Manual Transmissions

[Qunadry]

I think it is just another indication where BMW and other manufacturers are headed when the only way to get a manual transmission is to place a factory order. Had to do this with my last 3 BMW's. My local dealer does not have a single manual transmission in stock, including a 135i convertible, a M3 and 2 M5's. Guess us dinosaurs who like to be connected to our cars are soon to become extinct.

[owen2001]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

I think it is just another indication where BMW and other manufacturers are headed when the only way to get a manual transmission is to place a factory order. Had to do this with my last 3 BMW's. My local dealer does not have a single manual transmission in stock, including a 135i convertible, a M3 and 2 M5's. Guess us dinosaurs who like to be connected to our cars are soon to become extinct.

Considering that only about 6% of all us car sales are MT, that gives you an indication of how likely you are to find one on the lot. Especially in the particular car you're looking for. But apparently, MT sales are on the rise in the US the last few years.

[JimD]

My son's two vehicles are manuals - like mine. So I did my part... As fuel economy becomes more important that may also shift things - but first car makers will need to equalize gearing. They tend to lower gearing in the low gears to help the automatic off the line and increase the gearing at highway speeds. Apparently they think we won't downshift to accelerate.

[Mark16q]

It tooks months to find my CPO'd manual convertible. And if the 2 series doesn't have a stick in the 'vert, I won't be getting one when the warranty runs thin on my current car. Also took quite a while to find a used Toyota Tacoma stick, which my son drives, but I don't want him to lose the skill either. Save the manual!

[csow]

One the plus side, none of my friends ever ask if they can drive my car.

[MightyMouseTech]

Doing my part! And will continue to do so as long as I can.

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by csow

One the plus side, none of my friends ever ask if they can drive my car.

Nor my wife!

[128]

I has to special order mine last May. There were 14 manuals in the country and none close enough for me to test drive. Two things that I absolutely needed were 6MT and sunroof delete. After test driving a bunch of cars with different options and the auto, I was disappointed with the car, but my salesman assured me that I wouldn't regret getting the 6MT. He was right. That one option transformed the car in to something that I didn't just get, but am actually considering buying at the end of the lease.
Narayan

[m_thompson]

You can't get a 6MT with X-Drive in the 2-series. I would rather have a 6MT so I won't get X-Drive in the next one.

[128]

Originally Posted by 128

I has to special order mine last May. There were 14 manuals in the country and none close enough for me to test drive. Two things that I absolutely needed were 6MT and sunroof delete. After test driving a bunch of cars with different options and the auto, I was disappointed with the car, but my salesman assured me that I wouldn't regret getting the 6MT. He was right. That one option transformed the car in to something that I didn't just get, but am actually considering buying at the end of the lease.
Narayan

As an added bonus, when you special order a 128i in california, you get the N52, not N51! Another reason to special order.

[Rainier]

I think a big part of it is how bad traffic has gotten everywhere. I still have my 05 MINI cooper S w 6 speed but when I knew I had to drive up 95 into DC and fight traffic I didn't want to take her. Honestly that's why I got my 135i in an auto, I was just worn out due to the traffic. I'll keep manuals in my life but I'll limit their use in rush hour.

[Sedona_Red_128]

I searched off and on for a long time before finding my 128 manual. Local dealer only stocks auto I think. My 2009 was a trade at the Volvo dealer.

[jkoral]

When I was shopping for a 1-series, my local dealer had a stripped manual black 128i (new/2011). I was shocked that it had only one option and it was manual. I took it on a test drive with my wife and decided right there to get one to replace my E46 325xi Touring (manual w/ sport pkg).

I had been interested in the 1-series since I first heard about the car (hence my 2007 join date here). Just took me 4-years until I got one.

[yakuza70]

I've heard some car thieves avoid cars with manuals because they can't drive them.

[IEDEI]

yep. a dying breed. fortunately the dual clutch gearboxes are REALLY good.....but even those are being replaced by boring ZF slush boxes like in the new M235.....involvement is going the way of the dodo bird.

[ejm3]

Traffic is getting worse everywhere.
People are getting lazier.
Automatic transmissions are getting better.

All this adds up to fewer and fewer manuals.

[jzmundy]

I love the DCT in my 135 - and this is coming from someone who had previously sworn he'd never own anything with 2 pedals (my Z4 and 335 were both 6MT).

However, that being said, I'm not a fan of the ZF torque converter autos infiltrating the line and taking place of the DCT boxes. My next car will have a clutch pedal.

[Solo_M_Tech]

I bought the last new US spec 128i or 135i with the 6MT in Germany. Key word is NEW. Got my 6MT 128i at a HUGE discount because no one would buy it. LOL. Salesman tried to sell me 2 automatic cars before I told him all i would buy was the 6MT.

[skyjump]

Originally Posted by csow

One the plus side, none of my friends ever ask if they can drive my car.

Originally Posted by Qunadry

Nor my wife!

This is so true

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by 128

As an added bonus, when you special order a 128i in california, you get the N52, not N51! Another reason to special order.

I am surprised at the N52 because it is not 50 state emissions certified. I special ordered a 128i in Rhode Island and got an N51.

[Fume]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I am surprised at the N52 because it is not 50 state emissions certified. I special ordered a 128i in Rhode Island and got an N51.

Maybe it's like here in Seattle. I special ordered and got N51 but you can find N52 cars in Washington. It's just that there's less of them allocated so it's harder to find/get.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

Guess us dinosaurs who like to be connected to our cars are soon to become extinct.

Do you think someone who drives an automatic necessarily doesn't like being connected to his car? Another viewpoint (which I know isn't yours) is that it lets you be more connected to the good stuff by offloading the drudgery of shifting a manual. That's certainly why all race car designers and drivers prefer them.