How is the manual transmission?

[///M///]

Originally Posted by JonnyM3

Good suggestion, anyone in NY wanna let me drive around their car for a few minutes would be much appreciated. Gonna post in the local sub forum as well. Good idea, thank you.

By the way, like you I hated the manual on the E9X so had gone with the DCT on my E90. I hear the F80 is much better but only you will know how you like it after you drive it.

[Harridis]

After driving both, I can't see why anyone would not get the manual. It's absolutely a blast to drive. I would not have bought an M4 if it wasn't an option.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

throws r shorter this time around

Halle-FREAKIN-lujah!!!!

[6MMMT]

Love my 6MT. I'm sure the DCT is fun to drive also, but I've always preferred manuals and even in bumper to bumper traffic as my daily, I've never once regretted having the manual. If you like the engagement you won't be disappointed.

[m3rxn]

Absolutely loving manual...little biased though

[Lynchmob6]

I have not had a MT in quite awhile, but I loving this one. Really fun to drive. As was said above, it is a bit notchy at first, but I have 1,800 miles now and it is smoothing out. I don't regret the MT decision for a second.

[JustChris]

Anyone else drive >20,000 miles a year and still have a 6MT like me? (only in an M235i mind you) but I wonder if I'm doing the right thing still, Love it really but its a bit of a PITA in traffic and I am the weakest link in any quick acceleration!

[stressdoc]

It boiled down to $2.9k and 80 lbs.
The mT is fine, the DCT is fine.

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Geeesh!! Someone as old as me I graduated from college in 1969 too!

The 6MT is fantastic - you will love it.

Our cars are the same color!! I have the SO full leather interior.

Mine arrived a Port Hueneme this morning. I doubt that I will get it before Thanksgiving though; I'm sure that the holidays will slow down the VDC.

[sycd]

Love the manual in my new M3, no regrets. I had a DCT in my E92 M3, and it even though it was well engineered and a good match for the engine, it got boring quick, and I never really enjoyed driving the car as much as I do now.

I had a manual in a previous 2008 335i as well, and the new F8x manual trans has much shorter throws and better clutch feel.

[///M///]

I just might have to choose the manual to pay for the exec package. Decisions Decisions!

[seis-speed]

In today's world of very little open space driving a "bad" manual transmission is better than the best DCT/Auto transmission in the world.
The fact that the F80 is improved over the E90 is just icing on the cake.

You have all your fun in 2nd and 3rd gear in city driving. With a manual you can have fun at the speed limit, to me it is the most important feature in buying a car.

[karussell]

Originally Posted by ChesterM2

Anyone else drive >20,000 miles a year and still have a 6MT like me? (only in an M235i mind you) but I wonder if I'm doing the right thing still, Love it really but its a bit of a PITA in traffic and I am the weakest link in any quick acceleration!

i'm insane. Yes thats perfectly normal for me. 7 years in LA traffic with a manual e30. loved pretty much every second of it.

just count how many times you have driven an automatic and wished you were in a manual. likely every time.
now count the opposite.

I think like other insane people here you will see the former is the much higher number.

Drove SMG,DCT's,PDK's extensively. Even owned a DCT E90 M3. Its boring in about 3 seconds. track street whatever. boring!

[///M///]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

In today's world of very little open space driving a "bad" manual transmission is better than the best DCT/Auto transmission in the world.
The fact that the F80 is improved over the E90 is just icing on the cake.

You have all your fun in 2nd and 3rd gear in city driving. With a manual you can have fun at the speed limit, to me it is the most important feature in buying a car.

That didn't make any sense. Care to elaborate?

[l!ve]

Just took delivery. The manual on the M3 is awesome! I love it. Very precise and shift is very smooth. It doesn't have a short shift kit, but the throws aren't long at all.

Only thing I need to get used to is the rev match feature.

[edwinm3]

DCT all the way, this is not the 80's, I got over manual transmissions long time ago

[Mik3ymomo]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

DCT all the way, this is not the 80's, I got over manual transmissions long time ago

The immersed driving experience isn't for everyone.

[edwinm3]

Originally Posted by Mik3ymomo

The immersed driving experience isn't for everyone.

Just playing, can't go wrong with either one

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by Mik3ymomo

The immersed driving experience isn't for everyone.

"Immersed:" involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest

Tough to argue paddles are "more immersive" then actually being physically involved with changing the gears yourself. I'm not arguing about the benefits of DCT, just your word use

[sonicgrounds]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Halle-FREAKIN-lujah!!!!

I haven't driven the e9x M3 but the throws on the M4 are a bit longer than my e39 M5, but a lot smoother. Although if BMW offers a MP short shifter I'd get it. I've driven the DCT and it is good, but for a car to live with everyday this manual is a riot! The throttle setting changes how the clutch works naturally. In the default mode (efficiency) the shifts are idiot proof, in sport the rev matching helps shift fast, and when you really want to drive this thing the Sport + kills it every time! I'm so often on Sport + because the shifts are smooth yet snappy!

[Black Gold]

I have the manual and have zero complaints or issues with it. Its easier to drive than any of my previous BMW cars, and similar to my 1M.

I think the shifter feel is the best out of the box of any m car by far. Ideally the clutch would be firmer, but I have adjusted to it already. It is an easy car to drive smoothly at low to medium speeds.

Oddly enough in this car I struggle with the 2-3 shift more than the 1-2. I get it 90% smooth every time, but that 100% perfect shift alludes me at times.

My fiancée, who doesn't like rough or jerky cars, finds this car in MT smoother than my prior DCT e92 fwiw.

Personally, I love manuals with high torque motors, so to me its the perfect fit. IMO the m would be a little cold/boring to me with a DCT, but that's just my taste. I like DCT with high revving light weight sports cars, not cars like this.

[Gstone]

I never understood the "driving in traffic" argument against manuals.
I have done this for 20 years and can control the car so much better in stop and go by using three pedals. With automatic its more jerky going from break to gas to break.