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G80 BMW M3 and M4 General Topics BMW M3 (G80), M4 (G82), CSL and 3.0 CSL General Forum

View Poll Results: How Important is the Manual Gearbox?
Very Important - I will not consider the G80 unless a Manual Gearbox is offered. 134 50.95%
Quite Important - I strongly prefer MT. If not offered, I would strongly consider competitors. 35 13.31%
Somewhat Important - I enjoy driving MT, but am open to DCT or ZF 8AT. 34 12.93%
Not Important/Indifferent - I don't care, 6MT, DCT, ZF 8AT, doesn't matter. 15 5.70%
I don't like Manual Transmissions. 11 4.18%
I think it would be great if BMW still offers a manual transmission for those who want it, but I prefer faster shifts 34 12.93%
Voters: 263. You may not vote on this poll

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      08-20-2018, 04:04 PM   #1
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POLL: How Important is the Manual Gearbox?

With so much speculation that the G80 might not receive a manual transmission option, I thought it fitting to ask about the importance of the manual in a car like the M3.

For many people, the MT offering was, among other things, what set the M3 apart from many of its competitors, part of the quintessential driving experience at the forefront of the M-car ethos.
However, with the F90 being offered solely with a ZF 8AT, and the G20 3er to have no manual option in the US, we are witnessing the slow death of the MT in BMWs.

With that being said for those considering getting into an G80 M3, how important is the manual gearbox in the decision-making process?
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      08-20-2018, 06:14 PM   #2
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It would be a nice to have a choice as it would literally be the last sports sedan with a MT (as is such with the current F80)
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      08-21-2018, 12:46 AM   #3
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Rumors seem to point to the fact that the G80 will have a 6MT. If both the G20 AND the G80 are ZF 8HP only, I will have to buy a used F80 6MT.

The way I see it, the manual gearbox is very important for getting a BMW. There are a ton of other very good cars on the market like the Giulia QV, the C63 S that aren't considered since the M3 is available with a manual. I'd even consider a GT350 (two doors, but it has a sweet Tremec gearbox). While I'm not saying the manual is the most important aspect of the car, it does a lot to sway people to stick with BMW. If the next M3 does not have a manual gearbox, then it'd be much easier to move onto a different carmaker.
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      08-21-2018, 12:22 PM   #4
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I believe that BMW will offer a manual in the G80, but that said, if only an AT is offered it would likely be a show stopper for me. It is fairly obvious that an automatic would not offer the same level of driver input, involvement or control that a manual does, but I do not think it even offers the same level of feel you get out of the current DCT's.

When it is all said and done, the M3 is still a street car that is going to spend the majority of the time on the street. BMW should focus on driver involvement and "fun" vice the fastest or most economical transmission choice. Plus, it will be quite a niche if they are the last to offer a MT on a top end "sports sedan" when all the others do not.

Last edited by Pic18; 08-22-2018 at 11:59 AM.. Reason: spelling/grammar
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      08-21-2018, 05:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pic18 View Post
I believe that BMW will offer a manual in the G80, but that said, if only an AT is offered it would likely be a show stopper for me. It is fairly obvious that an automatic would not over the same level of driver input, involvement or control that a manual does, but I do not think it even offers the same level of feel you get out of the current DCT's.

When it is all said and done, the M3 is still a street car that is going to spend the majority on the street. BMW should focus on driver involvement and "fun" vice the fastest or most economical transmission choice. Plus, it will be quite a niche if they are the last to offer a MT on a top end "sports sedan" when all the others do not.
Yea couple F90 threads with people complaining the car feels boring because the AT is too smooth lol.
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      08-23-2018, 01:05 PM   #6
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Would honestly say that the manual is just part of the heritage behind the M3, it such a sporty car that without I think something would be missing. Even as the car gets more powerful I think its essential that a 6MT is at least offered. I'll cry the generation that they drop it!
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      08-25-2018, 06:10 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CBBMWNA View Post
Would honestly say that the manual is just part of the heritage behind the M3, it such a sporty car that without I think something would be missing. Even as the car gets more powerful I think its essential that a 6MT is at least offered. I'll cry the generation that they drop it!
Might be time to start crying. G20 will likely not offer a MT.
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      08-25-2018, 11:31 AM   #8
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I'd like to see a 7MT if possible.
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      08-26-2018, 03:18 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheActionKid View Post
Might be time to start crying. G20 will likely not offer a MT.
the G20 3's will not offer a manual, the G80 M3 will. I meant for the M3 in particular since its the performance car.

