[Mhrob24]

Is it a bad idea to have such an expensive car be the first manual car I ever own? Never drove stick before and I’m nervous I could fk something up lol. I know manual will be way more fun and I want it, but idk…maybe it’s not a good idea.

I’m having my build submitted tmw and I’m second guessing the manual transmission.

[dienstag]

IMO the problem is less that you will break something and more that you don't actually want a manual car. It's not for everyone. Personally I'm 100% in the manual camp for all my cars but I know people who previously drove manuals and just are done with it.

In any case, borrowing a car to learn on and drive as much as possible is your best bet. Then you can both learn to drive and not break stuff, and see if you want to live with it.

Edit: just re-read and you're submitting your build tomorrow. So nevermind what I said. I vote you order the manual I guess.

[BradMX5]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Is it a bad idea to have such an expensive car be the first manual car I ever own? Never drove stick before and I’m nervous I could fk something up lol. I know manual will be way more fun and I want it, but idk…maybe it’s not a good idea.

I’m having my build submitted tmw and I’m second guessing the manual transmission.

New cars make learning a lot easier.

Just watch a bunch of videos, start off slow and spend longer than 15 minutes trying to learn.

I drove around for 4 hours the first day I learned. Biggest thing was stop and go. After that it becomes second nature a lot quicker than you think.

You’re going to stall. Just take a breath and try again and block out the person behind you honking.

[luckylingy]

Proceed, while you still have the option.

I bought my first car, new, with a manual transmission before I knew how to drive a stick. The first couple drives were jerky and nerve-wracking, but my shifting became smooth within days. I've since driven more than a half million miles in various cars with manual transmissions, such that doing so is now second nature

My daily drivers these past 10+ years have been xDrive with automatics, but I'm planning to return to RWD/manual for my next new BMW. What I sacrifice in speed, ease of use and 'creature features' (ACC, remote engine start) I'll gain in involvement and driving pleasure.

[NewToM]

While I am sure the car is amazing with the 8 speed, I am very happy with my manual. Almost had the car a year and still make up excuses most days to drive it. Needed limes today badly….

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by NewToM

While I am sure the car is amazing with the 8 speed, I am very happy with my manual. Almost had the car a year and still make up excuses most days to drive it. Needed limes today badly….

margarita based emergency i am sure

[Squidget]

Is this your primary DD, do you have another car that you can use for commuting, emergencies, etc?

Relying on a manual car you can barely drive is a bad idea if it's your only car. If it's your second car or weekender, then go for it.

[NewToM]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

margarita based emergency i am sure

Moscow Mule… lol

[NewToM]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Is this your primary DD, do you have another car that you can use for commuting, emergencies, etc?

Relying on a manual car you can barely drive is a bad idea if it's your only car. If it's your second car or weekender, then go for it.

I mean it isn’t like it takes that long to get used to driving manual. While I had spent maybe 10 minutes in my friends civic growing up, I learned stick in my Mini S. It isn’t like you ca t pick it up quickly. That being said, nothing to ensure that he actually likes driving one once he learns.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by NewToM

I mean it isn’t like it takes that long to get used to driving manual. While I had spent maybe 10 minutes in my friends civic growing up, I learned stick in my Mini S. It isn’t like you ca t pick it up quickly. That being said, nothing to ensure that he actually likes driving one once he learns.

It's just risk management, right? The worst case scenario is that you get the car, don't have another, and like, a kid gets sick and has to go to urgent care right freakin' now in the middle of the night. Sure, probably won't happen...

But sure, I agree, the more likely bad outcome is not actually liking to drive stick and having buyer's regret. Totally legit.

[Squidget]

Also worth saying that IMO, G87 is a very civilized MT experience, since it has both hill hold and rev matching, and a forgiving torque curve. There are far worse options for a first-timer to learn on.

[Carefree]

Find a local driving school or some type of instruction for manual transmission cars. Learn on their car.

The small cost could be a worthwhile investment.

IMO

[two_three_two]

you have plenty of time to find an $1k beater on CL and teach yourself before then with no regrets- then throw the car back into the CL ecosystem for probably the same price. i learned this way on a stick shift RAV4.

[kraken]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Is it a bad idea to have such an expensive car be the first manual car I ever own? Never drove stick before and I’m nervous I could fk something up lol. I know manual will be way more fun and I want it, but idk…maybe it’s not a good idea.

I’m having my build submitted tmw and I’m second guessing the manual transmission.

Here's my story.... I had a 23 Audi RS3 that I've sold back in May after only 1.5 years because I've always wanted to learn manual. It's been on my bucket list.... I'm 46 and have 2 kids. I knew I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it so I got a new 24 Toyota GR86. My friend taught me how to drive it and I was able to drive around without stalling after couple of weeks. Fast fwd to 2 months later, I sold the GR86 and just ordered 25 BMW M240. Reason being that manual as a DD, not a fan..... if I have money for a 3rd weekend/ track car, the GR86 would be great.... but as a DD and dealing with other idiots on the road in NY, not so fun..... still glad I did it and learned it though. Driving manual does make you a better driver and better awareness of your surroundings.

And you won't fk anything up learning on a new car..... you will get used to it in no time if you decided to get the M2 in manual.

Best of luck.

[gondolafanclub]

Does anybody know if you order a manual car, do they give you a manual one at the performance center delivery for the track portion?

I have maybe an hour and a half of manual experience under my belt and I don't want to embarrass myself that badly lol

[kraken]

Originally Posted by gondolafanclub

Does anybody know if you order a manual car, do they give you a manual one at the performance center delivery for the track portion?

I have maybe an hour and a half of manual experience under my belt and I don't want to embarrass myself that badly lol

LOL..... I wanna say they give you automatics at the delivery center.
I did it this past March for our X3 and going to do it again for the M240 I ordered.... it was a lot of fun.

[Mhrob24]

Yeah this is for sure not an all-season DD for me….I live in Michigan 😂. I have a beater for Nov-Apr.

I’m just getting tripped out by a lot of these threads recently regarding issues with the MT as well.

There is a driving academy near me that has a 2-hour manual transmission class for like $200, which isn’t bad.

[eluded]

Life is too short for an automatic M2 or learning to drive stick on a cheap car. You won’t regret it. Just learn the engagement point. It’s a great way to learn: from a stop, put it in 1st gear, use the clutch to get rolling, and don’t touch the gas pedal. Rinse and repeat

[DrewNewM2]

New manual cars are very easy to learn on. I learned on an 85 Toyo pickup and those older manuals would put you in your place quickly if you F’d up, like grinding, bucking and jerking all over the road, locking up wheels and skidding on downshifts lol. There was a time when it was almost a necessity to know how to drive manual. Now we just do it for fun!

[Mhrob24]

Yeah, I went with the manual. Still a little nervous about it because the car is expensive lol but I think I’ll be alright. I’ve been watching a lot of videos and just seems like one of those things where if you do it a hundred times, you start doing it without even thinking.

[Geighty7]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Yeah, I went with the manual. Still a little nervous about it because the car is expensive lol but I think I’ll be alright. I’ve been watching a lot of videos and just seems like one of those things where if you do it a hundred times, you start doing it without even thinking.

You’ll be fine I wouldn’t worry. At least you don’t need to worry about heel toe right off the bat since it’s auto rev match.

[NewToM]

Originally Posted by Geighty7

You’ll be fine I wouldn’t worry. At least you don’t need to worry about heel toe right off the bat since it’s auto rev match.

Most of us learned on cars that were a lot less forgiving. You got it no problem.