No more MT BMWs in 2019 - and why I'll never buy anything past an EXX series

[SOneThreeCoupe]

They should start selling these so called cars on Amazon because they are actually an appliance.

The way I think about it is similar to Nando- the better the new cars sell, the more likely they are to provide parts for the older cars. As long as they keep selling well so parts for e30s, E36s and E46s are being produced, I'm stoked.

Porsche's selling the crap out of their new cars and their parts offerings for older cars gets better and better.

I must admit that I have a tendency not to like owners of new cars from brands I respect because I don't respect the modern offerings.

[Blackout]

They should start selling these so called cars on Amazon because they are actually an appliance.

[Aleman]

As I've said in past posts, BMW has directed their fun-focused, manual shift efforts to the Mini brand. My '07 Cooper S 6-speed is a blast to drive, and I don't see those going to an all-automatic platform any time soon.

[roguetoaster]

There will come a time when BMW will have to redefine their brand, and after decades of being the "ultimate driving machine" or similar they've become the ultimate status symbol of the not overly wealthy. In any case, they no longer need to provide that sort of driver engagement to their market.

Will the trend reverse? I doubt it, and that's okay, change happens.

[nineteeneightyseven]

You could certainly see this coming, no real surprise. Just watching the changes from the e30 to the e36 and then the e46 was enough for me. Well the e36 318is is long gone from here and the e46 330ci has moved on as well. Still have the e30 though, it's not going anywhere!


It's the entire industry too, not just BMW. And happening with electronics on the motos too. Just hate the whole general trend. But we'll all just stock up and drive what we love while others keep trading up for the latest crap. It'll be OK

[E30 Wagen]

Sad. I actually really like the design of the F30, and the fact that it offered a manual makes me sad to see it go.

[Mr. Wolfe]

I have no plans of ever owning a future BMW. We ended at our relationship at the e46.

I have no plans of selling my mint 2006 Interlagos M3 (25k miles) and my M62 swapped e30. If I was buying a new, non MT car, it would probably be an Audi anyways.

Mr. Wolfe

[Vincent Brick]

I might care more if I really thought I was ever going to own a car this new, but there are just so many things about modern cars that I dislike I will try to avoid owning one for as long as possible from any make. No current plans to stop dailying my E30.

[TobyB]

the new M3/4 sounds like beelzebub's ass trumpet.

Ahhh, now, THERE is a smell to dream of!

I wonder if they'll stick to it. Pun intended.
Pop Auto trends tend to be cyclical- I wonder if the 3rd pedal will ever cycle back...

Guess it's time to start hoarding E46's and putting LSDs in them.

Or maybe a Cummins conversion on a Tesla. THAT would be... something.

t

[MrBurgundy]

wack

[varg]

Like it wasn't bad enough that the new M3/4 sounds like beelzebub's ass trumpet.

[djjerme]

My buddy who owns a BMW shop is having a real hard time staying positive about BMW's future car offerings. There was a little blurb in the German Car blog talking about an E46 Touring and how it wasn't long after the E46 that BMW became obsessed with electronic aides and infotainment systems in the car. That is when they stopped being a "Driver's Car".

But you are right in that people just don't want to pay attention when they are behind the wheel..

This year for Hood to Coast we rented these GIANT Nissan/Infiniti SUV's that were stupidly huge for no reason (and yet had zero storage space in the rear). They had every drivers aide/nanny device known to man and they constantly got in the way of me just driving.

Just doing what I do every day in all my cars - backing out of my driveway - triggered off so many of the warnings and locked up the brakes. It thought I was too close to the retaining walls/side of the house, or got freaked out because of the incline of the driveway and the sidewalk at the bottom it thought was a wall I was backing in to. And of course it's response was full braking. Not to mention the lane assist would freak out when I tried to apex a corner on the freeway. LOL.

Even when we tried to use the drivers aides to our advantage (setting the distance minder/cruise control when stuck in traffic while on the course) it failed miserably.

But everyone's response is "this won't be a problem when we go to self driving cars." If you don't want to drive or stuck dealing with traffic there is already a solution - ride the damn bus/train/taxi/public transit...

[lukeADE335i]

The 320d will still come with a 6 speed manual in Europe.

Makes sense when 320ds make up over 50% of 3 series sales, and more than half of those are bought with a manual transmission.

I presume you could order in Europe and do the factory pick up and drive?

If you're used to e30 performance, they are just as quick - see the drag on Youtube between an F30 320d and an e30 M3 - the M3 only wins by half the hood, and the 320d is reeling it in at the line.

[nando]

having 3 pedals is at least like having free anti-theft. kids won't know how to drive it anyway. :p

[Dj Buttchug]

The release of the new G30 and no hope for a manual (at least in the US cuts real deep) From a former employee of 3 years I knew it was coming. We all saw it even in 2015. I remember looking at available build slots and dealer services reporting when placing orders or simply checking inventory across the west coast. The chances of locating a true manual car were very slim. DCT simply dominates now. Its faster, more manageable (less experienced drivers yielding 400+ hp cars on public roads) and it works freakin badass. Not to mention its also pretty damn reliable.

The ultimate driving machine truly is just that. It is also, unfortunately, no longer the ultimate purist machine.
There will come a time relatively soon where 6 speed F chassis cars will be worth significantly more than regular book value...
Welcome to the world of automated everything. :(