[Tralfaz]

On Saturday I got an e-mail from BMW with a link to a survey that had some interesting questions. I should have written down the wording on some of this, but in general it was a survey for M car owners asking them questions about how important it was to have a manual transmission available for M cars.

Questions started with asking how much the availability of a manual transmission was to your choice in buying the car. Toward the end it got into questions about how likely you would be to buy another M car in the future if a manual transmission was not available.

The interesting part was more or less the last question where it asked if a manual transmission was not available, what could they put in the car to keep you interested. It sounds like the DCT that's in there now is pretty good. Past making sure the auto is still solid I'm not sure what they could really do to "replace" the manual transmission.

[TunedM2C]

What could they put in the car if a manual transmission wasn't available?

Keys to a Porsche.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by TunedM2

What could they put in the car if a manual transmission wasn't available?

Keys to a Porsche.

Exactly! I cant help but believe a good chunk of M2 interest comes from folks who are died in the wool manual shifters, but cant find any/many other bonafide sports cars with these performance attributes at this price point that have one. I think theyd be nuts to get rid of it on M cars.

[ClothSeats]

Why is management so hellbent on killing the manual? Does it eat into profits that much?

[Top pup]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Why is management so hellbent on killing the manual? Does it eat into profits that much?

In Europe it eats into emissions targets, apart from that I have no idea.

[ScreamingChicken]

Originally Posted by Top pup

In Europe it eats into emissions targets, apart from that I have no idea.

It probably also eats into fuel economy targets in US (CAFE).

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Why is management so hellbent on killing the manual? Does it eat into profits that much?

Obviously.

[No Boost]

DCT only M2....wouldn't have been on my radar.

[Top pup]

Originally Posted by Tralfaz

Questions started with asking how much the availability of a manual transmission was to your choice in buying the car. Toward the end it got into questions about how likely you would be to buy another M car in the future if a manual transmission was not available.

I really hope that the next generation of BMW M cars still has something for me to buy but I'm struggling to see it. If the new M5 shows the way then whilst I'm sure it will be a great car it's not something I have any desire to own.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Why is management so hellbent on killing the manual? Does it eat into profits that much?

Development costs.

[M2Nebula]

Homogenization baby....

[amw896]

100% I would be off to another manufacturer.

[akkando]

What are all you MT guys going to do when they don't make the MT anymore? Just no longer buy cars?

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by akkando

What are all you MT guys going to do when they don't make the MT anymore? Just no longer buy cars?

Hopefully I'll be dead by then.

[823BMW]

If the M2 offered no manual transmission, I would not have even looked at it. Even though the take rate is small for manuals overall, the manual only Focus RS, Civic Type R, and Cayman GT-4 show there is still a niche left.

[No Boost]

Originally Posted by akkando

What are all you MT guys going to do when they don't make the MT anymore? Just no longer buy cars?

Buy an Audi and without hesitation, proceed to slit my wrists.

[Aronis]

I took what was available so I did not care if it was manual or auto. After driving it for a year I have no issues with the DCT and it's a hoot to drive. But as a potential long term car (like my 13 year old RS6 that needs a little more work, friggen EGR valves) I am concerned over the longevity of the DCT. Manual transmissions if properly driven and services will last forever with an occasional new clutch. But the DCT will need special service at 100k miles etc....

So for me I vote Keep the Manual ALIVE! Hell, charge more for the Manual like they used to for the Automatic.

Mike

[M2Nebula]

Originally Posted by Aronis

Manual transmissions if properly driven and services will last forever with an occasional new clutch. But the DCT will need special service at 100k miles etc....

Mike

I have to believe this, way less moving parts for one thing.

[pissclams]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Why is management so hellbent on killing the manual?

Because people don't buy manual transmission vehicles.
Less than 5% of vehicles sold are MT. Believe it or not, the MT enthusiasts on this message board make up a very small sliver of the car buying public. Couple that with the fact that almost every measurable would dictate that DCTs are better than MT- emissions, gas mileage, shift time, they all favor the DCT and you have your answer.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by akkando

What are all you MT guys going to do when they don't make the MT anymore? Just no longer buy cars?

I have zero interest in a non manual transmission car from BMW. I will keep what I have before I'd settle for a DCT or a slushbox. No offense, but I don't buy cars for simple transportation needs.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by pissclams

Because people don't buy manual transmission vehicles.
Less than 5% of vehicles sold are MT. Believe it or not, the MT enthusiasts on this message board make up a very small sliver of the car buying public. Couple that with the fact that almost every measurable would dictate that DCTs are better than MT- emissions, gas mileage, shift time, they all favor the DCT and you have your answer.

I concur with all of your comments, however according to the M brand manager that I spoke with at the NY Auto Show, the manual transmission take rate on the M2 is about 40%. His comment was that BMW will continue to make manual transmission cars as long as the demand is there. So it's up to us to make this happen.

[Dieselino]

Originally Posted by pissclams

Because people don't buy manual transmission vehicles.
Less than 5% of vehicles sold are MT. Believe it or not, the MT enthusiasts on this message board make up a very small sliver of the car buying public. Couple that with the fact that almost every measurable would dictate that DCTs are better than MT- emissions, gas mileage, shift time, they all favor the DCT and you have your answer.

Exactly what he said. The reason manuals are going away is because no one buys them! USA is one the only reason manual M cars exist. USA is one of the biggest markets for M cars but even in the USA, majority of cars ordered are not manuals.