[Chet for short]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

There are a lot of posts that seem to want to degrade people who have ordered a 8AT (not just in this thread but other threads). I know people love manuals but there are many reasons why people have ordered the 8AT and there is no wrong choice or reason for it.

Agreed - no wrong choice, just personal preference. We are lucky to have the choice!

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Chet for short

Agreed - no wrong choice, just personal preference. We are lucky to have the choice!

Agreed.

[02M3ForMe]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

Oh I didn't say it was not fast, I said it is absolutely lifeless. It has 0 character. Super boring IMHO.

It’s fun to me. I love the way it bangs out upshifts at the hardest setting. Even ordinary things like a sprint to highway speed quickly bang-bang short shifting 1-2-3-4 feel great. This is far from a E92 Steptronic or 997 Tiptronic or whatever. Downshifts certainly could be sharper, but I’ve hustled the car around since break-in and it hasn’t gotten in the way of having a great time. I wouldn’t call the M2 ZF8 lifeless or lacking character versus the DCT in older cars. Maybe less competent at the limit, but it definitely has personality and is not a significant limiting factor on properly enjoying this car.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

It’s fun to me. I love the way it bangs out upshifts at the hardest setting. Even ordinary things like a sprint to highway speed quickly bang-bang short shifting 1-2-3-4 feel great. This is far from a E92 Steptronic or 997 Tiptronic or whatever. Downshifts certainly could be sharper, but I’ve hustled the car around since break-in and it hasn’t gotten in the way of having a great time. I wouldn’t call the M2 ZF8 lifeless or lacking character versus the DCT in older cars. Maybe less competent at the limit, but it definitely has personality and is not a significant limiting factor on properly enjoying this car.

The difference to me is the weight. While the 8ZF shifts fast enough, there is no "oomf" in it. It's lazy. It doesn't make me want to shift through the gears...It's just..."blah".

And I've had an 8ZF in my former 340i. I loved that transmission...Until the DCT in my M2C.

To each their own, though!

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Yeah. If the DCT was an option, I would have picked it over the manual. Don’t get me wrong about the 8ZF, it’s a good transmission, but it doesn’t match the character of a small M car. I could see it being better on the touring style cars like the M4/M5/M8, but not on an M2. Loved the DCT on my 335is and was really looking forward to experiencing it on a real M car. Now I’ll just have to row my own gears.

I couldn't have said it better.
I never thought I would buy a manual car again after the M2C DKG, but as soon as I drove the M3Cx I immediately discarded the ZF8 for my G87.
It's a great transmission, but for me it doesn't fit the spirit of the M2, it's perfect for a saloon/touring/suv, but not on the M2.
And although the 8 gears match better the S58 powerband, I found the overall driving experience much more interesting on the manual G80 than on the Competition. But to each their own.
I am not a manual taliban, for the F87 I went straight to the DCT and it would have been my choice if it was still available, but for the G87 I went for the 'least worst' (for me) option. Also, being the last M ICE car ever, the manual makes the package more interesting.

Side note, I just got out of a 992 GTS, and I have to say that even the PDK8 has lost much of its drama compared to its predecessor, it is not as boring as the ZF8, but it is also not as sharp and engaging as the old 7-speed.

[jay1k2]

I went back and forth on the auto and manual. Glad I went with the manual. I think I would it would have been just as amazing either way. I had the ZF8 in the Supra, and it's not a DCT, but pretty damn good.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

There are a lot of posts that seem to want to degrade people who have ordered a 8AT (not just in this thread but other threads). I know people love manuals but there are many reasons why people have ordered the 8AT and there is no wrong choice or reason for it.

100%. I'm not going to lie, some days when my knee acts up, I wish I was driving an automatic. You like what you like, it's that simple.

[Chris13002]

Originally Posted by Chet for short

Agreed - no wrong choice, just personal preference. We are lucky to have the choice!

100% this. I am glad we even have a choice, seeing that this will be BMW's Last "M" Internal Combustion Engine with a manual option.

My 135i with a DCT was convenient in traffic, but even then, you're never in full control of the car. Maybe the DCT is different on real M cars, but it would auto-shift on WOT even though you're in manual mode. In auto mode, it would take longer than I would like to choose the right gear when downshifting.

[ronin13013]

Which knee. Clutch leg or Gas leg??

Originally Posted by Squidget

100%. I'm not going to lie, some days when my knee acts up, I wish I was driving an automatic. You like what you like, it's that simple.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by ronin13013

Which knee. Clutch leg or Gas leg??

