Are Manual Transmission BMWs Really a Dying Breed?

[jbr5049]

I had no issue finding my 2013 335 xi M-Sport with Manual Trans...

Morristown BMW had 2 MT 3'ers on site when I bought mine.

Maybe I was just lucky?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by jbr5049

I had no issue finding my 2013 335 xi M-Sport with Manual Trans...

Morristown BMW had 2 MT 3'ers on site when I bought mine.

Maybe I was just lucky?

You were.

[benzo23]

There will always be the MT purists cause I think that's what a lot were raised on and feel as if it gives you the more hands on driving experience which I agree with. But short answer is yes MTs are being phased out as more and more advanced automatics and dcts come out.

[sameh]

Only DCT drivers who came from MT background will agree with me on this; if you like rowing your own gears then get a DCT!
I guarantee you that DCT drivers change gears significantly more than MT for same distance and same traffic. I once was an MT driver and under certain situations I cut corners, I take a turn on third gear not second when it would have been better done on second. I accelerated after slowing down on fourth when I should have dropped to third for 20 seconds. I've been in this DCT for 4 years/70K and this behavior has completely disappeared. If I want to drop a gear for 7 seconds then back where I was, so be it, I do it. I ALWAYS take turns in the appropriate gear and even slowing down to a red light my gears are coming down with me just in case the green light pops up. It is in fact more engaging. Then add the faster factor, no miss shifts and the option of using it as automatic when absolutely needed (coffee, having to hold your hyperactive dog in passenger seat till you get home

[X6mac]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

The writing is on the wall... and has been for some time. If you like manual trans, vote with your wallet and only buy manual trans. Automakers won't listen otherwise.

That's a very valid point... It's an example of one of the most important business related models, SUPPLY and DEMAND!

[sleeeper]

I am driving my first AT in my life, and my 7th Bimmer. And it's a great 8spd with paddles. My wife's car has a 6MT slushbox for fun and withdrawals.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by simongym

I find it ridiculous for anyone to claim that they want an automatic transmission based solely on it being faster. I'm sorry, please tell me again how can you 'feel' the difference between a 0-60 time of 5.9sec versus 6.1sec. If you race your car regularly with heavy mods etc., fine. If you simply prefer the simplicity of the automatic, fine. But if all you want is bragging rights on the specs of your car, or to say it's the fastest version of that particular car, I think you have the wrong priorities.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that's how I feel.

For my own case, I didn't think my wife wanted to learn to drive a manual, and now that she does want to learn I regret having gotten my F30 with the 8speed auto.

I'll take on an automatic transmission car any day with a manual trans. Sure the current 8-sp auto in the F30 can "shift faster than any human" and drop the 0 - 60 time a few tenths of a second, but that's not the whole story. On the road, with a skilled driver operating a manual transmission the manual car willl be quicker and more engaging to drive.

[Petros]

I love manuals and will always opt for one if it's available. But to be honest it is "dated" technology, much like carburettors, drum brakes, mechanical starters, etc. Current auto boxes are faster shifting and more efficient than manual gearboxes. And the fact is that most cars are not bought by driving enthusiasts but by regular folk who only care about going from point A to point B doesn't help either. Finally, the last nail in the coffin of manuals is the potential proliferation of hybrid or electric powertrains for better fuel economy, since those computerized powertrains are incompatible with a manual transmission and require an automatic to work properly.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by sameh

Only DCT drivers who came from MT background will agree with me on this; if you like rowing your own gears then get a DCT!
I guarantee you that DCT drivers change gears significantly more than MT for same distance and same traffic. I once was an MT driver and under certain situations I cut corners, I take a turn on third gear not second when it would have been better done on second. I accelerated after slowing down on fourth when I should have dropped to third for 20 seconds. I've been in this DCT for 4 years/70K and this behavior has completely disappeared. If I want to drop a gear for 7 seconds then back where I was, so be it, I do it. I ALWAYS take turns in the appropriate gear and even slowing down to a red light my gears are coming down with me just in case the green light pops up. It is in fact more engaging. Then add the faster factor, no miss shifts and the option of using it as automatic when absolutely needed (coffee, having to hold your hyperactive dog in passenger seat till you get home

So you got lazy; not all of us are like you. I enjoy and look forward to driving a manual and trying to achieve the perfect shift every time. If you want an automatic, get a Benz or a Buick.

