[///Driver]

Originally Posted by Moflow

Incidentally, that DCT transmission is pretty expensive here in the states as well at $2900 USD. But quite frankly, i would've paid more for a manual if i had to.

It is strange how different countries have different structure of pricing. We don't have the Executive Package or M Performance Package, etc.,

When purchasing an M2C, choose from one of these (I believe these are universal):
- 3 types of wheels
- 5 paint colours
- 2 colours for seat stitching

Then the options are:
- Heated steering wheel (248) - Don't know the price
- M Sports brakes (2NH) - I think... AUD3,000 (USD$2,063)
- Alarm system (302) - Don't know
- Glass sunroof (403) - I think... AUD$2,000 (USD$1,375)
- Sun protection glazing (420) - Don't know
- Smoker's package (441) - Don't know
- Through loading 40:20:40 rear seats (465)
- Heated seats (494) - AUD$650 (USD$447)
- Apple CarPlay (6CP) - AUD$450 (USD$309)
- Wireless phone charging (6NW) - AUD$165 (USD$113)
- 6-speed manual (Z9a) - No Cost Option (NCO)

Unless you belong to a large organisation who is BMW Advantage Platinum member, 5 years (80,000kms) Basic Service Package is AUD$2,500 (USD$1,700). The Plus Service Package (incl. brakes and clutch) is AUD$7,150 (USD$4,900).

There is an M Performance options like the exhaust and carbon fibre bits but that is about it. Our M2C are fully loaded, but they are priced at about AUD$115,000 (USD$79,000). The street price is about AUD$105,000 (USD$72,000). They are 'drive away' prices including taxes.

Just in case anyone was interested.

Originally Posted by Moflow

Anyway, good luck with the waiting, i'm guessing now you'll be off to obsessively watch every single search result for "M2 Competition" in YouTube. I know I did!

I've already done that for the past 3 months!! I just started reading the Owner's Manual.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by Luongo

I have seen many, many people who regret buying a DCT (or automatic) but not a single person who regrets buying a manual.

Now you tell me!!

...I can see why DCT may not suit everyone.

[M2Cmtl]

That's weird that you don't get maintenance for free. 2500 AUD makes sense though. What are your final specs? In Canada the only options aside from the same colors/wheels are HK audio, sunroof, DCT, wireless charging, storage package, smoker's package and speed limit info. I went with HK audio & storage package. Hockenheim silver exterior with orange stiching inside. 6MT as well. I have the wireless charging in my F31 and it's a waste of money as well as loosing out on the little space there is under the arm rest.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by f31mtl

That's weird that you don't get maintenance for free. 2500 AUD makes sense though.

Only if your organisation (employer or professional association) is a member of BMW Advantage Platinum (5 years) or Gold member (3 years).

Originally Posted by f31mtl

What are your final specs? ...I went with HK audio & storage package. Hockenheim silver exterior with orange stiching inside. 6MT as well. I have the wireless charging in my F31 and it's a waste of money as well as loosing out on the little space there is under the arm rest.

In Australia, we get the Harman Kardon 360w sound system as standard equipment.

Here is a full list of Australian MY2020 M2 Competition spec.

My spec is similar to your spec. Hockenheim, orange and 6MT. I've added black 788M wheels (AUD$500/USD$343), heated seats and Apple CarPlay.

I briefly considered M Performance exhaust but when they said it costs AUD$8,800 (USD$6,045) fitted. I was far less interested. I guess I will just crank up the audio volume for the fake exhaust sound for free.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by Moflow

...your car is going to be incredibly rare over there, since most people down under appear to be just going with the DCT.

It appears, there are a reasonable number of 6MT M2C in Australia. But for whatever reason, dealers don't stock them.

[M2C89]

I'm not sure if you already made up your mind but I'll jump in and share my experience.

I've only driven traditional automatic or manual cars in the past. I currently have 4 cars, three of which are automatic. As far as BMWs go, I previously had an E46 which was MT and it was an absolute blast. I had other sporty MT cars as well.

