[vj123]

Originally Posted by fueledbymetal

It looks like you have to pay him a commission on top of MSRP. My current deal is for under MSRP, so at this point, I’m not willing to pay over. I’m all ears though if someone has a lead on an allocation that I can still configure at or below MSRP.

Hope your dealer is going to give you an allocation with this deal.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by fueledbymetal

It looks like you have to pay him a commission on top of MSRP. My current deal is for under MSRP, so at this point, I’m not willing to pay over. I’m all ears though if someone has a lead on an allocation that I can still configure at or below MSRP.

It’s a service fee. I wouldn’t pay it as I’ll do the leg work and generally enjoy the process including working with good dealerships.

But paying the service fee could resulting in getting a car (vs saying you have a deal but no car) and may have avoided the last round of price increases as well as the potential increase with the May allocations (MY 24 builds).

[BIGW0RM]

I love manuals. But I did not enjoy the 2 manual M3's Ive owned. That 2nd gear shift was always clunky or picky if you shifted to fast.

If I was still a die hard 6MT fan. I would be looking into any older 911 in 6MT in lue of a M3.

[2011ninja]

It took me a month of calling in December 2021

Ultimately found an allocation for a new 2022 M3 at MSRP.

[strohw]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

If I was still a die hard 6MT fan. I would be looking into any older 911 in 6MT in lue of a M3.

Older Porsches (996 - 997) don't have good manuals. The shifters are mushy and develop a fair amount of play. You need aftermarket parts to get them to feel solid.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by weingarm

I believe the final model year (2027) 6MT M3 - or really ANY model year G80 6MT will be a desirable version years later on the secondary market.

This seems to have been proven true in the F80 market.

Originally Posted by fueledbymetal

It looks like you have to pay him a commission on top of MSRP. My current deal is for under MSRP, so at this point, I’m not willing to pay over. I’m all ears though if someone has a lead on an allocation that I can still configure at or below MSRP.

Well, I'm confused. Either you are willing to wait, or pay a little extra to get one a lot sooner. $500 is nothing in the grand scheme of things on an $85K car.

Anyway... to address the other question, alternatives, would the M4 work for you? Yes, it's a bit more cramped back there and harder to get in and out of the rear seat, but your kids are young and flexible. M4s are much easier to obtain.

Another alternative is a GTI. Very practical and fun to drive if you don't mind FWD and a serious lack of low-end torque.

[vj123]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Well, I'm confused. Either you are willing to wait, or pay a little extra to get one a lot sooner. $500 is nothing in the grand scheme of things on an $85K car.

I am not willing to pay $500 to find a MY23 allocation which could be modified. Oh well, MY24 MSRP went up.

[Alpine300zhp]

The take rate on manuals is sufficient enough that it will remain for the rest of the G80/82. My dealer has a G82 6 speed, but not a G80.

[Nick800]

I got my allocation within 2 months of calling around, Q1 this year. Just do the leg work.

[fueledbymetal]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Well, I'm confused. Either you are willing to wait, or pay a little extra to get one a lot sooner.

Legit question - responses after my initial question have reassured me that the manual should still be an option for MY 24, so I'm content to wait unless I can get a cheaper deal.

My dealer's rationale for their lack of allocations these last two months is that many of their initial M3 orders were BMW Individual orders, so now they aren't getting as many. I was at the top of their list when the F80 first came out and got my allocation right away, so I'm inclined to believe them.

[geko29]

Originally Posted by fueledbymetal

My dealer's rationale for their lack of allocations these last two months is that many of their initial M3 orders were BMW Individual orders, so now they aren't getting as many. I was at the top of their list when the F80 first came out and got my allocation right away, so I'm inclined to believe them.

That really doesn't make any sense. I can hear the factory now: "How dare you sell cars that are more profitable for us! No more allocations for you!"

If it were true, I would expect most dealers to strongly discourage individual orders, because each one they sold would directly reduce their volume and therefore revenue. Instead, most of the dealers in my area at least have a HUGE design wall showcasing all the individual options, to encourage customers to go custom even if they didn't know such a thing was possible when they walked in.

[wavyyyy]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

I love manuals. But I did not enjoy the 2 manual M3's Ive owned. That 2nd gear shift was always clunky or picky if you shifted to fast.

If I was still a die hard 6MT fan. I would be looking into any older 911 in 6MT in lue of a M3.

This is the only manual car I’ve ever owned and I still agree with this. I really have enjoyed learning and driving manual but that 2nd gear shift really sucks. A cdv delete helped but I would buy a comp and different manual if I could do it again. An older one with shorter gears.

[DFW_M]

Interesting to continue hearing all the "whining" about the BMW manuals.
This G80 will be my 7th manual BMW since 2003...and I loved all of them. During that period, I had 3 Automatic/DCT BMWs, hated them all, boring, no difference between that and my wife's AT Accord... I did have Honda (S2000, Prelude, Accord, Civic), Toyota (Matrix), VW (Golf, GTI, S4) and did not feel that the BMW 6MT is any worse than any of those...in fact, did not like the "clicking" one of Toyota at all and found that the VW ones were very "sticky"

[MinMax]

What about the new 2024 Acura Integra Type S? Maybe it’s not the same class, but that car could be a fun manual.
Acura Integra Type S

[weingarm]

Originally Posted by geko29

That really doesn't make any sense. I can hear the factory now: "How dare you sell cars that are more profitable for us! No more allocations for you!"

If it were true, I would expect most dealers to strongly discourage individual orders, because each one they sold would directly reduce their volume and therefore revenue. Instead, most of the dealers in my area at least have a HUGE design wall showcasing all the individual options, to encourage customers to go custom even if they didn't know such a thing was possible when they walked in.

It may not make sense on the surface but one way it does make sense is this:

BMWNA determines future M3/M4 dealer allocations, in part, based on how many cars each said dealer has delivered in a given time period. So the longer it takes a dealer to proceed from an available allocation to delivery of that eventual vehicle to a customer limits the total number of M3/M4 said dealer can deliver (and hence, limits future allocations).

It’s in a dealer’s best interest (in order to get the most allocations) to keep them all with standard/available options - so that they get built as quickly as possible and hence delivered quicker too.

Yes, of course BMWNA wants customers to option them up to pad profits, but to an extent, individual dealers care MORE about getting the most allocations because they don’t see much of a difference in profit between an $85,000 M3 or a $100,000 M3.

More allocations mean more profit to a dealer.

[fueledbymetal]

Originally Posted by MinMax

What about the new 2024 Acura Integra Type S? Maybe it’s not the same class, but that car could be a fun manual.
Acura Integra Type S

I had considered this but the sloping backroof makes head room too small for my 6ft (and possibly still growing) boys.

[geko29]

Originally Posted by weingarm

It may not make sense on the surface but one way it does make sense is this:

I don't disagree with your explanation, and it would be a slam-dunk if dealers designed the allocation process themselves. However they do not, so it does still presuppose that BMW corporate intentionally designs its allocation process to punish dealers that bring the factory larger profits.