Quote:
Originally Posted by dakine_surf
The loss of manual transmission across the lineup is pretty disappointing... I get that people in NA don't actually buy many, but BMW has a base of customers who are enthusiasts unlike any brand.
I know the auto is faster, smoother, has more gears and for most average drivers is the better choice. But I grew up with manual BMWs, I got my license all those years ago in a manual e36 M3. I live in the EU part time and It's hard to think of myself as the minority when all I see are 3 pedal cars over here. If they make them for EU, why not let NA customers take ED of manual cars. I get not shipping 3 pedal cars to sit on lots and showrooms, but ordering and taking ED is a different story.
|
It is extremely sad to see, however there are a lot of enthusiast brands that are switching over. For example, I did some contracting work for a Subaru dealership, and to see a WRX with a CVT automatic nearly made me sick. I remember seeing a Grand Tour episode where they put a Polo GTI with a DSG vs a manual Fiesta ST and some kind of Toyota Yaris pushing 200+ HP, and the Polo, with the automatic, destroyed the other two with more weight and less power. Technology is just moving quickly. I just pray they don't start phasing the manuals out in the M Cars completely, that will be a very very sad day.