[atl_1M]

Originally Posted by M2PDX

I am on the wait list, and want to go with 6MT. But ... let's just hope that they put an improved 6MT in the G87.

I've driven 2 G80 M4s with the manual, and it's a massive step backwards from my OG F87 6MT. Sloppy and rubbery with what feels like a longer clutch takeup. Very disappointing. The CTV-4 Blackwing's manual is lightyears better. But hopefully they will make some improvements.

Hey BMW .... you listening???

I hear the manual gets better after a few thousand miles but I have no first hand experience with that. I also wonder if there are any nice SSKs that give a better OEM+ feel without being too stiff or notchy. I don't have experience with that on any of my bmws either

[BoostedAmerican]

Going manual, coming from a 2021 S550 GT with the MT-82 anything is better than that trust me..........and yet I still enjoy it more than driving auto:

[StickyPickle]

After picking up my 2022 M240i xdrive and driving it around the past few days, all it has done is strengthen my desire to drive a manual again. The M240i is a great car and plenty quick but I can't help feeling how much more fun it would be to drive if it had a manual tranny.

I've been waiting to drive a car like this in terms of performance, form factor, looks, etc. The M240i is a great car for what it is but the lack of a manual is taking away from the driver engagement I'm looking for. Can't wait for the G87 w/ manual

[bitcore]

Bought an F87 manual, absolutely ZERO regrets. So glad I have 3 pedals. Eyeing the G87 very closely. Aiming to buy a G87 late in it's lifecycle: 3-pedal or no sale.

BMW will eventually make a similarly affordable electric M car. Hopefully it will let us 'hoon around' like we can in the existing ICE offerings. Also hopefully it will be engaging for the driver rather than numb and disconnected.

I do worry about weight bloat from batteries, and I will really miss pure RWD layouts where all the power goes to the back, where you get to drift. It's much easier to make an AWD with smaller motors than one single large motor at the back. Sure, you can logically "turn off" the front motors, but being able to send gobs of power to the back and slide around is something petrol heads will seriously miss.

[wunaicheng]

I understand why so many of you prefer a manual but, honestly, I currently think with an automatic, the car will have more possibilities and usage like more wild tuning, better track performance, better drag race performance, etc...

I am really not sure how capable the BMW's manual is (I heard from other BMW manual car owners that it is actually not that good...) and have no idea if it would be some sort of barrier in the future. You know S58 is quite a wild engine...

Also, I plan to commute with it daily. Please offer some experience to help me make the decision, thanks!

[T_U_D]

10, 15, 20, 25+ years from now the manual G87 with a carbon roof will be the most sought after. Truthfully it will not be the 8 speed auto. For those that are planning on the G87 being their “last true M car” and hang on to it, this will figure into their priority 1 specs.

[wunaicheng]

Originally Posted by T_U_D

10, 15, 20, 25+ years from now the manual G87 with a carbon roof will be the most sought after. Truthfully it will not be the 8 speed auto. For those that are planning on the G87 being their “last true M car” and hang on to it, this will figure into their priority 1 specs.

I hope so, by the way, is the manual reliable enough for 20-year usage (maybe with some clutch and other parts replacement). I also worry if BMW goes full electric, how long will they support the previous ICE car by producing those replacement parts. But I think, in this case, the manual has its advantage since 8AT is more sophisticated and hard to repair.

[T_U_D]

Originally Posted by wunaicheng

I hope so, by the way, is the manual reliable enough for 20-year usage (maybe with some clutch and other parts replacement). I also worry if BMW goes full electric, how long will they support the previous ICE car by producing those replacement parts. But I think, in this case, the manual has its advantage since 8AT is more sophisticated and hard to repair.

The BMW Group supports the older models via their Classic Division, formerly known as BMW Mobile Tradition. They will have the parts. BMW currently has parts available for BMW’s far older than 20+ years. Furthermore a manual transmission is not that complicated in comparison to today’s automatics.

[kyrix1st]

If DCT was offered that would have been my choice.

[Jack@AUTOID]

Originally Posted by schummiking

I'll enjoy the last few years of manual paired with ICE while I can. we'll spend rest of our life with electric vehicles anyways.

Share the exact same sentiment. Got a V6 Emira on the way with a manual. Will be taking all the manuals we can get for now.

[M2PDX]

This really comes down to a personal choice. Commuters might want an automatic. If 0-60 times are the most important, then get the automatic.

But all of us will have endless opportunities to purchase automatics in the next 30-40 years.

THIS M2 may be just about the only chance to get a three pedal car ever again. And driving a manual on a twisty backroad, or a curvy racetrack, or even around town, is simply more engaging. So that's the choice for me.

