[pjkbrit]

Originally Posted by 3A53

Bmw thought youngins wanted a 6MT 320i sport package and 10 years ago that might have been more true but for the last several years an iPhone on wheels is the main automotive desire and BMW is finally waking up to that. The shift in buyer preferences going on is much bigger than MT to AT. I know more people in their 20s who own Teslas than BMWs.

The imprint Tesla has made on millennials in their formative years is going to pay off for decades.

Millennials are notoriously incapable of operating even simple machinery so I guess something like a Tesla will do, but I’ve driven one several times and compared to my BMW its just boredom on wheels. This is an enthusiast board, electric cars are just “something else” frankly, not particularly eco friendly and if the Midel 3 in anything to go by I’d rather drive my 85 Saab

[donkey]

Originally Posted by pjkbrit

Millennials are notoriously incapable of operating even simple machinery so I guess something like a Tesla will do, but I’ve driven one several times and compared to my BMW its just boredom on wheels. This is an enthusiast board, electric cars are just “something else” frankly, not particularly eco friendly and if the Midel 3 in anything to go by I’d rather drive my 85 Saab

All the millennials I know drive MT (although mostly older models), it's got nothing to do with millennials or older folks as next to no one is buying new MT cars from BMW.

If enough of a stink is made about it, that can change like it did for the MK7 Golf R, but I doubt it will happen.

[DarkStarBimmer]

lol

[Mr Podman]

I'd prefer a dual clutch transmission over a manual.


podman

[tpliquid]

If i pay that much for a car it better shift for me.

[2000Z3M]

Originally Posted by 3A53

I'm just going to vote with my wallet instead.

this, going porsche next

[pjkbrit]

Originally Posted by donkey

All the millennials I know drive MT (although mostly older models), it's got nothing to do with millennials or older folks as next to no one is buying new MT cars from BMW.

If enough of a stink is made about it, that can change like it did for the MK7 Golf R, but I doubt it will happen.

I must be “next to no one” then... just bought a manual 340. It’s superb!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

this, going porsche next

Better hurry, that window is also closing quickly.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by pjkbrit

I must be “next to no one” then... just bought a manual 340. It’s superb!

Congrat I did the same thing last year when I pick up my F80 and I believed BMW would offer MT on the M series.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

You get one but it will cost a bit

"I think M4 should be the fortress of manual," Klaus Fröhlich, head of the board of development for BMW, told Road & Track.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by eluded

It's over. It's time to MoveOn. Bring on the electric cars.

Agreed.

My 128i stick is covered in the garage. My 330 wagon is useful, but boring to drive. My friends Tesla Model 3 is awesome. That will be my next car.

I'm done with new BMWs.

[Gamb1t]

Manual cars will retire into the pantheon of automotive version of an exclusive equestrian club.

[BMRSEB]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Manual cars will retire into the pantheon of automotive version of an exclusive equestrian club.

haha.. love that line..

[pjkbrit]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

Agreed.

My 128i stick is covered in the garage. My 330 wagon is useful, but boring to drive. My friends Tesla Model 3 is awesome. That will be my next car.

I'm done with new BMWs.

Tesla the company will go BK so watch out if you think you'll need the warranty ....?and you WILL be needing it.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Are you going to buy the MT A4 (discontinued for 2019), Alfa, Jaguar, C Class or Lexus IS? Oh wait...

Uh, there is no manual Alfa, Jaguar (except for the F Type), C class or IS anymore. There was a lot of talk about the XE but that never happened. The C class dropped it a few years ago, as did the IS.

I'm sure a lot of people here are the ones that actually do buy the manuals, so I'm not sure why you're talking down to us. There aren't many options for us anymore. The only RWD sport sedans with a manual are the ATS-V, A4 and 3 series which are all going away now. I had a Chevy SS, but that is obviously dead too now.

Before I get too old, I might just drive a Civic Type R for a few years. Seems like that is the most fun you can have for under $50k. I was going to get a G80 M3, but I have doubts about that now since the executive seemed to indicate only the M4 would be available with a stick.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by GF

The message may not be clear if you only vote with your wallet. . .

The only thing that matters is voting with your wallet.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by donkey

All the millennials I know drive MT (although mostly older models), it's got nothing to do with millennials or older folks as next to no one is buying new MT cars from BMW.

If enough of a stink is made about it, that can change like it did for the MK7 Golf R, but I doubt it will happen.

Millennials are moving to no car ownership.

They are moving more and more to not needing car ownship, manual or automatic.

[RM7]

This is like a petition to get rid of cell phones....lol

[RichardSwe]

Originally Posted by tuco44

The take rate for the manual tranny is so low that it makes little economic sense for BMW to do it. Petitions do nothing for the take rate, so a petition is useless IMO.

And 13 of my 20 BMWs were manual, but I drive the 8-spd ZF auto now, and would not go back to a manual. Maybe if I bought an older BMW, I would look for a manual.

Enthusiasts are not driving the BMW market, regardless of what we think on this forum.

I understand the "what makes economic sense" view. However, I have long had the view that it is insanely expensive for BMW to stock **many** variations in body styles for basically the same model -- M Sport & Sport trim (among several), multiple steering wheels, front end styling, door sills, etc. The inventory needed to support dozens of variations seems staggering to me. The same "what makes economic sense" view applies here --

Which leads me to think the manual transmission demand pull must be only part of the whole decision at BMW to pull back from "offering" manual transmissions for USA customers.

Besides, go to Europe and rent any current BMW. It will be a manual transmission 98% of the time. The same is true of most any vehicle rental in Europe - VW, Skoda, BMW, Peugeot, etc. I have rented all these in the last very few years. I've been there, done that. This is completely OK with me! Renters who really want an auto transmission can rent one; it will be a high end vehicle.

So, why can't BMW simply give USA enthusiasts the same option they produce en masse in Europe?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by RichardSwe

I understand the "what makes economic sense" view. However, I have long had the view that it is insanely expensive for BMW to stock **many** variations in body styles for basically the same model -- M Sport & Sport trim (among several), multiple steering wheels, front end styling, door sills, etc. The inventory needed to support dozens of variations seems staggering to me. The same "what makes economic sense" view applies here --

Which leads me to think the manual transmission demand pull must be only part of the whole decision at BMW to pull back from "offering" manual transmissions for USA customers.

Besides, go to Europe and rent any current BMW. It will be a manual transmission 98% of the time. The same is true of most any vehicle rental in Europe - VW, Skoda, BMW, Peugeot, etc. I have rented all these in the last very few years. I've been there, done that. This is completely OK with me! Renters who really want an auto transmission can rent one; it will be a high end vehicle.

So, why can't BMW simply give USA enthusiasts the same option they produce en masse in Europe?

Well, as can be seen in the final F80 data, the F80 M3 take for manuals in Europe is a drop in the bucket. USA was a much higher take rate...though still a small minority.

REAL DATA contradicts your thinking about Europe and MT.

[zambarossa]

I spoke personally about this to BMW Canada president at a recent local event. He is a great car enthusiast, but I was not filled with confidence after the chat. It seems we may still get the 340 in MT and the M2, but beyond that it seems less likely we'll see any more manuals. That was just my impression and not an official statement by the president or BMW btw.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Millennials are moving to no car ownership.

They are moving more and more to not needing car ownship, manual or automatic.

Maybe in some cities, but that would apply to other age groups as well. I just don't see it

Unless you count leasing as no car ownership, in which case I might agree with you, but that isn't exactly relevant to the discussion here since you can order a manual for a lease.