Anyone here NOT know how to drive a manual?

[Pontrelli]

Originally Posted by Erhan

Since some people insist that DCT is actually manual, I suppose everyone who owns an M3 knows how to drive a manual.

And those people would be wrong..

[Team Plutonium]

I grew up in Germany and got my drivers license in the 80's - automatic was not an option. But I don't think it makes me more of a car enthusiast than somebody who can't drive stick. It takes balls to buy an M3 and then learn to drive stick - f@cking love it!

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

Probably a horrible question to ask on a car forum and most likely no one will chime in....but I was just wondering if there are people on here that can't drive a manual?

I haven't driven a manual in years (even back then was never really good at it either) and had the opportunity to try out my friends 964 last night and managed to stall it 3 times in a parking lot. And if anyone was wondering, yes I did give up my masculinity and no longer associate myself with car enthusiasts.

when my father and I went on a test drive to get the m3, He hadn't driven a manual in 20 years, and stalled for the first time after a couple hours of driving it. He isn't a car guy, but the salesman said that driving a manual is like riding a bike, you never forget how to.

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I grew up in Germany and got my drivers license in the 80's - automatic was not an option. But I don't think it makes me more of a car enthusiast than somebody who can't drive stick. It takes balls to buy an M3 and then learn to drive stick - f@cking love it!

guess I have balls then...

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by burakkose

do countries give driving licence without testing manual transmission driving ability?

in israel, you can do your test with an auto, and you only get permission for an auto. you have to do test with a manual if you want a manual license

[swartzentruber]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

i am teaching my 15 year old to drive one now. he hates it. i cannot imagine not knowing how, so he will learn. go rent a car in europe and try to get an auto. not so easy.

Ironically, they say the same about many of the caribbean islands, yet both times we've rented (once in St. Martin, once in Curacao), they've given us autos. I'd have greatly prefered a manual, since both islands are hilly and the rentals dreadfully underpowered. The one time we rented in Germany we did get a manual TDI A3, though.

I sort of forced my wife to learn, now she's pretty good at it. What really made her better were the times when "her" car was a manual, a TDI jetta wagon and a MINI Cooper S. I wouldn't want to be in a situation like my brother, he previously owned a manual MINI, but his wife couldn't drive stick. He cut his hand badly enough that he needed to go to the hospital, and they had to find a neighbor to drive him, since she couldn't. I applaud all the parents on this forum teaching their kids to drive a manual. Even if they never take to owning one, it's a good skill to know just in case.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by swartzentruber

Ironically, they say the same about many of the caribbean islands, yet both times we've rented (once in St. Martin, once in Curacao), they've given us autos. I'd have greatly prefered a manual, since both islands are hilly and the rentals dreadfully underpowered. The one time we rented in Germany we did get a manual TDI A3, though.

I'd think automatic is much better in hilly conditions. I've had to go up steep 40+% inclines in bumper to bumper city traffic - it really sucks. If your car doesn't have hill start assist, some combination of these 3 things happen.

1. You stall the car
2. You burn the clutch
3. You slide into the car behind you

[WarrantyTracker]

Why do you call it a stick? The car I learned on (Dodge freaking Dart with rust holes through the floorboard) had it on the column . . . .

[6spdg37s]

I seriously only drive manual (well unless its not my car) most of my boys are the saem way... manual dually's manual tow trucks, wreckers etc;

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

My very first new car in 1961 was VW naturally with a stick. From 1961 on I mainly drove American cars until 1987 when I purchased my first new BMW a 535is we still have her and never will sell her, she has a 5MT and shifts smooth like silk.

The next M3 was a SMG transmission and the next two M3's were with 6MT. The M3 I now drive has DCT and I do like it. If the manual in my last M3 would have been as smooth shifting as our 1987 535is I would have never changed to a DCT. As it is I now love the DCT especially when I use the paddle shifter.

PS. I had two Z4's one e85 and one e89 they both had the paddle shifters as well. Both those cars I purchased used, I only wanted to satisfy myself how it feels to drive a convertible curiosity and desire we had fun with them, then traded back to the e92.

[HALOTHANE]

Manual cars only since age 15; until I got a DCT M3. DCT is not a manual, but it is soooooo very good! Best manual car I have driven? My old 1M.

[Pontrelli]

Originally Posted by Z K

I'd think automatic is much better in hilly conditions. I've had to go up steep 40+% inclines in bumper to bumper city traffic - it really sucks. If your car doesn't have hill start assist, some combination of these 3 things happen.

1. You stall the car
2. You burn the clutch
3. You slide into the car behind you

As someone who drives MTs exclusively (and long before "hill assist" was available)..what you describe here are non-issues to experienced MT drivers.

This is an indication of someone who is a novice.

[CPB]

Still enjoy driving with a manual transmission after 30+ years. Currently have 3 cars with a manual.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Pontrelli

As someone who drives MTs exclusively (and long before "hill assist" was available)..what you describe here are non-issues to experienced MT drivers.

This is an indication of someone who is a novice.

I have been driving manual for 15 years exclusively... Parallel parking along steep streets and reversing uphill is part of my daily routine. The M3 is the first car I have ever owned with hill start. It is not a problem of knowledge.

