Future of the Manual - BMW Owner Survey

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 06/22/2017 at 17:43 • Filed to: save the manuals, 3 pedals or die, row your own

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“On Saturday I got an e-mail from BMW with a link to a survey that had some interesting questions. I should have written down the wording on some of this, but in general it was a survey for M car owners asking them questions about how important it was to have a manual transmission available for M cars.

Questions started with asking how much the availability of a manual transmission was to your choice in buying the car. Toward the end it got into questions about how likely you would be to buy another M car in the future if a manual transmission was not available.

The interesting part was more or less the last question where it asked if a manual transmission was not available, what could they put in the car to keep you interested.”

Endangered species.

All I have to say is thank goodness for guys like Andreas Preuninger.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 17:43

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If Kinja’d: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1395679

PS9 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 17:51

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Beginning of the end. We’re heading for an era full of non-manual AWD BMW M cars.

So, you can have an AWD german sport sedan(MB) , an AWD german sport sedan(BMW) or an AWD german sport sedan (Audi). So much variety!

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 17:56

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No survey received yet - currently own 3 manual cars and 2 manual BMWs! It’s unlikely I will provide BMW any new car business in the future, unless the M2 becomes available in individual colors.

Rico > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 18:00

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Lmao:

Spridget > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 18:16

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The Ultimate Driving Machine.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > PS9 06/22/2017 at 18:41

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When you think about it, though, this really is the most German conclusion ever.

arl > PS9 06/22/2017 at 18:55

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That’s the first thing I thought. It’s the beginning of the end.

Next question coming up - how would you feel if your next M car didn’t come with a steering wheel?

The autonomous electric pod cars will be here soon and gas stations will only be seen in a museum.

Rico > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 19:03

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This thread is hilarious lol

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rico 06/22/2017 at 19:17

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Yup!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Spridget 06/22/2017 at 19:17

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Once upon a time...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rico 06/22/2017 at 19:18

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So good.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 19:19

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Ha!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/22/2017 at 19:20

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Probably only sent to owners of current ///M cars that bought new with a manual.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 20:01

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Still on our salesmen’s list for the M2 - getting a few emails here and there... Awaiting/avoiding a test drive that would decide my fate. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/22/2017 at 20:03

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I’m looking forward to a test drive eventually. Are they still limiting production?

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 20:05

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Seems like production is just moving slowly, there are plenty of cars to be had even at MSRP if you are willing to dig. I have been in touch with a fellow BMWCCA member open to swapping for a day once he passes the 1st service.

Only issue is it necessitates the selling of 2 cars, which I have made zero headway on. Assuming my procrastination is in line with my dwindling interest.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/22/2017 at 20:33

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Can’t imagine the M2 will impress you enough for you to part with the Z4...

wafflesnfalafel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 21:31

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Honestly - at this point in my life, I can’t say I would buy an M product w/o a manual transmission. For me, that’s the whole point - and my personal automotive purchases back that up. But I understand I am in a shrinking minority.... I hate that Ferrari and Lamborghini don’t offer manuals. I understand the outright performance limitations - don’t care. And don’t tell me it’s because they are harder to drive in traffic - how often are you going to take your Huracan, (or BMW M2 for that matter,) through daily stop and go traffic?

404 - User No Longer Available > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 21:31

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

If BMW offered the 428i/430i Gran Coupe with a manual up here (no, that brief appeareance in 2015 where nobody even knew about it didn’t count), they would’ve got a whole lot more money from me. Instead of my used 328i, I may have gone for a 430i.

Up here they’re forcing a 340i/440i on me to get the manual, but for my use case of mostly city driving, a 6-cylinder doesn’t make sense.

Now if they offered the rumoured 2-series Gran Coupe in RWD and manual trim, I’ll trade my 3-series in immediately.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 21:36

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Hmm haven’t seen anything from BMW ///M come through yet.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 21:41

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After more thought, I’d be ok with no manual if and only if they brought back NA engines. Yeah, that is quite the pipe dream.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > wafflesnfalafel 06/22/2017 at 21:50

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I daily my manual M3. Not a ton of bad traffic, but there’s always some, and it’s not that big of a deal to work the pedals and gearshift. I make a game of it.

I probably wouldn’t buy an ///M without 3 pedals unless all makers have dropped them in the U.S. I get way too much enjoyment from it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/22/2017 at 21:51

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M2 GC manual please!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 06/22/2017 at 21:54

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Probably only sent to owners of current ///M cars that bought new with a manual.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 06/22/2017 at 21:54

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I want both.

404 - User No Longer Available > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 21:55

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I guess I’m on the other spectrum, I actually want a 218i Gran Coupe, coupled with the Mini 3-cylinder turbo lol. But I’ll settle for a 220i or 230i.

Small, lightweight liftback sedan, skinny tires with a manual. Great for city driving and the occasional tossing around corners and on ramps, yet still perfectly practical.

