F82 M4 Manual thoughts please
Discussion
Hey Guys
Just looking for general thoughts on the manual option on this motor. After agreeing a sale on a manual E90 and then the dealer (Sales manager tbh) being a t
t and selling the car from underneath me I've been looking at a really nice F82 manual. My dream (Realistic) car has always been an M3/ M4 (To me the M4 is an M3) and I have finally thought life is far to short and I'm prepared to take the plunge. I have owned a Z4M before and know a reasonable amount of info about these cars. The question is I've seen a great F82 that I reckon could be achievable if I barter the deal (I don't have mega money and earn a higher than average wage however still want to be able to live my life without struggling every month to pay for a car. I have a minted trade-in that I can sell private if needed (9 month old Renaultsport Megane 275 with OHlins and Akraprovic. I have a soft spot for Renaultsport products. Previously owned R26.R).
So Thoughts please. Manual F82 a decent motor or wait and save for a DCT model?
Sure you guys will speak your mind. lol
Just looking for general thoughts on the manual option on this motor. After agreeing a sale on a manual E90 and then the dealer (Sales manager tbh) being a t
t and selling the car from underneath me I've been looking at a really nice F82 manual. My dream (Realistic) car has always been an M3/ M4 (To me the M4 is an M3) and I have finally thought life is far to short and I'm prepared to take the plunge. I have owned a Z4M before and know a reasonable amount of info about these cars. The question is I've seen a great F82 that I reckon could be achievable if I barter the deal (I don't have mega money and earn a higher than average wage however still want to be able to live my life without struggling every month to pay for a car. I have a minted trade-in that I can sell private if needed (9 month old Renaultsport Megane 275 with OHlins and Akraprovic. I have a soft spot for Renaultsport products. Previously owned R26.R). So Thoughts please. Manual F82 a decent motor or wait and save for a DCT model?
Sure you guys will speak your mind. lol
Drive both - only you will know which suits your needs better.
If you drive both and decide you want the DCT, you'll just have to save a little longer.
Better to buy the right car, especially if it's a stretch, than buy the wrong car and have to sell it cheap to get out of it when you're unhappy with it.
If you drive both and decide you want the DCT, you'll just have to save a little longer.
Better to buy the right car, especially if it's a stretch, than buy the wrong car and have to sell it cheap to get out of it when you're unhappy with it.
A friend of mine has one.
I have yet to drive it but he is happy enough with it. it rev matches on downshifts quite a bit!
But after being in both an F82 M3 DCT and the Manual M4 the DCT is quicker ; there is zero pause in between the gearshifts ; you just see the speedo climb and climb without a pause.
Ultimately it is down preference. But I have yet to go in a BMW manual where I’ve thought “that’s a nice gearchange…”
I have yet to drive it but he is happy enough with it. it rev matches on downshifts quite a bit!
But after being in both an F82 M3 DCT and the Manual M4 the DCT is quicker ; there is zero pause in between the gearshifts ; you just see the speedo climb and climb without a pause.
Ultimately it is down preference. But I have yet to go in a BMW manual where I’ve thought “that’s a nice gearchange…”
Know exactly what you mean about the gear change. However out all the German brands I'd say It was the best. Nicest i've ever experienced is Honda S2000 Or FN2 Civic Type R. I did have a deposit on an manual M2 however pulled out. DCT is faster and slightly more economical with cheaper tax etc. However the car will be a weekend toy day off blaster so not used for the commute.
I had the same dilemma after selling my GTR, but after trying late e92 and the M4, I actually preferred the M3. Rawer, more characterful and more engaging all round, with better steering and a never to be seen again high revving V8. Tried the manual V8, but hated the shift as it’s long and mushy. DCT suits the V8 better and for me the car is perfect as a road car. Not to quick so that you can’t exploit the power, and enough character to be fun even at slower speeds. Stick with the e92, it’s a proper end of an era car. 
st33ly said:
However the car will be a weekend toy day off blaster so not used for the commute.
I would go for the manual all day everyday if its being used as an occasional car and I like how rare the manual is in the M4. I had a manual E92 M3 and it wasn't the greatest gearbox to use and that V8 engine does suit the DCT far better, however I believe the manual gearbox in the M4 is much improved over the manual in the E92 M3.
