[Tag]

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BMW M to keep manual gearbox option for keen drivers

German car maker looking to buck manual-ditching trend, after stick-shift accounted for 50% of all M2 orders


by Felix Page 24 June 2022

BMW M boss Frank van Meel is determined to keep the manual gearbox on the options list for as long as possible and has been buoyed in his quest by 50% of orders for the BMW M2 requesting it.

“From a technical viewpoint, there’s little reason to save it. It’s heavier, it's slower and you get worse fuel consumption than the alternative. But the customer and the fanbase really love the manual. It gives a connection to allow them to demonstrate they can tame the beast - and that’s the point. We want to keep it,” he said.

Many firms have already scrapped the manual option, such as Mercedes-AMG, citing range simplifications and lower production costs.

But BMW looks set to buck the trend, with van Meel confirming that the manual option is too popular to ditch.

He added: “For the M2, every second car is bought with a manual. People want to say they can handle the beast. If they have a way of showing they can do that, then they want it - and a manual gearbox is part of that.

“It's part of the emotional appeal of our cars, and that’s why we love manual gearboxes. The US is the biggest market, and if customers continue to say they want it, then amazing.”

The next iteration of the M2 is expected to arrive in showrooms at the end of 2022, which means its unveiling is only months away. It will have even stronger performance and more versatility than the model it replaces.

The second-generation 2 Series Coupé, on which it's based, is already on sale.

AUTOCAR https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/c...n-keen-drivers

[werdn]

Wow, one of the rare scenarios where enthusiasts put money where their mouths are!

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by Tag

“From a technical viewpoint, there’s little reason to save it. It’s heavier, it's slower and you get worse fuel consumption than the alternative...”

It's actually lighter.

But I'm glad they're listening to customers. They should do that more often.

[Nachbar]

A MT M2 2024 CS Convertible for me please. That's all, thanks.

[Turkish Pickle]

Unrelated: I would love the new M2 to look like that render, that looks the right amount of aggressive and modern

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by Tag

Note: Autocar's take on what the new BMW M2 will look like

[F87EVO]

#savethemanuals

[Gdiddy23]

I'd be a happy camper if that's how it actually looked. But I'm guessing it won't unfortunately

[AndroidRobot]

Porsche and BMW are the only ones still offering a manual from the Germans outside of VW in the GTI/Golf R

[BimmerMat135]

I'm curious what it's mean exactly. It's seem like corporate talk the way i see it is that they will keep the manual for the entire production run of the G80/82/87 but when theses cars will be replaced i doubt that manual will survive. Since next generations will be hybrid at different level.

[Alpine300zhp]

What do they mean no technical reason? There is a blatantly obvious technical reason for MT availability and it's that people buy them! There was a time when I believe BMW thought that the manual transmission was going to be phased out. However, as other manufacturers stopped making them, those people who like MT cars started gravitating to the few brands that still offer them thus increasing demand for MT cars.

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by werdn

Wow, one of the rare scenarios where enthusiasts put money where their mouths are!

BMW owners in the US support manuals.

F80 M3 had a 30% take rate for the manual. M2 is 50%

Bravo BMW fans

[Poochie]

Hmm, no new news here..

This dude is merely stating the obvious; the next gen M2 will have a manual transmission option, that's already written in stone, which is the defining factor of that vehicle's offering and marketing but he's not committing to a manual option, long term, when the next generation of BMWs surely becomes electric or hybrid-electric ..

Not even trying be a negative Nancy but simply asserting the obvious fact that this is manual transmission's final run with BMW..

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

What do they mean no technical reason? There is a blatantly obvious technical reason for MT availability and it's that people buy them! There was a time when I believe BMW thought that the manual transmission was going to be phased out. However, as other manufacturers stopped making them, those people who like MT cars started gravitating to the few brands that still offer them thus increasing demand for MT cars.

By "technical," he means "performance." i.e. They're slower to shift and can't offer as many gears (lower fuel economy).

[swampfox94]

That's great but I wish they improved it a little. It's such a step down from both the Porsche and Honda manuals in feel. I know there's a few mods buyers can make to improve it but would be nice if it was perfect out of the box

[Tag]

Key takeaways...

• If you want a MT BMW it'll only be offered on M cars.
• The only incentive for BMW to still offer a MT is buyers put their $$$ where their mouths are and BMW acknowledges that.
• They will offer MT on M cars for as long as possible; i.e. once electrification takes over you can kiss the MT goodbye, so get them while you can.
• Anyone who thinks BMW doesn't listen to their customers isn't paying attention.
• Frank van Meel is a great M boss and everyone who cares about M cars should be happy he's back at the helm.

[stefan]

But what about the Nurburgring times! /s

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

By "technical," he means "performance." i.e. They're slower to shift and can't offer as many gears (lower fuel economy).

You are correct. My wording was imprecise. I should have said "Despite the technical deficits of the MT, BMW is keeping it because people buy them." Reality is that companies make what people buy and this decision by BMW just validates that point.

[Game]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

Note: Autocar's take on what the new BMW M2 will look like

It's like they haven't seen any spy shots in the last year. Way off.

[LOW4LYF]

Only in the US "man" need to show they can drive a manual...lol

[SYT_Shadow]

It's nice to hear the confirmation, but this isn't really news.

There is no technical advantage to offering a 6MT, but BMW will continue doing it while they can. Once hybrid/electric comes in, no one will be able to offer a manual and it will die.

It also serves as a reminder that when sales numbers justify it, manufacturers are happy to meet these demands.
Why is there no 6MT 330i? Probably because the take rate in the F30 was 5%.
Why is there no manual in the G8X in the UK? Because the take rate was microscopic.
etc etc

I'll get the G80 6MT after the LCI.

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by Tag

Key takeaways...

• If you want a MT BMW it'll only be offered on M cars.
• The only incentive for BMW to still offer a MT is buyers put their $$$ where their mouths are and BMW acknowledges that.
• They will offer MT on M cars for as long as possible; i.e. once electrification takes over you can kiss the MT goodbye, so get them while you can.
• Anyone who thinks BMW doesn't listen to their customers isn't paying attention.
• Frank van Meel is a great M boss and everyone who cares about M cars should be happy he's back at the helm.

Yes. My take, the MT is only being offered on M cars because only die-hard enthusiasts still want them and that category of buyer is most likely to be an M buyer. I think a MT 330i would be a very tough sell.