[GMe90]

BMW claims to offer MT free of charge. But in reality, the only way to get the MT in a new BMW is by custom ordering a brand new car, which carries a cost premium. It's frustrating to go to a BMW lot and not be able to find a single BMW with MT. I wish I could go to a BMW dealership and have 15 different manual transmission BMWs to choose from. BMW claims that consumers don't want MT, but I think that a lot of that is caused by BMW purposefully not giving the consumer enough good choices to buy a manual.

[e90Cam]

Well the claims are quite true to be honest. the 'MAJORITY' of the consumers won't buy MT now.

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by GMe90

BMW claims to offer MT free of charge. But in reality, the only way to get the MT in a new BMW is by custom ordering a brand new car, which carries a cost premium. It's frustrating to go to a BMW lot and not be able to find a single BMW with MT. I wish I could go to a BMW dealership and have 15 different manual transmission BMWs to choose from. BMW claims that consumers don't want MT, but I think that a lot of that is caused by BMW purposefully not giving the consumer enough good choices to buy a manual.

Why would you not just custom order the car anyways. It doesn't cost a premium unless the dealer is giving you a discount to take a car that has just been sitting on the lot instead. If I had to money to be buying a new BMW I would definitely be ordering it and not taking one that has just been sitting on the lot.

While the manual transmission thing is frustrating, it's true that we are in the minority with wanting a manual. I think BMW has held on the offering manuals in a lot of models longer than most manufactures.

With automatics being able to shift faster and be more efficient, it's hard to argue for a manual now. That said I have no intention of getting an auto car anytime soon as you can't beat the experience of a manual, even if it is technically slower.

[The Cleaner]

If MT cars were desirable they would be on the lot. Same reason you don't see many red BMW's on the lot, they don't sell well. Many manufacturer have already replaced the manual with DCT or other variants. I commend BMW for keeping the MT on the build options.

[RIDERDIE]

It is frustrating that there isn't a single manual out of hundreds of cars, surprising also. Another strange trend, we get a few days of snow around here every other year and they have started to carry a lot of X drives. There are no mountains and we maybe get an accumulated 6 inches which melts immediately.

If you do end up ordering one, think about trying the pickup option at Grier, SC. factory.

[Delta0311]

If you want MT go to Europe and you will see lots full of them. MT is not popular in the US, which is why BMW is not pushing it here.. Meanwhile most Europeans don't like auto, which is why MT is prevalent over there. BMW won't saturate the market with a car that only appeals to a few and will probably still on the lot for a long time.

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by GMe90

BMW claims to offer MT free of charge. But in reality, the only way to get the MT in a new BMW is by custom ordering a brand new car, which carries a cost premium. It's frustrating to go to a BMW lot and not be able to find a single BMW with MT. I wish I could go to a BMW dealership and have 15 different manual transmission BMWs to choose from. BMW claims that consumers don't want MT, but I think that a lot of that is caused by BMW purposefully not giving the consumer enough good choices to buy a manual.

This is not a BMW thing, its the individual dealer issue. The Dealer finds no money to stock MT cars muchless to be stuck with it.

[mt145]

If I'm not mistaken, about the only car it isn't too hard to find equipped with an MT at the lot is the M235i. I work at a dealership, and that's about the only new one I've seen with it. But, it could have been ordered.

[atinybug]

The general America population is killing the MT. 99% of the drivers out there don't care about driving, they're too busy hurrying from point A to point B, or texting their bff about how they're not paying attention and going to crash. God I hate other drivers.

[brewnami]

It's because a vast majority of Americans don't know how to drive a manual and a lot that do are too lazy and a fraction of a percentage of those like the flappy paddles better for the track. I don't like automatics because they are boring to drive, so I spent a lot of time finding a MT fitted with the options I wanted and I was willing to fly to pick it up. One ended up popping up in San Antonio for me so it wasn't a far drive. If you don't need a new BMW right this second and are willing to look further than your local dealer, you will find one. It just doesn't make sense that a dealer would stock inventory they couldn't turn over, so I think its the American people that are killing the MT.

[brewnami]

Originally Posted by atinybug

The general America population is killing the MT. 99% of the drivers out there don't care about driving, they're too busy hurrying from point A to point B, or texting their bff about how they're not paying attention and going to crash. God I hate other drivers.

+1 haha

[BMRSEB]

Originally Posted by atinybug

The general America population is killing the MT. 99% of the drivers out there don't care about driving, they're too busy hurrying from point A to point B, or texting their bff about how they're not paying attention and going to crash. God I hate other drivers.

You bring up a point there, think how much more difficult it would be to text if you have to shift!? Teens should learn to only pass, driving manuals..

[floydarogers]

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1024337

The F30 forum has had a spirited discussion of this.

FYI, the European take rate on MT has been dropping...

[Hops128i]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1024337
FYI, the European take rate on MT has been dropping...

After being in Europe a couple of years ago, i was thrilled to have a manual rental, and see 95%+ manal cars, yes i was counting! Hope they don't abandon them totally.

[The Cleaner]

Americans are not killing the Manual, it's been on the way out for decades. Technology is killing the Manual. Porsche has already dumped the MT and we can expect more models to phase them out.

It will be interesting to see how long BMW will maintain the added cost to develop Manual variants.

[XM_Rocks]

I have to ORDER my new BMW to get manual?

#firstworldproblems

[e90Cam]

Originally Posted by XM_Rocks

I have to ORDER my new BMW to get manual?

#firstworldproblems

hahaha

[GMe90]

Originally Posted by XM_Rocks

I have to ORDER my new BMW to get manual?

#firstworldproblems

Hahaha. First world problems indeed.

[BimmerTim]

I agree that most people in the states cant drive. People with AT in their cars have no clue about the physics of automobiles. For example to slow your rate of speed you take your foot off the gas..not hit the brakes. MT drivers understand this very well.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by BimmerTim

I agree that most people in the states cant drive. People with AT in their cars have no clue about the physics of automobiles. For example to slow your rate of speed you take your foot off the gas..not hit the brakes. MT drivers understand this very well.

Actually, I was doing that when I first learned to drive back in like 1996. I mean that is just common sense right there.

[mike@x-ph.com]

It is a losing battle.
Sooner or later all cars will be automatic.

[kdbryce]

It's true... I actually did have to order my car myself because there were no manuals anywhere. In fact I think there were only two manual 2013s for sale in the entire country at the time. One was red, which was unacceptable, and the other was space gray, but didn't have M-Sport.

Although I'd always want a car with a manual transmission, I don't think I'd want one in a big car. I would prefer an auto in a five or six series. Even the four series is pushing it. I'd definitely get a manual m4, though.

With that said, I think that BMW will continue to offer a third pedal in their smaller cars for the rest of their existence. I remember reading an interview with a big M boss in which he said the m3 will always be available in manual guise.

I think Porsche, BMW, and Aston Martin will eventually be the last three. At least the last three worth looking at.