Will the next M3/M4 have a manual option?
Will the next M3/M4 have a manual option?
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Discussion

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
Just a little confused the pistonheads article says the next generation M3/M4 wont be offered with a manual but ive just read Auto Express from last week & they say it will be offered as a manual?

Whos correct & do have we any experts that can clarify thanks?

Personally I hope it will be offered with a manual even though I know that DCT will be the bulk seller anyway.

Aizle

12,429 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
I thought I read manual only for US markets, a bit like M5.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
Aizle said:
I thought I read manual only for US markets, a bit like M5.
This could explain it then thanks.

Swoxy

2,842 posts

236 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
Aizle said:
I thought I read manual only for US markets, a bit like M5.
Does anyone understand this? Is it a LHD/RHD thing?

Aizle

12,429 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
Swoxy said:
Does anyone understand this? Is it a LHD/RHD thing?
It's a market thing. I saw something like over 55% of M3s sold in the US are manual.

In the UK that percentage is nearer 30% I think.

I guess they decided that being the larger car, the enthusiasts would be less likely to purchase or would be satisfied by the DCT.

Really "gearheads" in the US really prefer manuals.

Frik

13,667 posts

269 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
The packaging of the clutch pedal has some bearing I'm sure.

ecain63

10,646 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
Aizle said:
Swoxy said:
Does anyone understand this? Is it a LHD/RHD thing?
It's a market thing. I saw something like over 55% of M3s sold in the US are manual.

In the UK that percentage is nearer 30% I think.

I guess they decided that being the larger car, the enthusiasts would be less likely to purchase or would be satisfied by the DCT.

Really "gearheads" in the US really prefer manuals.
Even when its st, like the E60 M5 manual they made.

Aizle

12,429 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
Frik said:
The packaging of the clutch pedal has some bearing I'm sure.
If they wanted to make it work then I see no reason why they wouldn't, I guess it's an effort vs return.

Oh and nice pun. wink

Aizle

12,429 posts

201 months

Thursday 29th August 2013
quotequote all
ecain63 said:
Even when its st, like the E60 M5 manual they made.
I read a review about the F10 M5, said it really changed the car. Suddenly you noticed turbo lag but thought the gearbox was good. Probably gives the car quite a different character as opposed to the lagless "point and squirt" of the DCT.

Schermerhorn

4,352 posts

215 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
I think I could get tired of a car with so much power and a manual gearbox. DCT all the way for me please.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
I was trawling through the Internet last night trying to get a definitive answer & it all seems to be speculation some sites say it will come with a manual & others say its DCT only...

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
Schermerhorn said:
I think I could get tired of a car with so much power and a manual gearbox. DCT all the way for me please.
I have had two 400 plus Bhp manual cars & I really love having a manual in them but I do understand what you are saying as its easy to just put your foot down & hold on in the DCT & focus totally on the road which seems to be what the majority of people enjoy.

I just can't get excited about paddles & there isn't many left with my old school view anymore people just can't be bothered with three pedals.

scarecrow

3,888 posts

261 months

Friday 30th August 2013
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When will some car manufacturer invent a selective DCT and manual box.

Must be do-able surely

pilchardthecat

7,483 posts

205 months

Friday 30th August 2013
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In the US you have to drive "stick" if you are a hairy-chested masculine type who was in the school football team. Autos are for girls, old people, and the spotty nerd that the guy in the football team used to bully.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
pilchardthecat said:
In the US you have to drive "stick" if you are a hairy-chested masculine type who was in the school football team. Autos are for girls, old people, and the spotty nerd that the guy in the football team used to bully.
Very good! thumbup

Schermerhorn

4,352 posts

215 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
Schermerhorn said:
I think I could get tired of a car with so much power and a manual gearbox. DCT all the way for me please.
I have had two 400 plus Bhp manual cars & I really love having a manual in them but I do understand what you are saying as its easy to just put your foot down & hold on in the DCT & focus totally on the road which seems to be what the majority of people enjoy.

I just can't get excited about paddles & there isn't many left with my old school view anymore people just can't be bothered with three pedals.
I used to be with in the 'manuals' rule camp firmly until I started commuting to and from work in rush hour traffic. The idea of pumping the stuff clutch pedal just to move a few yards really irked me. It also caused great discomfort in my leg which I still suffer from now and then.

In my opinion, the days of the manual car are over and it'll just be a matter of time before the market catches up. Again, I stress this is just my opinion.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
Schermerhorn said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Schermerhorn said:
I think I could get tired of a car with so much power and a manual gearbox. DCT all the way for me please.
I have had two 400 plus Bhp manual cars & I really love having a manual in them but I do understand what you are saying as its easy to just put your foot down & hold on in the DCT & focus totally on the road which seems to be what the majority of people enjoy.

I just can't get excited about paddles & there isn't many left with my old school view anymore people just can't be bothered with three pedals.
I used to be with in the 'manuals' rule camp firmly until I started commuting to and from work in rush hour traffic. The idea of pumping the stuff clutch pedal just to move a few yards really irked me. It also caused great discomfort in my leg which I still suffer from now and then.

In my opinion, the days of the manual car are over and it'll just be a matter of time before the market catches up. Again, I stress this is just my opinion.
I totally understand why they work regarding commuting the other half has a twin clutch in her motor as she does over 30k miles a year & even I wouldn't fancy a manual if I was doing those miles, I only do 14k a year so a manual works fine for me.

I agree the manual is pretty much dead Ferrari don't bother now & Porsche are moving away from them too & the fact that a sporty Clio is auto only now speaks volumes.

Three pedals are frowned upon by modern day drivers the lure of quicker 0 to 60 times & a genuine quicker shift plus lower emissions makes it the gearbox to go for, I still do love the manual though but it's really just personal preference.

pilchardthecat

7,483 posts

205 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
What they should really do is produce a DCT box with an auto mode, but a manual shifter that has a proper H gate with numbers on it instead of a sequential thing.

There, i solved the problem. Someone give me a pile of money, i am a fking genius.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

42,662 posts

206 months

Friday 30th August 2013
quotequote all
pilchardthecat said:
What they should really do is produce a DCT box with an auto mode, but a manual shifter that has a proper H gate with numbers on it instead of a sequential thing.

There, i solved the problem. Someone give me a pile of money, i am a fking genius.
Make sure you copyright the idea & still remember me when you are a billionaire! thumbup

Contigo

3,130 posts

235 months

Friday 30th August 2013
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Manual and DCT option for M4.