[akhter]

Originally Posted by Lukeswarm

I had an auto once, i don't think i will ever go back to it... i had trouble on hills, icy conditions and when i had an issue with it the damn thing cost me a small fortune to repair... Manual for me

when was that? in a few years, manual will not be a choice even in BMWs. there are like 5 cars today that even offer it as an option.

[Leo_328i]

At least you guys get the option of having a manual!

In Australia they stopped offering manuals on the 5 Series in 1992.

In the E34 we got the 5-Speed automatic and no one ended up taking up manuals.

E39 (with the exception of the M5) and E60 are all autos in Australia

[CaliE90]

In most Asian countries, manual is usually for the poorer that cannot/don't want to pay extra for auto. Luxury cars such as the F10 would be auto because people that can afford such cars in Asian countries usually can afford a chauffeur as well.

Whereas in America, it's the poor and lazy that drive auto. Leaving the richer, car enthusiasts with the manual.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by Jz

Whereas in America, it's the poor and lazy that drive auto. Leaving the richer, car enthusiasts with the manual.

So 94% of F10 buyers are poor and lazy in the US?

[gorban]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

I'll drive a manual until my body says I no longer can...

Is it just a US epidemic? Typical lazy americans? I would venture to guess that in other countries, where auto might come at a very premium price, that manuals are more prevalent...

In Europe, most smaller cars have manual transmissions. The more expensive models from BMW, MB, Audi etc are almost always ordered with automatic gearboxes. Only the entry level engines may sometimes have manual gearboxes.

I will soon get rid of my manual E61 525d for an F11 520d with sports automatic and dynamic dampers. I agree that the manual gives control but I would like to find out how the auto feels for more relaxed driving during the next three years. My other BMW is still manual.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by akhter

Someday those hanging on to their olden and golden ways will have to let go of their beloved clutch pedal. I predict that day will will be in less than 10years.

All the more reason to get a manual now while we still have the chance!

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by b|ake

I want the F10, I really do. But I need xDrive (live in MI and need to get to work when there's a foot of snow on the ground). And I really, REALLY don't want the auto trans.

Seriously? Can you not get by with a set of good snow tires and RWD? Our forefathers and the their forefathers before them (cue stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner) had vastly inferior tire technology, no traction control, no DTC, no DSC, no calcium chloride solutions to pre-treat roads, three speed transmissions, and did I mention much less sophisticated tire technology? And yet they were able to get to work in the snow. Blinding snow, 23 ft. drifts, sub-zero temperatures, and all for only $4.71 an hour. And no overtime.

Now, I know little about driving in the snow living as I do in the far superior South where when it snows, at all, even a little bit, we all stay home and bitch about global warming. But it seems to me that if you really, REALLY, wanted a manual transmission, then you could find a way to make it happen.

[DieselDog]

:
In my humble opinion, automatic transmission : [is to] manual transmission as
Kodak Instamatic : Nikon N65
"Ronco 'SLAP-CHOP'" : Henkel 10" Steel Chef Knife
BowFlex : Free Weights

The former are quick, limit mistakes, and may be as [or perhaps more] effective than the latter. The latter require more skill and more concentration, which may lead to even higher levels of skill and satisfaction when used correctly.

Yes the F10 is big, but imagine the satisfaction of skillfully slicing curves, hills, and awesome on-ramp launches in one while fully involving BOTH hands and BOTH legs. Skill, power, and full control. THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

[Schtuffy]

Originally Posted by akhter

So 94% of F10 buyers are poor and lazy in the US?

Well, poor and/or lazy... yeah I can believe that.

I drive a STI, before was a manual 323i, and my wife just ordered a 128i manual... but to be honest I would get an auto 5 series. To me, big luxury cars are meant for comfort and not spirited driving, so there's no point to rowing your own gears. Having said that, I'll never buy a large luxury car until I'm old or unable to hit a clutch.

