[OGM2SG Throwaway]

Hi Everyone - while this more specifically applies to those driving MT M2's, I just wanted to get some input as to who lives with one of these in a large city center.

I'm in Chicago and commute 2-3 days to the burbs and am looking to get back into a manual M2 (currently have '24 rs3). I've discussed in other threads how great the RS3 is, but I miss DD a manual.

Obviously a city/high traffic area is not the ideal place for an M2 (or a MT for that matter), but I'm just wondering if anyone else puts up with the annoyances of daily driving an M2 (as well as other challenges) in NYC, Chicago, Philly, etc and still enjoy the car.

I hit roughly 15-20 mins of stop/go on the way to work and roughly 20-30 mins of stop/go on the way back. Rest is mostly highway miles. I do take spirited drives on the weekend.

Am I crazy for moving back to a MT M2 in this scenario? Previously lived in the burbs and did not experience the amount of traffic I do now.

[JABCAT]

This is the opinion of someone who grew up in the Chicago area, who visits at least once a month, and who lives in the Dallas & Austin, TX areas (as bad or worse than Chi traffic). I would not DD a manual, no way. I have a manual Z06, and it is weekend & country road use only. My M2 is an auto because it is my DD.

In my 20s I had DD manual sports cars. Then in my 30s, it started getting really old. I'm now mid-40s, and am fortunate to have the scenario above.

[ando]

I live in the city of Chicago and have a manual M3 and an auto M2 but I use CTA for daily commutes and Uber otherwise. No matter what I’m driving, if I need to leave the city I’m pretty careful of timing to avoid rush hour traffic. Can you take the Metra?

[mrdudley]

I daily a manual G87 in San Francisco, so lots of traffic and lots of hills. No regrets. I’m still glad I got the manual. I love when I do have the opportunity for spirited drives, and I find the driving more engaging.

[OGM2SG Throwaway]

No options for public transit for me unfortunately. I only go in 2-3 days a week and I have relatively flexible hours so there I am able to dodge some traffic. I also have indoor parking which is a huge plus. I almost never drive in the city though and take public transit 99/100 times. I purely use the car for commuting/driving to burbs or up to Wisconsin for a drive. Would definitely DD an auto and have a second manual car for fun but that's not in the cards.

[RobM2]

I DD a manual M2 in a city (Boston) and honestly it is fine. The manual makes me pay attention.

The only thing that stands out to me for city driving is how wide the rear fenders are.

Of course, this is entirely personal, and you need to make the call for yourself.

[ednir98]

This topic is a matter of personal preference. Only way to know for sure is to try it for yourself, there isn’t a wrong answer. There’s nothing about a manual G87 that would make it less/more favorable than other modern manuals. I know this is kind of a non-answer but I feel there is no answer. Go with your gut, I’m sure the car will blow your socks off either way.

[MineralGreyMetallic]

This is a very personal thing that you should probably not seek the advice of others on.

I've lived in a few big cities in my life, and I've never owned an automatic.

I've been driving manuals in LA traffic for almost 10 years. There have been a few occurrences of multi hour stop-and-go where my legs cramped up a little, but that's not enough to ruin the experience or make me desire an automatic.

Not sure what other annoyances you are referring to that would be unique to the M2.

[ednir98]

Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic

This is a very personal thing that you should probably not seek the advice of others on.

Are you my FBI agent? We posted more or less the same thing at the same exact time…

[MineralGreyMetallic]

Originally Posted by ednir98

Are you my FBI agent? We posted more or less the same thing at the same exact time…

Sometimes common sense is in fact common.

[WBRacing]

I will say the clutch on the M2 is not a heavy clutch. Your left leg will be much happier in that than some of the older manuals cars I have been in.

[OGM2SG Throwaway]

Understand it's a personal choice but I appreciate the feedback. Worst case scenario is I switch back to an auto and am out a few thousand.

I think an M2 is as good as it gets with regards to driving in traffic with a MT. Light clutch, plenty of torque to get off the line with no gas, rev match, auto hill hold, easy restart if you stall (don't think I ever stalled the f87), anti-stall, etc.

