Quote:
Originally Posted by testing02hwr
1) Are you loving it
Yes, I am 1200 miles in and just finished break-in service. I had the M340i before this and definitely missed rowing my own gears
2) Is the shifter feel mechanical enough for you
Yes, for me. I don't have the best resume when it comes to shifters so I don't know how much my opinion counts (owned '13 gt86, mk7 GTI. driven Inifiniti G35, WRX, couple of shitboxes in Europe)
3) What has your clutch engagement been in sport vs efficiency modes
I like sport better oddly enough. I feel like the 1-2 shift works best when you are really baby-ing the car or driving the car hard. I can never get it right if it is in between.
4) Time it takes for Transmission to warm up
I don't feel like it takes too long but I've only had the car in the summer. Engine oil is a different story. I feel like so many opportunities to go fast are missed because I started driving 5 minutes ago.
5) Points you like to share
I'd say get the base if you like manual cars. It is not as fast as the auto, not even close especially when you talk about tuning. However, there is a certain joy you cannot have without the stick. Autos these days are fast but they miss that violence (unless you are talking about the upper echelon of cars like Lambo, Ferrari). When you are pushing this car you can feel when you bang through the gears and the energy pulses through the entire car. With autos, manufacturers have been able to make cars feel soft and comfortable which is good for some people, not for others. The shifting is so smooth and efficient in a ZF8 that it is closer to an electric car than what an actual manual.
If someone were to ask me why I didn't get the faster trim, I respond with why would I. The competition is fast but it is not the fastest car on the road. If I wanted fast, I would have gotten a Tesla or something. I'd be able to smoke everyone from a dig but I don't really care about that. I am looking for enjoyment when normally driving my car.
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I went to Rogue Engineering a few weeks ago and spoke with Ben Liaw (Owner) who made a great point. "Most people don't know how to drive a high performance car safely. If you are not taking the car to the track ; which most don't, who really needs more than 450hp to have fun on the street".
If speed were all that mattered, you nailed it with Tesla and if you want the totally raw, visceral experience through an ICE, the Hellcat has its place.
The G80 M/T is for the pure driving enthusiast (MT/RWD), that wants the creature comforts and versatility (nice interior/customizable M1 and M2 modes), practicality of a 4-door car while having some "cool tech" optionality - and for that complete package you do pay a pretty penny. It is the jack of many trades and master of 1 (3 pedals). I wish BMW gave the option of the G80 with X-Drive and a manual. As someone who lives in the northeast, to me it would have been the best of all worlds whether it had 473 or 503hp...