Fast forward a few years later and I'm in the market for an M2C. I test drove a DCT M2C and thought it was really fun! I thought It was very cool how quickly it changed gears, almost instantaneous! Even though I'm on the "MT for a sports car" boat, I started to consider it. I started wondering if I was going to be converted into a believer.

Then I thought to myself... how fun will this be in a month? In a year? In 5 years? My gut was to go MT and now I was in a dilema, considering this new technology. But I was true to myself, I knew deep down I had made my decision long ago. This wasn't simply me refusing to adapt or accept the future, if anything that test drive showed me the truth.

I pictured myself with the DCT in the future......disengaged, simply gassing it and pulling on the shift paddles.... how boring I thought. DCT requires no skill, no driver involvement, provides no satisfaction in and of itself. And I knew I had to go with a MT, because all of the things DCT isn't.

There is absolutely nothing like rowing through the gears yourself and the satisfaction of perfectly timed shifts. The engagement as a driver you have with the car. The skill. The demand to actually DRIVE the car and not be driven. I bought this car for maximum smiles per hour and DCT just wasn't going to do it for me. I don't care that it's faster by such a small amount that no one in the real world could really tell.

If you're like me and you want maximum fun, especially if it's not your daily, consider if you would regret not getting it. Picture yourself getting behind the wheel, on the back roads... do you see yourself driving the car with all involvement or do you see yourself paddle shifting?

I will say I've grown to like the rev-match as well, as much as I didn't think I would.

No regrets.

Disclaimer: My M2C is a weekend/fair weather car. I don't have to commute in it nor is it my daily driver. For me the car's role is to provide me with 100% unnecessary excitement and fun. If I had no other means of transportation I may have gone with the DCT as it would be more of a tool than a luxury at that point.

And then there's all of the other stuff mentioned like tried-and-true technology, cheaper to repair (I plan to keep the M2C for a loooong time), etc.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by M2C89

I'm not sure if you already made up your mind but I'll jump in and share my experience.

Hi M2C89,

Thanks for your input. I have ordered the car in manual. I also plan to keep the car for a long time... but it all depends on the maintenance cost after the first 5 years. My way of thinking is that this might be the last gasoline powered vehicle for us. The next car will most likely be EV and drive us around.

[BMWF87Melb]

Originally Posted by Hithere

Sorry about the tease... I couldn't help myself.

I did choose the manual transmission.
.

Congrats! Gutsy to buy a manual without trying it! But as other have said don't think you would ever regret the manual like other DCT owners have post their purchase!!

You got it in the best paint colour too

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by BMWF87Melb

Congrats! Gutsy to buy a manual without trying it!

Everyone here helped to build my confidence. Plus, you have to believe that BMW can't stuff up the implementation of manual too badly. I figured, the 6MT would have to be rated somewhere between 'great' to 'adequate'.

[SEAT TIME RULES]

Originally Posted by Conissah

If the UCP is using a thicker clutch stop in conjuction with the a new pedal, and you're comfortable with it from a safety standpoint, then why not just a thicker clutch stop alone? I'm not doubting you or trying to start an argument, but the only way I can see the clutch stop being a problem is if it's too thick, and therefore the clutch isn't fully disengaging when the pedal is depressed. This would explain the synchro issue, since if the clutch is still partially engaged, there will be a lot of stress & wear on gear changes due to the load on the current gear.

The clutch stop provided with the UCP is designed to work with the new kit.
The old CS I was referring to was an adjustable one that ended up causing the problems.
I just looked at the BMS one and its a shimmed one. So if they have the rubber shims measured and engineered properly then sure I can see that being a cheap way to adjust the feel of the pedal pick up point.

My point is the UCP is a complete "package" and it works great.....as it should for $295....

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Hithere

I have ordered the car in manual.

Excellent! Although I know that most DCT people are happy with their choice, for many of us, manual is preferred for a "sports" performance car. Even though DCT is faster.

Congrats on the new car/order.

Here in the USA our manual transmission car choices are becoming more and more limited. It's gotten to the point where many of us refer to the manual as an anti-theft device, as most younger folks never learned how to use one, and therefore many criminals can't drive these cars.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Luongo

I have seen many, many people who regret buying a DCT (or automatic) but not a single person who regrets buying a manual.

