Is it possible to drive the new M3, if I can't drive a stick?

[kakaxbox]

It's embarrassing, but I can't drive a stick. I'm deciding in a few years what I should drive (335i coupe, or the M3). Is the DSG, SMG II, etc... be anything like an automatic transmission? Or should I stick with a 335i coupe with auto tranny? let me know if bmw is planning to put the SMG back in the m3, Thanks.

[RandyB]

Man up, and get a manual car in an empty parking lot and learn in five minutes or less. You're missing out on one of life's great pleasures as far as the automobile is concerned, IMO. Driver involvement, what a concept! Of course if you spend too much time on these forums you will be convinced that they are outdated technology, etc. Decide for yourself!

[kakaxbox]

I want to learn how to drive a stick, but no body will teach me. Nobody in my family drives a stick.

[suburbanjim66]

are you kidding me? take off the skirt and figure it out.

[nusevad]

a MT isnt for everyone, some people can pick it up in 5 min while others might take weeks. I learned it in my friends beater Jetta in about a hour. It is truly a good experience in terms of the feeling as being part of the car you are driving. The new M3 will offer a system similar to SMG, and there wont be a clutch. So if my fiancee can drive it im sure you can too Kakaxbox.

[ward]

it's not hard to learn, but you should probably find out if you like rowing your own gears before dropping 60k on a car

[lucid]

Originally Posted by kakaxbox

It's embarrassing, but I can't drive a stick. I'm deciding in a few years what I should drive (335i coupe, or the M3). Is the DSG, SMG II, etc... be anything like an automatic transmission? Or should I stick with a 335i coupe with auto tranny? let me know if bmw is planning to put the SMG back in the m3, Thanks.

As others have been saying, you can learn if you want to. Go to a driving school, or buy a $300 junker and take it to an empty lot. I'm sure you know at least one person who will be willing to help. And, I really don't mean to be rude, but if you've never made the effort to learn how to drive a stick, do you really think you will be able to fully appreciate a M3 (would you be able to tell its performance apart from a 335's)? Just trying to save you some money. I'd say go with the 335 coupe. Very nice car.

[M3]

I learned how to drive manual when I was 9, with my dads 91' ///316i

[ward]

Originally Posted by M3

I learned how to drive manual when I was 9, with my dads 91' ///316i

what country were you in at the time?

316? I thought that was europe only

[consolidated]

fewer and fewer people are able to drive a stick, and the percentage will just keep going down. Econoboxes, trucks, and now even motorcycles (Yamaha FJR1300) are autos and not sticks, no place to learn.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by consolidated

fewer and fewer people are able to drive a stick, and the percentage will just keep going down. Econoboxes, trucks, and now even motorcycles (Yamaha FJR1300) are autos and not sticks, no place to learn.

+1

I think the MT might be replaced within out lifetime. Our kids and grandkids are going to be like wtf is stick.

[EmPower]

That will be the day I will walk into a toyota dealership and get a corolla

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by kakaxbox

It's embarrassing, but I can't drive a stick.

If you can't drive a stick, you probably won't be able to use the new twin-clutch DCT gearbox in the manner it was meant to be either.

My advice is to learn how to drive a stickshift now. Its more than simply being able to pick the gear ratio yousrself. Its about keeping the car in the rev-band so you get the best performance out of it.

[M3]

Originally Posted by ward

what country were you in at the time?

316? I thought that was europe only

Yeah I was in Europe

[SpencerM3]

I'm not good at stick, but it is embarrassingly easy to learn and figure out, You don't need anyone to teach you, in fact the best way to learn is on your own.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by EmPower

That will be the day I will walk into a toyota dealership and get a corolla

Ditto that! Just think of the money we could save though.

[Robert]

I learned how to drive manual on the fly because my friend was too intoxicated to drive home. I am still very green.

[M3onTwomps]

There's plenty of time to learn.

[bower]

Since so few people drive sticks, buying a car with one helps reduce the chance the car will be stolen.

-Dave

[consolidated]

Originally Posted by bower

Since so few people drive sticks, buying a car with one helps reduce the chance the car will be stolen.

-Dave

...or others asking for a test drive.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Man up, and get a manual car in an empty parking lot and learn in five minutes or less. You're missing out on one of life's great pleasures as far as the automobile is concerned, IMO. Driver involvement, what a concept! Of course if you spend too much time on these forums you will be convinced that they are outdated technology, etc. Decide for yourself!

I guess I felt, as a huge proponent of DCT, that the above comment was directed partly toward me (if the shoe fits, I guess...).

Let me just state that driving a manual is a lot of fun. I have spent countless hours on 2,3 and 4 wheeled vehicles both on and off road and driving a manual is truly a joy and very inheirently satisfying. Also, it is a skill every one who calls themselves any sort of a real "driver" should have.

Even as DCT becomes more and prevalent (and it will, largely replacing both automatics and MTs) driving a manual is will remain a skill any serious driver should have. They should have this skill to drive all of the wonderful MT vehicles out there as well as for driving in situations that significantly benefit from a MT and fine clutch control, such as off road in both cars and motorcycles. Obviously the level of clutch control on road is nowhere near what you need off road.

Just my 2 cents to you RandyB and to the OP.

[schhay07]

picked it up in 20 mins....it shouldn't be that hard if really want to learn. but make you do it on a beat-up...