[V-Eight]

I have an Auto M140i, and an auto M3xcomp. I'll buy a manual M2 to complete my "bmw garage" in 2023.

[james550imanual]

My biggest regret was when I switched to an automatic (in my previous car) thinking I could get used to it. It was a month in the lease that I realized how much I hated the car. 😂

I then swore I would go back to a manual as long as they keep making them.

[MTM3]

Originally Posted by PVC

Thats the only reason?

Yes. The car is butt ugly. The only reason to pick it over so many amazing AT only cars like X3M X5M, M5, Audi and MB offerings, is that it’s available with 6MT

[nearwater4me]

Originally Posted by MTM3

NORAGRATS

ROFL
That scene was hilarious.

[Chad11491]

No Regrets. The only reason I have this car is because it's a RWD, manual, 4 door that I can still have fun in but take my family with me too. If it was auto only I'd probably have a boring accord or something and a dedicated manual weekend fun car, but I'd rather not have multiple cars.

[Dolemite79]

I've been a manual enthusiast my entire life, I learned to drive stick on an e36 m3, my pops made the dealership throw in stick lessons on a demo m3 when he bought his in 97. Every car but my first (a 98 acura integra) has been a manual.

I got the M3 because i needed a four door car and it had a manual and i had no idea if a manual 4 door sports sedan would ever be available again.

I previously have owned two other BMW's with a manual, an 08 335i and an 11 1 Series M so im very interested to see how the manual feels on the M3. My top 3 for manuals i've driven is
1. 01 Suburu WRX
2. 19 z06
and
3. the 1 series m.

Unfortunately I cannot share my thoughts on the M3 since my car has been sitting at the baltimore VPC since oct 19th with two stop sales.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by Dolemite79

Unfortunately I cannot share my thoughts on the M3 since my car has been sitting at the baltimore VPC since oct 19th with two stop sales.

That must be extremely aggravating... hopefully will get resolved soon.

[Dolemite79]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

That must be extremely aggravating... hopefully will get resolved soon.

extremely is an understatement as I can't get an answer as to how much longer its going to be and other people are getting their stop sales resolved much quicker.

[par__m3]

I do I have to say, the more I drive this manual the better it gets. I'm a tick over 1,000 miles now and it's feeling better. Not sure if that's related to a break-in or me getting used to it. Probably the latter. It's quite a bit different from my GT350.

[Trojan4evr]

Originally Posted by par_m3

I do I have to say, the more I drive this manual the better it gets. I'm a tick over 1,000 miles now and it's feeling better. Not sure if that's related to a break-in or me getting used to it. Probably the latter. It's quite a bit different from my GT350.

Ditto, for me the biggest thing to get comfortable with was the 2-3 shift and how little horizontal travel is in the shift itself compared to 4-5.

[par__m3]

1-2 has been the challenge for me, and I think that's mostly down to the CDV.

[nearwater4me]

Originally Posted by par_m3

I do I have to say, the more I drive this manual the better it gets. I'm a tick over 1,000 miles now and it's feeling better. Not sure if that's related to a break-in or me getting used to it. Probably the latter. It's quite a bit different from my GT350.

I can definitely relate to that, as I've put over 52k miles on my previous M2C.
The always varying clutch release point/speed was hard to get used to.
But when I started to daily the M2C, it became much easier.

The shifter is a whole other story.
Some people worship the Honda shifters including the S2k.
I've owned RSX-S, WRX, S2k, VW R32, C6 Z51, Gen6 Camaro SS, all with manual shifters and I much prefer the smooth (my term, others say rubbery) shifters over the notchy Honda shifters or the Tremec ones.

The only shifter I have yet to experience is the Porsche's.
I'm hoping to have one in my stable before ICE+manual goes extinct.

[nearwater4me]

Originally Posted by par_m3

1-2 has been the challenge for me, and I think that's mostly down to the CDV.

Trust me, you'll eventually get the hang of it.
It's a crapshoot at first, but you adapt to it.
I was about to pull out the CDV before realizing I was quite satisfied with the behavior.
It felt like I needed to start releasing the clutch just a smidge faster before giving enough throttle.

[par__m3]

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

Some people worship the Honda shifters including the S2k.
I've owned RSX-S, WRX, S2k, VW R32, C6 Z51, Gen6 Camaro SS, all with manual shifters and I much prefer the smooth (my term, others say rubbery) shifters over the notchy Honda shifters or the Tremec ones.

I kind of agree with you on the shifter. I would say my favorite shifters for spirited driving belonged to my S2000 and my GT350. But for normal driving I much prefer the M3.

I have driven some non-M BMW manuals and they always felt a little to rubbery to me, but this one feels just right. Not rubbery, but smooth, as you say.

[GixY2K]

After driven manuals since I was 12, traffic was my #1 reason I went to auto. Even when living in rural areas, I knew I had to drive to downtown LA/405fwy and be torture with its bumper to bumper traffic. STI was my last manual. GTR my first personal automatic (wife's cars have been auto).

[TrentMeister]

Originally Posted by james550imanual

My biggest regret was when I switched to an automatic (in my previous car) thinking I could get used to it. It was a month in the lease that I realized how much I hated the car. 😂

I then swore I would go back to a manual as long as they keep making them.

My current position, I positively hate the zf8

[Circa77]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

So: I'm curious to hear from 6MT owners: Any regrets with your choice? Either with respect to shift/clutch quality, or with the lower hp/tq output?

lol no

The 8 speed is obviously faster and has the unmolested factory tune. But I personally cannot fathom the decision to buy the quintessential drivers car and neglect including a 3rd pedal.

The shifter is completely fine, but the clutch engagement is completely lacking. Still though, not as lacking as not actually having one. so...

Of course, I personally didn't buy it to post quarter mile times, I don't care. I bought it for a fun, engaging car to drive. And for me, a proper drivers car means having a 3rd pedal full stop.

[G80indy]

It's very simple for me actually. All of my BMWs are manual.
I really enjoy modifying the throttle between gears, and to even skip gears- say second to fourth.. So even though I am getting up in the years it's something for my left leg to do in the car, and part of me thinks about the use it or lose it proposition haha
Also a drummer so it exercises my left calf muscles….

(If I lived in LA or Atlanta, I'd own an automatic, so I get that about heavy traffic)

[nearwater4me]

Brought the car home last night and realized the shifter and clutch feels different than my previous M2C.
Shifter feels more notchy but refined at the same time.
It was a pleasant surprise because I was expecting the exact same feel as the M2.
I'm excited to put more miles as I learn the clutch engagement point and speed.

Those who're still on the fence, you'll not regret going with the 6MT.

[WickedBMW]

Manual is much more fun to drive, tbh

[MTM3]

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

Brought the car home last night and realized the shifter and clutch feels different than my previous M2C.
Shifter feels more notchy but refined at the same time.
It was a pleasant surprise because I was expecting the exact same feel as the M2.
I'm excited to put more miles as I learn the clutch engagement point and speed.

Those who're still on the fence, you'll not regret going with the 6MT.

So awesome to hear. I can’t wait for mine. Why can’t I just come back for some stupid amplifier chip, give me my car lol

[BMWRacer523]

Originally Posted by par_m3

1-2 has been the challenge for me, and I think that's mostly down to the CDV.

That's always been an issue in BMW MT. Had the same in my e39 540 6spd. CDV delete helped.