Oh there have been people who regret manual, but mt owners don't wish to notice them. There are less MT owners that regret their decision than DCT owners though.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Congrats on the new car/order.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Here in the USA our manual transmission car choices are becoming more and more limited.

Same here. Aside from some driving enthusiasts, the majority of people drives automatic. It would be rare to find a manual car to hire from rental agencies these days.

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

It's gotten to the point where many of us refer to the manual as an anti-theft device, as most younger folks never learned how to use one, and therefore many criminals can't drive these cars.

That's funny! So if a manual car gets stolen, it would have to be a career criminal in their 40s or 50s?

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by akkando

Oh there have been people who regret manual, but mt owners dl don't wish to notice them.

This is not a good time to point this out.

[goku7]

Originally Posted by DieGrüneHölle

+1

uh I would have regretted buying the manual. its too much of a pain to keep rowing gears especially in traffic or around town. on the freeway u loose the 7th gear so there is a higher drone. the manual on my 40hp fwd car couple of decades ago is so much easier than trying to wrestle a 400hp beast manually. a Miata + manual is a no brainer

[qnet]

If I had a manual I don't believe I would have regretted it, but would have wondered what the DCT was like. My only concern with the DCT is the reliability of it, but I may not know that for awhile.

[Dblaz]

Originally Posted by qnet

If I had a manual I don't believe I would have regretted it, but would have wondered what the DCT was like. My only concern with the DCT is the reliability of it, but I may not know that for awhile.

I have a 6MT on my 2018 M2, and love it. I daily it, but sometimes I sit in traffic and wonder how a DCT would be like.

But then I get out of traffic and get to row my own gears and just grin with happiness.

[JustChris]

Hi OP, do you have the car yet? I think Australia is RHD? If not ignore me

In the UK I had a manual M240i. For me personally the terrible pedal offset eventually ruined it for me.

When I got me M2 it was DCT.

Try to sit in and change gears in a 2 series manual car of any type before committing.

[Picoschu]

Originally Posted by Dblaz

I have a 6MT on my 2018 M2, and love it. I daily it, but sometimes I sit in traffic and wonder how a DCT would be like.

But then I get out of traffic and get to row my own gears and just grin with happiness.

Honestly, DCT isn't that smooth in traffic. It wants to upshift or stay in gear depending on crawling speed. Sometimes it's easier for me to switch over to "manual" to remedy this by coasting with traffic like I do in my M5 for sport wagon.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Hi OP, do you have the car yet? I think Australia is RHD? If not ignore me

In the UK I had a manual M240i. For me personally the terrible pedal offset eventually ruined it for me.

When I got me M2 it was DCT.

Try to sit in and change gears in a 2 series manual car of any type before committing.

Hi Chris,

Being a former colony of Great Britain, we do drive on the same side as you guys.

I have ordered the car. I was not able to sit in any manual BMW cars. It is interesting that you mention the pedal offset on M240i... let's hope it is something I don't notice when I'm driving.

I have been watching a London-based Joe Achilles's Youtube channel. He bought an M2C in manual. Several others have driven RHD M2 and not one mentioned the offset that I can recall. I am hoping it is something you notice more than I would... he says, trying to reassure himself.

[5.M0NSTER]

I have a 17 OG M2 and I think the pedals are spaced perfectly for heal-and-toe downshifts. I rev match on my own, and it’s a rewarding experience. Hope you feel the same way, and great choice with the MT.

[///Driver]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

I have a 17 OG M2 and I think the pedals are spaced perfectly for heal-and-toe downshifts.

Interesting point M0nster.

Originally Posted by JustChris

In the UK I had a manual M240i. For me personally the terrible pedal offset eventually ruined it for me.

Hi Chris, can you please clarify your comment about the 'terrible pedal offset'?

(1) the gap between pedals; or

(2) the cluster of 3 foot controls are not positioned directly in front of you and that they are slightly offset to left or right?

I suspect you meant #2 but in light of Monster's comment, I thought I will seek your clarification.