[Autosavant]

Hi there. I'm new here.

That's a disappointing take rate on the 6MT. That being said, perhaps relevant to this discussion, I am about to post a review that one of my writers just finished on a 2011 535i 6MT. You'll see it elsewhere in here shortly.

You guys have a great forum. Keep up the good work!

[dada23]

I'll take delivery of my new F10 535i in two weeks and it's manual...never had an automatic

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

I'll drive a manual until my body says I no longer can...

Is it just a US epidemic? Typical lazy americans? I would venture to guess that in other countries, where auto might come at a very premium price, that manuals are more prevalent...

The USA is the only country where it's even possible to get a manual on the 550, and the USA was the only country where you could get a manual on the e60 M5. So no, if anything the problem is with everyone but us.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by Obioban

The USA is the only country where it's even possible to get a manual on the 550, and the USA was the only country where you could get a manual on the e60 M5. So no, if anything the problem is with everyone but us.

[RC3]

I say it depends on where you are driving. In Hong Kong, people are stuck in traffic all the time and there is no fun to drive a stick here. The auto hold parking brake which comes with the auto is also a plus.

[uhn2000]

Really hope they come out with a manual M5 for the entire world and not just NA to appease us - I think they will see a surprising high uptake.

[mcacciola]

F10 is not aimed to purely "drivers oriented" people. It si more luxurious and exec type of car. These numbers does not surprise me at all, it's obvious.

Specially here in US where almost nobody trully understand what Driving pleasure means. Most of the people think that it is the way you operate the actual machine. And thats why surveys shows that over 90% of US drivers believe they are really good drivers! ha!

Joy, feeling, rush, feedback, passion, etc. it is not on the U.S. DMV dictionary.

[karmakal]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

Enthusiasts are much more likely to have a manual transmission then the average consumer. I am not surprised to see such a high percentage compared to the general population.

6% is for US market only.
I assume % MT will be much higher in Europe where MT comes standard while Auto is an option (worth 2400 EUR here in Belgium).

[scottz5]

I like the idea of the 6 speed but not the idea of paying the same amount of money for it. I almost ordered the 6spd but my wife said I would have trouble with resale and it would be worth less at that time. I tend to agree with her. BMW should have made it 500 to 1000 cheaper. I am very happy with the sports auto.

[Eccentric]

Though manual transmissions have become an inferior technology, they present a certain nostalgia in driving that can never be replaced. Like a colt revolver, or a wood baseball bat, they bring something to the table that superior performance can't. I think BMW knows this and will continue to supply us with manuals, even if they take a slight profit hit. Also, the buyers of an M5 don't necessarily fall in the same category as those who purchased other F10 models, and therefore the 6% ,while low, is not something that should worry bmw. BMW will always be about pleasing the driver, and true drivers will always be satisfied rowing through a traditional manual gate.

[kealaiki]

Anyone who can't drive an M5 or ANY Porsche with a manual tranny belongs in a Lexus or an Acura. And please, move out of the left lane...

[Atropos]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

I'll drive a manual until my body says I no longer can...

Is it just a US epidemic? Typical lazy americans?

Seeing that we have cars here that will parallel park themselves (simply because most American drivers are too inept to acquire the skill themselves), I think you're on the right track.

[Mr C]

Originally Posted by DieselDog

When I order my F10, it will be a 535i with the manual transmission....you know, 'cuz I'm a control freak. Further, NO automatic transmission offers the level of control of a manual. I don't give a rat's azz about shift times or number of gears or efficiency or anything else. I like the DIRECT connection the manual transmission offers. It's linear, predictable, and does exactly what I make it do - errors and all. That's half the fun of driving...being CONNECTED to my machine.

Very well said DD!

That is exactly why I got my 2011 M3 with a 6 Speed Manual, because I felt more “connected to my machine.” I must have test-driven the Automatic Dual Clutch a dozen times, but just was NOT feeling it, like I was with the manual.