[DrGP]

If the car doesn't come with a clutch, I don't want it for my daily driver Just that simple. Don't care if you can shift faster or not. My wife can drive her Auto car, but I will prefer to drive a MT until the arthritis in my left knee gets so bad that I physically can't do it anymore.

[ENINTY]

The best thing about owning a manual, is that most of the thieves can't drive them anymore, so they don't steal them.

[E46X2]

I find it funny that you make a remark negatively toward the brand this guy works for then he replies and you get your panties in a bunch... Really, if you cant take it, dont dish it; it's that simple. Would you really expect someone to NOT defend their product in some way?

I honestly hate the fact that I enjoy manual transmissions so much nowadays. I was looking for an M3 for along time and a lot of the one's I like had common flaw - SMG. I know it's still a manual for all intent and purposes but it just was not the same to me. Although more and more these new automatics are being shown to be just as efficient and outperform traditional manuals I still prefer the feel of a manual. Now that I have also been looking for a 330i, I am really starting to consider an automatic, as much as I dislike the idea, however, it seems it might be only way to go...

[55]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

BMW will soon follow suit. 90%+ of US consumers by autos, the new autos shift as fast as a manual and some are even more efficient MPG wise. Stick drivers are not the norm and you must also realize most race cars are not stick either. I drive a manual but I see the end near, while I will miss the connection to the car technology has improved things so much it is a moot point.

BMW did the same thing with the 5 series last year, there was a 6 month gap between auto and manual. When BMW designed the ///M5 and ///M6 V10 they never even considered a manual option, it was an SMG only situation; the US market is the only one than commanded the third pedal as we are stuck on it for "performance" though it is not the case. The manual in the EU is a sign of efficiency (and it is cheaper) but that should begin to dwindle over the next few years as people will see the new autos improve the MPG.

In the end the manual is on its way out and just how much time is left is anyones guess..... so this is not a surprise to me but I am open to something that is better.

Addiction to auto is an american thing where people care more about number of cupholders than driving pleasure. 90% buy auto and at least 60% don't know how to drive. The manual will stay in Europe forever, and so will all those beautiful station wagons and diesels.

[f82phan]

Majority of cars in the U.S. are AT b/c Americans are lazy as shiet...plus, how can we shift when we're busy texting / playing around on the crackberry, drinking and driving, etc.

MT FTW

[Cloud9blue]

HAHA, this is not as bad as what i got from cadillac once.
i was checking out the new CTS, and when i told the red-neck salesman what other car i am considering (335i of course). he said this car is intended to compete with the 5-series and how the CTS is the car of the year of Road and Track.

i just laughed and left. no point of argument with morons like that.

but it does seems like BMW is the most hated/targeted brand among salesmen of other manufacturer. for a good reason i guess. cuz it is just simply better.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by noro

He is an audi salesman, he has to believe what he is selling is better. And the truth is Audi's are getting better at a faster pace than BMW.

Agreed. Although I can see why you were ticked, it's just the nature of the business.

[montreal red]

are they serious bout not offering a manual with the new A4?? i thought they have always offered MTs on the A4.

[Deda]

well,there is nothing he could say..its hard to espect that he could say the bmw is better..in the end he is audi salesman.

[jfarnkopf]

My buddy bought a A4 a month before I bought my e90 335i. I have had nothing but good experiences from the dealership that I brought it from and the dealership where I had an oil change done. On the other hand, my buddys A4 has been in the shop twice for engine problems and just went in again today. Heres the best part, they told him that they were going to have his car for nearly 2 weeks and tried to give him a sh!tty ford focus as a loaner. The car had out of state tags and was beat to crap. He caused a huge scene in the dealership and they finally gave him a ford explorer. Now that is some serious B.S.

[f82phan]

Originally Posted by jfarnkopf

My buddy bought a A4 a month before I bought my e90 335i. I have had nothing but good experiences from the dealership that I brought it from and the dealership where I had an oil change done. On the other hand, my buddys A4 has been in the shop twice for engine problems and just went in again today. Heres the best part, they told him that they were going to have his car for nearly 2 weeks and tried to give him a sh!tty ford focus as a loaner. The car had out of state tags and was beat to crap. He caused a huge scene in the dealership and they finally gave him a ford explorer. Now that is some serious B.S.

