M3 F32: NA V8 & DCT or TT I6 & 6MT

[donovan]

People simply will not buy the car if both both options aren't given.

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by Levi

The point of the poll is to see what is more important for the M3 in the opinion of M3 owner/drivers? A naturally aspirated engine or a manual transmission? Because the next M3 may have none of these. Why a V8, because a NA I6 will not be enough. Don't ask me why.

Hasn't this already been all but confirmed by scott? As much as we want out NA engines and our V8s to stay its just not going to happen. FI is going to happen across the board for almost all manufactures in the future, I mean even Mclaren is doing it. As for the 6MT vs the DCT I do not think that BMW will not be foolish enough to banish the MT. As good as the DCT is now and hopefully it can only get better in the future with advancements, but there will always be a crowd for the MT. I see it being more like it was with the M5/M6 where the DCT will be the standard transmission and the MT will be a no cost option. Also

[IFX]

Originally Posted by cmk227

This is my third M. I will only buy MT. Nothing against the other cars but Manual just feels so good.

I hope that BMW is wise to give us the option to pay more if we have to to keep the manual.

So let's just say they do decide on no MT for the next M, are you done with them?

[kmarei]

you had me at 6MT
would never buy a DCT
but hey
maybe with Turbo charged and DCT you get double the lag

[Erhan]

Isn't BMW/M becoming more like Mercedes/AMG? So I wouldn't be surprised if they don't keep MT. They may say auto/DCT is more fuel efficient... They may not wanna invest on MT development to cut the costs... They may wanna simplify their prodution line by removing MT... Who knows what they're thinking.

They have to make money and all, but if you ask me they're more on a race to be the #1 luxury car seller than anything else. Look what happened to Toyota when they pushed their limits to become #1 seller. They lost all their reliability (which is/was their selling point) and therefore (at least to me) credibility.

[mkoesel]

These results are interesting. They suggest that in general people would be quicker give up the 6MT for a DCT than they would give up the S65 V8 for a turbo I6.

Granted this is just a forum and not very scientific, but it is interesting that the numbers play out this way even amongst the hardcore enthusiasts (us m3post folks).

This does not necessarily bode well for 6MT people. We already know BMW is giving up the V8 despite what, apparently, most of us would prefer. So, if they think they can meet sales numbers with that change, then perhaps the less important (again, as indicated by this poll only) choice of transmission will result in a DCT-only F3x M3.

[Gamoto]

I have a 2008 X5 4.8 V8, and a 2008 M3 E93 6MT. My wife is on her 2nd 335 E90 Sedan. She had a 2008 335xi with the T-T and now has a 2011 335i. Both steptronic with paddle shifters. The 335 turbos are very quick. I actually don't use the paddle shift to often just seems phoney to me.
If the next M3 has no V8 and no 6MT I would miss the sound of the V8 the most. The 335 turbo, especially the 2011 version has no beat to it...you miss the throaty sound of a high perforance V8. The sound of the M3 V8 is one of the main things that attracts me to the car. It's part of the driving experience. Speed isn't everything !

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Does anyone have sales info on the e9X series m3? BMW said their goal was 100K units.

I found the below in http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422608, date: 08-24-2010

Originally Posted by rahrah

latest version of evo magazine ...the one with the gts on the cover and title "bmw m3 ultimate birthday party" states that .
..e30 sold 19,576
...e36 sold 71,279
...e46 sold 85,000
the above are mass production figures and include special editions
e30 sport evo ...sold 600
e36 gt sold 406
e46 csl sold 1389

and the e9X has sold 31,700 since 2007 most being coupes!
hope that helps!

[BMW269]

E9X sales are lower than E46 and E36 sales.

As to the poll result, I see going from NA V8 to TT I6 is a bigger loss than losing 6MT.
Well, I still hope in NA V8 and 6MT. Let the chapter continue.

[drewlaws]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Seems to me a lot of people either defected to other model BMWs or another manuf, altogether compared to e46 m3 sales.

Personally I would think it has just as much to do with the relative strength of the economy during the production run as it does a defection of buyers. I'd be willing to bet that similar models produced during the same years, like the 996TT vs the 997TT, would also show a decline in sales.

That isn't to say there weren't some defections. The current M3 had to compete with a competent C class AMG car whereas the e46 did not.

[Mr C]

I have spoken with people in the “M” division based in Germany, and they said “if the demand is not there anymore for a MT, then we will only make the “M3” cars with a DCT.” So yes, it is entirely possible for the F32 to only be available with a DCT.

Ask any dealership, they will all tell you the DCT outsells the MT at least 10-to-1. Also, just look at their inventories, if they have ten (10) M3 in stock, 9 of them will be DCTs.