[DerDichter]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Blue and Brown are 'in' right now in Munich.

Pretty happy to see some great blues...Brown not so much.

Big fan of blues here, although some are bored of it I still love the EB II

Bit they have one brown in love in the X5, don't know the name or code but in the shade looks almost black, when the sun hits directly a rich brown almost purple sparkles. It looks amazing. I thought I'd never like a brown car.

[Falafel Combo]

The final chapter in "history of manual transmissions" is already being written.

Sorry folks. It appears BMW has thrown in the towel.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

No more Manuals for the BMW 3-Series?

No, I believe you misunderstood. No manual for the M340i. 4 cylinders models will retain the manual option, but it is yet unclear whether the US market will have that option.

[termigni]

Originally Posted by Levente_CSL

i already saw the production car without camo, and all the trim lines. all i can say is it looks amazing and ten times better looking then the f30

I hope it looks better than the F30 because those are the ugliest and poorest driving 3 series ever. (not counting the M cars).

[Falafel Combo]

After 6 manual BMW 3 series and M3's, I must say that I do not miss it. Maybe I'm getting old. Actually, I am. But the sport ZF8 transmission is simply a magical transmission and leaves not a single horse unturned, when it comes to power delivery. It is truly exceptional. Smooth and efficient when you want it, sporty, engaging and lightning fast when you need it!

Maybe every now and then I wish I had the ability to row my own gears, but even those reminiscing episodes are becoming farther in-between.

Besides, I never liked auto transmissions on larger engines. A 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo will still deliver many thrills and grins.

The performance models are much better suited with a ZF8.

[ando]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

it's the size of a 5 series.. so.. I can see why no manual

Agree it's looking big. I never once said that I wished my old F30 was bigger

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Sure. Just move to Europe. They'll bring it there.

I'll try to fit one as a carry on luggage during my next trip there.

[jmh600cbr]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

There're many ways in which BMW can market M2, though they collected your money already and don't even have to market the n55 version of it anymore. Did they ever care about E92 m3 being slower than F30 340i off the line?

Move on and fix power on your own. Not that difficult.

why do people like you join forums? do you like being rude to people on the internet? I'm no complaining, i'm curious about power and the truth behind OP's comment. If you're not interested in a discussion than just dont respond.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

And some bad news: it will be a delayed intro, so we won't see it until Spring 2019 or later.

So the initial G20 debut will be solely the 330i in the US? Or is this just when we’ll finally see the G20 in any form in the US?

My recollection for the F30 was that, while it debuted late 2011, general availability didn’t come until sometime in early 2012. Just wondering if we are merely are looking at that same type of situation again for the G20. Or will the M340i not even begin production until March like the M550i did this year compared to the 530i and 540i which debuted and started production late last year?

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by jmh600cbr

why do people like you join forums? do you like being rude to people on the internet? I'm no complaining, i'm curious about power and the truth behind OP's comment. If you're not interested in a discussion than just dont respond.

Think you took it the wrong way. It was the BMW I was getting at.

[autopal]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

The final chapter in "history of manual transmissions" is already being written.

Sorry folks. It appears BMW has thrown in the towel.

A lot of us complain about the ever decreasing availability of manual transmission, but honestly, what percent of North American buyers are really going for manual transmission? I'm sure that number is reducing every year. BMW has said the M2 will have a manual transmission for the foreseeable future, reason? Manual take rate for the M2 is fairly high. When BMW drop the manual transmission in the M5 and M6 the take rate for the M6 was "almost zero" according to BMW, and extremely low for the M5. I don't know what the take rate for the manual 340i at the moment, but I would be surprised if it's not single digit. In Europe, lots of people still buys cheap, underpowered cars with stick shift, so that's why stick availability in Europe is still fairly high. I don't think it's fair to expect manufacturers to continue to develop and offer a product that very few of their customers want, so yeah, buyers are the reasons manual transmissions are dwindling, not the manufactures

[BoxKing]

Why not slap an M Badge on all their cars while they're at it. These "fake" or dumbed down variants just diminish what it means/feels to own a true M Vehicle.

Shame on BMW

[Jbrock22]

Hopefully the new "3" has a spare tire option.
All new recent BMW's have the option.

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by DerDichter

If you haven't noticed this has already happened. The 2 series is the size of the original 3 series. Unfortunately this is a trend of every automaker. Every new gen they "have" to increase some dimensions. I mean, look at Porsche the Cayman is about the size the original 911

I blame our car journalists!! There’s one reason alone why manufacturers do this and it’s called competition! A car reviewer will say “well the A4 has more rear legroom and a bigger boot” so what do bmw go and do.... make the 3 series EVEN bigger to compete!! Problem is it’s all about packaging these days and whether your six foot 15 year old will have enough knee & headroom in the back! Or if the reps will have enough boot space for their double glazing samples!!

