[JK479]

Just curious if people are finding the f30 as sporty with a manual as the new 8 speed sport auto.

In terms of performance, does the 6 speed keep up with the 8 speed. I've read that mileage suffers a little. But those who are diehard manual drivers, can you convince a once diehard 6 speed owner if moving to a 6 speed on the f30 is a chance worth taking.

I know this topic has been beaten to death. On mobile I can't search forums. In my heart of hearts I just can't decide.

To me a bmw used to be the ultimate driving machine because of the 6 speed manual. Today? I'm not sure anymore. I've driven both. Maybe if I can't decide, I need another brand?

[Dan_335i]

manual is still more sporty. with manual u can pretend to drive like the people in fast and furous

[EB_F30]

I personally think the 8 speed auto is awesome but I like banging my own gears and having more control of the car. Yes you can do that with paddle shifters but its not the same. I think you get more of the "fun factor" with a 6MT.

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by JK479

Just curious if people are finding the f30 as sporty with a manual as the new 8 speed sport auto.

In terms of performance, does the 6 speed keep up with the 8 speed. I've read that mileage suffers a little. But those who are diehard manual drivers, can you convince a once diehard 6 speed owner if moving to a 6 speed on the f30 is a chance worth taking.

I know this topic has been beaten to death. On mobile I can't search forums. In my heart of hearts I just can't decide.

To me a bmw used to be the ultimate driving machine because of the 6 speed manual. Today? I'm not sure anymore. I've driven both. Maybe if I can't decide, I need another brand?

In terms of performance, the 6 speed does NOT keep up with the 8 speed. Its physically impossible to shift as quick, esp. when in Sport+ and D/S-mode.

I had always driven manuals, friends and family had to convince me to get the 8spd sport auto.... and then I never looked back

[Jamesons Viggen]

I have seen BMS nail a 14.0@100 out of a stock 6mt 328. A mag can get a 13.8-13.9 out of an 8spd but at 1-2mph slower. So it's a toss up. To me, it's not a choice. The F30 needs all the direct involvement it can get, a 6mt helps.

[sevenmxf]

I'm very happy with the new sport AT with paddle shifters - but I'm 99% sure that I would have gone with the MT if BMW had given me the choice with a 328i xDrive. They didn't, so AT it was.

[phx08]

The improvements in technology have made manual cars too cumbersome for me. If a computer can do the job for me and do it better than me, why not let it? Especially if there is no sacrifice in "performance". Of course, that is highly objective and others will have their own opinions.

With that said, in the past manuals were always known to be "faster" because of the manual input by the driver (DUH). But now that manufacturers are offering transmissions that are quite versatile in their traits, I feel that it is making manuals obsolete...that is the literal definition of obsoletion.

[335rocket]

My salesman was telling me that now more than ever, people are going with the auto transmission and he rarely orders up a manual. I think It's a shame that manual is not nearly as popular as it used to be. It seems that technology really took over. I still prefer the old fashioned standard H with a clutch peddle.

[phx08]

Originally Posted by 335rocket

My salesman was telling me that now more than ever, people are going with the auto transmission and he rarely orders up a manual. I think It's a shame that manual is not nearly as popular as it used to be. It seems that technology really took over. I still prefer the old fashioned standard H with a clutch peddle.

Thanks for that insight from your CA. Look at the demographics for BMW, usually professionals who (hopefully) know a thing or two about technology. Generation shift also has something to do with this as well, Gen Y's are coming around to their 20's and 30s (the typical age for a 3er consumer) and are very tech savvy.

The type of utility BMW offers in their AT is far too large to overlook, with that, I cannot justify going for a manual.

[noro]

The manual will always be the enthusiast's choice. If you can't understand why you are not an enthusiast.

[335rocket]

To each their own. I feel regardless of these technological advances, manual is still the enthusiasts choice

[LAnderson23]

Order a manual. At the very least, it's one more person to convince BMW to keep offering them. I fear they are going away. They already don't offer it on the x-drives for some reason. I test drove the AT, and I hated it. MT it is for me.

[phx08]

Originally Posted by noro

The manual will always be the enthusiast's choice. If you can't understand why you are not an enthusiast.

