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      07-12-2012, 11:57 AM   #1
cleask
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Manual Transmission on an F30 sedan

Hey folks?

I've definitely decided I must have an F30 sedan, that's done. But I really do NOT want an automatic. I'm located in North Mississippi and have searched every dealer in a 500 mile radius. 100% automatic.

My first question is that while they definitely exist on the BMW website, has anyone actually seen one?

And two, depending on question one, do you know WHERE there is one?

I travel a ton for work, so finding a reason to get from one place to the next isn't a huge deal.

Thanks!
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      07-12-2012, 12:08 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask View Post
Hey folks?

I've definitely decided I must have an F30 sedan, that's done. But I really do NOT want an automatic. I'm located in North Mississippi and have searched every dealer in a 500 mile radius. 100% automatic.

My first question is that while they definitely exist on the BMW website, has anyone actually seen one?

And two, depending on question one, do you know WHERE there is one?

I travel a ton for work, so finding a reason to get from one place to the next isn't a huge deal.

Thanks!
Dealers don't want them because there's little demand and they're hard to sell. If you want a manual you'll likely have to build one. Otherwise your only chance is if someone has one built, and bails on it before delivery.
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      07-12-2012, 12:26 PM   #3
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have to order one
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      07-12-2012, 12:27 PM   #4
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Just order one versus searching on a dealer lot. While you'll need to wait for the build and arrival, you'll get the exact configuration you want, which seems like a good trade-off to me.
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      07-12-2012, 12:28 PM   #5
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Yes, I've seen one...I own one. :-)

Had to factory order it, there were no manual tranny cars anywhere near me. It's a shame demand is so low, it's no wonder they are gradually phasing it out. (328xi no longer available in MT at all)
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      07-12-2012, 12:30 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask View Post
Hey folks?

I've definitely decided I must have an F30 sedan, that's done. But I really do NOT want an automatic. I'm located in North Mississippi and have searched every dealer in a 500 mile radius. 100% automatic.

My first question is that while they definitely exist on the BMW website, has anyone actually seen one?

And two, depending on question one, do you know WHERE there is one?

I travel a ton for work, so finding a reason to get from one place to the next isn't a huge deal.

Thanks!
I test drove a MT 328 sportline in Portland, OR a few weeks ago, so they definitely exist. I don't want to start a battle over the merits of AT vs. MT as it sounds like you have already made up your mind, but I haven't owned an AT car in the past 20 years, and I wound up ordering a sport AT on my new F30 after test driving both.

Last edited by rjc32000; 07-12-2012 at 04:34 PM..
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      07-12-2012, 12:59 PM   #7
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No, never seen one.

No, don't know where any are. I also could not find one locally.

Didn't matter though, ordered a manual anyway. I know how manual BMWs drive and I am very much looking forward to the same experience on my F30. My only 'fact-checking' was reading on the forums to make sure there weren't any major changes/discrepancies.
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      07-12-2012, 01:08 PM   #8
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Best bet is to order one. While there are a very few MT cars in the US, you would likely be stuck taking a configuration you don't prefer. I am really happy I got mine with MT and think you will really enjoy it!
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      07-12-2012, 01:12 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by mocohead View Post
Best bet is to order one. While there are a very few MT cars in the US, you would likely be stuck taking a configuration you don't prefer. I am really happy I got mine with MT and think you will really enjoy it!
The benefit of finding one however is you have more room to negotiation. Dealers want to get cars off their floor, ESPECIALLY manual transmission cars which are harder to sell. Plus dealers want to make sales by month end to meet numbers, and they get trunk money (kickbacks from BMW NA) for moving floor inventory.