Was that an upgrade? From a Ford to a....Ford

Plus, your buddy gets stuck with the gas guzzling bill

[tommyv]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

BMW will soon follow suit. 90%+ of US consumers by autos, the new autos shift as fast as a manual and some are even more efficient MPG wise. Stick drivers are not the norm and you must also realize most race cars are not stick either. I drive a manual but I see the end near, while I will miss the connection to the car technology has improved things so much it is a moot point.

BMW did the same thing with the 5 series last year, there was a 6 month gap between auto and manual. When BMW designed the ///M5 and ///M6 V10 they never even considered a manual option, it was an SMG only situation; the US market is the only one than commanded the third pedal as we are stuck on it for "performance" though it is not the case. The manual in the EU is a sign of efficiency (and it is cheaper) but that should begin to dwindle over the next few years as people will see the new autos improve the MPG.

In the end the manual is on its way out and just how much time is left is anyones guess..... so this is not a surprise to me but I am open to something that is better.

This is the most rational and accurate post I've seen yet regarding the manual vs. auto debate.

[TTG]

I don't know..... They do make the S5 in manual.... If it wasn't for the frikin 12 month wait one would be in my garage now.

I think overall both BMW's & Audi's are nice cars.

[f82phan]

Manual in the U.S. is not on it's way out.

Dealerships will prolly get a very small (if not none) MT spec'd cars to their lots. However, so long as we have the ability to order directly from Germany, then MT'll stay in the U.S. so long us enthusiasts keep ordering them.

[ragingclue]

I would get another 335i but I hear the 2CV is faster, so I think I'm gonna opt for one of those...

But, srsly, if they bring the 5 door 1er here with the N54, I'm in for sure. Won't happen though.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by noro

He is an audi salesman, he has to believe what he is selling is better. And the truth is Audi's are getting better at a faster pace than BMW.

He speaks the truth.

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by lem144

So I went to check out the new A4 a few weeks ago, and after reading that manual transmissions were available on the car, the salesman told me they would not be available. As I was leaving, I made a comment to the effect of 'how can they compete with BMW if they don't offer a manual?' and he replied, "We don't have to compete, every review shows the Audi beating the BMW. There's no comparison.'

I thought, what an ass. Without a manual driving enthusiasts are being kicked in the nuts. How can Audi possibly compete with the "Ultimate Driving Machine" if a manual transmission is not an option?! And how can he make that comment? I walked out of that dealer so fast and got comfortably into my e90.

He was an ass? Sounds to me like you got what you deserved with you smart-assed "how can they compete with BMW without a manual" comment.

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

In the end the manual is on its way out and just how much time is left is anyones guess..... so this is not a surprise to me but I am open to something that is better.

Exactly right. People used to get out and turn a crank to start a car too. Machinery evolves just like everything else.

[E90330iS]

Originally Posted by BMWnator

HAHA, this is not as bad as what i got from cadillac once.
i was checking out the new CTS, and when i told the red-neck salesman what other car i am considering (335i of course). he said this car is intended to compete with the 5-series and how the CTS is the car of the year of Road and Track.

i just laughed and left. no point of argument with morons like that.

but it does seems like BMW is the most hated/targeted brand among salesmen of other manufacturer. for a good reason i guess. cuz it is just simply better.

It's true, CTS are always compared to 5 series e class etc. STS is meant for 7 series.

[GnokGnik]

A dealer will almost always try to tell you something "surprising" when they talk about another car. I remember going to a Inifiniti dealership where they tried to tell me the the G37s was faster than a GT500 in a drag race because of the "technology package." I LOL'd.

[AdamJ]

Why are your panties in a bunch? You sound like an arrogant snob.

[AdamJ]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

He was an ass? Sounds to me like you got what you deserved with you smart-assed "how can they compete with BMW without a manual" comment.

Agreed, OP is a jerk.