Captain Caveman said:
never to be seen again high revving V8.
Honestly I am not sure that the BMW V8s are all that. I think where a car the size of the M3 is concerned, it's all about the I6 configuration. Yes, I know the E30 M3 was a 4banger etc etc but I think BMWs forte is the straight 6. If you want to hoon about in V8s the LS engines are where it's at. Who could say no to a small block 6.3 supercharged LSA, for example...? The other thing is the M4 feels like a real Brute against an E92 M3 and a remapped RS4
In 2nd or 3rd my friend's is an animal even with the DSC on. I am talking rear end moving about, and almost ditch finding ness about it. They really do feel like they have far more power than 420BHP.
In 2nd or 3rd my friend's is an animal even with the DSC on. I am talking rear end moving about, and almost ditch finding ness about it. They really do feel like they have far more power than 420BHP.
SebringMan said:
The other thing is the M4 feels like a real Brute against an E92 M3 and a remapped RS4
In 2nd or 3rd my friend's is an animal even with the DSC on. I am talking rear end moving about, and almost ditch finding ness about it. They really do feel like they have far more power than 420BHP.
I think that's why I want the M4 so much because its a genuinely quick car and offers a bit of a challenge, the E92 M3 very rarely feels that quick in my experience. In 2nd or 3rd my friend's is an animal even with the DSC on. I am talking rear end moving about, and almost ditch finding ness about it. They really do feel like they have far more power than 420BHP.
cerb4.5lee said:
I had a manual E92 M3 and it wasn't the greatest gearbox to use and that V8 engine does suit the DCT far better, however I believe the manual gearbox in the M4 is much improved over the manual in the E92 M3.
IMO it's the rev matching that does that. It will give that syncros a much easier time and allow for easier engagement.I would be interested to know what it is like without that function for people who like to heel and toe
.SebringMan said:
A friend of mine has one.
I have yet to drive it but he is happy enough with it. it rev matches on downshifts quite a bit!
But after being in both an F82 M3 DCT and the Manual M4 the DCT is quicker ; there is zero pause in between the gearshifts ; you just see the speedo climb and climb without a pause.
Ultimately it is down preference. But I have yet to go in a BMW manual where I’ve thought “that’s a nice gearchange…”
Me? it would be the DCT I have yet to drive it but he is happy enough with it. it rev matches on downshifts quite a bit!
But after being in both an F82 M3 DCT and the Manual M4 the DCT is quicker ; there is zero pause in between the gearshifts ; you just see the speedo climb and climb without a pause.
Ultimately it is down preference. But I have yet to go in a BMW manual where I’ve thought “that’s a nice gearchange…”
.I've got a manual M4 and absolutely love it; have tried DCT but it's just not for me.
OK, I'm a bit of a manual fan but I've had DCT which, whilst a fantastic gearbox, just left me cold after a few months. I had an E92 DCT which I lost a fortune on, but once I realised that I was some sort of luddite, I replaced it with a manual version of the same car which suited me better. In that car, I changed the gear knob to that fitted to US market M5's and that improved things substantially.
Fast forward to getting my M4 and I test drove the DCT. Again, I was impressed how the car changed gear better than I ever could, but I still found it a bit dull. I therefore ordered a manual without driving one (!), and I took delivery of it a few months later. Thankfully, I really like the box as it feels like BMW have worked to make it one of their better efforts. The throw is more direct and it just feels a lot less obstructive than in my old E46 and E92, especially when cold. I really enjoy the act of changing gear, and in 2 years of ownership I've never wished I'd bought a DCT.
Obviously it's a personal thing and you'll need to drive both for yourself, but with the car having so much more mid range power than the E92, it works really well as a manual. By the way, don't think of me as some sort of auto/DCT hater - my daily drive is an X3 3.0d auto and I just love the easy going nature of that car. It's just that when I go for a drive to enjoy the experience, I prefer to change gear for myself.
OK, I'm a bit of a manual fan but I've had DCT which, whilst a fantastic gearbox, just left me cold after a few months. I had an E92 DCT which I lost a fortune on, but once I realised that I was some sort of luddite, I replaced it with a manual version of the same car which suited me better. In that car, I changed the gear knob to that fitted to US market M5's and that improved things substantially.
