They're not selling very many manuals.

Manual transmission availability on a 3 series or a4 is PURELY due to customer ordered cars that were not purchased. I don't know a single person that owns a manual trans 3 series, and I know a lot of BMW owners... M3's don't count. Also, resale on a MT BMW/Audi is absolutely horrid.

Yes, I shopped for a MT BMW in the past and didn't get one because I had to order one and they wanted a 5000 deposit.

Forgive me for even considering a Bimmer...

 

I can't think of a single BMW 3-series owner I know who doesn't have a manual.

 

same here. almost every person i kno that owns a bimmer has a manual.

 

I think he might be talking about a manual tranny of the 335xi.

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Only person I know with a 335xi coupe has the manual

 

Well knowing only one person who has a 335xi is pretty insignificant for large scale statistics

I'm pretty sure most 335xi owners have an automatic transmission.

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Haha I'll agree on both counts

 

Realistically, they could have probably offered the 6MT on the AWD, but why retool production for what might amount to ~50 cars over the course of a year?

I know plenty of 6MT RWD 3 series owners, but 335xi? none.

 

oh... I didn't know demand for manual transmission is that low now.

 

50 in the entire US? I'm sure they'd sell a lot more MT's than that.

 

AWD 6MT? The guys at Infiniti pay big bucks for market analysis... I'm sure they'd offer it if it was justified.

Keep in mind that the AWD is not made for performance. It is designed with utility in mind.

 

I understand, but when you want performance and utility and you live in an area that sees snowfall and AWD performance car with a manual transmission fits the bill - I know more than one person who will buy a GT-R as soon as they come out with one in a true MT. Many enthusiasts would sacrifice a few tenths of a second in the 1/4 or a few seconds around a track in order to really drive their car.

 

thats a 2-fer title, Yawn boring and I want to blow my cookies, but , I hate to say it, look around....

MTs are slowly disappearing, where ever you look. Even the newest M5 was not launched at first with an MT until US customers complained.

I want an MT myself, but if I commute a lot and have to check messages, make calls, emails, all those not well liked driver habits, I may have to (yuck) buy a AT for a sports car myself, and that is not a decision i will come to easily...

Acording to Carsdirect right now, BMW is putting enough cash on the AT 335 X it is even in cost to the MT. Toyota did away with a bunch of MTs years ago, the last MT you could get on the Solara was only the 4Cl, back in 02 or 03 I think. They also dont put MTs into Lexus - even the IS F and other sporty models, WHY THE HELL the SC430 never had an MT is just plain dumb, but does it look like Toyota lost money for years giving up MTs? Quite the opposite, they climbed on top of the automotive world (almost) and did so with huge sales in Lexus, in Solaras, and now getting raves for the new IS-F- again with no MT.

I would bet that if you see some of these cars in your friends, they are younger in general, and typically more out there to own for sport then DD, even if they use them as DDs, they are the enthusiasts- and not the average car buyer.

I may have to look long and hard for the MT S5, Cayman S, or 335X, but i still want to stay away from the ATs, but my budget and need for a better DD then a Cayman S is making me look under every rock i find.

 

They're different ages, but you hit the nail on the head as they are all enthusiasts who are "not the average car buyer"

Seems with each passing year less and less people pass on the ability to drive a MT to their children. Kinda sad.

I've owned 4 cars and all have been MT by choice, even my 1997 Isuzu Rodeo I had through college and my 1995 Civic which is my present DD (127HP FTW!).

 

M2 - all i have ever owned were used cars, i have not bought new yet...

1978 Fiat - MT
1984 Stanza Hatchback - MT
1989 Civic Hatchback - MT
1993 Mitsu 3000 GT VR4 AWD, AWS, TT, 300 HP, MT
1997 Accord Coupe - MT - i would not buy the 98 new model when i bought the 97 cause the 6cl was AT only! DAMM i was mad at that, the 98 looked better then then 97, but no MT???? Even honda stuck a knife in me way back then.
1999 Jetta - MT
now i have a pick up and i searched for MTs every where, but used Tundras with MTs are like gold, very pricey, and Tacomas were too small and not enough HP for towing, so I had to buy my first AT in my life last year, a used V-8 '03 F150, but it was a lot cheaper then a 6cl older higher milage Toyota with an MT and for a truck, i had to give in.


Now i want an MT sports car, and i have a lot fewer choices. I hope an AT will still get me