[tjm129]

Here is what I see wrong in all of this crunching sales numbers on cars sold. Go to any dealership and of the cars in stock 90% of them are autos. Who spec'd out the cars, the dealers. Not too long ago an auto would set you back an extra $500, $750 or $1000 and if a dealer is making 2% to 7% margin on the sale of the car, 7% of an extra $500 seems pretty easy. So I think the problem is that dealers have flooded the market with autos to the point that for most people they think that is the only option.

I am really disappointed with BMWs decisions not to offer a Manual X1 here in the US, granted the 8 speed auto is great but the car would be 1000x more fun to drive as a 5 or 6 speed.

TJ

[Z8chP]

I'm sure it's all been said but one thing I will say is this. Every person who has either had a manual and switched to auto or still has a manual complains about one thing: "I hate driving stick in traffic!"

I always tell them this: you know what I hate more than driving stick in traffic? TRAFFIC! I could care less whether there's three pedals or two. Traffic sucks period, and driving stick in it doesn't bother me at all.

[Never Convicted]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So you got lazy; not all of us are like you. I enjoy and look forward to driving a manual and trying to achieve the perfect shift every time. If you want an automatic, get a Benz or a Buick.

And you, obviously, are superior to him because you move your left foot on your way to Costco. Keep living on the edge.

[AtoB]

its sad. my wife has a 2011 328xi MT coupe.. was looking the other day online and saw that the 428xi has no MT option... UDM no more

[IB M]

Is this a USA trend? Manuals are pretty common place in Europe as well as most of the developing world.

[moviebumm]

If BMW would stop limiting their cars with manual transmissions than more people would buy them.

[671rover]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

More control: I get this. Some people simply can't handle it without more control.

More engaging: Maybe, but why does your train stop at manual transmission? Why not boycott drive by wire, power steering....etc and everything else that makes modern cars less engaging?

More fun: I can't argue with this one. However, perhaps you just don't know how to have fun with an auto gear box. No?

If I could get my 1M without drive by wire, power steering, power windows, leather seats I would. I have nothing against autos, just wouldn't get it for certain vehicles.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

First the MT will go, then cars will eventually be autonomous....

I'm just glad the MT is still around for the time being. My next car will be an M3 6MT no question.

Bingo- all the folks telling me how much better the slush boxes are one step removed from the folks who wi be telling me how much better my Google driver is than me. Pass. Autos are for utility- not for enjoyment.

[Fraggy]

You guys do know you can shift it yourself, right? You can still pick when to shift...

[conradb]

The "No True Scotsman" fallacy is alive and well on the bimmer post forums

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman

[KevinM]

OK, I really tried to resist responding to this thread, but I'm traveling and need some downtime. One of the reasons for my hesitancy is that I have NOT read all 5 pages prior to reply; I usually try to read all responses before piping in.

BMW has my business because in 1999, the ONLY mid-size luxury car I could buy with a manual was a 5-series. Thus my BMW obsession began with a 528 5-speed (which arrived 3 mo later as automatic, but that is another story; suffice it to say it was corrected ASAP by the dealer), then a 2002 530 5-speed, then the M5 I still have and a Z4M coupe. While I admit to a small amount of inappropriate and indefensible glee that my M5 and Z4M were offered with manual transmissions only, really most of us are enthusiasts here and thus to each his/her own. When autos (dual-clutch or those with the dreaded torque converter ) became faster than manuals, I had to really consider what I was doing. So I tried them all, SMG (all generations), DCT, and most recently (in the M235i) the well-regarded ZF 8-speed auto (often for 1 week at a time).

For me, I'll take the manuals until car manufacturers stop offering them, which will likely be within 10 years. The cars are fast enough with the manual and I'm not tracking the cars for competition. I still get a thrill from knowing that my forward progress will be influenced at least somewhat by my skill and not just flooring the accelerator pedal (straight line only here - I realize that there is much skill to be had around the track regardless of transmission).

In the end, I'm grateful to BMW for offering manual transmissions (especially in the US relative to other countries in terms of the F1X M5/M6) and will buy them as long as offered. To those who prefer the auto/DCT option, I completely respect and understand that decision.

It's nice to have a choice.

[E85BMW]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

You guys do know you can shift it yourself, right? You can still pick when to shift...

Without a clutch pedal, it's not the same.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by Kitsune sama

Without a clutch pedal, it's not the same.

For sure not the same. Needs to have a clutch, otherwise just doesn't feel right.