[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

I'm a manual guy through and through, but I am not of the opinion that driving a subpar manual is a better experience. The manual BMW is using has basically been the same one they've been using for 20 years and it annoys me that for all of the wonderful engineering they do, and can do, they wouldn't offer a better manual experience.
PDK certainly is better if you're after lap times, but their manual experience is second to none especially on the GT cars.

I understand. I would not call the M3 manual subpar. I appreciate that BMW offers a manual while most other manufacturers do not - especially in a sports sedan.

Everybody should buy what they like and works best for them. Most cars are a compromise in some areas.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

This thread isnt about PDK vs ZF8 though so that wouldnt be helpful, thus not broaching the subject.
Just my M cars I had 2 e46 m3s (both manual), 2 e92 M3s (one manual, one dct), a Z4M (manual), 2 F8x gen cars (both manual), F90 M5Comp (hated the ZF8 in that car), and now 2 G80 M3s. I think I started to enjoy the manual less once they went turbo as I find turbo engines are better often times with a transmission that keeps the boost up. I felt the same way about my 991.2 Carrera S in manual too...good manual but didnt enjoy it as much as my 991.2 Carrera T with PDK.

Fair enough. I took my first 300 mile trip (one way, two days 600 miles) through the mountains and found the g80 manual to really shine. If you’re around town and hitting it once in a while it’s not shining the same way. But I hear what you’re saying. The 911 is a completely different car, and I’m tired of the comparison - it’s an uncompromised sports car that costs twice as much.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

This thread isnt about PDK vs ZF8 though so that wouldnt be helpful, thus not broaching the subject.
Just my M cars I had 2 e46 m3s (both manual), 2 e92 M3s (one manual, one dct), a Z4M (manual), 2 F8x gen cars (both manual), F90 M5Comp (hated the ZF8 in that car), and now 2 G80 M3s. I think I started to enjoy the manual less once they went turbo as I find turbo engines are better often times with a transmission that keeps the boost up. I felt the same way about my 991.2 Carrera S in manual too...good manual but didnt enjoy it as much as my 991.2 Carrera T with PDK.

it's a good example of how a transmission choice can be let down by sub-par support. I the case of the 991's 7MT, the gearing is just galactically long. I've not driven a 991.2 manual but in the naturally aspirated 991.1 that I owned, second was good for 72 MPH in a car with peak TORQUE of 5,600 RPM. I mean....WTAF Porsche. Completely ruined the point of having a manual.

I do like manuals but as you point out, the turbo / auto combination has been the more robust engineering solution for a long time, and has only gotten better the more sophisticated the transmission computers have gotten. The PDK with the .2 3.0 turbo engine is a gem.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Fair enough. I took my first 300 mile trip (one way, two days 600 miles) through the mountains and found the g80 manual to really shine. If you’re around town and hitting it once in a while it’s not shining the same way. But I hear what you’re saying. The 911 is a completely different car, and I’m tired of the comparison - it’s an uncompromised sports car that costs twice as much.

The 911 is certainly built ground up but I dont think they're uncompromised - they ride and handle pavement as well as the M3 if not better (GT4 included), but even the Porsche manuals in their base cars (718 B/C) are still better in terms of their feel and overall engagement and the interconnectivity between the two.
Agnostic of driving those few manuals that stand out (I would drive my GT4 and M3 often back to back or swap days which the issue is exacerbated), the M3 likely would never trigger an issue for anyone. It does getter better over time, and I never got around to doing the CDV removal either which may have helped.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

The 911 is certainly built with one main purpose in mind, but even the Porsche manuals in their base cars (718 B/C) are still better in terms of their feel and overall engagement and the interconnectivity between the two.
Agnostic of driving those few manuals that stand out (I would drive my GT4 and M3 often back to back or swap days which the issue is exacerbated), the M3 likely would never trigger an issue for anyone. It does getter better over time, and I never got around to doing the CDV removal either which may have helped.

Respectfully, the 718 is not a “base car.” It’s still a ground-up mid-engine sports car that’s softened in its “base” forms but the GT4 can’t be compared with an M car.

