the end of manual

[Matt]

Auto in a street car doesn't bother me. Got a sick in the racecar.

[Ollie]

It's got nothing to do with age or mindset

It has a little bit to do with it. When I was 16 I would shit on people for driving autos and thought I was sooo cool. I would say things like "I refuse to even look at purchasing a car unless it has 3 pedals." 6 years and 10+ manual car/trucks later, I'm driving my first automatic and dgaf.

[M0ar.Stickers]

I test drove both manual and SMG when I was shopping for my e93M and while I liked the raw feel of the 6 speed, I couldn't pass up the lightning fast response and customization of the SMG. Not to mention it rev matches automatically when you downshift. Two pedals and two paddles is a pretty fun alternative.

The only issue I have with the SMG set up in BMWs is the paddles are too small and rotate with the steering wheel. So when your making hard turns and have to shift up or down, you have to hunt for the correct paddle. So I mainly use the shift knob while I feel like cranking through gears really fast.

[Ollie]

SMG and convertible for a new m3? you dun fucked up


One of the few instances where I just don't understand but hey still an awesome vehicle.

[sCrapp]

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[M0ar.Stickers]

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the body lines of the coupe. I would rather have the sedan but when I was shopping, the dealership my father works at was running a crazy residual on the hard top convertible. So not only did it make monetary sense, but being in Southern California, we are pretty much sunny and warm 300 days a year, so why the hell not?

[Ollie]

True. I've never had the pleasure of enjoying a vert in nice weather but I bet it's awesome

[Matt]

I test drove both manual and SMG when I was shopping for my e93M and while I liked the raw feel of the 6 speed, I couldn't pass up the lightning fast response and customization of the SMG. Not to mention it rev matches automatically when you downshift. Two pedals and two paddles is a pretty fun alternative.

The only issue I have with the SMG set up in BMWs is the paddles are too small and rotate with the steering wheel. So when your making hard turns and have to shift up or down, you have to hunt for the correct paddle. So I mainly use the shift knob while I feel like cranking through gears really fast.

Why do you have to hunt? Hands would be on nine and three, Aaaaand if they rotate with the wheel it should be easy.

[M0ar.Stickers]

Why do you have to hunt? Hands would be on nine and three, Aaaaand if they rotate with the wheel it should be easy.

Unless your arms are made of rubber, try taking a hairpin turn and then ripping through three gears while your hands are still at nine and three.

[Matt]

Unless your arms are made of rubber, try taking a hairpin turn and then ripping through three gears while your hands are still at nine and three.

If you're past like, 120 degrees of input, you're going too slow. During "spirited" driving, I've never actually crossed arms unless I'm stopped at a light.

[HKSpeed]

i'd rather have a manual 328i than an auto 335i. if we were talking manual 328i vs auto M3, then that would be a touch decision.

[martinm13]

I have a DSG mk5 and my last vw was a 5 speed. Although the DSG is cool, I really prefer the manual. I feel more connected with the car when I drive it. I am in complete control instead of having a computer do it for me. The way things have been going in the auto industry, although it's sad the manual transmission is disappearing, the technologies that are coming out will only get better.

[HKSpeed]

technology isn't always for the better. if google and other companies have it their way, in 20 years we'll be riding (not driving) in autonomous cars. although my wife loves her mini cooper, she would trade in a heartbeat for a self driving Prius (not because she likes Prius'). then driving wouldn't get in the way of texting and facebook.

Jay Leno made a comment once that sports cars will eventually go the way of the horse: horses were standard transportation for everyone 100 years ago, but now it is a luxury few can afford.

[M0ar.Stickers]

if google and other companies have it their way, in 20 years we'll be riding (not driving) in autonomous cars. although my wife loves her mini cooper, she would trade in a heartbeat for a self driving Prius (not because she likes Prius'). then driving wouldn't get in the way of texting and facebook.

Jay Leno made a comment once that sports cars will eventually go the way of the horse: horses were standard transportation for everyone 100 years ago, but now it is a luxury few can afford.

that pretty much sums up my argument for the way the auto industry is being influenced by lawmakers both home and abroad. also, the reason why i might buy my M3 after lease. the way BMW is heading with their twin turbo 4 cylinder as a base model (at least in the US) for their cars bothers me. BMW had its heritage based in high performance racecars only produced for homoligation, (M1 and e30M) i am willing to bet that my M will be the last time a naturally aspirated V8 finds itself in an M3... and that saddens me.

[Exami]

Full on manual! it just feels more driving, kinda more involved. Manual over automatic anyday!