Fast forward to getting my M4 and I test drove the DCT. Again, I was impressed how the car changed gear better than I ever could, but I still found it a bit dull. I therefore ordered a manual without driving one (!), and I took delivery of it a few months later. Thankfully, I really like the box as it feels like BMW have worked to make it one of their better efforts. The throw is more direct and it just feels a lot less obstructive than in my old E46 and E92, especially when cold. I really enjoy the act of changing gear, and in 2 years of ownership I've never wished I'd bought a DCT.
Obviously it's a personal thing and you'll need to drive both for yourself, but with the car having so much more mid range power than the E92, it works really well as a manual. By the way, don't think of me as some sort of auto/DCT hater - my daily drive is an X3 3.0d auto and I just love the easy going nature of that car. It's just that when I go for a drive to enjoy the experience, I prefer to change gear for myself.
Kiernan said:
I've got a manual M4 and absolutely love it; have tried DCT but it's just not for me.
OK, I'm a bit of a manual fan but I've had DCT which, whilst a fantastic gearbox, just left me cold after a few months. I had an E92 DCT which I lost a fortune on, but once I realised that I was some sort of luddite, I replaced it with a manual version of the same car which suited me better. In that car, I changed the gear knob to that fitted to US market M5's and that improved things substantially.
Fast forward to getting my M4 and I test drove the DCT. Again, I was impressed how the car changed gear better than I ever could, but I still found it a bit dull. I therefore ordered a manual without driving one (!), and I took delivery of it a few months later. Thankfully, I really like the box as it feels like BMW have worked to make it one of their better efforts. The throw is more direct and it just feels a lot less obstructive than in my old E46 and E92, especially when cold. I really enjoy the act of changing gear, and in 2 years of ownership I've never wished I'd bought a DCT.
Obviously it's a personal thing and you'll need to drive both for yourself, but with the car having so much more mid range power than the E92, it works really well as a manual. By the way, don't think of me as some sort of auto/DCT hater - my daily drive is an X3 3.0d auto and I just love the easy going nature of that car. It's just that when I go for a drive to enjoy the experience, I prefer to change gear for myself.
Thanks for the above response mate. I think you have me convinced. I test drove the M2 in DCT form and while it was very impressive and fast I still placed the order for a manual. So I think demo M4 manual. Im now on the hunt and theirs one car I've seen thats caught my eye already. OK, I'm a bit of a manual fan but I've had DCT which, whilst a fantastic gearbox, just left me cold after a few months. I had an E92 DCT which I lost a fortune on, but once I realised that I was some sort of luddite, I replaced it with a manual version of the same car which suited me better. In that car, I changed the gear knob to that fitted to US market M5's and that improved things substantially.
Fast forward to getting my M4 and I test drove the DCT. Again, I was impressed how the car changed gear better than I ever could, but I still found it a bit dull. I therefore ordered a manual without driving one (!), and I took delivery of it a few months later. Thankfully, I really like the box as it feels like BMW have worked to make it one of their better efforts. The throw is more direct and it just feels a lot less obstructive than in my old E46 and E92, especially when cold. I really enjoy the act of changing gear, and in 2 years of ownership I've never wished I'd bought a DCT.
Obviously it's a personal thing and you'll need to drive both for yourself, but with the car having so much more mid range power than the E92, it works really well as a manual. By the way, don't think of me as some sort of auto/DCT hater - my daily drive is an X3 3.0d auto and I just love the easy going nature of that car. It's just that when I go for a drive to enjoy the experience, I prefer to change gear for myself.
Kiernan said:
I've got a manual M4 and absolutely love it; have tried DCT but it's just not for me.
OK, I'm a bit of a manual fan but I've had DCT which, whilst a fantastic gearbox, just left me cold after a few months. I had an E92 DCT which I lost a fortune on, but once I realised that I was some sort of luddite, I replaced it with a manual version of the same car which suited me better. In that car, I changed the gear knob to that fitted to US market M5's and that improved things substantially.