We’ve had similar M cars, so we don’t need to belabor the point. The point is the manual G80 is an awesome sport sedan, and I absolutely love driving the manual. The ZF8 is capable but boring by comparison with it or the DCT.

The 911 is uncompromised by things like 4 doors, creature comforts, massive trunk space, and the weight that comes with a sedan.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I the case of the 991's 7MT, the gearing is just galactically long. I've not driven a 991.2 manual but in the naturally aspirated 991.1 that I owned, second was good for 72 MPH in a car with peak TORQUE of 5,600 RPM. I mean....WTAF Porsche. Completely ruined the point of having a manual.

Great point. As I understand it, this long gearing issue has continued especially in the 718. 2nd goes to 82 mph and 3rd to 110 mph.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Respectfully, the 718 is not a “base car.” It’s still a ground-up mid-engine sports car that’s softened in its “base” forms but the GT4 can’t be compared with an M car.

We’ve had similar M cars, so we don’t need to belabor the point. The point is the manual G80 is an awesome sport sedan, and I absolutely love driving the manual. The ZF8 is capable but boring by comparison with it or the DCT.

All of the models are great...though I dont see the point of the rwd comp model. I agree the manual car is still a great sport sedan either way...and if I didnt have other cars which offer a better experience I'd have certainly kept it to have manual as an experience at all.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

All of the models are great...though I dont see the point of the rwd comp model. I agree the manual car is still a great sport sedan either way...and if I didnt have other cars which offer a better experience I'd have certainly kept it to have manual as an experience at all.

Point of a RWD comp is less weight. And unless you get the M track package or whatever they’re calling it now on the x drive you can’t have that sliding scale of traction control. RWD bias settings are great but turning off traction control for RWD only was a non-starter for me on a car with 503 hp! I should add that I also owned an x drive comp last year.

[TaroBaapG35]

I'm echoing multiple other posts, but I would test drive both. Since you don't know how to drive manual, get some practice with a friend who has a manual and then go test drive. Also understand that in this market, switching out of either car will not be light financially if you decide that whichever you've bought you'd rather something else.

I've got a MT m3 on order, but have spent a bit of time in a MT m4 and can say even with my 60mi round trip work commute (95% highway) 2x a week I'm still springing for a manual. I've had the x3m comp, currently have a model s plaid. So I can understand everyone's comments about being fast in a straight line and best 0-60 etc. Personally the AT mixed with the high hp is just boring for me. Yes it is wonderful to leave the car in Auto and cruise then hit m2 mode and rip the car, but for me it doesn't evoke the same emotion. Especially considering it's a nearly $100k car. But that is also the positive point of the vehicle. The dual nature personality.

Simple. Learn manual with a friend, or honestly you can jump in and get the m3 as your first manual and be happy. Many others have done that and if you truly love the manual then just get it.

[nepats81]

This is extremely helpful , I appreciate it .

I’m going to take a manual instructional course and see how I like it.

For most of you, do you have an auto for your Daily driver and then a 6 MT for your weekend car? Does anyone daily a 6MT?

[TaroBaapG35]

Originally Posted by nepats81

This is extremely helpful , I appreciate it .

I’m going to take a manual instructional course and see how I like it.

For most of you, do you have an auto for your Daily driver and then a 6 MT for your weekend car? Does anyone daily a 6MT?

I dailyed a manual modded 370z for 3 years on a 45mi round trip work commute in all weathers in NC. I loved every minute of it. But I had a AT sedan on side. Manual m3 is perfect combo. Manual, 4 door, enough space to get passengers and do road trips etc. Which is why I'm bailing on my amazing Model s Plaid for it. Lol

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by nepats81

This is extremely helpful , I appreciate it .

I’m going to take a manual instructional course and see how I like it.

For most of you, do you have an auto for your Daily driver and then a 6 MT for your weekend car? Does anyone daily a 6MT?

My 6MT has been my only car for 35 months. I daily-drove MTs from 1989 until 2013 when I traded in my '06 RSX-S for an auto 3 series. 8 years of Auto or DCT ended when I traded my M2C for my M3.

