[ajchoi]

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

Only autos at PDC I checked lol

[SeanJP]

Anyone who knows how to drive a stick could teach you (left seat - right seat) in an hour or less. At least, teach you to the point that you’re not doing to break something.

Back in my day (I sound old AF saying that), manual cars were faster *and* more fun, so it was a no brainer.

Now auto trans are faster, and can handle more torque you want mod your car. But then a stick is more fun to drive. 🤷🏼 Just don’t ever buy one because others boast that “real” car guys drive sticks. F everyone else. You’re buying the car for you.

[Mhrob24]

Well, it’s been a week officially….

I am definitely getting the hang of it. I was scared and didn’t drive it at all the day after I bought it, but I’ve started driving it pretty much every day at least somewhere (normally to the gym, which is like a 15 min drive). I took it out last weekend as well to bdubs to watch the UFC fight with a friend (another 15-20 min drive).

I’ve pretty much eliminated stalling, but I still do get 1-3 jerky shifts every time I drive—almost always during takeoffs.

I’ve got some general questions that hopefully will get answered. I guess I’ll ask one question at a time.

1. When you guys take off from a stop, what is the proper technique (or at least what works for you, I guess)? I normally will rev the engine to about 1500 RPM, try to hold the gas steady, and then SLOWLY release the clutch as I start taking off. This has helped my takeoffs become much smoother. I do still get the occasional jerky take offs, but I think it’s usually when I don’t let off the clutch slow enough. Does this technique sound right? I feel like I’m still taking way too long to get going after a light turns red. I’ve definitely got a few ppl who honked at me lol. Everytime I try to take off quicker though I get a jerky take off.

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Sounds like you're getting the hang of it and technique sounds fine. Eventually when you get familiar enough with clutch pedal/engage feel you'll be able to take off from stop with no gas. Yeah releasing clutch too quick from stop will cause jerkiness.

[BradMX5]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Well, it’s been a week officially….

I am definitely getting the hang of it. I was scared and didn’t drive it at all the day after I bought it, but I’ve started driving it pretty much every day at least somewhere (normally to the gym, which is like a 15 min drive). I took it out last weekend as well to bdubs to watch the UFC fight with a friend (another 15-20 min drive).

I’ve pretty much eliminated stalling, but I still do get 1-3 jerky shifts every time I drive—almost always during takeoffs.

I’ve got some general questions that hopefully will get answered. I guess I’ll ask one question at a time.

1. When you guys take off from a stop, what is the proper technique (or at least what works for you, I guess)? I normally will rev the engine to about 1500 RPM, try to hold the gas steady, and then SLOWLY release the clutch as I start taking off. This has helped my takeoffs become much smoother. I do still get the occasional jerky take offs, but I think it’s usually when I don’t let off the clutch slow enough. Does this technique sound right? I feel like I’m still taking way too long to get going after a light turns red. I’ve definitely got a few ppl who honked at me lol. Everytime I try to take off quicker though I get a jerky take off.

Try to very slowly let off the clutch and as soon as you start to feel it engage (car will start moving slightly) start equally giving it gas.

So as you’re slowly letting off the clutch at engagement you start pressing in on the gas at the amount/speed.

Once you do this enough you’ll learn exactly where the car catches and over time you’ll just do the clutch/gas trade off without even realizing you’re doing it and will be doing it much quicker.

[curtdragon]

Anyone with a manual M2 regret it and wish they got the auto?

[eluded]

Some who had left knee surgery have regretted the decision.

Originally Posted by curtdragon

Anyone with a manual M2 regret it and wish they got the auto?

[RobM2]

Originally Posted by curtdragon

Anyone with a manual M2 regret it and wish they got the auto?

Not here. Favorite part of the car.

[DrewNewM2]

Originally Posted by curtdragon

Anyone with a manual M2 regret it and wish they got the auto?

No

[DrewNewM2]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Well, it’s been a week officially….

I am definitely getting the hang of it. I was scared and didn’t drive it at all the day after I bought it, but I’ve started driving it pretty much every day at least somewhere (normally to the gym, which is like a 15 min drive). I took it out last weekend as well to bdubs to watch the UFC fight with a friend (another 15-20 min drive).

