New X3

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Meiac09

In the US maybe. In Europe, manuals are still everywhere. And i mean, they brought the new 5 series in a manual. I think that the morons at BMW NA recognize that theres still the enthusiast market, even through special order.

They left out the 528i. I'm guessing it was intentional though, to cater to the lease-prone badgewhores that "just want a 5er with Automatic and Bluetooth".

[motordavid]

I would also like a diesel, with 6 spd manual trans...
I guess any manual for the US/NA mkt is a distant memory.

New X3 is interesting, as it is more E53 sized, freshened up considerably from its
previous X3 look, etc. But, it remains on the farther horizon, as our ol' E53
keeps rolling along.

[4.6is Ryder]

Manual transmission BMW's will be a collectors item soon. Just as naturally aspirated ///M cars will fade with the exit of the E9X series ///M3. Call it technological progress.......Phil

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Meiac09

In the US maybe. In Europe, manuals are still everywhere. And i mean, they brought the new 5 series in a manual. I think that the morons at BMW NA recognize that theres still the enthusiast market, even through special order.

The big wigs at BMW think that they can pass on DCT to the enthusiasts and do away with manual.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

The big wigs at BMW think that they can pass on DCT to the enthusiasts and do away with manual.

This is where BMW may be a bit too arrogant, imo. I do get just how fast DCT can shift, but there is something to an old school 3 pedal manual that will continue to be desired into the future. Unfortunately, if BMW doesn't offer one and it's competitors do, they may well lose a good bit of sales. Plus, many true driving enthusiasts keep BMW resale value high by supporting the secondary market. If these people dissapear due to automatic only transmissions (DCT is really an auto) then it will hurt BMW in a way. I will admit that BMW will not lose that many buyers if it's SAV's and crossovers are auto only, but if it does not offer manual trans 1, 3 and 5 series cars, they are out of their mind.

Plus, if BMW doesn't step up the reliability of their auto transmissions they will be in trouble. Last I heard, DCT transmissions have all the fun of an automatic and the reliability of one as well, which is a double thumbs down.

I would be interested in replacing my wifes current e53 with a new X3 if the reliability proves to be better. We typically buy our BMW's in the secondary market. However, due to overall brand reliability problems, BMW resale values are dropping drastically. Nobody wants to spend new car money on a BMW that is out of warranty because of poor reliability and repair costs. If BMW can right that ship, we may be interested. Otherwise, we will keep our e53 running because we have already taken the depreciation hit, it still looks modern and feels solid, and it will be paid off in a few months.

[4.6is Ryder]

I remember when the auto trans was the high priced option. Well the manual will still be available, but at what cost does the enthusiast want that third pedal? The DCT is a very capable option to a manual. I too never thought that I would see the day of all auto ///M cars. Hell, I just knew the X's would have a manual. Times are changing rapidly gang and we must adapt. Double clutching and heel toe shifting are techniques we won't use soon.....Phil

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by 4.6is Ryder

I remember when the auto trans was the high priced option. Well the manual will still be available, but at what cost does the enthusiast want that third pedal? The DCT is a very capable option to a manual. I too never thought that I would see the day of all auto ///M cars. Hell, I just knew the X's would have a manual. Times are changing rapidly gang and we must adapt. Double clutching and heel toe shifting are techniques we won't use soon.....Phil

I not anly love the third pedal for the overall driving experience, but it is much, MUCH more reliable than any automatic/DCT.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by 4.6is Ryder

I remember when the auto trans was the high priced option. Well the manual will still be available, but at what cost does the enthusiast want that third pedal? The DCT is a very capable option to a manual. I too never thought that I would see the day of all auto ///M cars. Hell, I just knew the X's would have a manual. Times are changing rapidly gang and we must adapt. Double clutching and heel toe shifting are techniques we won't use soon.....Phil

I have driven a M3 with DCT on track in both manual and auto mode and loved the manual mode. Don't think I missed the third pedal.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

I have driven a M3 with DCT on track in both manual and auto mode and loved the manual mode. Don't think I missed the third pedal.

That is the setting in which the DCT shines. However, you wouldn't rather have a manual on your road car?

[JCL]

325xi - special ordered it to get manual trans and no sunroof, but with heated seats. No trouble at all on resale, first person who called off Craigslist bought it.

X3 - special ordered to get manual transmission. Took a while for them to build it. Well worth the wait. Drove it 650 km today through four mountain passes, snowing the entire trip. Great car control.

535i - 2008 models came out in May 2007, I special ordered a manual transmission and waited until September production for them to start building them. Thinking about selling it, as it gets little use, and my SA tells me it will be relatively easy to sell as the manual will be a big draw, there aren't any out there. Only one listed on BMW used list in Canada when I checked, and it wasn't a 35.

I am doing my part to keep BMW building and selling manual transmissions, albeit in Canada and not the US. I do recognize that BMW are going to stop certifying new models with manual transmissions fairly soon, as they aren't losing many sales with the small percentage affected. To me, a DCT is not a suitable replacement. My wife only wanted a manual for her X3, and both daughters are driving manuals. One just bought a new Ford for herself, with a manual. She wanted no part of any automatic, so I guess I also helped by training two new drivers in the manual club.

When they are no longer available new, there will still be collector used cars around with them for many years.