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      07-12-2012, 05:07 PM   #23
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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.
The sponsors offer better deals?
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      07-12-2012, 05:09 PM   #24
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When we test drove in Plano in early June, the only sport-lines they had outside were 6MT. We had to arrange for them to move the showroom car outside to test an 8AT.
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      07-12-2012, 05:22 PM   #25
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Personal preference but I ordered 2013 328i 6MT and had a 2007 328i 6MT. I have a 2011 X3 35i with the 8 speed automatic and it is a sweet power train. I have ordered all three of my BMWs. You get exactly what you want in approximately ten weeks. These are expensive purchases make sure you get what you want.

Cheers
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      07-12-2012, 05:44 PM   #26
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Just test drive a 2012 Black on Black Sport in FtLauderdale less then 2 weeks ago! Wanted to compare both transmissions before I ordered my 335!! 6MT is the way to go!!!
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      07-12-2012, 06:05 PM   #27
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Just test drive a 2012 Black on Black Sport in FtLauderdale less then 2 weeks ago! Wanted to compare both transmissions before I ordered my 335!! 6MT is the way to go!!!
Without a doubt.
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      07-12-2012, 06:56 PM   #28
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I remember the days when I found 1 manual E90 on the west coast in 2007. wow those were the days
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      07-12-2012, 07:15 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjc32000 View Post
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.
Although I have owned various cars and transmissions since Ive aquired my license and mostly Ive owned manual, but I am in the same boat as you. I test drove the 8speed auto, and I fell in love with it. Its not manual, and I do miss it, but I enjoy the auto just as much so it equals out for me.
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      07-12-2012, 07:23 PM   #30
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      07-12-2012, 07:44 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by m3 guy
This is me in my f30.
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      07-12-2012, 08:20 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by dd1981 View Post
Although I have owned various cars and transmissions since Ive aquired my license and mostly Ive owned manual, but I am in the same boat as you. I test drove the 8speed auto, and I fell in love with it. Its not manual, and I do miss it, but I enjoy the auto just as much so it equals out for me.
I had a manual in my 2007 335i and the 3 cars before it. But after the 335i I got an E60 M5 with the SMG tranny, so no clutch + paddle shifters, and I think having that tranny made going to the 8 speed sport auto on my new 335i a bit smoother from a transition perspective. It's not going to feel much different other than the fact the car doesn't have a seizure when I shift at low speeds.
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      07-12-2012, 09:37 PM   #33
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Test drove a 6MT at Roswell, GA about 6 weeks ago. Fell in love with the manual again. I noticed a lot of dealerships don't keep the online inventory up to date. Had to cold call my 5 nearest dealerships to find one. Just couldn't justify a 50k purchase sight unseen. Good luck.
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      07-13-2012, 02:33 PM   #34
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Definitely lots of good feedback. I just round-tripped 3 hours in the car to go to my closest dealer. I was totally ready to make one of the models they had in stock work, but it turns out it wasn't there anymore! Damn, I was feeling just impulsive enough!

The price on this one seemed a bit low, but with good options?!?!
http://www.roadshowbmw.com/VehicleDe...-TN/1786722873

The salesman justified the lower price because it was a "European Delivery" model. That still doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

Nonetheless, the AT did feel exceptional, however now that I've dodged a bullet today, I'd still like to drive a manual.
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      07-13-2012, 03:17 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask View Post
Definitely lots of good feedback. I just round-tripped 3 hours in the car to go to my closest dealer. I was totally ready to make one of the models they had in stock work, but it turns out it wasn't there anymore! Damn, I was feeling just impulsive enough!

The price on this one seemed a bit low, but with good options?!?!
http://www.roadshowbmw.com/VehicleDe...-TN/1786722873

The salesman justified the lower price because it was a "European Delivery" model. That still doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

Nonetheless, the AT did feel exceptional, however now that I've dodged a bullet today, I'd still like to drive a manual.
Don't force it; you'll be driving what you get for 3 years at least...so get what you really want. 3 years of regret is a lot.
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      07-15-2012, 10:50 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleask
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 have seen one. I guess I was very fortunate that my dealer had one in stock for me to try out a few times. If not I might have stuck with the Audi.

