With BMW's push to sell more cars and the creation of 1-8 series, I cars, GTS and SUV coupes...BMW Is seeing a significant shift in its customer base.
BMW includes more consumers and a decreasing percentage of enthusiasts. These consumers don't give a rat's ass about a manual transmission. It's this group that is driving BMW's sales growth and ability to survive as an independent car manufacturer.
As M cars become more mainstream, the voice of the enthusiast will become less influential and the death of the manual will follow. Driving experience and involvement is becoming irrelevant.
Hopefully BMW will continue to acknowledge it is the enthusiast who has given the BMW and M brand its reputation. IMO, that's the only reason why M cars still have manual transmissions.
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2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red
2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue
2004 E46 M3 Imola Red
2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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