[kyrix1st]

Kraus Frohlich said since the market is already small and niche, it shouldn't offer MT because that will further cut down the size..

Isn't it the opposite, being a niche market for a supposedly all-out sports roadster, that a MT should also be offered in addition to whatever auto tranny they are using?

Kind of reminds me of the time I went to a dealership and the salesman tried desperately to sell me autos instead of MT..

What do you guys think?

[PrionFawkes]

I used to be one of those staunch "save the manuals!" proponents. I grew up driving a stick shift, and could never a imagine a time when I'd give one up over those "anemic slushboxes".

I eventually had to eat my own words. And all it took was one incredibly well engineer auto transmission, with steering wheel paddles that provided me the same ability to blip up and down through the gears; that finally convince me the era of manual shifting was coming to an end. I love having the convenience of an automatic, while still spending most of my time in Sport Mode; downshifting into corners with rev-matching that puts even the best 'heel to toers' to shame.

I understand the desire for a manual, and the feeling that not having one in such a car is a betrayal. And while I personally do not wish for one, I still agree that they should offer one for those who prefer this method of changing gears.

So while I personally wouldn't order one, I support your desire and am sorry it currently is not an option.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Kraus Frohlich said since the market is already small and niche, it shouldn't offer MT because that will further cut down the size..

Isn't it the opposite, being a niche market for a supposedly all-out sports roadster, that a MT should also be offered in addition to whatever auto tranny they are using?

Kind of reminds me of the time I went to a dealership and the salesman tried desperately to sell me autos instead of MT..

What do you guys think?

I dont think BMW is quite up to marketing levels to the point where Porsche is.
Porsche is afaik the only manufacturer that can sell a manual as a premium option over a PDK on some models.

"you want a manual sir? of course we can; that'll be 7k extra"
Utter genious

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by PrionFawkes

I used to be one of those staunch "save the manuals!" proponents. I grew up driving a stick shift, and could never a imagine a time when I'd give one up over those "anemic slushboxes".

I eventually had to eat my own words. And all it took was one incredibly well engineer auto transmission, with steering wheel paddles that provided me the same ability to blip up and down through the gears; that finally convince me the era of manual shifting was coming to an end. I love having the convenience of an automatic, while still spending most of my time in Sport Mode; downshifting into corners with rev-matching that puts even the best 'heel to toers' to shame.

I understand the desire for a manual, and the feeling that not having one in such a car is a betrayal. And while I personally do not wish for one, I still agree that they should offer one for those who prefer this method of changing gears.

So while I personally wouldn't order one, I support your desire and am sorry it currently is not an option.

I would be less sad if tranny offered was at least a DCT. Makes the car feel much sportier.

[PrionFawkes]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

I would be less sad if tranny offered was at least a DCT. Makes the car feel much sportier.

Very true.

[gp_solo2]

Originally Posted by PrionFawkes

Very true.

New M5 also come with the ZF so I don't believe not having a DCT is a let down. I would have liked to have a manual though 😔

[bgeorge0049]

I know that modern manuals versus automatics are not more efficient or faster. However, I just like the feeling of rowing my own gears. This too will pass as few cars remain with manual transmission options.

[PrionFawkes]

Originally Posted by bgeorge0049

I know that modern manuals versus automatics are not more efficient or faster. However, I just like the feeling of rowing my own gears. This too will pass as few cars remain with manual transmission options.

That was my take on this topic as well. It took me a bit to adapt to using paddle shifters. But once I did, I get the same satisfaction of blipping down into corners and up again upon exit, or when hitting a highway entrance ramp to get up to speed. The hardest habit to break is resting my hand of the gear lever.

I also have to admit, I love to downshift when coming to stop. The burble my V8 makes when rowing down through 2nd gear is AMAZING.

I think one's opinion is based entirely on their personal experience. Find the right auto, mated to the right platform, and you'll not regret it. Do the opposite, and you'll be turned off for life.

