[Ashwin34]

Hi all,

I noticed that for Manual M3s with full merino leather, they don’t have the leather knee pad stitching on the side of the console, whereas the Competition’s with full merino do. The manuals with full merino seem to have the hard plastic that’s on the extended leather options.

I know it’s a very minor thing, but if I’m ordering full merino for my manual m3 this is a nice detail I’d like to have. Is this how it usually is for the manual vs comp Full merino option?

My apologies for the low quality pictures.

[BryanCO]

My understanding is that what you have posted is correct - padded for the Comp as those that buy an automatic are soft.

[Ashwin34]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

My understanding is that what you have posted is correct - padded for the Comp as those that buy an automatic are soft.

Ahahahah. I find it strange though because the manual M4 with full merino seems to have the knee pad leather padding/stitching on the BMW configurator.

[rak299]

Looking at the "build your own" dialog, the interior view shows a non-padded side for both. Could it be different by model year? (Certainly, the B.Y.O. thing could be wrong

[chris3g]

The manual center console is a slightly different shape and for all MY 21-23 BMW did not produce a padded version for the manuals, so you got hard plastic regardless of which leather option you chose. However this has always been properly reflected in the configurator, so it’s possible (although seems unlikely tbh) that they have started producing a padded manual kneepad for MY24. The online parts catalog isn’t showing 24 yet, but there has to be someone here with a full leather manual 24 that can confirm.

[wtwo3]

Have a '23 base with full merino and can confirm no knee pads.

[nunzo]

The whole center console is different - the manual cars use the parts from the euro spec 318/320.

Knee pads are only available in plastic, the cup holder door is a different shape, the shifter trim area is matte not gloss and the idrive controller is in a different spot.

M performance knee pads and matte carbon parts won’t fit either.

[willworkforsushi]

Originally Posted by nunzo

The whole center console is different - the manual cars use the parts from the euro spec 318/320.

Knee pads are only available in plastic, the cup holder door is a different shape, the shifter trim area is matte not gloss and the idrive controller is in a different spot.

M performance knee pads and matte carbon parts won’t fit either.

I wonder why BMW chose to do this for manual vs auto? I have a manual G87 and am trying to fit a few things that clearly won't work because most of the aftermarket is for auto trans.

[s58]

Originally Posted by nunzo

The whole center console is different - the manual cars use the parts from the euro spec 318/320.

Knee pads are only available in plastic, the cup holder door is a different shape, the shifter trim area is matte not gloss and the idrive controller is in a different spot.

M performance knee pads and matte carbon parts won’t fit either.

We don't even get the wireless charging tray in front of the cup holder area either - it's hidden in the central storage box. Probably also a reason why we don't get the digital key for engine starting.

[willworkforsushi]

Originally Posted by s58

We don't even get the wireless charging tray in front of the cup holder area either - it's hidden in the central storage box. Probably also a reason why we don't get the digital key for engine starting.

I wonder if an auto trans center storage area/cup holder will fit if you swapped it out. It's pretty easy to take the OEM one out.

[chris3g]

It won’t fit, the space in the manual is much smaller.

[willworkforsushi]

Originally Posted by chris3g

It won’t fit, the space in the manual is much smaller.

OK, this makes sense.

[Mike02z]

Yup, no leather knee pads in any 24 M4 Manual. I cant even find aftermarket for the manual. Comp only 😔

[bimmerCHAOS]

Originally Posted by chris3g

The manual center console is a slightly different shape and for all MY 21-23 BMW did not produce a padded version for the manuals, so you got hard plastic regardless of which leather option you chose. However this has always been properly reflected in the configurator, so it’s possible (although seems unlikely tbh) that they have started producing a padded manual kneepad for MY24. The online parts catalog isn’t showing 24 yet, but there has to be someone here with a full leather manual 24 that can confirm.

Yep, I have full leather in my 2024 G80 6MT ... and can confirm the knee pads are the hard, non-leather stuff. No big deal at the end of the day, of course -- but still annoying on a $100k car (especially considering leather obviously is available and used on the auto versions). Whatever; I think the side of my right knee can handle this terrible abuse.

Maybe it'll be updated/changed on the LCI version? Guess we'll find out in short order....

[86zccrx]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Mine has full padding.

Not sure why so many young owners post these things when you can simply run down to the dealer and see it with your own eyes. Simple.

There are also a lot of ignorant owners on here. You hate to say that but nothing has changed in over 25 years.

By the way I don’t ever read responses. 🤙

If you have the padding, then you may be the only one with it. Are you sure you aren't mistaken?

[Mike02z]

Originally Posted by 86zccrx

If you have the padding, then you may be the only one with it. Are you sure you aren't mistaken?

I’m pretty sure he is mistaken. I’ve looked all over and not one aftermarket seller has these. They all say “Automatic Only”. I’d love if someone found one.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

I’m pretty sure he is mistaken. I’ve looked all over and not one aftermarket seller has these. They all say “Automatic Only”. I’d love if someone found one.

Just looking at a selection of manual M4's with full leather on autotrader, and none of them have the leather knee pads. I'm pretty sure he's mistaken as well.

[86zccrx]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Not sure why so many old owners post these things when you can simply run down to your car and see it with your own eyes. Simple.

fixed it for them

[Zaman250]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

I’m pretty sure he is mistaken. I’ve looked all over and not one aftermarket seller has these. They all say “Automatic Only”. I’d love if someone found one.

yeah - he has a photo of his M4 too, with a comp badge in the rear. So presuming its an comp.

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...9#post31135589

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6#post30994706

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Mine has full padding.

Not sure why so many young owners post these things when you can simply run down to the dealer and see it with your own eyes. Simple.

There are also a lot of ignorant owners on here. You hate to say that but nothing has changed in over 25 years.

By the way I don’t ever read responses. 🤙

Apparently he doesn’t bother to read any posts…. And the irony…

[Mike02z]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Mine has full padding.

Not sure why so many young owners post these things when you can simply run down to the dealer and see it with your own eyes. Simple.

There are also a lot of ignorant owners on here. You hate to say that but nothing has changed in over 25 years.

By the way I don’t ever read responses. 🤙

No, if you have a manual it does not have full padded knee rests. You are 100% wrong.

A lot of ignorant users that don’t bother actually reading the thread. Or that don’t even know what car they have. See that little “Competition” badge under the M3 badge? That denotes you do not have a manual 🤣

Saying why don’t users just pop down to their local dealer to see for themselves is asinine. How many M3’s are on dealer lots right now? Very few. Of that rare few, how many are manuals?

Glad you enjoy doing a hit-and-run in threads and not reading posts after you spout inaccurate information then run away. Way to man-up😉

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

No, if you have a manual it does not have full padded knee rests. You are 100% wrong.

A lot of ignorant users that don’t bother actually reading the thread. Or that don’t even know what car they have. See that little “Competition” badge under the M3 badge? That denotes you do not have a manual 🤣

Saying why don’t users just pop down to their local dealer to see for themselves is asinine. How many M3’s are on dealer lots right now? Very few. Of that rare few, how many are manuals?

Glad you enjoy doing a hit-and-run in threads and not reading posts after you spout inaccurate information then run away. Way to man-up😉

He has another picture (posted above) of the inside of his car and it's indeed a manual. I'm not sure why he has Competition badge on the exterior (perhaps he's owned both?). Don't know, but either way the interior picture of his manual clearly shows that he does not have the leather knee pads.