01-12-2024, 09:54 AM | #111 |
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I'm kind of the opposite. Driving stick, I have to think more about operating the vehicle rather than treating it like a second set of skin. Automatic, even with the manual mode, I can respond faster to threats without wondering if I'm going to stall out or if I'm in the right gear.
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01-12-2024, 10:11 AM | #112 | |
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For those that grew up driving a stick shift, that intangible engagement just isn’t there with autos. The Z4 fits my life now and it’s a great car but I can’t say it’s the most fun car I’ve ever owned. Miata still is at the top for how much enjoyment of driving it brought to the table….stats did not matter. |
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01-12-2024, 10:51 AM | #113 | |
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It’s fantastic. Saves any serious effort to heel toe. Takes some of the “expert” or difficult skills out of the equation |
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01-12-2024, 11:28 AM | #114 |
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You probably are going to get a completely different answer if you did this poll on Reddit. I think most younger owners are on Reddit r/BMW lol
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01-12-2024, 11:29 AM | #115 |
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I like the engagement, simply put. The more I can be engaged, the more fun it is.
I'll end up selling the 135i and I already miss the steering feedback. You can feel the road change from asphalt to concrete, just in how the vibrations through the wheel change. Or if there's any hydroplaning or ice on the road, the fraction of a second the wheel goes dead is easy to pick up. The irony is I'm an engineer and currently working on some automation equipment for manufacturing, so I also enjoy having a machine take over a manual duty. I seem to draw the line at cars however. I'm all good with the engine opening and closing valves and controlling the fuel added, and so on. But I do like to shift for some reason. And yeah, for... wow 35 years (?) I've had a stick in my car, or at least one of my cars once I started owning 2. My next hope if the Z didn't get a stick and etc. was to just wait it out for another 5-10 years for like an EV Miata or GR86. If I couldn't get a stick, I may as well skip ICE altogether. Not interested in an EV with a "manual". Funny idea, but would strike me as kind of worthless. Can't imagine manually shifting if it's not actually needed. Same as how I don't use the paddles for my X3. At this point I might have to acknowledge that some of my preferences don't actual make sense! Last edited by tracer bullet; 01-12-2024 at 12:07 PM.. |
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01-12-2024, 11:34 AM | #116 | |
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I sold the car in 2003 and haven't had a stick since and miss the engagement on the weekends but not at all when I'm stuck in traffic. I've tried the paddle shifters on my last 3 BMWs as well as this one and they are no fun so I just leave it in auto and use sport when my wife isn't in the car. |
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01-12-2024, 03:10 PM | #117 | |
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01-12-2024, 03:13 PM | #118 | |
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Occasionally you may still mess something up and it'll need active thinking, but otherwise it's just one more control you instinctively use. |
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01-12-2024, 03:48 PM | #119 |
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Very true. I actually enjoyed feathering the clutch and gas pedal on inclines, like playing a symphony. My last two manual cars were NC Miatas that were daily drivers in San Diego rush hour traffic. The only time I ever consciously thought about it was when stuck in miles long bumper to bumper traffic and the muscles in my left leg grew weary from engaging/disengaging the clutch. Thankfully, those rush hour traffic are far behind me.
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01-12-2024, 06:08 PM | #120 |
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For me it’s all about traffic conditions. On an open highway or twisty roads with light traffic, MT is great. In heavy traffic and about town, I’ll take AT every time.
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01-12-2024, 08:15 PM | #121 |
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Yeha I live in big city.. and my Z4 is a daily driver. sooooooooooooo no way i could survive MT.
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01-13-2024, 01:54 PM | #122 |
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Having had almost all manual cars for 35 years in total i might have about one year of those 35 that i didn’t have a manual to drive. Even now my winter beater is a kia soul 6 speed. I am so excited to see the Z4 a car i love so much already to have the only thing i felt it needed finally available. I am having a difficult time deciding if i should order one right away or wait until next year and see if they offer a last year special color or possibly more power for the final year. Grrrr. decisions decisions. I know for sure once i decide, it will be my forever car until I am unable to drive.
Last edited by mdoneinvt; 01-13-2024 at 01:56 PM.. Reason: typo |
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01-13-2024, 05:51 PM | #123 | |
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01-13-2024, 05:59 PM | #124 |
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For me, I feel I have more control in manual mode with an AT, over MT. 100% can shift faster with a paddle shifter. If you're talking drifting or racing, sure... but daily driving, I don't (personally) think so.
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01-13-2024, 10:11 PM | #125 |
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Yeah, we need another 100hp!
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01-16-2024, 01:05 PM | #126 |
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For me, a MT is part of the complete driving experience. Last year I had the opportunity to drive a Boxter GTS with PDK for a few days - it's probably the best AT on the market. Even though the car drove brilliantly, something was still missing. Neither the paddles nor the manual modes change this. That's why in December, when I ordered my Z4, I didn't even hesitate to choose the 20i with a manual gearbox (only option with a MT at that time) - and as a daily driver, living in a city with a quite heavy traffic
Not to go too far off topic - I'm turning 37 this year, it will be my first new car, but I've already had a Z3, 2xZ4 E85 and 1xZ4 E89 Last edited by lbalec; 01-16-2024 at 01:12 PM.. |
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