[JustinHEMI]

Holy effing hell. I'm in UK right now and if I lived here I would definitely get an auto with all these damned roundabouts!

[NickyC]

Manual is the only point to this car.

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Holy effing hell. I'm in UK right now and if I lived here I would definitely get an auto with all these damned roundabouts!

Wha?! Dropping a gear, or two, or three and zipping through an empty roundabout is one of the joys of dual carriageway and A road driving:-)

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Capt Canuck

Wha?! Dropping a gear, or two, or three and zipping through an empty roundabout is one of the joys of dual carriageway and A road driving:-)

I was thinking of that too, but mostly being annoyed at non stop google maps announcing roundabouts.

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

I was thinking of that too, but mostly being annoyed at non stop google maps announcing roundabouts.

LOL. "Take the 5th exit to the right."

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by wunaicheng

I understand why so many of you prefer a manual but, honestly, I currently think with an automatic, the car will have more possibilities and usage like more wild tuning, better track performance, better drag race performance, etc...

I am really not sure how capable the BMW's manual is (I heard from other BMW manual car owners that it is actually not that good...) and have no idea if it would be some sort of barrier in the future. You know S58 is quite a wild engine...

Also, I plan to commute with it daily. Please offer some experience to help me make the decision, thanks!

There's nothing wrong with the manual in the F80 and F87 that I have. There is no barrier to anything. There are plenty of super high horsepower manual cars out there (F series BMWs). If you plan to commute, getting the automatic would be a complete waste. It doesn't matter if you're getting to Target at 5:15 pm or 5:16 pm, you bought a car to enjoy it, then enjoy it. Getting in the car should be an occasion, you can't get that by putting a little lever into "D" and letting the car do the driving for you.

[LivingInSalt]

Originally Posted by wunaicheng

I understand why so many of you prefer a manual but, honestly, I currently think with an automatic, the car will have more possibilities and usage like more wild tuning, better track performance, better drag race performance, etc...

I am really not sure how capable the BMW's manual is (I heard from other BMW manual car owners that it is actually not that good...) and have no idea if it would be some sort of barrier in the future. You know S58 is quite a wild engine...

Also, I plan to commute with it daily. Please offer some experience to help me make the decision, thanks!

Get what you want. It's just a car. Nobody should have to convince you to buy what you want.

[BigKutta]

I drove honda and acura manuals for years, before I went to auto due to life (i.e, sharing cars with wife) factors. When I did drive a BMW manual, I never quite enjoyed it as much as a honda/acura but that was to be expected. Fast forward many years when the M2 came into my sights, I was going to go manual for sure, but was convinced by a friend with an F80 to try the DCT. After reading such glowing reviews about it, and feeling how visceral it is, I did end up getting the DCT. I shift the DCT 100% of the time in my M2C and love every minute of it.

Now, I've driven the ZF8 in the M5 and I find it to be boring and numb. Sure on paper it probably is faster (or as fast) than the DCT, but it lacks soul. So for the G87 the manual is the only option. I will drive both before buying (maybe not...I never drove an M2, i just knew I'd love it), but the ZF8 is not looking good.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I drove honda and acura manuals for years, before I went to auto due to life (i.e, sharing cars with wife) factors. When I did drive a BMW manual, I never quite enjoyed it as much as a honda/acura but that was to be expected. Fast forward many years when the M2 came into my sights, I was going to go manual for sure, but was convinced by a friend with an F80 to try the DCT. After reading such glowing reviews about it, and feeling how visceral it is, I did end up getting the DCT. I shift the DCT 100% of the time in my M2C and love every minute of it.

Now, I've driven the ZF8 in the M5 and I find it to be boring and numb. Sure on paper it probably is faster (or as fast) than the DCT, but it lacks soul. So for the G87 the manual is the only option. I will drive both before buying (maybe not...I never drove an M2, i just knew I'd love it), but the ZF8 is not looking good.

The ZF AT is not as fast as the DCT. It's very close when upshifting, but it's noticeably slower downshifting. What boggles my mind is that they tuned the ZF to be way faster for the M5 CS, so fast that drivers couldn't distinguish it from the DCT. As far as I could tell it's the same AT in the M5, just tweaked via software. I don't know why they don't do that for the rest of the M cars.

Another gripe I have is EPS, it's been used in BMWs for a decade now. You'd think they'd have dialed it in after all that time. It really takes away from the driving experience. It's another big reason why these new bimmers are so numb. There's literally no excuse for this IMO. If they wanted to make it better they could, but they choose to ignore it and focus on fugly designs instead.

[MmmmmM2]

I'll take a DCT...Oh wait.

[DEANMW]

Manual all day.