[RahulNagaraj]

According to a media report, BMW could soon discontinue offering manual transmissions on their M performance models.



Frank Weber, Board Member of BMW, stated, "It's over", referring to the future of manual transmission BMW M models. Weber mentioned that the reason for BMW M cars to become automatic-only has to do with money and demand. Reports state how customers prefer automatics far more than manuals, relegating manual transmissions to only a small niche.

Weber stated, "They are fun products, but let’s be honest, the volumes are getting smaller and smaller, and so it doesn’t make sense to develop them anymore." He also added, "If you want a manual M, you need to buy it now."

Source: Quattroruote

Link to Team-BHP news

[batish]

Well this seems most disappointing news of this year, till now.

Enthusiasts like me who aspired for manuals in fast cars are going to be seriously bummed out.

If only I had the means to get one, I'd be cruising in one by now.

[2nd_gear_7krpm]

It is such a co-incidence that I was telling my wife this morning, when we get rich let us buy a BMW instead of Merc because they sell MT cars (@M2 - I'm talking about you only!). What a sad news this is. Looks like I have to scrap my plans of getting rich :P

[KebabBoi]

I was a hardcore bimmer fan since I can remember, courtesy of the privilege of visiting BMW Headquarters when I was 7. Couldn't tell much about "driving pleasure" at that age, but GOD the design spoke to me. Absolutely gorgeous cars in the stable (looking at your angel eyes E60 ).

It pains me, watching where the brand has gone (especially in terms of design) but I understand at the end of the day it is a business and profits are the sole aim so I have finally made my peace with it.

All I have to say is thank you Porsche. And I apologise for not realising your worth sooner.

[dsr001]

Believe there will be the option of tiptronic/manual mode which takes care of the situation (pl correct me if it's not there)

[shree_shell]

There are too many factors working against the manual BMW M cars.

Enthusiasts generally care about two aspects when they purchase a high-performance car - Aesthetics and Experience. The manual gearbox at least here in the USA tends to give a sense of occasion and works well on the long stretches of roads here, plus the availability of track days and high HP - this is the Experience part. The BMW M cars of yesteryears had beautiful timeless aesthetics; I am not sure if the current lineup of M cars provides that. This is where they are losing some of the enthusiasts. At least lost me.

Moreover, not enough people all over the world are buying manual M cars. Also, new cars are getting very expensive from a US perspective. Everybody clamors here for the manual, but not many buy them, or can afford them. By the time an enthusiast can afford an M car, they actually need a crossover for their family of 3-4. And by that time, they might as well buy the Porsche 911 since they have the money for it. No surprise, the USA forced Porsche to get the manual gearbox in their recent high-end 911s, and the 911 Carrera is getting softer and softer, for the aging, but Porsche-affording enthusiast. Add the refrigerator-like-looking Model 3 that does 0-60mph in 3.5 secs.

It is sad news for sure as an M car owner and somebody who always eyed the manual M4 (the original M3). But BMW has to make a buck at the end of the Quarter, albeit against their "Ultimate Driving Machine" maxim.

[Straight6_N54]

Having driven manual BMW and Porsche, I can safely say manual transmission is not much fun in high performance car. Manual transmission in BMW especially is on the heavier side and i noticed that the transmission Time really kills the momentum.


While hitting higher end of triple digits, moving left hand from steering to gear shifter takes away 50% off control of the car, and downshifting during corners aren’t much fun with only one hand on steering. It maybe fun for someone who owns 5 Supercars and then a manual BMW, but generally they aren’t much fun.

[schumi_pete]

The new M2 on sale is the last M car you can get with a manual transmission. If you can stand the new design language and make peace with it, then you need to get in the queue for this one because I don't think you will have another opportunity.

I tend to agree with BMWs practical logic though. The customer base for a stick shift is getting tinier by the day even for true sports cars.

[Chaman K]

I am going to be a tad bit optimistic here. "If you want a manual transmission buy it now" sounds like a marketing tactic. Toyota Supras are selling like hotcakes with the manual (almost 50% of the sales) in the US. Not all BMW models but there will be a niche market always present for the manual gearbox fans like myself (without a BMW)