[maziatr]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Only caught-up with this recently but apparently there will be no more manual 340/440i's built after July 2018 (ditto M140/M240i's as well). I guess most 340/440i's are auto only already - so no real change there - and I don't dispute the 8-speed auto makes for a great daily driver; nevertheless, as a traditionalist and long-time supporter of the manual box it's a sad day IMO.

Still, might mean that one of the last of the M140i's with a manual box could be worth decent money in a few years time? Not only the end of an era in terms of the 6-pot RWD hatch but also the end of an era in terms of the manual as well....

I have a manual 340ibamd I love the engagement but if I was communicating with it daily it would’ve been an auto

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

I think that BMW have never got the manual right. I haven't particularly enjoyed any that I have driven.

It wont be long until only the three cylinder engines will have manual boxes.


The dealer I bought my 440i off (GC was auto only anyway), they said that in the 40i, the clutch is so heavy that its almost undriveable. I didnt drive one, so I cant confirm.

I had one of the first 330D variants back in the day. Company car 30,000 MPA and a 6 speed manual.

I had legs like a racehorse after that car the clutch was heavy AF.

[Apollocs]

Originally Posted by maziatr

I have a manual 340ibamd I love the engagement but if I was communicating with it daily it would’ve been an auto

If I had to fight stop start traffic in one of those horrid busy urban commuter areas it would have been an auto or even a BEV for me too.

Luckily my daily commute avoids going into any towns and uses B roads, so a manual petrol motor every time for me. On an average day the wheels never even stop turning once from driveway to car park

[Apollocs]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I had legs like a racehorse after that car

You mean thin, spindly and brittle? Interesting....

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by maziatr

I have a manual 340ibamd I love the engagement but if I was communicating with it daily it would’ve been an auto

Completely get that and agree with you; in stop/start traffic you don't really want to be involved and an auto makes for a much easier life in that situation!

However, when you want a bit of fun on give and take roads it's potentially a different matter and IMO it's just a shame 40i drivers are no longer going to have the choice.....

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I had one of the first 330D variants back in the day. Company car 30,000 MPA and a 6 speed manual.

I had legs like a racehorse after that car the clutch was heavy AF.

Going back quite a few years I had an E46 330cd coupe with a manual box; it didn't really suit the characteristics of the engine - would have been far better as an auto IMO - but can't say I remember the clutch being especially heavy.....

[Vasumir]

440i manual owner here. Salesman thought I was mad ordering one. I test drove the auto and it's by far the best auto I've driven, but... I knew I'd miss the manual. I don't have a long commute. Would agree that in heavy traffic auto world be preferable at times 😂.
Don't know what the other dealer was smoking, claiming they were undriveable. The clutch is only slightly heavier than my old 1.2 engine car... So not very heavy at all! Gearbox isn't too bad either. Could be better, but I've also experienced a lot worse.

[Manivxr]

The zf 8spd sports auto is a dream. Paddle shifts are fun. On reflection would I now swap to a manual no. Things have moved on since manual gear boxes were head and shoulder better than the autos. If people feel they want a manual for that nostalgic hand on gear knob coordinated with left foot clutch coordination then thats fine. But the days of the manual gear shift are numbered as technology advances. Look at the hyper cars. Not many have manual offered as an option any more.

It's inevitable that car manufacturers will stop offering manual gear boxes in the future.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Manivxr

The zf 8spd sports auto is a dream. Paddle shifts are fun. On reflection would I now swap to a manual no. Things have moved on since manual gear boxes were head and shoulder better than the autos. If people feel they want a manual for that nostalgic hand on gear knob coordinated with left foot clutch coordination then thats fine. But the days of the manual gear shift are numbered as technology advances. Look at the hyper cars. Not many have manual offered as an option any more.

It's inevitable that car manufacturers will stop offering manual gear boxes in the future.

I think you're right, the days of the conventional manual are numbered and really this thread just reinforces that; after all, if a manufacturer like BMW is no longer going to offer a manual in some of its more sporting derivatives the writing is well and truly on the wall.

I completely understand why the change is happening but I'm one of that dying breed who believes even the best autos don't offer the same involvement and connection as a manual (and hence would like to be able to retain a choice about which transmission I have). That choice would depend on the car and the type of driving I'd be doing and being honest quite often I'd also opt for an auto; however, for something that's more of a fun car it would be a manual for me every time. That said, I accept I'm in an ever decreasing minority of buyers and when you throw in things like the improved emissions with a modern auto there's only one outcome.

Wonder how long it will be before Porsche ceases to offer a manual? They're probably one of the few remaining companies who understand why some buyers still want a manual so when they go auto only it really will be the end.....