Both, technically. Messed one up in high school, another in an auto accident later.

Automatics make my right knee hurt sometimes due to the extra brake work, manuals make my left knee hurt sometimes due to the clutch. You just can't win.

Edit: I can't keep left and right straight, apparently.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Both, technically. Messed one up in high school, another in an auto accident later.

Automatics make my left knee hurt sometimes due to the extra brake work, manuals make my right knee hurt sometimes due to the clutch. You just can't win.

You drive ATs with both feet?

[ronin13013]

Jacked up knees are crazy. My right knee can be an issue but tolerable.
No issues when running but can be an issue on long drives.
Thank God it isn't my clutch leg.

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

You drive ATs with both feet?

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

You drive ATs with both feet?

Well, crap.

LOL, no, I just drive while facing rearward apparently. I'll fix that text.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Well, crap.

LOL, no, I just drive while facing rearward apparently. I'll fix that text.

[Albator_IIII]

My wallet wishes BMW didn't offer this car w/ a 6MT. W/o it, I would not get the car.

[mwat]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

I was able to attend BMW's M-Town tour at my local BMW dealership on Saturday. They had an M3 Comp X-Drive with performance exhaust, an i4 M50 and XM.

While it was quite a fun event, my time in the M3 made me realize something. That something is that in no way does the 8ZF measure up to the previous DCT. That transmission is absolutely lifeless and has no business being in a car like that.

Yes, the car was fast as hell and sounded a whole lot better than my M2C. Also, I am pretty sure there was something wrong with the steering as it felt absolutely dead and lifeless (the i4 M50 steering was better).

That said, if you are coming from a DCT, you are going to be very disappointed in the 8ZF....Well, at least I was.

Are you sure the M3 comp was X-Drive? I assume we drove the same Sao Paolo Yellow car with Jersey plates? I specifically asked and was told it was the RWD variant. Maybe they were mistaken.

Either way I agree, the shifts were completely imperceivable which to me isn't indicative of a sports-ish car. We all have our own opinions though.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by mwat

Are you sure the M3 comp was X-Drive? I assume we drove the same Sao Paolo Yellow car with Jersey plates? I specifically asked and was told it was the RWD variant. Maybe they were mistaken.

Either way I agree, the shifts were completely imperceivable which to me isn't indicative of a sports-ish car. We all have our own opinions though.

You may be correct. I just went from what was posted at the actual M-Town tour website where it said it was X-Drive. I absolutely could be wrong.

[rangerfan94]

Originally Posted by Albator_IIII

My wallet wishes BMW didn't offer this car w/ a 6MT. W/o it, I would not get the car.

Same for me. My back issues might not allow me to comfortably drive the car much in a few years, so I'm getting it now even though I have no need for it, no room for it, and no $ for it . My guess is it'll hold its value well enough that when it's time to get out of it, I'll have more than gotten my $s worth, and if my kids decide to they want to learn what the 3rd pedal does, even better, I'll keep it!

I'm #1 on my local dealer's list for the Integra Type S. Might have to buy that one as well and enjoy them both along with my stage 1 MK7.5 Golf R.

Front, rear and AWD modern manuals. Hmmm, maybe I quit life and start a YouTube channel so I can get flamed for my personal opinions. I'll call it 9 Pedal Mid-Life Crisis. Ya, that's the ticket!

[VT Skier]

Originally Posted by rangerfan94

Same for me. My back issues might not allow me to comfortably drive the car much in a few years, so I'm getting it now even though I have no need for it, no room for it, and no $ for it . My guess is it'll hold its value well enough that when it's time to get out of it, I'll have more than gotten my $s worth, and if my kids decide to they want to learn what the 3rd pedal does, even better, I'll keep it!

I'm #1 on my local dealer's list for the Integra Type S. Might have to buy that one as well and enjoy them both along with my stage 1 MK7.5 Golf R.

Front, rear and AWD modern manuals. Hmmm, maybe I quit life and start a YouTube channel so I can get flamed for my personal opinions. I'll call it 9 Pedal Mid-Life Crisis. Ya, that's the ticket!

EXCELLENT! I am doing the EXACT SAME THING.

Without the VW.

So you buy one car, I buy the other, and we switch every once in a while. Annually?

I'm in Vermont with a stupidly steep driveway, so you're welcome to the M2 in colder months.