[Horseman]

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.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Horseman

I honestly don't understand the enthusiasm of a stick shift. It's alot to think about lol.

Maybe it's because of my condition... I don't want one flare up to render an inability to drive.

I know how to, I just don't like it.

The most enjoyable driving I ever experienced was my manual 2013 Miata Club PRHT.

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.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Horseman

I honestly don't understand the enthusiasm of a stick shift. It's alot to think about

It’s second nature to me, like an extension of my subconscious

Originally Posted by MadBullogna

I’m actually quite curious how the whole ‘new to me’ rev matching

It’s fantastic. Saves any serious effort to heel toe. Takes some of the “expert” or difficult skills out of the equation

[IAmSpeed]

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

[tracer bullet]

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!

[Living Dead]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Just a gut feeling but think the MT will play better to the older farts than the young guys. Most of us I think were MT drivers at some time in our lives. I taught myself how to drive an MT around 19 when I bought a Triumph TR-3A.

Worked it out in the dealers back lot then drove it home. Think it was pretty easy as I was already driving for about 3 years so I only needed to concentrate on the learning the clutch engagement.

I was 23 when I purchased my first new car, a 1987 Mustang GT with a 5 speed, I learned to drive a stick on my way home from the dealer and stalled it about 20 times, about half way home the interior of the car filled with smoke and I thought I had burned out the clutch I later found out it was the undercoating burning off the cats.

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.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by Living Dead

I was 23 when I purchased my first new car, a 1987 Mustang GT with a 5 speed, I learned to drive a stick on my way home from the dealer and stalled it about 20 times, about half way home the interior of the car filled with smoke and I thought I had burned out the clutch I later found out it was the undercoating burning off the cats.

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.

If I were to buy a muscle car from the 60s or an older resto-mod, I would probably want a manual transmission. That seems to fit that kind of car. But, I just feel like modern cars should have modern transmissions and other modern crap. I'm old, I want convenience and some toys to play with. I've outgrown the days when I would drive a 95 Viper in the winter because that was the only car I had.

[Argo]

Originally Posted by Horseman

Driving stick, I have to think more about operating the vehicle

That's definitely a symptom of not driving stick regularly. Once you do, it kinda becomes second nature.

Occasionally you may still mess something up and it'll need active thinking, but otherwise it's just one more control you instinctively use.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Argo

That's definitely a symptom of not driving stick regularly. Once you do, it kinda becomes second nature.

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.

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by Horseman

I honestly don't understand the enthusiasm of a stick shift. It's alot to think about lol.

Maybe it's because of my condition... I don't want one flare up to render an inability to drive.

I know how to, I just don't like it.

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.

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Wynnsiensheng

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.

Yeha I live in big city.. and my Z4 is a daily driver. sooooooooooooo no way i could survive MT.

[mdoneinvt]

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.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by mdoneinvt

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.

Life is short and nothing guaranteed, I would not bank on a last hurrah more powerful Z4. This car is already traction limited as is with the 40i. I think the enjoyment you would get owning and driving it earlier would make you happy.

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Argo

That's definitely a symptom of not driving stick regularly. Once you do, it kinda becomes second nature.

Occasionally you may still mess something up and it'll need active thinking, but otherwise it's just one more control you instinctively use.

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.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Life is short and nothing guaranteed, I would not bank on a last hurrah more powerful Z4. This car is already traction limited as is with the 40i. I think the enjoyment you would get owning and driving it earlier would make you happy.

Yeah, we need another 100hp!

[lbalec]

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