[ChrisM4]

I currently own a G80 manual (Previous G82 manual owner) and while at the dealership yesterday test drove a G80 Comp X drive. Here’s my thoughts on both variants.

Comp X-drive:
Drove it in efficient mode and also in full kill mode (M2: Sports plus, DSC off, 4wd sport, sport brakes and steering)

• You can immediately feel the extra torque down low and the tighter gearing/additional gears in the transmission
• Top end power (above 4Krpm feels the same between the manual and the X-drive
• The additional weight is slightly noticeable
• Launching the car is insane, even foot braking it just hooks and goes. This car must be doing 1.6 sixty foots stock
• You can get on the power earlier out of corners
• It feels more digital than the RWD manual and there is definitely less drama
• The torque converter transmission is great but it doesn’t impart the same feeling as a good DCT.

Base Manual
I usually drive it in kill mode: DSC off, sports mode (not sports plus as I like the sports throttle mapping better with the manual), sports brakes and steering)

• The lack of torque down low is noticeable compared to the comp (though the mapping does have a nice tip in throttle torque bump)
• Top end power (above 4K rpm feels identical to the comp)
• More playful and can rotate the car very easily
• Can easily spin the tires in second gear and haze in third gear
• From a roll 3rd through 4th gear is amazing
• With the shorter gearing 6th gear on the HW is a lot of fun…though may be too short for some
• It’s beautifully neutral in corners and can easily trail brake and rotate the car with throttle

I think if I was shopping again I’d rate them as follows:

1st - xDrive: Especially if you have a daily commute in traffic, plan big mods, like to drag race on weekends etc.
2nd - Manual: This car provides pure driving enjoyment…it’s slower 0-60 and in the quarter mile but everywhere else it’s so engaging, analog (with all the nannies off), and still fast trapping 121mph in the quarter mile. Tracking this car is just a total blast
3rd - RWD: I wouldn’t consider this at all with the x-drive available. The weight difference is minor and the advantages of the AWD setup are just too great from my perspective.

Hope this helps anyone cross shopping these.

[marashka]

Went with the manual g82 for similar reasons to you. No regrets, engagement and analog feeling with nannies off is amazing . But your reasons for someone choosing xdrive over manual are valid. Being able to use xdrive as a rwd when desired makes me wonder why besides saving a few $$ anyone would get a rwd only.

[Bimmer100_]

Great review…What would you say the sweet spot is for a roll race on a base manual? 3rd 4-5k rpm?

[G MONEY]

I haven’t driven the manual but every time I see someone compare these cars and mention they notice the weight difference, I just chuckle. Maybe Max Verstappen would notice the 100 pounds but everyday dudes like us, I call BS. Same with the sunroof and non sunroof. If they lined up 10 cars and you couldn’t tell if there was a sunroof or not and there were 5 of each. Can someone actually drive them and tell the difference? I say no way.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

I haven’t driven the manual but every time I see someone compare these cars and mention they notice the weight difference, I just chuckle. Maybe Max Verstappen would notice the 100 pounds but everyday dudes like us, I call BS. Same with the sunroof and non sunroof. If they lined up 10 cars and you couldn’t tell if there was a sunroof or not and there were 5 of each. Can someone actually drive them and tell the difference? I say no way.

I’ve built and raced cars since ‘94 so yes I can notice the difference but like I said it isn’t much and shouldn’t really be a factor in the decision. It’s about 150 pounds difference in weight depending on options between the base manual and comp X-drive.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by Bimmer100_

Great review…What would you say the sweet spot is for a roll race on a base manual? 3rd 4-5k rpm?

I think ~4K rpm is a good point but would have to experiment to confirm.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Bimmer100_

Great review…

Agreed, thanks for the review OP. Good to have some thoughts of someone who has owned one and trying the other.

My thoughts: we should be lucky BMW is still making a manual, and it is still a good option. Honestly, there is no wrong answer. There are three flavors, buy what you like. None of them is perfect, each has it's own strengths and weaknesses so buy the one that lines up with what you desire in a car.