Last edited by CBBMWNA; 08-26-2018 at 07:45 PM..
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      08-28-2018, 09:35 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
If the next M3 does not have a manual gearbox, then it'd be much easier to move onto a different carmaker.
I think that this is exactly the issue. The MT guys (like me) know our days are numbered and didn't really consider any of the F80/82's competitors since it was the only car with an MT. If the next gen simply becomes a "me too", then all options are open to us. We may still chose a BMW, but we will certainly cross-shop Audi and Merc.
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      08-29-2018, 09:13 AM   #11
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if there is no manual and only an auto I sure hope its as fast as the RS3...
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      08-29-2018, 09:44 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prodigymb View Post
if there is no manual and only an auto I sure hope its as fast as the RS3...
But why it's not a direct competitor
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      09-05-2018, 12:29 AM   #13
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I had a DCT and 6MT F80. All of the same pros and cons always cited came into play but I ultimately had more fun with my 6MT and that's what I'd get on the next M3. If I have a different car with MT in the garage then I'd consider the DCT..
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      09-05-2018, 01:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prodigymb View Post
if there is no manual and only an auto I sure hope its as fast as the RS3...
The RS3 is a Golf-based FWD/transverse engine car with a big motor and Haldex AWD. It has a great 0-60 time but also costs only about $10k less than an M3. It also is smaller yet heavier than an M3.

If all you care about are 0-60 times, then you should get a car with AWD. I do like that you can get MagneRide with these Audis, though, which is an amazing active suspension. And the interior is top notch on the Audi as well.

The RS3 is a great car, but the M3 is a different type of car.
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      09-06-2018, 07:30 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Parabolica View Post
I'd like to see a 7MT if possible.
Samesies. The more cars it's offered in, the more curious I am to drive one.

If no manual is available, I'll just buy out the lease on my 440i in 2020 and enjoy it long term.

The other requirement for me is it better sound better than the F80.
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      09-06-2018, 11:49 AM   #16
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If 6mt not offered, I for sure would be exploring other options.
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      09-09-2018, 09:28 AM   #17
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Or...what if, like the Giulia, 6mt is offered in EU and not in the states. We'd be back (ala E36 motor) to being little brother in terms of M3 offering.
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      09-09-2018, 10:11 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kankles View Post
Or...what if, like the Giulia, 6mt is offered in EU and not in the states. We'd be back (ala E36 motor) to being little brother in terms of M3 offering.
The trend seems to be reversing. EU MPG and emissions regulations are getting tighter and manual take is getting less there. Remember the E60 M5
came in MT for US only?
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      09-09-2018, 10:14 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pheerIx View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kankles View Post
Or...what if, like the Giulia, 6mt is offered in EU and not in the states. We'd be back (ala E36 motor) to being little brother in terms of M3 offering.
The trend seems to be reversing. EU MPG and emissions regulations are getting tighter and manual take is getting less there. Remember the E60 M5
came in MT for US only?
I pray to bearded baby Jesus you are right!
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      09-14-2018, 11:42 PM   #20
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Extremely important - I wouldn't even consider the car if it didn't have 6MT.
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      09-16-2018, 12:45 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by secretanchitman View Post
Extremely important - I wouldn't even consider the car if it didn't have 6MT.
If indeed it turns out that way, hopefully you don’t have your heart set on a sedan with a manual transmission and more than four cylinders. The F80 M3, F30 340i, M6 GC, and ATS-V are the last four in the US, and all four end production permanently in two months or sooner.

If the G80 M3 does not get an MT, then the future CT4-V and CT5-V would be the absolute last hope. Otherwise, it’s coupes from here on out. And frankly, if you don’t need four doors and have no intention of giving up on the manual transmission yet, I’d say to stop waiting for the next M3 and go buy one of the high performance coupes still out there with manual transmissions.
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      09-16-2018, 05:37 PM   #22
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Have a manual M3 comp pkg now. If manual isn’t offered, I’m out.
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