Many of us want a COMPACT rear drive sports saloon (sedan) but as we are in the minority we don’t matter, we’ll just have to make do with a 2 series which is a great car but not quite practical enough for some! Shame the new 2 series GC is fwd
Having said that I’ve just seen a review of the Chinese fwd 1er saloon which apparently drives great!

[Who's on first]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Because they are different cars. It isn’t getting awd either.

And you know this how?

[Adris]

great news, if you want manual buy e30, e9 etc

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by termigni

I hope it looks better than the F30 because those are the ugliest and poorest driving 3 series ever. (not counting the M cars).

Matter of opinion... my 340i drives great and I love the look of it too (it’s way prettier than the e90 to my eyes)

Previous car was a 2013 Cayman (the best handling car on the road by all accounts) so I know how a car should handle. Obviously there is a difference between the two, but the F30 really ain’t as bad as you’re suggesting!!

Having said that your comment re the drive may be true, it doesn’t quite have the steering feel of my old e90 & e92 but while all previous 3’s may have driven better, it’s not far behind!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

I don’t see next gen M3/M4 going auto. DCT for at least one more generation.

I think it’s more likely to go ZF8. At this point, the DCT’s original value proposition has largely been eliminated by advances in planetary gearboxes. I’d rather see them put that money elsewhere and I think that’s what they’ll do.

I also think there’s still a reasonable chance, let’s call it 50/50, that manual is offered as a no cost option in the US and perhaps some other select regions.

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

Why wouldn't they follow the M5 route? Including xDrive?

The M5 has xDrive because BMW could no longer maintain competitive performance against their main competitor - the E63, which is now in its second generation with AWD - without it.

Similarly, the M3 / M4 will, with a high degree of certainty, only get xDrive when they need it in order to keep up with the C63. This will likely occur exactly when the C63 is offered with AWD. We don’t know yet whether that will happen next generation or not. BMW will have to rely on inside information about Mercedes intentions, which they no doubt have already.

I still think there is a decent chance Mercedes-AMG will move their next generation “C” based products to their high performance version of the new M256 inline six. That could reduce torque somewhat alleviating the need for AWD. We’ll see what AMG can do with this engine next month when their take on it debuts in the CLS53.

[Red Bread]

I bought a GTI because I wanted a five door with a manual and BMW USA handicapped the F31 with both an auto and awd, neither of which I wanted.

Doesn't help that our LCI 328i AT is an all around boring, soft and forgettable car. My wife feels loyal to BMW because she survived a horrific wreck in her X1 35i, but the F30 has her looking at just about any brand but BMW.

I see little to no hope that BMW won't lose the other member in our family who has owned multiple BMWs.

[TylerJamesInc]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Everyone loves to tout the fact that automatics are smoother, faster, more efficient, bla bla bla.

And yet every single one of you misses the entire point of a manual: the fun factor being connected to the car unlike any other transmission option. Period.

It was never about being faster or quicker, it was just about driving. I honestly feel sorry for many of you guys who never got to experience that time of the automobile. No DCT or 1000HP car can give you that fix, and unfortunately as today's market shows, ignorance truly is bliss.

For some of us, a car is a shitload more than just some acceleration times and performance metrics. Sadly, the entire industry (as shown by what appeals to your average BMW buyer/owner in this thread) has shifted to making fast appliances on four wheels with mobile Facebook and internet.

The joy of driving is all but dead.

Wow, I can always count on you for an eloquently executed post. Did I word that correctly?
Anyway, you hit the nail on the head. I've had a tuned '07 E90 6MT N54, and now a '10 E90 6MT N52(1). I just helped my buddy put DPs on his FBO '07 E92 AT N54. Is his car quick? Sure. Fast? I guess. Fun to drive? Nope. I'd much rather drive my N52 with a manual than his N54 with an auto- 10 times out of 10.

I wish I could say I was looking forward to seeing the car without the wrap, but without being offered in a MT, I'm in full limp mode.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

So the initial G20 debut will be solely the 330i in the US? Or is this just when we’ll finally see the G20 in any form in the US?

My recollection for the F30 was that, while it debuted late 2011, general availability didn’t come until sometime in early 2012. Just wondering if we are merely are looking at that same type of situation again for the G20. Or will the M340i not even begin production until March like the M550i did this year compared to the 530i and 540i which debuted and started production late last year?

At this time M340i looks like it'll start production after the mainstream models, by one or two update periods (remember that BMW does works on a 3 times a year cycle, with new releases in March, July, and November). So this will probably look more like X2 intro: a single model first, followed by the M Perf model several months later.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

I'll try to fit one as a carry on luggage during my next trip there.

Would you mind bringing one for me too? For all the good things I've done? I'll cover the extra luggage fee.