While I'm sure there will be some annoyances it's far different than driving my old '09 corolla that didn't have these features and had an on/off switch clutch.

[aerobod]

I have always picked a manual over automatic for driving in congested traffic, if I have the choice, whether in Europe or North America. My personal preference for the most involvement with driving, no matter the circumstance.

[BroDoze]

Originally Posted by OGM2SG Throwaway

Understand it's a personal choice but I appreciate the feedback. Worst case scenario is I switch back to an auto and am out a few thousand.

I think an M2 is as good as it gets with regards to driving in traffic with a MT. Light clutch, plenty of torque to get off the line with no gas, rev match, auto hill hold, easy restart if you stall (don't think I ever stalled the f87), anti-stall, etc.

While I'm sure there will be some annoyances it's far different than driving my old '09 corolla that didn't have these features and had an on/off switch clutch.

No way. Much better MT cars out there for DDs. WRX / STI for starters.

Not a fan of the MT+S58!

[fzr100098]

The M2 ZF 8 speed is a great trans and supports 600+ hp

Rowing is fun on a mountain road or track - otherwise it's overrated and most modern synchro based transmissions aren't very strong anyway. I prefer a manual with short throws I can hammer (dog box)

[BradMX5]

I've never been in traffic and thought to myself this would be better in an automatic.

Drive manual long enough and it just becomes more of a muscle memory thing and you kinda just go through the motions without a thought.

[Squidget]

I have lived in cities my whole life, and I used to commute into Boston using an MT.

I personally don't have any issues with driving an MT in traffic. It can absolutely be done. Whether it will drive you bonkers, I cannot say. Some people can't stand it, some people don't mind.

(Traffic is one place where BMWs rubbery shifter feel and high engagement clutch work in your favor.)

[JMcLellan]

Will you spend the majority of your time and miles sitting in stop n go traffic, or will most of your time be out on the open roads ripping around? If I were contemplating this I would use some math to understand how I would spend my time in the car.

From the perceived sentiment in your questions though, seems like you might regret not having a 6mt but I really think assessing time spent stuck in traffic vs open roads would be important. Full disclosure my bias leans towards the 6mt since that is what I have.

[Ian Rogers]

I drive my manual M2 across San Francisco daily, from Marin to San Mateo in rush hour traffic. The M2 is the easiest manual car I have ever driven.

[Dave07997S]

Well, I am from Los Angeles and I have been driving a manual as my daily here for almost 30 years. I have to say the M2s clutch is pretty much effortless and I have no issues.

[kyrix1st]

I drive in Manhattan with 6MT, and I prefer it to auto that tries to creep every time I let go of the brakes. If it had DCT I might have gone that route but not ZF8. Just wish it had a proper handbrake and not the tiny button.
I do commute early morning because I like waking up these sleepy NYC drivers with a flyby and I don't like sitting in traffic regardless of MT or auto.

[fangelov]

Originally Posted by OGM2SG Throwaway

Hi Everyone - while this more specifically applies to those driving MT M2's, I just wanted to get some input as to who lives with one of these in a large city center.

I'm in Chicago and commute 2-3 days to the burbs and am looking to get back into a manual M2 (currently have '24 rs3). I've discussed in other threads how great the RS3 is, but I miss DD a manual.

Obviously a city/high traffic area is not the ideal place for an M2 (or a MT for that matter), but I'm just wondering if anyone else puts up with the annoyances of daily driving an M2 (as well as other challenges) in NYC, Chicago, Philly, etc and still enjoy the car.

I hit roughly 15-20 mins of stop/go on the way to work and roughly 20-30 mins of stop/go on the way back. Rest is mostly highway miles. I do take spirited drives on the weekend.

Am I crazy for moving back to a MT M2 in this scenario? Previously lived in the burbs and did not experience the amount of traffic I do now.

I have worked in Chicago for 25 years and have commuted with MT cars the entire time (from the north suburbs). Never bothered me, but it is a personal choice.