[Tall Tom Cruise]

So funny how this thread took a turn for the 2 most debated topics on this forum: manual vs. auto & m3 vs. 911.

OP, prior to picking up my manual g80 back in spring of 2021, I had only practiced driving manual in my friends car one time for 45 minutes, and this was way back in 2017. You're a car guy so you know how the MT works, etc... so you'll be fine driving the MT off the lot.

I drove mine off the lot (having never owned a manual car) and found it incredibly easy to drive. It is my only car and daily driver. 3 months in I really got the hang of it. I stalled less than 5 times in this time period. 6 months in I could drive the car fast. 9 months in I can absolutely bang gears and mastered it.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by nepats81

This is extremely helpful , I appreciate it .

I’m going to take a manual instructional course and see how I like it.

For most of you, do you have an auto for your Daily driver and then a 6 MT for your weekend car? Does anyone daily a 6MT?

I have 2 autos (ZF 8spd in the X7 and the old 7spd DCT in the mini) and the M3 is my 6MT. When I hop into either of the auto cars I experience phantom clutch (I instinctively lift my left leg as if to depress a clutch that isn't there) and immediately miss the engagement of driving the M3. Unless you get stuck in heavy traffic often, manual is very much daily-able and makes every drive special.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Tall Tom Cruise

So funny how this thread took a turn for the 2 most debated topics on this forum: manual vs. auto & m3 vs. 911.

OP, prior to picking up my manual g80 back in spring of 2021, I had only practiced driving manual in my friends car one time for 45 minutes, and this was way back in 2017. You're a car guy so you know how the MT works, etc... so you'll be fine driving the MT off the lot.

I drove mine off the lot (having never owned a manual car) and found it incredibly easy to drive. It is my only car and daily driver. 3 months in I really got the hang of it. I stalled less than 5 times in this time period. 6 months in I could drive the car fast. 9 months in I can absolutely bang gears and mastered it.

Yeah, keeping on topic, I'd say that I wouldn't hesitate to buy an M3 not knowing how to drive a stick. Just find one to practice and learn on before hand. Don't need to be perfect. The car has a very forgiving clutch for the most part (granted I've only driven 3 manual equipped G80's but in general.....) and you'll get the hang of it. The turbo torque will help if you're in the wrong gear and in no time you'll get the hang of it.

It's just a car.

[napeHbNYC]

Originally Posted by TaroBaapG35

I'm echoing multiple other posts, but I would test drive both. Since you don't know how to drive manual, get some practice with a friend who has a manual and then go test drive. Also understand that in this market, switching out of either car will not be light financially if you decide that whichever you've bought you'd rather something else.

I've got a MT m3 on order, but have spent a bit of time in a MT m4 and can say even with my 60mi round trip work commute (95% highway) 2x a week I'm still springing for a manual. I've had the x3m comp, currently have a model s plaid. So I can understand everyone's comments about being fast in a straight line and best 0-60 etc. Personally the AT mixed with the high hp is just boring for me. Yes it is wonderful to leave the car in Auto and cruise then hit m2 mode and rip the car, but for me it doesn't evoke the same emotion. Especially considering it's a nearly $100k car. But that is also the positive point of the vehicle. The dual nature personality.

Simple. Learn manual with a friend, or honestly you can jump in and get the m3 as your first manual and be happy. Many others have done that and if you truly love the manual then just get it.

Exactly same case here. Had an X3MC and was bored after a couple months. Traded it in for the G80 6mt and couldn’t be happier. And I daily my car in NYC traffic.

[wavyyyy]

Body builders would get the 6MT

[skyline408]

best part of driving manual, blipping the throttle as I reverse

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by nepats81

This is extremely helpful , I appreciate it .

I’m going to take a manual instructional course and see how I like it.

For most of you, do you have an auto for your Daily driver and then a 6 MT for your weekend car? Does anyone daily a 6MT?

All my BMWs are manual
Including DDs
E36/7 z3 with Conforti and airflow mods
E46 330i with Dinan 3 mods
And of course G80