[JustinHEMI]

This isn't meant to be a debate about which is better. Let's all agree that there's room for both on the road and each has their pluses and minuses in any given situation and it often comes down to personal preference.

It's meant to just be a discussion to kill some time until we can start ordering the next M2.

What are you ordering, and why?


Until recently, if asked, I would emphatically say "MANUAL" when ordering my next M2. My M2C was manual, of course my Z4 is manual, I always had the mental model that M cars should be manual.

However, the M2C had "auto rev matching" and even if you turned it off, the pedals weren't well positioned for heel/toe. Contrast this with my Z4MC where the pedals are perfectly positioned for heel/toe and, of course, there's no auto rev matching.

I've been watching some G8X videos with the ZF8, and comparisons between the ZF8 and DCT, and I'm starting to wonder if my next M should be with the ZF8. It's just a fantastic transmission for wringing out all the performance of the car.

Decisions Decisions.

[schummiking]

I'll enjoy the last few years of manual paired with ICE while I can. we'll spend rest of our life with electric vehicles anyways.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by schummiking

I'll enjoy the last few years of manual paired with ICE while I can. we'll spend rest of our life with electric vehicles anyways.

That's an excellent point. Won't be long before you can't get it anymore.

[Tag]

I'm not one to deliberate on what anyone should get, that's a subjective decision for each person to make. I also don't think one transmission is better than the other. I think the real question is what's best for "you" and only "you".

That said, it's great that there will still be a manual offered for the G87. The problem with the automatic however is it's not as good as the DCT it replaces. Even though it's impressive as hell for a slushbox, it's still slower than the outgoing DCT. You also lose the mechanical feel of the DCT. That's not to say the ZF is bad. It's great as an all around transmission and super smooth, perfect for a daily driver. It just loses a bit of the edge that the DCT offers.

There is a silver lining with the ZF however, it seems they can completely change the characteristics of the transmission with just software tuning. The M5 CS for example has the ZF, but it's been tuned to shift more aggressively and feels more like a true DCT according to some auto journalists when compared to the already great ZF in the M5 or M5C. It'll be interesting to see how the ZF is tuned for the G87 and what revisions they make to the ZF for potential upcoming M2 variants such as CS, CSL and GTS models.

[moodyhank82]

These days having the manual transmission as an option makes a BMW model very special (especially here in the US) since it is limited to just three models in the entire line-up and they are all M cars. ZF 8 speed will undoubtedly make the car faster, easier to use in traffic, and in my case allow my wife to drive it. However, since I will not be tracking the car or commute daily in rush hour traffic and my wife has the option to drive the family SUV, manual is probably the way to go in my case...

[JustinHEMI]

<----- I gotta remember my avatar.

[Karmic Man]

Manual obviously

Had so much fun with the manual in the F87C

[Game]

90% manual for me.

Firstly, the G87 would not be my daily driver.

If the other option were DCT, it'd be a 50-50 decision for me. The ZF8 just doesn't excite me. It's a great transmission but I'd fear I'd get bored. The engagement just isn't the same.

Not to mention it'll save me about 3K haha.

Only thing keeping the automatic a possibility is change. I've had a manual in my life for the last 15 years. It's very possible I could love it and not miss a beat.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Game

90% manual for me.

Firstly, the G87 would not be my daily driver.

If the other option were DCT, it'd be a 50-50 decision for me. The ZF8 just doesn't excite me. It's a great transmission but I'd fear I'd get bored. The engagement just isn't the same.

Not to mention it'll save me about 3K haha.

Only thing keeping the automatic a possibility is change. I've had a manual in my life for the last 15 years. It's very possible I could love it and not miss a beat.

I'm going to try to drive a G8X or two with the auto to help me through my decision.

[Sporck]

I will also buy a manual transmission if possible. Probably the last. Currently, my vehicles are always leased. This time I will probably buy and drive the car longer than three or four years. Maybe at some point only as a third car on nice days. However, I am still hesitating between the M3 G80 manual or the M2 manual (hopefully there is this option in Germany).

[Project_F87]

Had a manual for both F87s (OG & Comp) I owned, will be trying out the new ZF for the G87. Wish the comp came as a manual this time around, but guess we cant have everything we want right?

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Project_F87

Had a manual for both F87s (OG & Comp) I owned, will be trying out the new ZF for the G87. Wish the comp came as a manual this time around, but guess we cant have everything we want right?

What do you mean by the bolded?

[Project_F87]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

What do you mean by the bolded?

So, assuming they stick to how their orders are being offered with the G80/82, the G87 will have a base manual version, then the comp will only have the ZF transmission. Pretty dumb how they're doing it like this tbh

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Project_F87

So, assuming they stick to how their orders are being offered with the G80/82, the G87 will have a base manual version, then the comp will only have the ZF transmission. Pretty dumb how they're doing it like this tbh

I hope they don't follow that formula, but if they do, then that settles my decision. I'll be driving a ZF8 comp.

[Project_F87]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

I hope they don't follow that formula, but if they do, then that settles my decision. I'll be driving a ZF8 comp.

Couldn't agree more my friend. I hate how my decision is being made for me this time around

[Game]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

I hope they don't follow that formula, but if they do, then that settles my decision. I'll be driving a ZF8 comp.

Originally Posted by Project_F87

Couldn't agree more my friend. I hate how my decision is being made for me this time around

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

I hope they don't follow that formula, but if they do, then that settles my decision. I'll be driving a ZF8 comp.

I don't think anything has been established. The car will have a de-tuned S58 with an estimated 455hp…which is still less than a base G80 which is only offered in manual. So we know it can handle the power.

Not to mention the F87 comp obviously offered a manual.

More points to a manual comp than not.

[atl_1M]

Originally Posted by Game

I don't think anything has been established. The car will have a de-tuned S58 with an estimated 455hp…which is still less than a base G80 which is only offered in manual. So we know it can handle the power.

Not to mention the F87 comp obviously offered a manual.

More points to a manual comp than not.

Yes, I'm praying it is too. If they don't, then bmw is talking out of both sides of their mouth bc they claimed it wasn't offered on g80 comp bc it couldn't handle 500 hp.

[Ravenseal]

Sequential gearbox or gtfo

[Squidget]

I'm an incurable manual junkie, and it's why I chose the G87. Otherwise I would have been happy with a new m240i.

[Gdiddy23]

Opting for the 6 speed and it's going to be my first manual car ever

Planning on holding onto this one for awhile and feel the manual will be hold it's value long into the future

[Game]

Just drove an E92 6MT and a 22 M340i back to back...which confirmed my manual decision.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by Game

Just drove an E92 6MT and a 22 M340i back to back...which confirmed my manual decision.

E92 also has hydraulic steering. I miss that so damn much.