BMW M to offer manual transmission as long as possible, despite no technical reason

[Bavaria330]

Originally Posted by Nachbar

A MT M2 2024 CS Convertible for me please. That's all, thanks.

I will sell a kidney for this.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by Tag

[SIZE="5"]BMW M to keep manual gearbox option for keen drivers[/SIZE]

German car maker looking to buck manual-ditching trend, after stick-shift accounted for 50% of all M2 orders


by Felix Page 24 June 2022

BMW M boss Frank van Meel is determined to keep the manual gearbox on the options list for as long as possible and has been buoyed in his quest by 50% of orders for the BMW M2 requesting it.

“From a technical viewpoint, there’s little reason to save it. It’s heavier, it's slower and you get worse fuel consumption than the alternative. But the customer and the fanbase really love the manual. It gives a connection to allow them to demonstrate they can tame the beast - and that’s the point. We want to keep it,” he said.

Many firms have already scrapped the manual option, such as Mercedes-AMG, citing range simplifications and lower production costs.

But BMW looks set to buck the trend, with van Meel confirming that the manual option is too popular to ditch.

He added: “For the M2, every second car is bought with a manual. People want to say they can handle the beast. If they have a way of showing they can do that, then they want it - and a manual gearbox is part of that.

“It's part of the emotional appeal of our cars, and that’s why we love manual gearboxes. The US is the biggest market, and if customers continue to say they want it, then amazing.”

The next iteration of the M2 is expected to arrive in showrooms at the end of 2022, which means its unveiling is only months away. It will have even stronger performance and more versatility than the model it replaces.

The second-generation 2 Series Coupé, on which it's based, is already on sale.

AUTOCAR https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/consumer/bmw-m-keep-manual-gearbox-option-keen-drivers

Incredible 💪

[kyleb350]

Originally Posted by Nachbar

A MT M2 2024 CS Convertible for me please. That's all, thanks.

I'm finally at a point where I want a manual droptop BMW, but they don't offer one. Would love this.

[PackPride85]

I wonder how long they'll keep it on the m3. I'd be curious to see the take rate. Wouldn't surprise me if they canned the manual m3 for the LCI.

[mikerx5]

Love this, please bring it back to the M5 and add to the M8 like the M6 used to have.

[Dave07997S]

If the car isn't available with a manual I won't buy it. I am not saying which is better its what I prefer. What I find amazing is that most manual cars are sold in the US when just a few decades ago it was Europe that had the most manual tranny cars.

I would buy a Mustang GT500 tomorrow if it had a manual. I don't car if its slower in a straight line. I find the lack of involvement in cars with an auto or DCT transmission to be boring.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

Note: Autocar's take on what the new BMW M2 will look like

Their renders are terrible, 21" wheels and zero gap.

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

If the car isn't available with a manual I won't buy it.

This is the reason I never lusted after a true E46 CSL. No manual, no care.

[NYCMT]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

This is the reason I never lusted after a true E46 CSL. No manual, no care.

No need to repress your feelings. You can retrofit the manual.

[cncmastr]

Great, just just bring a manual M3 wagon to the US.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

It's actually lighter.

But I'm glad they're listening to customers. They should do that more often.

It's incredibly odd that he'd say it's "heavier" when the clear facts are the opposite -- the 6MT is substantially lighter than both the former DCT (i.e. C&D weighed the difference at 67lbs, BMWNA quoted 55lbs heavier for the DCT) and the current 8AT.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by NYCMT

No need to repress your feelings. You can retrofit the manual.

Yes, I've seen that done, but the industry has moved on, so I don't lust after that car the way I used to.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by NYCMT

No need to repress your feelings. You can retrofit the manual.

Oh, sure. It's an easy Sunday morning project.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by werdn

Wow, one of the rare scenarios where enthusiasts put money where their mouths are!

Agreed!

Roll on MT!

[j23]

BMW isn't the only manufacturer realizing that manuals still have a huge fanbase.

Every current sports car in Toyota's lineup comes with a manual now:

- GR Yaris
- GR Corolla
- GR86
- GR Supra

[Tag]

Originally Posted by j23

BMW isn't the only manufacturer realizing that manuals still have a huge fanbase.

Every current sports car in Toyota's lineup comes with a manual now:

- GR Yaris
- GR Corolla
- GR86
- GR Supra

One of those is also a BMW.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by j23

BMW isn't the only manufacturer realizing that manuals still have a huge fanbase.

Every current sports car in Toyota's lineup comes with a manual now:

- GR Yaris
- GR Corolla
- GR86
- GR Supra

Even my commuter '21 Corolla SE is a manual.

[antzcrashing]

Now say it will be in the Z4 and new M3/M4 (including for usa) and I will take back everything mean I said about you

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by werdn

Wow, one of the rare scenarios where enthusiasts put money where their mouths are!

More than likely they crunched the numbers and realized that they wouldn't sell half the G87 M2s and 30% of the G8X M3/4 they currently do, had they not offer a manual option, so it's a calculated business decision..

I personally would care as much about BMW as a Volvo or KIA (0%), had they not offer a clutch operated vehicle and I sincerely predict a lot other share the same exact sentiment.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Poochie

More than likely they crunched the number and realized that they wouldn't sell half the G87 M2s and 30% of the G8X M3/4 they currently do, had they not offer a manual option..

I personally would care as much about BMW as a Volvo or KIA (0%), had they not offer a clutch operated vehicle and I sincerely predict a lot other share the same exact sentiment.

Offering a manual does provide BMW access to a segment of the car buying public that other manufacturers abandoned long ago, BUT…..

…people didn't really want manuals in those other cars anyway. Their take rates were significantly lower than BMW's manual take rate. So all things considered, the manual enthusiasts still chose BMW despite manuals being offered by competitors.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Offering a manual does provide BMW access to a segment of the car buying public that other manufacturers abandoned long ago, BUT…..

…people didn't really want manuals in those other cars anyway. Their take rates were significantly lower than BMW's manual take rate. So all things considered, the manual enthusiasts still chose BMW despite manuals being offered by competitors.

For sure, they captured a specific market demographic by offering a manual option but take that away from the equation and tell me what can a BMW offer that Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac, ect can't do better or about the same.

Auto BMWs are ok but when compared to the competition, they really don't add anything unique to the segment that makes they stand out above the crowd - not even a lower price tag.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Poochie

For sure, they capture a specific market demographics by offering a manual option but take that away from the equation and tell me what can a BMW offers that Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac, ect can't do better or about the same.

Auto BMWs are ok but when compared to the competition, they really don't add anything unique to the segment that makes they stand out above the crowd - not even a lower price tag.

I suppose that will vary from person to person. Cadillacs have never been on my radar and neither has Lexus. The Mercedes and Audi cars were compelling offerings - especially the Audi RS variants - but none were as engaging to me compared to the ///M cars. The Audi's were always the closest to earning my money, but they always came up short.

[NYCMT]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

Oh, sure. It's an easy Sunday morning project.

It's all relative. The SMG —> MT conversion is supposed to be easier than converting a regular auto. And you certainly wont be converting an EV or a hybrid.