[GrinchSpec]

This is just my opinion. It is based off my experiences driving a manual and automatic. I know people may disagree and that’s ok.

Base vs Bucket Seats

Base seats you will move around more during corners. This extra movement makes you feel slightly less secure which can be more thrilling to experience. Don’t get me wrong, the base seats still hug you really well; better than 99% of cars on the road.
Of course bucket seats are better for “going” faster but my point is, it “feels” faster. The bucket seats will help stabilize your body which in turn stabilizes your arms for you to make precise movements during a corner at the track. Which results in better lap times.

However, I primarily drive on the streets with track days a couple times a year (And it will still be fun to see if I can keep beating my lap times in a manual). I can’t drive the M3 to its limits anyways, so the extra “instability” makes the car feel faster because the feel from the car shifting in acceleration during a corner would be more apparent when you body is moving left and right more than the buckets.
Also, it is super comfortable compared to the buckets, but this is not the point of this post.

But also looks beautiful.

The Manual Transmission

Yes, the automatic is quicker, but the manual “feels” faster. Here’s why I think it feels faster. When you upshift, you have to depress the clutch which cuts out the power for about 0.4 - 1.0 seconds. This in turn temporarily decelerates your car and you slightly lurch forward. Then you release the clutch and press on the gas and you immediately start accelerating again. The G force rate at that moment in time would be greater than when the automatic shifts. So in a way, it feels like you’re “launching” the car every upshift unlike the constant acceleration and smooth shifting from the automatic.

However, I will say the automatic “feels” faster during a launch, due to its extreme launch capability. But you are not always going to launch it. So I rather have the enjoyment of manual at the local streets.

This, in a way, is the same point as the bucket seat comparison. It feels less “stable” from having to take off one hand from the steering wheel in combination with feeling the aggressive shifting from the manual. So it’s more “fun” and ”feels faster” (kinda like how the extreme body roll from the Miata makes cornering more fun)

It’s even more apparent if you take your time with the shifts but still immediately wide open throttle as soon you shift. This “cuts” the power longer so you slow down more, so that you can experience greater acceleration.

Overall, both transmissions are amazing and I would buy both if I have the opportunity to do so.
One to set lap times, the other to focus on the drive and not the time.

Pros of auto:

Driving in traffic (I know it’s muscle memory so I’m used to manuals in traffic, but there are some days where I just want to sit back and listen to a podcast without the 1-2, 1-2, 1-2 shifting)
Lower RPM cruising at 80 MPH (quieter engine noise for highway commutes)
Better gas mileage
Faster
Better launch control
AWD option (but I don’t mind RWD. Remember the “fEeLs fAsTeR” explanation? Bleh, shut up about the feels, we get it already)
Carbon shift paddles (they just look so cool)
Remote start (People couldn’t care less for this, but I think this would be so convenient to warm up your car while you’re still in the house lol)
Self-driving/auto-pilot, whatever it’s called
You can eat with one hand and drive with the other (it’s not recommended to do, unsafe. Although, I did mastered the art of manual-driving eating; feasting on my breakfast bar during morning commutes)
Better sales, so it’ll result in more used cars for people to buy second-hand.
Dealership service employees can’t accidentally stall your engine when you take it in for service (happened to me, not a big deal though)
Do not have to replace the clutch
Auto-hold (I’m lazy sometimes)
Upshift farts/burbles (I love that sound)
Did I say traffic

Pros of manual:

More driving engagement (you have to use all 4 limbs to drive the car)
“Feels” faster
I can pretend I’m in Fast and the Furious
A little cheaper
Lower chance of the car getting stolen
Have to be more focused when driving
My wife’s boyfriend probably can’t drive a manual (shout out savage geese)
^ that’s about it

Looks like a lot more pros for auto than manual. Personally for me, the driving engagement pro is weighed so heavily for me, that I would still choose a manual over an auto.
One is not better than the other. They are each better in its own way. It’s all preference. Drive both transmission and buy the one you enjoy the most.
One day, when manuals are extinct, so be it. That’s capitalism for ya. I’m just enjoying it while it lasts.

Pros of buckets:

Hugs you better during corners
Helps with performance driving = faster lap times
Carbon Fiber!
Looks AMAZING

Pros of base seats:

More comfortable to sit and get in-and-out of
Feels “faster”

Feel free to add any pros I didn’t mention. Or why you think it’s not a pro.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either manual or auto. Buckets or base seats. Let’s just enjoy M3s.

[BryanCO]

Humm. Both and seat and transmission thread…

[Burrcold]

Huh

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Sorry but I can't really reply to this.

[AlterZgo]

I have not driven a manual G80 but I owned a tuned F80 manual for 7 yrs. The G80x I drove felt noticeably quicker than my tuned F80 manual due to zero grip in 1st 2nd and partly 3rd gear in my F80. For the same reason I think a manual G80 would feel slower than a G80x comp due to the lack of traction from the mandatory RWDon the manual G80.

[evoi19]

This is a first….

[aexia1Yo]

Which oil feels faster?

[G MONEY]

Poor guy in his slow ass manual Lol

[JD15]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Humm. Both and seat and transmission thread…

I think we need to work in a discussion of whether the carbon roof or moonroof makes the car feel faster.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by JD15

I think we need to work in a discussion of whether the carbon roof or moonroof makes the car feel faster.

Along with M Performance Floor Mats.

[Needsdecaf]

A post that manages to stir TWO pots at once. Impressive!

[Hit_Apex]

Same some dough and get a Miati with an armor-alled bench seat.

[ADDONE]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Humm. Both and seat and transmission thread…

Originally Posted by bri1042

Along with M Performance Floor Mats.

We need a thread on how XPEL Stealth wrap shields car from radar detection.

[Mark Kez]

I have no words, none!

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Mark Kez

I have no words, none!

Well, apparently you have at least 5.

[azlightning213]

Dude. Respectfully, please go back to English 101 so you can formulate collected thoughts.

[aktif8]

The only thing I can think of

[hypzM3]

Gallo 12 or Gallo 24?

[yousefnjr]

It’s kind of like how women only find me attractive after a few drinks

[GrinchSpec]

azlightning213 sorry English is my second language, thought I was making enough sense

[GrinchSpec]

G MONEY comments like these make you sound like a high schooler having a dick measuring contest

[Macabuca]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

Poor guy in his slow ass manual Lol

I wouldn’t say poor …

Maybe passionate… maybe impressed


Speed is cheap….. ie. Model S plaid, model 3p

People who buy the 6 speed dont buy it for speed.