[kscarrol]

I love these manual discussions. Having learned to drive on a stick '65 Mustang and I drove manual for years, I appreciate the experience. But car companies are in the business of selling cars to make a profit. If the market doesn't want them then they will cater to the market. Combine that with advances in auto transmissions such as the dual clutch, I understand how the average buyer has moved on from the manual tranny. As someone who owns a '74 2002 tii 5-speed and a '97 Z3 with stick I get it but folks need to get over the fact that BMW and all car companies don't make money by catering to a small/shrinking segment of the market.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, having driven my '11 (Sept '10 build) M3 for almost 9 years, I appreciate the technology but will likely go back to manual in my next car. But the market is what it is...