[bigmoto29]

Any previous manual owners now have an auto? Pluses, minuses, do you miss it?
Getting ready to trade in my 2020 M240i manual for the new 2024 M240i with auto.... Hoping I don't miss it too much.

Had a blast with that car and took it to the track twice. Glad to try the new body style, more power, and new warranty. We shall see!

[Resoelg]

Similar situation. Traded '17 m240 6MT for '24 G87 6MT. You will be very pleased with the new m240.
Thought about AT but couldn't do it. I would miss stick too much. It just takes something away from my driving experience. I've owned many BMWs over the years, always preferring and keeping longer those with 3 pedals. "SAVE THE MANUALS"..….
Just my 2 cents.

[bigmoto29]

Would love to drive a new G87 manual, bet you are going to have a blast!!!! Congrats!

[Resoelg]

It is SO fun. Always wanted one since first M3 came out in 1986.

[wb8164]

I've got the 230i M Sport with the ZF 8spd auto.
As one reviewer said, if you have to have an auto in a car, the ZF 8spd is the one to get. This is the first automatic that I have ever owned and while it is great, I think the car would be even more fun with a manual.

With that said, if you're daily-ing the car and dealing with a lot of traffic, the ZF8 is a great way to go. There are so many drive modes to choose from, so you can dial the car in to your mood and the surrounding environment.

[Fronzdan]

Yeah I moved from a 6MT to the ZF. I have had manuals for the past 25 years, but since I have to drive the wife’s auto cars too, it wasn’t a complete shock.
I’ve only had the M240 for a week and my right hand is still reaching for the stick under certain conditions. My left foot seems to have gotten used to sitting in the dead pedal though, it’s not hunting for a clutch pedal.

The one thing I am still noticing is the difference when you’re slowing down to get around something and then quickly accelerating past. In the MT I would downshift sooner and then accelerate past, in that gear. The AT doesn’t downshift as quick as I’m used to and I’m finding the downshift is happening when I want to accelerate. That split second difference is something I need to get used to.

Having said that, my last 6MT did have some second gear synchro weirdness and I don’t miss that at all. Overall I wish they offered a manual, but I’m fine with the ZF. There are some advantages.

[ScottyRyan2019]

I have had my days rowing a car down the road. That ended several years ago. Now I like to flip paddles and the ZF is really fun for that.

[advr6]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Yeah I moved from a 6MT to the ZF. I have had manuals for the past 25 years, but since I have to drive the wife’s auto cars too, it wasn’t a complete shock.
I’ve only had the M240 for a week and my right hand is still reaching for the stick under certain conditions. My left foot seems to have gotten used to sitting in the dead pedal though, it’s not hunting for a clutch pedal.

The one thing I am still noticing is the difference when you’re slowing down to get around something and then quickly accelerating past. In the MT I would downshift sooner and then accelerate past, in that gear. The AT doesn’t downshift as quick as I’m used to and I’m finding the downshift is happening when I want to accelerate. That split second difference is something I need to get used to.

Having said that, my last 6MT did have some second gear synchro weirdness and I don’t miss that at all. Overall I wish they offered a manual, but I’m fine with the ZF. There are some advantages.

Just pull on the left paddle and it will downshift to the gear that gives you maximum acceleration ...

[MPR]

Before my M240i I’ve owned nothing but manuals since I started driving in 1998. I do not miss manual at all, my morning commutes with coffee are much easier and dealing with traffic for my work commute is painless. Granted, I wouldn’t mind having a manual weekend car, but for a daily the ZF is a great automatic.

[Bumpinjeep]

I drove a ZF 240i at the M Performance Driving School so my only experience is at the track. I think it did a decent job at being in the right gear (in full auto mode) and fit the power curve of the B58 pretty well.
My wife's car is a DCT GTI and even though it changes gears super fast, on the street, it's just not as engaging. I know I couldn't daily an auto because I would miss the manual too much. I tried that for about a year and couldn't do it any more. YMMV though, you may not end up caring one bit.

[Fronzdan]

Originally Posted by advr6

Just pull on the left paddle and it will downshift to the gear that gives you maximum acceleration ...

Yeah I need to adapt what became second nature to my hand and foot, to the paddles. I’ve been playing around with them a bit but it needs work lol. Sometimes I find myself hunting around for them when I’m turning. Looking forward to when it’s broken in.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Yeah I need to adapt what became second nature to my hand and foot, to the paddles. I’ve been playing around with them a bit but it needs work lol. Sometimes I find myself hunting around for them when I’m turning. Looking forward to when it’s broken in.

You will get used to flipping the little nub in the center console based on traffic conditions. The nub will cycle you from D to S1 seemlessly and then you can click a paddle and now you’re in full manual mode. I am pretty good now at switching between all these settings pretty seemlessly and the transmission doesn’t miss a beat. You can also pull and HOLD the left paddle for a “sprint” shift which causes the transmission to drop to the safest lowest gear. I find it slow though. I prefer to drive in manual mode and stay in a lower gear so I can navigate issues without any waiting for a shift. Much like how I drive my 6 spd manual.

[Fronzdan]

After spending a little time with them, I think I want longer paddles. I see a lot of people are swapping them out. I need to find some good ones.

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

After spending a little time with them, I think I want longer paddles. I see a lot of people are swapping them out. I need to find some good ones.

My hand just stays on 3 and 9 when I’m doing any kind of spirited driving. So I feel like it’s fine, but yeah longer with more feel would be nice

[Stanim]

I learned to drive with a stick shift as a kid and used to be fk8 type r owner, and even though I have to admit Honda makes really good manual transmission, you just can't beat the shift speed of ZF 8 speed, especially with XHP tune. I do not think I will ever go back to manuals...sorry.

[kwikit356]

One advantage with the automatic is that it allows left-foot braking. Driving at tracks you can hover your left foot just off the brake pedal as you approach the braking point in a corner. This gives you a nearly instantaneous transfer from on-the-gas to the brake for the corner.

The caveat is that unless your left foot has a lot of braking experience the sensitivity necessary will take some time to develop. And, if you have another car with a manual transmission, there will also be some initial confusion as you switch between the cars. If you are new to left-foot braking it is a good idea to try it in a safe area to see if it might eventually work for you.

[Wheelwright]

Hearing the engine howl in anger, as I rev-match from third at 3500rpm to second at 5200rpm always puts a smile on my face, if I manage to do it quickly and smoothly. Try that in your automatic.

[johnskiller]

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

Hearing the engine howl in anger, as I rev-match from third at 3500rpm to second at 5200rpm always puts a smile on my face, if I manage to do it quickly and smoothly. Try that in your automatic.

There's SPRINT function but I haven't tried yet becalm my m240 is under 2000km now.