I’ve pretty much eliminated stalling, but I still do get 1-3 jerky shifts every time I drive—almost always during takeoffs.

I’ve got some general questions that hopefully will get answered. I guess I’ll ask one question at a time.

1. When you guys take off from a stop, what is the proper technique (or at least what works for you, I guess)? I normally will rev the engine to about 1500 RPM, try to hold the gas steady, and then SLOWLY release the clutch as I start taking off. This has helped my takeoffs become much smoother. I do still get the occasional jerky take offs, but I think it’s usually when I don’t let off the clutch slow enough. Does this technique sound right? I feel like I’m still taking way too long to get going after a light turns red. I’ve definitely got a few ppl who honked at me lol. Everytime I try to take off quicker though I get a jerky take off.

Keep at it. It will be 2nd nature soon. It’s great that people who are just learning driving manual are still buying manual sports cars and that they’d rather struggle through sometimes embarrassing stalling, smelly burned clutch smells, etc. than buy an automatic. We all know autos are faster shifting, easier in traffic blah blah. Pretty soon we won’t even drive our cars anymore. Save the manuals!

[Mhrob24]

Thanks everyone for the input and comments. Even though it is shitty going through this learning process and getting anxiety when driving this thing, I don’t regret it. It’s cool using the stick, honestly. It makes the driving more fun. I know once I’m a pro at it I’ll have even more fun.

My other question I has was shifting once you’re already going (like 1-2, 2-3, etc). What I’m doing is letting off the gas, quickly pushing in the clutch as soon as my foot leaves the gas, shift up, and then basically repeat close to the same procedure as taking off from a stop: slowly release clutch and simultaneously give a little bit of gas. I think this is the “heel-toe” thing I hear about but idk lol. Is this right to do? For the most part I feel like once the car is moving, my shifting feel very smooth. Occasionally I get like a very small and quick jolt, but I think that’s when im just too quick off the clutch.

[Squidget]

Heel toe is a very different thing, done only when downshifting and braking at the same time.

When downshifting and braking, you need to manipulate all three pedals simultaneously and you only have two feet. Heel-toe is a way to do that.

Don't even worry about trying heel toe until you are smooth and comfortable in normal driving.

[Squidget]

As far as upshifting, what you are doing is perfectly fine. As you practice, you'll be able to release the clutch more quickly.

Mechanical explanation: If you do it just right, you can just instantly release the clutch. If the RPMs are perfectly lined up you'll get no shock at all. However this is hard to do perfectly, so most people release the clutch quickly but not instantly.

(Aside: this is especially hard with BMWs because they have Clutch Delay Valves. A lot of owners remove them because it makes it hard to precisely control the clutch.)

[SeanJP]

I had to…

[mrdudley]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Thanks everyone for the input and comments. Even though it is shitty going through this learning process and getting anxiety when driving this thing, I don’t regret it. It’s cool using the stick, honestly. It makes the driving more fun. I know once I’m a pro at it I’ll have even more fun.

My other question I has was shifting once you’re already going (like 1-2, 2-3, etc). What I’m doing is letting off the gas, quickly pushing in the clutch as soon as my foot leaves the gas, shift up, and then basically repeat close to the same procedure as taking off from a stop: slowly release clutch and simultaneously give a little bit of gas. I think this is the “heel-toe” thing I hear about but idk lol. Is this right to do? For the most part I feel like once the car is moving, my shifting feel very smooth. Occasionally I get like a very small and quick jolt, but I think that’s when im just too quick off the clutch.

Also don’t beat yourself up if your 1-2 isn’t as smooth as you think it should be. It’s tough to get perfect in this car, even for seasoned manual drivers (there is a thread somewhere on it). 1-2 you need to feather through the engagement point (aka go slower). 2+ you can move much quicker.

And it will all feel second nature soon enough. My M2 was my first manual car. I did 3 hours of instructed lessons before I picked it up, which was incredibly helpful. But I live in SF, so the first couple weeks was traumatic. Thought I made the wrong decision. Then I just spent time early in the mornings when no cars were around practicing hills and into first. Now I don’t even think about it.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by Mhrob24

Thanks everyone for the input and comments. Even though it is shitty going through this learning process and getting anxiety when driving this thing, I don’t regret it. It’s cool using the stick, honestly. It makes the driving more fun. I know once I’m a pro at it I’ll have even more fun.