Fast forward to getting my M4 and I test drove the DCT. Again, I was impressed how the car changed gear better than I ever could, but I still found it a bit dull. I therefore ordered a manual without driving one (!), and I took delivery of it a few months later. Thankfully, I really like the box as it feels like BMW have worked to make it one of their better efforts. The throw is more direct and it just feels a lot less obstructive than in my old E46 and E92, especially when cold. I really enjoy the act of changing gear, and in 2 years of ownership I've never wished I'd bought a DCT.
Obviously it's a personal thing and you'll need to drive both for yourself, but with the car having so much more mid range power than the E92, it works really well as a manual. By the way, don't think of me as some sort of auto/DCT hater - my daily drive is an X3 3.0d auto and I just love the easy going nature of that car. It's just that when I go for a drive to enjoy the experience, I prefer to change gear for myself.
Pretty much exactly my thoughts too.OK, I'm a bit of a manual fan but I've had DCT which, whilst a fantastic gearbox, just left me cold after a few months. I had an E92 DCT which I lost a fortune on, but once I realised that I was some sort of luddite, I replaced it with a manual version of the same car which suited me better. In that car, I changed the gear knob to that fitted to US market M5's and that improved things substantially.
Fast forward to getting my M4 and I test drove the DCT. Again, I was impressed how the car changed gear better than I ever could, but I still found it a bit dull. I therefore ordered a manual without driving one (!), and I took delivery of it a few months later. Thankfully, I really like the box as it feels like BMW have worked to make it one of their better efforts. The throw is more direct and it just feels a lot less obstructive than in my old E46 and E92, especially when cold. I really enjoy the act of changing gear, and in 2 years of ownership I've never wished I'd bought a DCT.
Obviously it's a personal thing and you'll need to drive both for yourself, but with the car having so much more mid range power than the E92, it works really well as a manual. By the way, don't think of me as some sort of auto/DCT hater - my daily drive is an X3 3.0d auto and I just love the easy going nature of that car. It's just that when I go for a drive to enjoy the experience, I prefer to change gear for myself.
I've got a manual Golf R which is slower than a DSG version, but farrrrrr more engaging to drive in my opinion. We've also got an F80 M3 and that's also manual, which again isn't as fast as DCT version, but much more enjoyable and a lot easier to handle than DCT version which I found are more snappy and eager to spit the back end out.
Cheers,
Grant
In reality on the road they're pretty much as fast as each other, there's still the same power going to the same wheels.
Only time saved is changing gear. You won't ever put your foot down in a manual M4 and think that you wished you got the DCT as it's quicker.. cars feel fast when the engine is working, not the gap between gears.
I'm a big auto fan still, I do find it frustrating that you can't give them full throttle at low revs without them changing down though.
Only time saved is changing gear. You won't ever put your foot down in a manual M4 and think that you wished you got the DCT as it's quicker.. cars feel fast when the engine is working, not the gap between gears.
I'm a big auto fan still, I do find it frustrating that you can't give them full throttle at low revs without them changing down though.
Im so glad this forum exists as you get a mix of opinions. So manual M4 is a winner.
I did find that the DCT in the M2 was difficult to control when changing through the gears. DCT amazing bit of kit and for driving through Edinburgh in traffic it would be ace. However Its a drivers toy so manual it is.
I did find that the DCT in the M2 was difficult to control when changing through the gears. DCT amazing bit of kit and for driving through Edinburgh in traffic it would be ace. However Its a drivers toy so manual it is.
philmots said:
In reality on the road they're pretty much as fast as each other, there's still the same power going to the same wheels.
Only time saved is changing gear. You won't ever put your foot down in a manual M4 and think that you wished you got the DCT as it's quicker.. cars feel fast when the engine is working, not the gap between gears.
I'm a big auto fan still, I do find it frustrating that you can't give them full throttle at low revs without them changing down though.
How low are you talking? The ones I have been in pull at 1000rpm in manual mode. I would rarely ever do that in a manual ; labouring does no engine any good Only time saved is changing gear. You won't ever put your foot down in a manual M4 and think that you wished you got the DCT as it's quicker.. cars feel fast when the engine is working, not the gap between gears.
I'm a big auto fan still, I do find it frustrating that you can't give them full throttle at low revs without them changing down though.
.IMO getting used to paddles takes some time. You think differently. You can still go from 3rd to 5th but it's a learning curve
.But we are all different
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