"You want manuals, then buy manuals." - BMW M

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
03/09/2015 at 10:07 • Filed to: None

Pretty much.

Many are arguing the end of the manual transmission is nearly here. Only a few models, mainly sports cars, still offer them and rarely do they come as standard. Typically, manuals are now a no extra cost option, but automakers by and large are gravitating towards fancy schmancy dual-clutches and other fast-shifting autos. BMW and Porsche are perhaps two of the best examples of this new phenomenon. So we asked Carsten Pries, Head of Product for BMW M, at Geneva last week about the future of the manual.

For example, the BMW M5 and M6 aren't even offered with a manual in Europe; only in the US are buyers able to have one. Even M3 and M4 sales are proving that owners are more interested in faster shifting times being calculated by a computer. But Pries offered a simple and to-the-point answer for those aching to row their own gears: "You want manuals, then buy manuals." If the demand is there, he has no problem making them available. It's simple logic of enough demand here, folks. So the next time you're in the market for a new M3/M4 or M5/M6, and you live in the US, then opt for the manual. If BMW sees the demand, it'll be more than happy to comply.

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DISCUSSION (29)

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:09

That GIF: Happy car wagging its tail!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:10

The problem is the overall market doesn't want manuals...

...we are a very small part of the market, folks.

thebigbossyboss > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:11

Cannot afford BMW M. Sorry BMW.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > thebigbossyboss
03/09/2015 at 10:12

I also can't afford (new).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
03/09/2015 at 10:13

Sad true statement is sad.

E92M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:19

Most BMW dealers order M3/M4's with the DCT because it's an option that adds money to the MSRP. They add a LOT of other options too. You won't find a stripper M3 in inventory at any dealer. I built my ideal M3 on the configurator and it came out to $66k. Looking at inventory within 500 miles the are all priced in the mid 70's and higher because of the added options.

crowmolly > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
03/09/2015 at 10:19

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:34

Doing my part, albeit not with a BMW :P

Azrek > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:37

I have an E92 M3 manual, and all my friends want to drive it...till they see it is a manual. The great thing is I am never the one to drive to a pub as no one could drive us home if I had too many drinks.

But I am the first to bitch when I get a loaner/rental car that is a soulless automatic.

Vicente Esteve > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:39

Sad truth

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E92M3
03/09/2015 at 10:44

Yup. Absolutely sucks that pretty much the only way to get a manual M3 is to order it from the factory that way... So, regardless of a buyer's true preference, if they're not willing to wait several months, they're getting a DCT.

nermal > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:44

In other words, buy one now while you still can.

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 10:46

We can only buy so many man... and we don't count anyway unless we're ordering new. Even I will admit that the M5/M6 is a platform better suited for a DCT. The M3/4 may be a different story, but the people dropping 65-80 thousand dollars on a 3 series will, I suspect, vote overwhelmingly with a lazy left foot. Time will tell I guess.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog
03/09/2015 at 10:47

Thank you for your service!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Azrek
03/09/2015 at 10:48

I've got a E90 M3 and love it. Hope I can keep it forever!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3
03/09/2015 at 10:53

I think the ratio for the E9x was around 1:1 (maybe 60:40 DCT all told). Afraid the F8x will probably be more like 20%... Can't exactly blame them, as the DCT is fantastic, but it still bums me out. If I buy another new-ish BMW down the line, it will probably be an M2 instead, so hopefully enough buyers option theirs the way I want it - ha!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > nermal
03/09/2015 at 10:54

Yup...

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 11:24

LOL I was so confused when I saw that notification, I was most definitely never in the service :P but you're welcome!

Meatcoma > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 11:54

NSFW gif? lol

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 12:48

I hear ya. The M3/4 doesn't speak to me as a track car. It looks more and more like I'm going to keep the E90 along with my pickup and transition to a full track car, leaving the E90 for road-only use. If I still needed a dual purpose track/street newer BMW, I'd be looking at the M2 also. I bet that car will be a hoot!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop
03/09/2015 at 13:31

I don't think that's the car's tail.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3
03/09/2015 at 14:26

I've heard that people can feel its size around the track, even though it's faster and weighs less than our cars. Will be interesting to see how those cars hold up under prolonged abuse. What are you considering for your track toy?

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 17:42

Interesting!

Oh, well, I'm not sure. If I had my pick of racing platforms, it would be Spec E46, but I can't really afford that build yet. I suppose it might be an E36 non-M, and ideally I'd like to do the AER endurance races. That seems to be the cheap point of entry these days.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3
03/09/2015 at 17:52

Definitely on my bucket list to do some real racing at some point. Track days are fun, but they can't really compare with the real thing.

WhiskeyGolf > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 19:29

I think certain enthusiast manufacturers will offer manuals for a while, at least until the cost ratio is significantly wrong for the stick. Hopefully cars like the GTI, FRS and M3 can keep it going, even if the take rate is 10% or less.

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 21:15

Is it an upgraded unit over what I have? Cause I wouldn't call the DCT in the E9X M3 fantastic.

It occasionally gives you some pretty weird shifts (even when shifting manually). I don't mind that it's not the smoothest shifting DCT out there (I actually like that about it, it feels more raw than PDK in a 991 Carrera or Carrera S). But it's a bit disconcerting when it has the rare odd shift. Hard to explain what I mean by odd - it's as if the shift doesn't go as planned and gets dragged out. When this happens it's clunky and disconcerting because you're not expecting it to happen.

Overall it's not as good as a stick driven by a good driver. My 997 is the smoother car because I'm in 100% control of the stick so there are no unexpected situations. If the shift is smooth it's because I was being smooth and if it's abrupt it's because of me.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WhiskeyGolf
03/09/2015 at 22:27

I hope there are enough of us crazies out there to keep it alive... The F-Type and SS both getting a manual after initial release is encouraging. Issue is they have to crash test and do emissions and efficiency testing on each, which can be prohibitively expensive if they're only going to end up selling a handful.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Manuél Ferrari
03/09/2015 at 22:28

I was trying to be nice, but you know better than me!

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/09/2015 at 22:32

It might be though! I would hope that the DCT in the new car is improved. But maybe it's not. Who knows!

(I could Google it but lazy)