I hate writing filler articles just to get clicks, which is why you don’t see swill like what Jalopnik puts out on MWS. But yesterday, BMW Blog put out this article, which on the surface looks harmless, but is filled with disinformation and puts the blame on you and I for the death of the BMW manual transmission.
If BMW wanted to save the car, they would have done it by now. So let’s debunk this by calling out some specific quotes.
No one wants a BMW manual transmission because they aren’t good
“In 2023, only 20% of the M3s and M4s sold in the United States had the 6MT. The harsh reality is there aren’t enough enthusiasts out there buying cars with three pedals.”
A Mark V Toyota Supra review is coming out very soon, and that car had a manual transmission. Automotive fans will know that the Supra is simply a BMW Z4 in lingerie – except it isn’t. Toyota took the time to change and tune the car to their liking, and the result is a manual worth saving. The feel is completely different from the one in a G80 M3.
We’re not buying them in BMWs because we don’t just drive BMWs. Cadillac is better. So is Subaru. Porsche too. So while it’s true we aren’t buying BMW manual cars, it’s because BMW hasn’t put the effort into making a good product.
The G8X cars will have a manual transmission until they die
“There are signs the G87 will do away with the third pedal in the coming years.”
Another favorite rumor. As the last version of the G8X to debut, it will be the last of the generation to die off, thus making it the last M car with a manual transmission.
But BMW isn’t going to stop production of the real-wheel drive versions of these cars for two important reasons. First, the work is already done. Doesn’t make financial sense to kill it off half-way through; that’s still 20% of sales for the car.
The second reason is marketing. On the M2, the automatic is a no-cost option, but xDrive adds about $5,000 to the price. So BMW would be raising the base price of their entry-level M. They need that base number to get people into the door at dealerships.
This isn’t the last generation of BMW to have gas-powered engines
“With the EU banning sales of new cars with combustion engines in 2035, odds are there won’t be a next-gen M2.”
California, New Jersey and others have said they will ban ICE engines too. That’s ten years away, and in order to do that, they better start building up electric infrastructure now. They haven’t.
Cars take a long time to design, so it’s likely BMW already knows what they are planning to do. But it won’t be to kill off the ICE. They keep saying electric sales growth is happening, but if that’s the case, why can I lease an iX for $799 per month, while a comparable X5 is $999?
Remember too that BMW, Mercedes, VW – these are big money machines for European governments, and if they aren’t selling cars, it’s not good for taxes or the work force. If they want to keep selling ICE cars, they will, it’s that simple.
BMW Blog says everything will die
“Our sources close to BMW have told us that a new 4 Series is not planned, so don’t get your hopes up for another M4.”
According to them, in the next few years, BMW M will kill:
- The M2
- X3 M
- X4 M
- M4
- XM (this is true)
- M8
That leaves the M3, M5, X5 M and X6 M. What are they going to sell us…hopes and dreams? Maybe it won’t be an M4 – maybe an M3 coupe will return. Whatever it is, the two-door body still will always be available.
No one knows what’s next, except compromise
The result of BMW’s platform sharing is the M5, which has a battery, an engine, and everything in between. That makes it very heavy – electric car heavy (which it is anyway).
Some say the M3 will follow in its footsteps, while others think it’ll be all electric, or all ICE. What it won’t have? A manual transmission.
Don’t feel bad, it’s not you. Or me. It’s them.
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