Yepp, it appears for now that going forward BMW is no longer offering the 3 series with a manual transmission. There will probably be M versions with manuals (hopefully) but not for the base and lower trim levels. I think it sucks but if enough people are not buying manuals I suppose such a move is inevitable.

Link to article

When asked about the possibility of future variants with manuals BMW said:
“We would not be able to speculate on what transmission/engine options may be planned for the future.

We can say that the sport automatic delivers the absolutely best performance possible from the new 330i and M340i sedans.”

Not what I want to hear from BMW.

I wonder if maybe they will abandon “the ultimate driving machine” slogan since it doesn’t really make sense anymore? They probably should consider it. I’d like to see more manufactures go the other way and offer manual transmission only sports cars like Honda’s S2000.

I suppose there will be room for more cup holders and USB ports. Pure speculation on my part, but most people just want to get from point A to B without spilling their coffee while keeping up on important texts and emails.

I'm really going to miss the manual transmission.

It’s not just that. Cars with new automatics and dual clutch transmissions get better gas mileage and therefore meet epa guidelines. There’s a reason you can’t buy a supercar these days with a manual.

This. And they're faster.

RMD

I'm on my 2nd 2-series, an auto this time due to a left knee replacement. If they take the manual option away for my next one, bye bye BMW.

quote:

they're faster.

That's not the point. More control & enjoyment.

Audi did the same thing with the A4 and A5 for 2019 models.

I was very disappointed I couldn't order a MT in our '18 440xi vert. I think Audi and MB have dispensed with clutch pedals too :-(

But, love the MT in the '19 Bullitt Mustang!

Thank God for motorcyles - at least until they're all automatics.

The dual-clutch transmissions are the bees knees! Manual transmissions and torque converters are 20th century technology. I suspect that even F1 cars have dual-clutch transmissions nowadays.

quote:

Originally posted by kz1000:

quote:

they're faster.

That's not the point. More control & enjoyment.

Agreed. So many newer cars are ruined by these garbage 16 speed transmissions, constantly hunting for the right gear to squeeze out that 1 mpg to meet Obama's EPA regs.

Il Cattivo,

Yamaha has been rumored to be considering putting a seamless gearbox into the R1.

The systems used in MotoGP use loads of small pawls inside the gear wheels, which lock and unlock the gears in a 'ratchet' fashion, so you can briefly have two gears engaged at the same time, but the slower gear freewheels on the pawls, meaning there's no interruption in drive at all.

The Yamaha design is intended to avoid the extra weight and the push-button gearshift of Honda’s DCT, instead keeping a normal, hand-controlled clutch and mechanical, foot-operated change. But it allows two gears to be briefly engaged at the same time, so drive is transferred from one to the other without any let-up.

If they can pull it off that would be awesome. You are right, thank God for motos! They found a way to keep the clutch and still utilize a quick shifter. Yamaha’s seamless gearbox looks like it would only continue that excellent trend of having the best of both worlds, a clutch when you feel like manually shifting and a quickshifter when you want to bang through the gears with quickness.

Shame the auto world can’t create something similar.

Say it ain't so.

Hmm. Whenever I visit relatives in Europe, they ALL have manual trans. This includes BMW, Jaguar, Alfa-Romeo, and what ever else they drive. Their reason is that when they drive they want to enjoy the whole driving experience, including which gear to be in. After working as an engineer in the auto industry for many years, I am sure this has to do with fuel economy and emissions. I would bet you that manual transmissions will be available in other countries, just not USA.

New drivers with rich parents, are not being taught how to drive a manual.

So much for a cheap[er] form of theft deterrence.

Guess I'll be happy with my Civic Type "R" as it ONLY comes with a six-apeed manual!

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
The dual-clutch transmissions are the bees knees! Manual transmissions and torque converters are 20th century technology. I suspect that even F1 cars have dual-clutch transmissions nowadays.

Some of you guys Just. Don't. Get it.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
New drivers with rich parents, are not being taught how to drive a manual.

So much for a cheap[er] form of theft deterrence.

THIS....

and a $500-$1000 hit on trade in time, due to car having a manual transmission.

I suppose that some guys are unhappy because they can’t buy cars with non-synchronized transmissions nowadays. That’s an elemental driving experience!

Lame.