Vicente Esteve > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 22:34

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I want that survey to leak so someone gets hold of it and starts sending it to enthusiasts to answer it pro-manual.

Also new M5 seems extremely unappealing to me, and I love BMWs.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/22/2017 at 22:53

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I could get on board with that (with an NA inline 6 - ha!).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Vicente Esteve 06/22/2017 at 22:54

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The M2 is really the only current BMW that I have any interest in.

404 - User No Longer Available > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 23:13

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But the original M3 was a 4!

Vicente Esteve > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/22/2017 at 23:22

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I have to say I’m with you on this.

M2=RS3 >A45

Giulia>C63S>M3

E63S>RS7>M5

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/22/2017 at 23:44

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I don’t think they’re making any more S14s!

Azrek > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/23/2017 at 08:23

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I hope they email me!! I want to talk about my M and how BMW is fairly boring now.

404 - User No Longer Available > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/23/2017 at 08:23

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I’m thinking more along the spirit of the homologation special 320si, actually.

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/classifieds-car-of-the-day-bmw-320si-homologation-special/

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/23/2017 at 08:38

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Nice!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Azrek 06/23/2017 at 08:39

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Me, too!

NYankee1927 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/23/2017 at 09:36

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I want M cars to return to their roots. Manual included. I just spent half a week with the current M3 while mine was getting flats fixed. It was an excellent car but it is 100% an old man’s car. It is fucking huge and heavy compared to the E46. It is very soft even in full sport plus. It is fast as shit in a straight line, but honestly how many 0-100 pulls can you do? It makes a great GT and an average sports car.

I don’t think I’ll be buying another M car for these reasons unless there is a large paradigm shift. Off to Porsche for me. Having said that I never want to sell the E46 M3. I think it comes really close to perfection.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > NYankee1927 06/23/2017 at 09:55

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Yes. Manual, NA, light, simple, balanced.

I’ll get into a Porsche eventually; what do you have your eyes on right now?

NYankee1927 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/23/2017 at 10:59

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A GT3 would be really nice :). Realistically, I need to really reserve judgement though until I really test each model. I would like to go to Porsche driving school soon so I can try everything out on the track and see which one suits me the best.

I think a 991.1 C2S is looking like the ticket in a couple of years. I haven’t driven the manual yet, but the PDK was nice. Having said that I’ve heard they Cayman GTS chassis is superb. So I’d like to try both.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > NYankee1927 06/23/2017 at 11:25

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Hopefully the demand that’s been shown for Porsche’s recent manual offerings - GT4, R, new GT3 - will convince BMW that it’s worth their while to keep them around at M for some time to come.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > NYankee1927 06/23/2017 at 11:29

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Well, sure! Porsche driving school is a great idea to sample their offerings.

As a dad with 3 young kids a 991.1 C2S would be perfect for me right now - just need depreciation to do its work a little more! Haven’t driven the 981 Cayman, just an old 987 S, but a ‘14 Cayman S would make me very happy, I’m sure, and tide me over until I can afford a GT4/GT3 (a boy can dream, right?).

NYankee1927 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/23/2017 at 11:39

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The depreciation is unbelievable right now on the normal 991.1 C2S. It isn’t THAT special people. The prices are still really high. Maybe next year a bunch will come off lease?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > NYankee1927 06/23/2017 at 12:13

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Let’s hope so! I’d love to get into one in the next couple years.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/23/2017 at 16:03

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Basically stuck! 1st world problems... It’s getting new wheels next week and possibly paint correction later this year.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/23/2017 at 19:14

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Nice! What wheels?

I’d love to spend the money on mine to respray the hood and front clip, do a full paint correction and paint protection on all the front panels, but that’s a lot of cash to invest on a car that has over 100k miles...

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/24/2017 at 14:04

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Apex FL-5, should have some on car shots next week.

I am on the fence regarding paint correction - it looks like $1600-1800 plus some dent removal. A lot to spend if the car keeps making trips to the track

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/24/2017 at 23:15

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Nice! I’m on the fence about pulling the trigger on their new SM-10s! Just need some more on-car pictures to convince me.

What tires are you going with?

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/25/2017 at 01:10

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The SM-10 looks great but it is nearly identical to the Advan RS design on the car now, hoping to mix it up. 275/35 and 245/35 Michelin PSS going on!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/25/2017 at 13:59

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Sweet - I’m probably going to stick w PSS, too. Such a great dual-purpose tire.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/25/2017 at 16:55

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Undoubtedly so. Now that the car really doesn’t commute I have room to switch it up but I would hard pressed to find a better all-in-one solution.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/26/2017 at 00:10

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The wet performance is what really blows me away. Crazy how well they grip.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/26/2017 at 16:28

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Helped keep the shiny side up indeed!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/26/2017 at 16:50

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Nice!