If you have someone stuck 2 feet from your back bumper while going up a very steep incline with another car 2 feet from your front bumper, try starting without rolling backwards or riding the clutch hard. Plus do this about 20 times while creeping up the hill with traffic. I use the parking brake technique as well but you still ride the clutch when you start. It's really scary when it rains.. then you if you start too fast, you'll burn rubber while rolling backwards.

[Majdnoon]

I learned to drive in my dad's Jetta GLI DSG, but both my cars (base model VW Jetta plus my '98 E36) are 5 speed manuals and honestly I don't wanna go back to an Auto. I love driving stick, it's so involving and you feel as one with the car. Not to mention since most people my age can't drive a stick it impresses them that you're able to do it so smoothly :P

And by the way, to everyone saying a stick is a hassle in traffic or on hills, its a non issue if you've been doing it long enough. It becomes second nature in traffic and you don't even notice it, it's almost like a reflex to select the right gear to be in for traffic. My Jetta may have Hill Assist but my E36 doesn't and its still not an issue either.

[faith&firepower]

Originally Posted by Poppin Fresh

I was fairly decent until my accident 6 years ago. I fractured my ankle and tore my achilles tendon in the process. It's just not as strong and it hurts every time I put pressured weight on it.

I did this exact thing in the Army, but mine happened in training....that was 2008, and have bought 2 manual trans cars since that time. At least now the VA pays me a nice sum to ofset my pain when I drive the M3 & my turbo'd RX8.

[Pontrelli]

Originally Posted by Z K

I have been driving manual for 15 years exclusively... Parallel parking along steep streets and reversing uphill is part of my daily routine. The M3 is the first car I have ever owned with hill start. It is not a problem of knowledge.

If you have someone stuck 2 feet from your back bumper while going up a very steep incline with another car 2 feet from your front bumper, try starting without rolling backwards or riding the clutch hard. Plus do this about 20 times while creeping up the hill with traffic. I use the parking brake technique as well but you still ride the clutch when you start. It's really scary when it rains.. then you if you start too fast, you'll burn rubber while rolling backwards.

I do each and every day..never a problem, never roll back or burn the clutch..as a matter fact i can balance the car perfectly on a steep hill just using the gas pedal and clutch..

After 15 years of MT driving I am surprised this is still an issue for you..then again you do live in SF..those hills are a pain

[mdosu]

learned on my last car (Evo 8). Been driving manuals for 8 years now.

MT cars are fun, but commuting and city driving in it is a PITA.

[Lemon Jelly M3]

I had to get a DCT M3 when it first came out becuase it was THE FIRST DCT tranny from BMW ever (at least in the US).
Now, I drive a manual M3 and I have to admit DCT is way more faster and fun on the track BUT as for a daily drive, manual M3 is just so much fun.
But yes, I do miss the DCT alot... I would probably get a DCT again for my next M3.

[TTSam]

Originally Posted by Lemon Jelly M3

I had to get a DCT M3 when it first came out becuase it was THE FIRST DCT tranny from BMW ever (at least in the US).
Now, I drive a manual M3 and I have to admit DCT is way more faster and fun on the track BUT as for a daily drive, manual M3 is just so much fun.
But yes, I do miss the DCT alot... I would probably get a DCT again for my next M3.

I actually learned to drive a manual way back when on a dump truck which required double shifts for each gear change. Talk about learning quickly (shift/grind/lurch shift/grind/lurch) for each gear change.

My first two cars were a VW Beetle and a Fiat 128 - both manuals.

I had a DCT M3 and eventually traded it back in for a manual.

DCT is outstanding without question. After a period of time for me however it became boring and my left leg slowly atrophied like a right handed tennis players left arm.

Nothing like shifting for yourself, even if you are slightly slower.

I find the MT no problem in stop and go traffic. If you learn to drive a MT correctly you can start off in first gear using only the clutch and no gas.

I just missed the lack of total control in the DCT - especially with winter driving in poor conditions when the throttle and clutch are all that is needed to get going and stop in super slippery conditions, with a slight use of the brakes at the end.

DCT pretty much requires the brakes be used.

Best would be to have 2 M3's. DCT for the track and MT for all other times.

[HeartMD]

Originally Posted by Z K

I have been driving manual for 15 years exclusively... Parallel parking along steep streets and reversing uphill is part of my daily routine. The M3 is the first car I have ever owned with hill start. It is not a problem of knowledge.

If you have someone stuck 2 feet from your back bumper while going up a very steep incline with another car 2 feet from your front bumper, try starting without rolling backwards or riding the clutch hard. Plus do this about 20 times while creeping up the hill with traffic. I use the parking brake technique as well but you still ride the clutch when you start. It's really scary when it rains.. then you if you start too fast, you'll burn rubber while rolling backwards.

DAMN!! Glad I didnt live near you when I first leaned how to drive MT. Those are some insane hills. With those slopes I can even see AT cars roling backwards..

[Mike van D]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

Three on a tree and you never go back

This! had an El Camino with it. Fun times...

Made sure my kids learned to drive on a manual. This way g2g in emergencies.