[86Zed]

My wife ordered a 228i MSport in MT from the factory - it showed up to the dealer with a "performance manual" transmission, i.e. paddle shift. You bet your butt that salesperson tried to sell us the incorrect car, 8 weeks later the right car showed up with an extra bit of cash on the hood for our trouble.

BMW has no chance of selling us a G29 Z4 sans MT, shame because it would be an awesome DD.

[sq86]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

My wife ordered a 228i MSport in MT from the factory - it showed up to the dealer with a "performance manual" transmission, i.e. paddle shift. You bet your butt that salesperson tried to sell us the incorrect car, 8 weeks later the right car showed up with an extra bit of cash on the hood for our trouble.

BMW has no chance of selling us a G29 Z4 sans MT, shame because it would be an awesome DD.

Good for both of you sticking to your guns. The dealership should have admitted the mistake and offered a new car right away instead of attempting to sell you on something you didn't want.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by gp_solo2

New M5 also come with the ZF so I don't believe not having a DCT is a let down. I would have liked to have a manual though 😔

There's no clutch pack engaging/disengaging each gear unlike DCT which has two, no mechanical feel whatsoever with F90 M5 I recently test drove. Upshifts were fast, downshifts while braking were meh.

[HEY32G]

I'm EXTREMELY disappointed there's no manual. There's always a Boxster....

[tisdrew]

Porsche also only has like 5 models in their whole lineup. BMW has what, like 18 now? Not to mention they have like 3 engines options in each plus dct,at,mt and xdrive. So many permutations, I don't know how they do so much mix and matching already.

box/cay, 911, panamera, macan, cayenne

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
x1-2-3-4-5-6-7
z4
i3-8

[GMe90]

I owned a 335i with auto and paddle shifters. The novelty wore off in about a month. After that, I regretted getting rid of my manual every day until the day I traded in my 335i for a 328i with MT.

[stein_325i]

You'd be surprised how many porsches are now bought/sold with the PDK over the manual, its really sad that the manual market is dying.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

You'd be surprised how many porsches are now bought/sold with the PDK over the manual, its really sad that the manual market is dying.

The kids these days want to keep a free hand for texting while driving so they opt for automatics.

Light Bulb Moment - maybe it should be the law that anyone under 45 MUST buy a manual shift. Will fix the market AND make the roads way safer at the same time.

[super51fan]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

The kids these days want to keep a free hand for texting while driving so they opt for automatics.

Light Bulb Moment - maybe it should be the law that anyone under 45 MUST buy a manual shift. Will fix the market AND make the roads way safer at the same time.

I understand your comment, I truly do as I am 25 and daily a 6mt.

But kids aren't buying new Porsche's. The new 'sportier' cars that 'kids' can actually afford do come in manuals, Mustang, GT86/BRZ, MX5, Camaro, WRX, Civic, Golf, Focus. Kids aren't buying new 3/5 series or Z4s.

The real reason exciting cars don't come in manuals anymore is because older people do not/will not buy them. There is a small fraction of the new car market that enjoys the driving experience of a premium car with a MT AND is able to afford it.

[gds52]

Good for our older Z4s, the value will go up for 6MTs

[bobloblaw]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I dont think BMW is quite up to marketing levels to the point where Porsche is.
Porsche is afaik the only manufacturer that can sell a manual as a premium option over a PDK on some models.

"you want a manual sir? of course we can; that'll be 7k extra"
Utter genious

PDK is a $3,210 option on the regular and S Boxster and Cayman models and a $3730 option on the Boxster and Cayman GTS.

Same figures for the 911 and 911GTS models. 911 Turbo doesn't have a manual. The manual on the GT3 is a no cost option and not available on the GT3RS or GT2RS.

They don't charge more for manuals.

[shoptb]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

What do you guys think?

BMW offered manuals for a long time, and no one was buying them except for a dedicated few. At some point, they've got to make decisions that make financial sense. This just doesn't appear to be one for most of the models any longer.