[antych]

There will always be cheap, low end cars with MT, so what's the big deal. If you don't want the highest performance and superior technology, then BMW is not car for you in the first place.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by LuisSF

Then explain the 5GT. Or the multitude of niche Minis.

Once again, BMW sell these cars globally not just North America and their appeal and cost effective development means they are easy to conceive and sell at high profit which is why you will be seeing a 5er Gran Turismo replacement as well as new MINI's.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

So, all the manual transmission cars that were produced since the car was invented will suddenly cease to exist? Will people only buy brand new cars that are not offered with a manual???

I made sure my son learned to drive a manual just because it is going away. It will be a "lost art" so to speak, and anyone that can actually drive one will have the advantage of being a able to enjoy all the great cars that came with one. Every E30 M3, any Porsche worthy of being called a Porsche, a classic Ferrari with a gated shifter.

My 16 year old son has a 2007 Z4 with a 6 speed manual and loves the fact that NONE of his friends can drive his car. It takes SKILL.

I'm not ragging on manuals. I actually prefer them. My daughter still drives the manual transmission car I gave her. I taught her how to operate a manual transmission car.

Red:
I doubt that'll occur anytime soon. Even if/when it substantively occurs, I doubt there'll be anything sudden about it.

Blue:
I think that in time, the answer to that question is mostly "yes." I don't think manual transmissions will disappear completed in the consumer automobile marketplace, but I do think they'll be found only on exotic or "bargain basement" new cars and on certain trucks. I think the days of their presence in the mainstream automobile marketplace are numbered and that number is somewhere in the foreseeable future. It may not occur in five years, but, absent a major breakthrough in manual transmission technology, it's certainly something I believe will occur within 15 years.

Originally Posted by redpriest

You can't buy a new Ferrari with a MT though... the last one that was built was a 599 in 2011 - and all the Ferrari customers basically voted with their wallet and bought the DCT. It's the same thing happening here.

Well, there you have it. I think if Ferrari can see its way into the future without a manual transmission car, the rest of the car industry will too.

All the best.

[Who's on first]

If this does happen, then I'd stop driving mine. Don't know what I'd do, but I'd stop.

Just in the hopes, it's worth more in the future (20% odds) .. or at least for the novelty of it.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by antych

About time. No point wasting resources to cater for few dinosaurs.

Your attitude is the reason this is a problem. Some of us prefer having a choice.

[....,,,,..,,..]

The article linked to the original is from 2014.

In the UK we have around 75% sales of manual cars for total cars sold, across the pond it looks like you have 7% cars sold were manual.

So that coupled with emissions, engine power, the American & Chinese markets both of which struggle with manual cars (hence low volume sales) is killing off manuals in say 2.0l and above.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by M3 n X5M

Cannot find better words.

Time to save for a Ferrari.

Driving my E90 M3 I was waiting to trade it for an F80... Now, I plan to keep it and add the F80.

New BMW bosses = Retards.

I find that last phrase does not have precedence on an automotive forum especially if members like myself have children with disabilities.

[antych]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Your attitude is the reason this is a problem. Some of us prefer having a choice.

Plenty of cars out there, take your pick. Your problem is not wanting choice. Your problem is wanting German engineering, best of its class, but refusing to accept technological progress. These are two conflicting goals.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Never Convicted

So, they'll offer a manual for guys paying $150k + who DON'T want the car to perform as well as it can. That would indeed be listening. To the lunatic fringe. But hey, not my circus, not my monkeys.

Yea- I mean, why bother with the driver at all?! For my $150k+ I want that thing hot lapping while I read Roundel in the passenger seat.

I care more about the means than the end. Magazine times and Ring laps don't do much for me on a nice day, on a twisty road.

[Mr.SugarSkulls]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I envision the M2,M3 and M4 will keep their manuals through the next generation but M5 and M6 will not as it is no longer justifiable as they are slower, heavy and heavier on fuel consumption.

The xDrive will be optional as BMW have markets for both RWD and xDrive.

An m6 is slower than an m2, m3 &m4?

That's news to me...