But then again, for the cost to ship/drive a car back from far away may not be worth it either.
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      07-12-2012, 02:28 PM   #10
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Dealers don't order real cars anymore. Only house wife editions
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      07-12-2012, 02:43 PM   #11
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Great! Thanks a ton for all the replies. Yeah, I'm pretty much laser focused on MT and only MT, so I guess my work is cut out for me. I was really hoping to see one in person first, drive it some and work with the sales crew. I suppose ordering one means you're going to pull full retail no matter what. Not that there's much wiggle room these days...
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      07-12-2012, 02:50 PM   #12
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I guess there's no tool that lets me do a nationwide search, is there?
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      07-12-2012, 02:53 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask View Post
Great! Thanks a ton for all the replies. Yeah, I'm pretty much laser focused on MT and only MT, so I guess my work is cut out for me. I was really hoping to see one in person first, drive it some and work with the sales crew. I suppose ordering one means you're going to pull full retail no matter what. Not that there's much wiggle room these days...
I test drove an E90 335i they had on the lot that was an MT. Honestly the shift feel (from what I remember) was virtually indistinguishable between the two now that I have my F30. If they have any MT 3-series you could test drive one of those to get the idea of the clutch feel, etc. before you order.
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      07-12-2012, 02:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask View Post
Great! Thanks a ton for all the replies. Yeah, I'm pretty much laser focused on MT and only MT, so I guess my work is cut out for me. I was really hoping to see one in person first, drive it some and work with the sales crew. I suppose ordering one means you're going to pull full retail no matter what. Not that there's much wiggle room these days...
Not true. I basically paid invoice for a car I ordered. Most people here were able to score at least $500 over invoice. Also look for available rebates.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask View Post
I guess there's no tool that lets me do a nationwide search, is there?
The dealership can I believe. I think they can also see what cars are coming over on boats too.
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      07-12-2012, 02:57 PM   #15
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There are two 328i's in Ft Worth with manuals:
http://www.autobahnbmwfortworth.com/...px?iid=8560778
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      07-12-2012, 03:16 PM   #16
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The BMW Store in Cincinnati usually stocks a couple manuals, apparently enough enthusiasts working there that they always order a couple (according to the CA I talked to when i test drove a manual F30 328i in February).

btw- I didnt order through them, they always manage to piss me off somehow...not receptive to negotiation from ED msrp.
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      07-12-2012, 03:46 PM   #17
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have to order one
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      07-12-2012, 03:54 PM   #18
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i have an 6MT, and i believe this F30 would be a better match with an 8AT !!

for real !

I am a hardcore manual transmission, but after a few days...
This car is so good, having a 6MT in it is actually holding it back...

I haven't tasted the 8AT, but i think that would be the better transmission for the F30!

it's just too much of a hassle to row your gears now.
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      07-12-2012, 03:55 PM   #19
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You probably will have to order one. Roadshow (which is what I am assuming is your main dealer) does not usually have many manuals.
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      07-12-2012, 04:00 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjc32000 View Post
I test drove a 328 sportline in Portland, OR a few weeks ago, so they definitely exist. I don't want to start a battle over the merits of AT vs. MT as it sounds like you have already made up your mind, but I haven't owned an AT car in the past 20 years, and I wound up ordering a sport AT on my new F30 after test driving both.
I test drove one in Jacksonville at Tom Bush, the salesman said that the car came in as a mistake (don't know how well I believe that), but I'm with rjc32000, after driving both, I went with the sport auto. Its noticeably faster. My 2006 E90 that I have now is a manual, and I understand that a manual is a "Man's Car", but the new 8 speed is so nice.
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      07-12-2012, 04:04 PM   #21
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OP, your around 8 or 9 hours out of Spartanburg, SC right? You could always do a PDC delivery. You then could just work with one of the forum sponsor dealers on here.
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      07-12-2012, 05:00 PM   #22
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I drove a 328i 6MT twice at Union Hill BMW in Wilmington, DE last week. They say that they get in manuals once in a while. They're going to call me if they get a 335i 6MT in, even though I think that I want the lighter car. If you call them, ask for Steve, he helped me a lot.
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