I halfway feel like we should lock this thread before it becomes (yet another) pissing match. Kudos to the OP for being a grownup and offering well thought out opinions.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I halfway feel like we should lock this thread before it becomes (yet another) pissing match.

I dunno.... I kinda enjoy spectating a good pissing match

['Cane]

Originally Posted by ChrisM3

I’ve built and raced cars since ‘94 so yes I can notice the difference but like I said it isn’t much and shouldn’t really be a factor in the decision. It’s about 150 pounds difference in weight depending on options between the base manual and comp X-drive.

150 pounds, but also an extra 30hp and 70TQ, you’re not noticing the weight.

[maelfyn]

I think I agree with your review. I'd only consider the base model for the engagement of manual transmission or the xDrive because of superior launching and AWD stability.

[nosbocaj]

Well put on all fronts. I went with the xDrive due to weather, convenience and because my wife refuses to drive stick. I do miss shifting, but I don't regret the decision.

[Mike02z]

If I was that worried about 150 lbs I’d go on a diet😂

[Gatti-man]

On similarly equipped cars the weight difference between xdrive and not is 75ish lbs.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Good synopsis of both offerings

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I dunno.... I kinda enjoy spectating a good pissing match

You must have been having fun with the EV M3 articles lately then.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

You must have been having fun with the EV M3 articles lately then.

Now that you mention it.... I need to make my presence known in that thread... I haven't even bothered opening it

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Base Manual
-From a roll 3rd through 4th gear is amazing


Interesting you mentioned this. My friend drove my car for the first time and specifically told me what a blast doing a 3-4 pull was. Fast forward 4 months and he know has a frozen white g80 6mt.

Love the manual. When my lease is up, I'll likely go comp + xdrive just try something new and see what the hype is about. Reminds me of my first time driving at GT4. It felt super slow (relative to my stage 2 g80), but I absolutely did not care at all. So unbelievably fun to drive.

[GrannyShiftG80]

My only gripe with the manual is that it is quite underpowered and slow. There is little torque and the engine is pretty much dead below 3k rpk

A jb4 map 1 fixes that though

[Nkr15]

Originally Posted by ChrisM3

1st - xDrive: Especially if you have a daily commute in traffic, plan big mods, like to drag race on weekends etc.

I don’t agree here, if you want 2 pedals then just buy a model S plaid, you will destroy most 0-100mph and have auto pilot and awd. The 3 pedal M3 is the best version.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Allenssmart

My only gripe with the manual is that it is quite underpowered and slow. There is little torque and the engine is pretty much dead below 3k rpk

A jb4 map 1 fixes that though

LOL
Yes, quite underpowered at 475HP and slow…

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Nkr15

I don’t agree here, if you want 2 pedals then just buy a model S plaid, you will destroy most 0-100mph and have auto pilot and awd. The 3 pedal M3 is the best version.

Not if you want the faster shifting transmission and AWD for track performance. You simply can't get that kind of grip in the RWD, despite how grippy it already is. No doubt the manual is still a superb vehicle, and the stick is more engaging most of the time.

However, given that the shorter gearing of the 8 speed allows for more shifting for optimal power delivery, it's quite fun slapping those pedals as the car claws up to speed with all the drama and sensations that come with it. Sure, I miss using my left foot and rowing gears sometimes, but that's the nostalgia clamouring against the dimming of preeminence of manuals past. Unlike the Tesla, the ZF8 still has gears, and there will come a time when all cars are electric and gears will be a fossil of yesteryear. I'll be an old man shaking my fist at the sky at the demise of the gear shift... auto or manual.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Nkr15

I don’t agree here, if you want 2 pedals then just buy a model S plaid, you will destroy most 0-100mph and have auto pilot and awd. The 3 pedal M3 is the best version.

So I counter this by saying if you want a car with an actual good manual, you should buy a Porsche. Or maybe a Miata or a Civic Type R. Don’t buy a BMW with a rubbery shifter and a goofy clutch delay valve that makes it hard to shift smoothly. The auto M3’s are the best because they shift so smoothly.


See how that sounds?

Everyone has their preferences. No need to call yours “the best”. Neither of them is perfect.