[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....

[chris-c]

I love the 8 speed auto in my 340 and I know for a fact its quicker than I could do it manually. I'm sure on something like a 140 it might be more fun to have a manual but I've not found myself wishing for a manual in the 340 since I purchased it. Smack it into manual and sport+ and it'll hold on as long as you want it to.

[KCH1984]

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....

Maybe if it was a decent manual box - I don't know if there was any change between 35i and 40i but when I was buying the M135i I drove both and the manual box was mediocre at best. When compared with an auto that really is a fantastic piece of kit (and well suited to the engine and characteristics of the car) it was a no-brainer.

[SkyJawa]

Would be different if it was a good manual box but it wasn't, it was just ok.

HA! KCH beat me to it!!

[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.

[NotGotABimmer23]

The manual box in my m140i was crap, its no loss at all.

[B58 parts]

It's actually a great gearbox ... After you remove the CDV piece inside the slave cylinder. With that in there it's very clunky.

[JNW1]

Wasn't really seeking to open another manual v auto debate, was more just bemoaning the fact there will no longer be a choice! However, I guess BMW have looked at demand and decided there isn't enough for it to be viable for them to continue to offer the manual?

Whether that would be any different if their manual was better who knows. By all accounts Porsche do a pretty good manual gearbox but if you look at the 981 Cayman S's and Boxster S's that are for sale at the moment you're hard pressed to find a manual as the overwhelming majority are PDK. Says to me the move to auto is more a general trend and not really a consequence of how good or bad the manual alternative is....

[JNW1]

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 haven't driven a manual 40i either but my E92 335i was a manual and I didn't think it was too bad. The clutch certainly wasn't especially heavy and, on the basis I can't see a manual 40i differing significantly from a 35i, I'd say your dealer was probably talking nonsense with their "almost undriveable" comment!

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Would be different if it was a good manual box but it wasn't, it was just ok.

HA! KCH beat me to it!!

We've got previous for this!!

[Abzynthe]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I haven't driven a manual 40i either but my E92 335i was a manual and I didn't think it was too bad. The clutch certainly wasn't especially heavy and, on the basis I can't see a manual 40i differing significantly from a 35i, I'd say your dealer was probably talking nonsense with their "almost undriveable" comment!

You may be right. It wouldn't have made any difference to my sale as the manual isn't available on the 40i GC anyway. So just didn't seem like an appropriate thing to BS about if you get my meaning.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

You may be right. It wouldn't have made any difference to my sale as the manual isn't available on the 40i GC anyway. So just didn't seem like an appropriate thing to BS about if you get my meaning.

I do but often car salesmen can't help themselves!

[InquisitiveA]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I haven't driven a manual 40i either but my E92 335i was a manual and I didn't think it was too bad. The clutch certainly wasn't especially heavy and, on the basis I can't see a manual 40i differing significantly from a 35i, I'd say your dealer was probably talking nonsense with their "almost undriveable" comment!

As someone who owns a 340i manual and successfully manages to drive it every day I concur with this

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by JNW1

However, I guess BMW have looked at demand and decided there isn't enough for it to be viable for them to continue to offer the manual?

Or its down to emissions and mpg and Euro targets. Its been a few years now since manuals were better than auto's for that, with autos now producing better co2 figures, better mpg and better 0-60.

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by JNW1

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've always fancied a 135i/140i. Given that the next 1 series will be FWD and probably 4 -cyl only, time might be right to pick one up soon.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Or its down to emissions and mpg and Euro targets. Its been a few years now since manuals were better than auto's for that, with autos now producing better co2 figures, better mpg and better 0-60.

I agree emissions are also a possible reason for the demise of the manual; however, it's not like there's a night and day difference between (say) a manual M140i and the auto equivalent so I'm still leaning towards it being more down to a lack of demand than anything else.

As some evidence(ish!) to back that up, just had a quick look at the BMW AUC website for M135i/M140i hatches and M235i/M240 coupes and if my maths is right only 15% of the cars available are manual....

[Alscoob]

It's unfortunate but in the F31 manual never was an option in a 340i guise only auto, guess as it's a heavier car than the saloon the emissions were too far out.

I drive the wife's Z4 straight 6 manual on occasions, its very good and reminds me how much I miss 'the stick shift' much more involving to drive

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by pdk42

I've always fancied a 135i/140i. Given that the next 1 series will be FWD and probably 4 -cyl only, time might be right to pick one up soon.

No probably about it, it will be 4cyl only.

[Abzynthe]

This suggests there will be a manual G20 40i but not for Xdrive.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2018/05/23/bm...l-with-385-hp/

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

This suggests there will be a manual G20 40i but not for Xdrive.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2018/05/23/bm...l-with-385-hp/

US only then for manual and non xdrive m340i.. we get xdrive and auto

[Apollocs]

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.

Your dealer was talking rubbish, so no change to the norm there then

The clutch I would probably describe as medium weight when compared to other road cars. Heavier than my ST220 but lighter than for instance, the 986 Boxster I used to have access to.

It is fair to say that BMW don't seem to be able to engineer a brilliant shift quality, but they are very far from the worst available. They just require a firm hand and to not be unduly rushed.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Apollocs

The clutch I would probably describe as medium weight when compared to other road cars. Heavier than my ST220 but lighter than for instance, the 986 Boxster I used to have access to.

It is fair to say that BMW don't seem to be able to engineer a brilliant shift quality, but they are very far from the worst available. They just require a firm hand and to not be unduly rushed.

Your comments are consistent with my experience with my E92 335i; not the quickest gear change around and not the lightest clutch either but by no means unpleasant to use (and an improvement over the manual gearbox in my E46 M3 CS which preceded it).

In terms of clutch weight, I suppose that to some extent depends on what your reference points are. The 335i and 340i both produce a reasonable amount of torque from quite low in the rev range so a clutch has to be reasonably meaty to handle that; therefore, if you're coming from a smaller engined car producing less torque perhaps the clutch in a 335i or 340i will seem heavy in comparison? The borderline undriveable comment really is a load of rubbish though!