1964 700 Sport Cabriolet
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Central Virginia

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2013 BMW 128i  [10.00]
A good sign is that we still sell 50% of our M2s in three-pedal format. To me that means those who want to drive their cars still have a passion for a manual. There has over the past few decades been more of a demand for manuals in the secondary market (other than the first owner) where the demand will soon outstrip the supply. Since so few manuals are made in any model anymore, those seeking manuals in the future won't have much to choose from. This can't help but increase the value of good manual cars over time.

Oddly the KBB values still dock the manuals around $2k when true manual buyers would willingly pay that much more over an automatic for the right car. I did this when I purchased my E39 530i over 5-years ago, and did the same when I recently purchased by '13 128i M-sport stick. We have only three autos among our 20-something BMW, an E39 528i, a 128i Sport my wife has had for over one year, and the 1970 2000 sedan we bought when we first had kids. Everything else is a clutch vehicle, including six motorcycles.

My wife has an arthritic left knee, otherwise where we live a manual can still be a daily driver/commuter vehicle. My 128i M-sport takes me back to my 2002tii days when that was a new car, but with modern technology and better seats in deference to my advanced age! Driving new BMWs in my daily job has only enhanced my appreciation for a good stick—and good steering feel!
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