Manuals to be killed off in SA

RAArmstrong

///Member
ChefDJ@TheFanatics said:
Back on topic though, the way the world is going there will be no place to enjoy a manual car properly anymore, especially in South Africa where upgraded roads (done so to handle increased traffic) only remains an upgrade for a few months before they become congested again. An auto is an absolute must in today's rush hour. A decent brand with an auto box is no problem because the auto box offers so many benefits that a manual cannot.

:withStu::withStu::withStu:
 

TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
Well the reality is that these boxes are now so good that even manual die-hards are being converted. Very few F10s were sold in manual form although they were available in the US. It isn't that people are choosing slushboxes. M-DCT and even the sport auto boxes (as well as analogous boxes from other manufacturers) are easier to live with in traffic and plenty of fun when you choose to use them in manual mode. It is not 'just steering' unless you want it to be.

M-cars still have hydraulic steering and non-runflats for now at least, but all of this is unfortunately just they way the world is headed. Turbos, efficiency, cost optimisation, convenience etc.

From what I understand you can still special order a manual box at no cost on these cars for the time being at least, provided you are willing to wait for it to be built.

Sad times but then again now is the time to probably snap up some soon-to-be-sought-after future classics...
 

///Moose

///Member
Personally I still don't get why anyone would buy an M3 or performance car in an auto, yes I've driven autos, SMG, DCT and whatever other name they find for it in the future.
It doesn't do it for me nor do I buy the traffic and congested roads story either, if you want a comfortable daily go get yourself an auto E39 but this is an M3/M4 we talking bout, why would anyone want comfort? Surely it's about driver interaction, involvement, experience etc.
Well that's fast disappearing....
BMW is slowly losing all the values and characteristics that made me fall in love with their cars.....
 

325iSmk2

Banned
///Moose said:
Personally I still don't get why anyone would buy an M3 or performance car in an auto, yes I've driven autos, SMG, DCT and whatever other name they find for it in the future.
It doesn't do it for me nor do I buy the traffic and congested roads story either, if you want a comfortable daily go get yourself an auto E39 but this is an M3/M4 we talking bout, why would anyone want comfort? Surely it's about driver interaction, involvement, experience etc.
Well that's fast disappearing....
BMW is slowly losing all the values and characteristics that made me fall in love with their cars.....

You miss the point of what M3 is then. It's always been a car which you can drive every day and then do a track day with, therefore some comfort is implied.
 

ChefDJ

///Member
This debate is not about whether comfort and ease of driving in traffic is preferred in an M3/M4 or not.

It's about what car manufacturers are being forced to do in order to keep the sales up. There aren't enough car nuts out there to justify pleasing only them.
 

325iSmk2

Banned
ChefDJ@TheFanatics said:
This debate is not about whether comfort and ease of driving in traffic is preferred in an M3/M4 or not.

It's about what car manufacturers are being forced to do in order to keep the sales up. There aren't enough car nuts out there to justify pleasing only them.


Why would you please only them? Manual is base spec, everyone is free to order DCT if they want to. Dealers can buy stock as they want to, like porche, whiich hasn't imported a manual in ages.
 

TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
The assumption is that all car nuts are the same or preferring one makes you "less of" or "not a true" petrolhead...

High revving NA relatively light car with a well matched manual box = amazing. I doubt anyone on here will disagree... Trust me I daily drove my S2000 for 7+ years even in JHB traffic together with track days, runs etc. Same goes for many BMWs and other brands. I still have fond memories of my E36 too...

Does preferring DCT in my M5 make me less of a proper car nut though? The way it makes power and the very nature of the car makes DCT the better option. I haven't yet found it boring... but then again it may not be for everyone.

I am pro-choice on this and similar matters... but unfortunately manufacturers have to make the calls they need to make based on demand. The guys who have over R1M to spend (or 600K for a Golf for that matter) don't want manuals it would seem. Like I said, you can still order a manual... just as a no-cost option (no longer base) and with a wait period whilst it is built. However, finding one dealer stocked or at BMW SA is not going to happen going forward.

M2, I'd want a manual (at least as an option) for sure. M3/4? probably DCT. M5/6 DCT all day... even if there was a manual option.

Golf? As good as that DSG box is, that kind of car needs to be a manual for me.
 

Dewald Basson

///Member
A true car nut appreciates all aspect of cars, no mater the type or setup.


What you prefer is a different story, it's like an opinion. You are entitled to but nobody really cares :rollsmile:
 

peanut125i

Active member
I was the biggest pro manual car person and after having a auto since October last year I can honestly say if I never drive a manual again it wouldn't bother me. It took me 9 months to sell my 125i and was at a massive loss compared to trade value because it was a manual and that just shows that people really don't want them anymore.
 

///Moose

///Member
@325ismk2 - no, you missing my point. It was mentioned that a manual M3 isn't comfortable or preferred for everyday driving in traffic so I was merely suggesting another option if that's not suitable. I've had an M3 as my daily in the past and loved every moment of it, hell I've even moved house with an M3, the rear seats that fold down are amazing lol.

Llew - you raise very valid points and I understand all of them, by no means does a DCT make u any less of a car nut, it's all about preference and choice. You've hit the nail on the head about giving buyers choice and my frustrations at the moment with BMW is exactly that, so purely because I prefer to have a NA engine with a manual box, my choices are now limited to non existent . The M3 was always supposed to appeal to the car enthusiast and someone that enjoys the finer aspects of driving and motoring but now I've got to wait 8-12 months if not longer for a base spec purely because their brand is driven by accountants (no offense to accountants :)) and finding this in the used car market is going to be non existent too since the market will be flooded with DCTs, we already see this in the E92/90 M3.
 

325iSmk2

Banned
///Moose said:
@325ismk2 - no, you missing my point. It was mentioned that a manual M3 isn't comfortable or preferred for everyday driving in traffic so I was merely suggesting another option if that's not suitable. I've had an M3 as my daily in the past and loved every moment of it, hell I've even moved house with an M3, the rear seats that fold down are amazing lol.
Gotcha, and I agree. I DD'd M3s before, some manual and some DCT, not once did I wish for comfort. That's why I love Ms so much, comfortable dailies with plenty performance when you feel like it.
 

Yuben

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Been driving a DCT F80 since last Friday, and have my auto 335 as well.
I was also pro manual but I can't see myself in a daily manual again especially in Sandton traffic.
 

FiRi@Rennzport

Well-known member
Official Advertiser
Divio said:
///Moose said:
So not only have they killed the beautiful NA engine they've now also killed the proper gearbox for a proper driver's car. Dark days if u don't like to just steer.

Well Said! :worshippy:



My New Shifter... :wub:
Divio_Ci.jpg
Oh .wow...come we all clap for you.

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Divio

Honorary ///Member
FiRi@Rennzport said:
Oh .wow...come we all clap for you.

Sent from my VIE-L29 using Tapatalk

Only a fool who's got automatic shift pedals on his slot machine steering wheel who still clings onto his auto knob pretending / wishing it was a manual would say this..

Go drown in a lake of acid...

giphy.gif
 

FiRi@Rennzport

Well-known member
Official Advertiser
Divio said:
FiRi@Rennzport said:
Oh .wow...come we all clap for you.

Sent from my VIE-L29 using Tapatalk

Only a fool who's got automatic shift pedals on his slot machine steering wheel who still clings onto his auto knob pretending / wishing it was a manual would say this..

Go drown in a lake of acid...

giphy.gif
Sorry MR sensitive....shew, jealousy makes you say nasty things....none the less

Clap clap clap 😀😀

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