Everything else- I'm with you. I'm going to really enjoy the last of its kind. My 2016 m6 is the first frozen black, Opal white coupe with a MT built.

Thought there would be more but nope. Makes me think I'll keep it around for the long haul.

[Jashan]

Originally Posted by M3 n X5M

Cannot find better words.

Time to save for a Ferrari.

Driving my E90 M3 I was waiting to trade it for an F80... Now, I plan to keep it and add the F80.

New BMW bosses = Retards.

It's a business their goal is to make money not please a group of dinosaurs

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by ScottGregory

And what brand may that be? By the time BMW phases out manuals, i feel almost all the major car manufacturers will be using some sort of Auto transmission.

This....

[Chihuahua]

Not surprising. Heck, Ferrari of all manufacturers did away with manual transmissions so it doesn't surprise me to see BMW follow suit. BMW hopefully will focus on further weight reduction and handling, that's far more important than bhp and transmission type.

[Mr.SugarSkulls]

Originally Posted by Jashan

It's a business their goal is to make money not please a group of dinosaurs

Dinosaurs...I'm 26? :

[secretsquirrel]

I said a long time ago that I will never have a car that isn't a manual. If this is true, then goodbye BMW. I don't care if a DCT equipped car is .2 seconds faster to 60. If I wanted the fastest possible car I could afford, I'd be driving a Z06.

Seriously, whats the difference between 3.3s and 3.5s to 60mph. And don't say .2 seconds, jack asses

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by secretsquirrel

I said a long time ago that I will never have a car that isn't a manual.

Hate to say it, but I think a decade from now if you refuse to only drive manual transmission cars you'll be shopping for only used cars. Manual gearboxes are going the way of the dodo bird.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by M3 n X5M

Cannot find better words.

Time to save for a Ferrari.

Driving my E90 M3 I was waiting to trade it for an F80... Now, I plan to keep it and add the F80.

New BMW bosses = Retards.

Make that a very used Ferrari. They have not offered a manual shifter in quite a while.

Pity that.

[ShocknAwe]

Rather they stick with 6MT, further develop weight loss tech, and focus on creating 400-500whp cars with weights ~ 2800-3000 lbs.

You can advance 6MT. What about rev anticipation (rev matching) to help speed up the shifts? Some manu's doing that now. Pretty cool. I'd still rather do it myself, but as long as I could turn it off I'd be happy.

[Bosozoku]

Van Meel said: “From a technical standpoint, the future doesn’t look bright for manual gearboxes. ..."

Surprise!

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

Hate to say it, but I think a decade from now if you refuse to only drive manual transmission cars you'll be shopping for only used cars. Manual gearboxes are going the way of the dodo bird.

Only if we let it.

If we buy them, they will still make them.

Personally, I will never buy a BMW without a clutch pedal. If they do not offer it, I will absolutely NOT buy one.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I find that last phrase does not have precedence on an automotive forum especially if members like myself have children with disabilities.

It is sad to read some of the hurtful comments that frequent these forums but I do to tend to relate to frustration voiced by the "tradtional BMW" fans.

Speaking with many insiders in the company though, you cannot deny that there is a clash of cultures as the brand tries to define itself in the new and changing consumer automotive climate.

There can be no doubt that BMW is working very hard to avoid being the next Kodac but I believe it is also neglecting the core customers who created the cult enthusiasm that propelled the brand desire and sales growth over the past 20 years.

Surely, now that Toyota is on board to share the development cost burden, there can be room to create fascination cars that keep us "dinosaurs" happy and perhaps even make BMW some money.

It set the mould with M that was copied by all including VM's old employer Audi, now it is sad to see that they have turned their back on the very spirit that sold those basic cars to those who dreamed of having a taste of something special.

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

This!

Stop increasing the power to levels that are pretty much ridiculous. Let us keep our MT's, and focus on reducing the weight.

Unfortunately, that option does not sell cars to people who buy them strictly on magazine specs.

I definitely don't want them to stop increasing power levels. I would like to see at least the M3/M4 go up 5-15hp/tq every few years with added weight savings and better exterior/interior options (IE CF, no more chrome, better wheels, and even better exhaust, etc)