[NotGotABimmer23]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I think you're right, the days of the conventional manual are numbered and really this thread just reinforces that; after all, if a manufacturer like BMW is no longer going to offer a manual in some of its more sporting derivatives the writing is well and truly on the wall.

I completely understand why the change is happening but I'm one of that dying breed who believes even the best autos don't offer the same involvement and connection as a manual (and hence would like to be able to retain a choice about which transmission I have). That choice would depend on the car and the type of driving I'd be doing and being honest quite often I'd also opt for an auto; however, for something that's more of a fun car it would be a manual for me every time. That said, I accept I'm in an ever decreasing minority of buyers and when you throw in things like the improved emissions with a modern auto there's only one outcome.

Wonder how long it will be before Porsche ceases to offer a manual? They're probably one of the few remaining companies who understand why some buyers still want a manual so when they go auto only it really will be the end.....

The problem now is it feels like even cars offered with a manual are really built around the auto box and the manual is just thrown in at the last minute. The manual m140i i had felt like this, the fly by wire throttle was too slow, you would drop the clutch and it would think you were still on the gas as it took so long to close. Sounded awful and ruined the fun. The auto also sounds a lot better with the upshift cracks etc, noticeably quicker too.

[Savageenterprise]

Wow I’m reading this in disbelief. The auto industry is committing genocide to the purists. So happy I got my build in before the end of this month with the 6spd. Can’t believe they’re really gonna do away with it...TBH it’s one of the few reasons BMW was a consideration and
if I was gonna go auto I would have gotten a AR Giulia

[maziatr]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

I think that BMW have never got the manual right. I haven't particularly enjoyed any that I have driven.

It wont be long until only the three cylinder engines will have manual boxes.


The dealer I bought my 440i off (GC was auto only anyway), they said that in the 40i, the clutch is so heavy that its almost undriveable. I didnt drive one, so I cant confirm.

That is total BS. I have a manual 340i and love it

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

I think that BMW have never got the manual right. I haven't particularly enjoyed any that I have driven.

It wont be long until only the three cylinder engines will have manual boxes.


The dealer I bought my 440i off (GC was auto only anyway), they said that in the 40i, the clutch is so heavy that its almost undriveable. I didnt drive one, so I cant confirm.

Same here. BMW have never been able to do a decent manual gearbox in a RWD chassis. ironically their FWD manuals are better.

[sahajesh]

[B58 parts]

The pressure plate is on the light side if anything, the too heavy comment is for sure total BS.

You have to disassemble the slave cylinder and remove the metal restrictor piece (CDV) and bin it. Totally different car with that thing out. If you have the MT and haven't done this yet, you're really missing out. For sure the best mod you can do.

I can't believe I actually just saw the text "paddle shifts are fun".

[SilverGrey]

Am I right in thinking that in the US BMW's are autos with a manual box being no-cost option? Over here we still have the £1700+ charge for the auto.

It's interesting to see that the new 5 isn't even offered with a manual gearbox.

My first BMW (e46 coupe) had a 5 speed auto which was really good. I then bought a Z4 coupe which was a manual, and whilst engaging to drive, the clutch was heavy. I've had autos since and the 8 speed in the 4er is pretty much ideal for most every day situations.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by YuminNuman

The pressure plate is on the light side if anything, the too heavy comment is for sure total BS.

You have to disassemble the slave cylinder and remove the metal restrictor piece (CDV) and bin it. Totally different car with that thing out. If you have the MT and haven't done this yet, you're really missing out. For sure the best mod you can do.

I can't believe I actually just saw the text "paddle shifts are fun".

Where's the CDV on an F30?

[B58 parts]

It's a thin little metal plate inside the slave cylinder by the inlet

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1486773

Huge thanks to that guy for finding it. Don't drill it (as the early adopters such as myself did) just remove it and the rubber stopper holding it in. I'm about 10k miles in after doing it and so far so good. Downshifts are amazing.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by YuminNuman

It's a thin little metal plate inside the slave cylinder by the inlet

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1486773

Huge thanks to that guy for finding it. Don't drill it (as the early adopters such as myself did) just remove it and the rubber stopper holding it in. I'm about 10k miles in after doing it and so far so good. Downshifts are amazing.

What a ball ache.

[NISFAN]

No loss as far as I'm concerned, and I'm a manual lover.
E46 M3, NA engine with individual throttle bodies, yes the manual is epic, but on a modern dual mass, fly by wire, turbo engine, it just feels lethargic and dull.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

No loss as far as I'm concerned, and I'm a manual lover.

Agree, ... a few years back I would never have thought I'd want an automatic, but the 8 speed box in my 330d just works so well with the engine, .. I imagine it's just as good in a 340i

[stefan4]

It's the way modern cars are going, along with smaller capacity turbo / hybrid and will be fully electric before we know it. If you want to go back to the good old days, there's plenty of modern classics to fill that desire.