Anyone miss driving a manual?

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by FlyinLowSD

Nope. I still do. F06 parked right next to my ‘94 300ZX. Hit 244K miles last month, all mine. You should see the valets’ faces light up at Disneyland’s Grand Californian.

You're a brave man!

I won't ever let a valet parking attendant go near my stick cars. Most can't drive them anyway and just ask me to park it right up front so they don't have to move it. Saves a lot of clutches that way.

[FlyinLowSD]

LOL that’s the first statement out of my mouth… Can you drive a stick? Thank you though, now I know why sometimes they have me park up front. I don’t valet too often anyway; I’ve only had to replace the clutch once - good footwork and lots of freeway miles. It is becoming a lost art, that’s for sure. I’ve had a blast teaching my kids. Cringeworthy but fun.

I’ll let you in on my dirty little forum secret: I’m a brave woman 🤙🏼

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

You're a brave man!

I won't ever let a valet parking attendant go near my stick cars. Most can't drive them anyway and just ask me to park it right up front so they don't have to move it. Saves a lot of clutches that way.

[Chris N]

Miss driving a manual? Yes, or at least I will very soon. I also still have a couple that are soon to be gone.

Grew up with and learned on manuals. First BMW was a manual 128i M Sport. Then came the 2015 M4 with DCT. I started tracking with the M4 which, at the time, was great, but also the only car I had ever had on the track. I still had a desire for a manual for track duty. My wife began using the 128i on the track, so I decided to try it out, FAN-E'FFING-TASTIC!! I soon traded the M4 for Cayman R 6-speed manual. Later coming to my senses, I decided against continuing to track the low mileage limited production R and the wife and I have been sharing the 128i 6-speed for the past 1.5 HPDE seasons.

Fast forward to today...I was able to buy a track prepped 2020 M2c, but with DCT. I nearly passed on it because of it being a DCT, I ended up buying it in part because it was a DCT. Having the DCT takes a large amount of pressure off my wife. She no longer has the stress of reaclimating to a manual in the weeks leading up to an event, not to mention, a bit safer for her too. She refuses driving in daily traffic with a manual. For me, I now get to spend time on and at the track driving a perfectly capable track car and with my wife too. Win win! With a heavy heart both the 128i and the Cayman now have go...

I believe that the DCT has brought the AT much closer to a MT driving experience, but it's definitely not a true manual experience. I also believe that the newer technologies like rev matching, light clutch feel, delayed brake release have helped make MT driving just a little easier for the masses too, but it also takes some of the old school artestry out of it. I agree with some earlier statements, you can't beat the level of connection you get with a manual, especially when you get a heel/toe downshift perfect (without rev matching). Love it! However, there is a sweetspot for the new DCT cars as well. Its great to have viable options for everyone's situations, goals and capabilities.

[3798j]

me sitting behind the wheel of an AT vehicle...

[Chris N]

Originally Posted by 3798j

me sitting behind the wheel of an AT vehicle...

...left foot braking works wonders at smoothing out throttle/brake transitions on the track.