They ended up doing a dealer trade for my Melbourne 328i with manual with ALL the options. Worked out great and I love it!
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      07-15-2012, 02:37 PM   #37
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Originally Posted by m3 guy View Post
LOL, problem is I don't have the HUD option to feel even more Top Gun.

Cheers
Robin
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      07-15-2012, 03:21 PM   #38
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Lots of people seem to think that discounts are only available on cars already on the dealer's lot. Not so at all. You can do just as well with a special order. Better, even, if you consider that you will only be getting the extras that you want.
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      07-15-2012, 03:56 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin_NL View Post
LOL, problem is I don't have the HUD option to feel even more Top Gun.

Cheers
Robin
Hilarious......I am on the fence ordering right now between automatic and 6 speed manual. The new 8 speed automatic with paddle shifters is great but yeh I know what you mean
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      07-15-2012, 06:33 PM   #40
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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!
Are you asking because you're looking to buy it, or for test drive?

If you're looking to buy, the best way to locate one is to have a dealer do a search. If they find on and the specs are to your liking, then it's an easy transfer, IF the possessing dealer is willing to trade it for another BMW or your dealers allocation for a 3.

If you're simply want to test drive a manual BMW, then look for used local 3's. Your dealer may have one.
Nothing has radically changed with the MT, so it'll feel about the same, if you want an idea of how it feels and functions.

The other option is as others have written, order what you want and how you want it. BMW manuals are great. IMO, there is on BMW-ish thing about the MT that isn't as evident in most other makers MT's, the clutch travel.
All BMW MT's I've driven since the E46 have a longish clutch pedal travel with a good bit of "dead" travel from the floor to the actual friction point.
That's easily remedied with an aftermarket clutch stop. It greatly improves the overall clutch feel as it reduces the excess dead travel.

The MT is a great choice if you don't care for the new AT.
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      07-15-2012, 06:48 PM   #41
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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...
Retail? Not at all.
Many of us have scored a +$500 over invoice on ordered cars, in MT and AT.
Remember, an ordered car is a SOLD car. So for the dealer ordering a car is a guaranteed sale, except in the rare case when the buyer backs out.
A lot car is a "potential" sale, and it's unknown when the dealer will actually sell it. Dealers want to move those cars as soon as they can. If they don't sell a lot car, then it starts to eat into the potential profit as they have to pay interest on the car, thus the longer it sits on the lot the greater potential for having to pay more interest on it.

If your dealers sales manager balks at discounting an ordered car, remind him that your order is a guaranteed sale, as that car won't have to sit on the lot. An order benefits both you and the dealership. You get the car you want, and they get a guaranteed sale. Win, win.

Send an email to your local dealers and offer them $500 above actual invoice, and that you'd like to order. Also ask the dealer to verify an allocation so that an actual order can be placed.

The cars with less room to negotiate a better price are trade vehicles.
If the dealer has to trade a car, you may not be able to get as good of a deal as the dealer may have to get the car. If they have to transport it from another dealer, then it's harder for them to discount.
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      07-15-2012, 06:51 PM   #42
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Originally Posted by RPM90 View Post
...there is on BMW-ish thing about the MT that isn't as evident in most other makers MT's, the clutch travel.
And the odd feel/slow response caused by the clutch delay valve. yuck.

Fortunately, this also can be remedied by gutting it.
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      07-15-2012, 08:18 PM   #43
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And the odd feel/slow response caused by the clutch delay valve. yuck.

Fortunately, this also can be remedied by gutting it.
That too.

For me, I'm not as bothered by that as many others are.
I've become used to it as my last 3 MT's all had a CDV; E46 325i, '06 A4,
'09 135i.

Those who have modded the CDV, all say it's a great and needed mod.
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      07-15-2012, 08:34 PM   #44
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