My other question I has was shifting once you’re already going (like 1-2, 2-3, etc). What I’m doing is letting off the gas, quickly pushing in the clutch as soon as my foot leaves the gas, shift up, and then basically repeat close to the same procedure as taking off from a stop: slowly release clutch and simultaneously give a little bit of gas. I think this is the “heel-toe” thing I hear about but idk lol. Is this right to do? For the most part I feel like once the car is moving, my shifting feel very smooth. Occasionally I get like a very small and quick jolt, but I think that’s when im just too quick off the clutch.

Unsmooth 1-2 and 2-3 transitions are a combination of factors. Rev hang is a huge factor in modern cars due to emissions/efficiency, so if you wait for revs to drop 1k (3k to 2k for example), you are more likely to have input and output shafts better matched for a smoother shift. As other's have mentioned, allowing for more clutch slip (slower release from clutch engagement) in these shifts can also help being smoother.

[Bret]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Heel toe is a very different thing, done only when downshifting and braking at the same time.

When downshifting and braking, you need to manipulate all three pedals simultaneously and you only have two feet. Heel-toe is a way to do that.

Don't even worry about trying heel toe until you are smooth and comfortable in normal driving.

You don't need to worry about heel-toe at all. The M2 has automatic rev matching.

Originally Posted by SeanJP

Just don’t ever buy one because others boast that “real” car guys drive sticks. F everyone else. You’re buying the car for you.

That's right. It's your money and your car, so get what you want even though it's true that you're only a real car guy if your car is a stick.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by Bret

You don't need to worry about heel-toe at all. The M2 has automatic rev matching.

Good point. I was assuming the OP wanted the challenge, since pretty much every sports car has rev match now. But you are totally right, G87 has excellent rev match and you never need to heel toe at all, if you don't want to.

[Bret]

I've had manual transmission cars all of my life. I never found heel-toe worth the effort. One of the best things about the automatic rev matching is that it eliminates passengers getting thrown forward during downshifts.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Bret

I've had manual transmission cars all of my life. I never found heel-toe worth the effort. One of the best things about the automatic rev matching is that it eliminates passengers getting thrown forward during downshifts.

Heel-toe will eliminate the lurching the same as the automatic rev matching when done properly. On the road, it is not essential to do, but does make downshifts smoother when braking. On the track without automatic rev matching it is essential to heel-toe for rev matching while changing gear when under full braking at the limit, otherwise with a RWD car rear traction will likely be lost with a jerky change, leading to increased braking distance or the possibility of a spin.

[DrewNewM2]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Good point. I was assuming the OP wanted the challenge, since pretty much every sports car has rev match now. But you are totally right, G87 has excellent rev match and you never need to heel toe at all, if you don't want to.

Even before manual cars started to rev match for us, it would be rare to need to heel toe on a public road unless for fun. You would still blip throttle rev match downshift to get to the right rpm’s but don’t need brake unless coming hard into a turn. I would always rev match downshift but rarely heel toe

[Bret]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Heel-toe will eliminate the lurching the same as the automatic rev matching when done properly. On the road, it is not essential to do, but does make downshifts smoother when braking.

Exactly, but the automatic rev matching is so much easier.

On the track without automatic rev matching it is essential to heel-toe for rev matching while changing gear when under full braking at the limit, otherwise with a RWD car rear traction will likely be lost with a jerky change, leading to increased braking distance or the possibility of a spin.

I don't track, but I did have this happen in my S2000 once when upshifting around a sharp turn. On the other hand, the traction control in my F-Type literally won't allow the rear end to come around no matter what.

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

Even before manual cars started to rev match for us, it would be rare to need to heel toe on a public road unless for fun. You would still blip throttle rev match downshift to get to the right rpm’s but don’t need brake unless coming hard into a turn. I would always rev match downshift but rarely heel toe

This is exactly how I've driven all of my manual transmission cars up to now and it's served me well. That said, I don't think that I'll ever want to buy another without automatic rev matching.