OP Loaded question IMO. A bit fallacious don't you think...If you don't like manual therefore you must also not be an enthusaist? Which operational definition for "Enthusaist" contains that as the only criteria?

Please note, I am not meaning to argue. I like to point out the other sides of reasoning.

[335rocket]

people like to twist things around lol

[avantix]

I'm on my 4th 6MT BMW and I don't know about anyone else but I can shift in milliseconds and most times I'll powershift with almost no perceptible loss of power. If we're talking DCT then hands down no human can shift as fast but standard single clutch automatic? Toss up if you ask me.

[BmwFlooner]

Originally Posted by phx08

The improvements in technology have made manual cars too cumbersome for me. If a computer can do the job for me and do it better than me, why not let it? Especially if there is no sacrifice in "performance". Of course, that is highly objective and others will have their own opinions.

At this point driving a manual isn't about mileage or getting better performance than an auto, it's just for love of the technique and the connection with the car.

If you feel a manual is 'getting in the way' of driving the car the way you want, then you definitely should go auto.

But if you feel an auto is doing all the fun stuff for you, go manual.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by BmwFlooner

At this point driving a manual isn't about mileage or getting better performance than an auto, it's just for love of the technique and the connection with the car.

If you feel a manual is 'getting in the way' of driving the car the way you want, then you definitely should go auto.

But if you feel an auto is doing all the fun stuff for you, go manual.

BMWs and all cars are relying more and more on electronics and keep taking away involvement from the driver.

Keeping a manual in an F30 helps counteract all of that.

You can have a beautiful healthy baby from in-vetro fertilization. Or you can make a baby the old fashioned way-you know with more INVOLVEMENT.

I know which way is more fun

[BMWFanatic2008]

Manual vs Auto translates well into BMW vs Audi debate

Get the manual if you can, it's def more fun to drive.

[KevRyd]

You would have to define Enthusaist as that has multiple meanings. If you were to say do people woh track prefer manuals, then that is something different. I could be a BMW Enthusaist who is interested in Detailing or Mod'ing. so a little vague.

I drove Manuals my whole life. I love they way I could control the car. I loved the way I could save my breaks by shifting to let the engin slow the car down. I love how connected to the car I felt. I was pretty good with a manual but I can honestly say that I was no faster than my AT counterparts (perhaps slower). I switched the the 8AT with my BMW and the only thing I cant control like I did in a MT is the engin use for slowing down. The Rev-Matching limits it's effectiveness in the 8AT. Being able to go into manual mode in the 8AT gives complete control over the shift points. I had a few injuries to my left knee (acl) and it left me unable to drive my own car. I used to get back pain from the clutch in stop and go traffic. For me, I will always be fond of MT's but in practicallity and mostly due to the awesome 8AT I will not be going back any time soon.

Kevin

[noro]

Originally Posted by phx08

OP Loaded question IMO. A bit fallacious don't you think...If you don't like manual therefore you must also not be an enthusaist? Which operational definition for "Enthusaist" contains that as the only criteria?

Please note, I am not meaning to argue. I like to point out the other sides of reasoning.

You missed the point. I am not saying that if you dislike manual you are not an enthusiast, I merely stating that if you do not understand how manual and automatic gear boxes differ and the difference in how that power makes its way from the motion of the crank to the motion of the wheels then it's hard to call yourself an enthusiast.

Wine tasting enthusiast isn't one that just likes to get loaded on wine.

[KevRyd]

Then define what an enthusiast means to you and we can answer your question based on that criteria.

Kevin

Originally Posted by noro

You missed the point. I am not saying that if you dislike manual you are not an enthusiast, I merely stating that if you do not understand how manual and automatic gear boxes differ and the difference in how that power makes its way from the motion of the crank to the motion of the wheels then it's hard to call yourself an enthusiast.

Wine tasting enthusiast isn't one that just likes to get loaded on wine.

[Teemo Panda]

Originally Posted by Dan_335i

manual is still more sporty. with manual u can pretend to drive like the people in fast and furous

Lol so true!

I wish My F25 have a optional Manual =_=