On a number of events, BMW has warned us that the handbook gearbox resides on borrowed time. The demise of the stick shift is inevitable, primarily due to the low take price. In 2023, solely 20% of the M3s and M4s bought in america had the 6MT. The tough actuality is there aren’t sufficient lovers on the market shopping for automobiles with three pedals. However there are different the reason why rowing your individual gears is regularly changing into a misplaced artwork.
As security and driver help techniques evolve, these work greatest with automobiles outfitted with an computerized transmission. As well as, the proliferation of hybrids and purely electrical automobiles can also be placing a nail within the handbook gearbox’s coffin. These components have created an ideal storm. That’s why a BMW with a 6MT will turn into a factor of the previous ahead of you would possibly suppose.
As we speak, we’re utilizing our proverbial crystal ball to determine which automobile would be the final with a clutch pedal. In early June, BMW launched the next-generation 1 Sequence as an automatic-only affair. As we reported in the beginning of the 12 months, the earlier F70 mannequin nonetheless had a handbook on the most affordable variations bought in Europe.
The two Sequence Gran Coupe nonetheless has three pedals in its lesser configurations provided in choose markets. Nonetheless, the F44 is weeks/months away from retirement. The F74 arrives this fall and we’re sure it’ll be bought solely with a seven-speed, dual-clutch auto. An extended-wheelbase F78 variant of the compact sedan for China is assured to have simply two pedals as nicely.
The Handbook BMW M2 Might Be Dying
You’ll be capable of purchase an M2 with a handbook for some time however there are indicators the G87 will cast off the third pedal within the coming years. We’ve been reporting on an xDrive variant for some time, and the way its potential launch in 2026 might spell the tip of the rear-wheel-drive configuration. If that occurs, the RWD’s demise may even imply the handbook’s retirement.
That stated, we’re not excluding a possible return of the handbook for a high-priced, low-volume M2 earlier than the present era runs its course. Who is aware of, that is perhaps the ultimate BMW with the do-it-yourself transmission. The G87 nonetheless has a few years forward as we’re listening to manufacturing gained’t finish till the second half of 2029. A fair longer life cycle is a risk as a result of there’s seemingly no time for a brand new era.
With the EU banning gross sales of latest automobiles with combustion engines in 2035, odds are there gained’t be a next-gen M2. Technically, the ban shall be on automobiles with dangerous emissions as ICE automobiles working on carbon-neutral fuels shall be allowed. It stays to be seen whether or not the manufacturing of artificial fuels shall be ramped as much as assist such an enormous inflow of automobiles produced yearly.
Will The Subsequent-Gen BMW M3 (G84) Nonetheless Have Three Pedals?
Stepping as much as the M3, the G80 is reportedly going out of manufacturing in early 2027. Nonetheless, we’ve heard by means of the grapevine BMW will do one other era with a gasoline engine. Internally codenamed “G84,” the next-gen automobile is scheduled to return out in early 2028. It’s unclear whether or not the handbook will survive. If it does, logic tells us it’ll outlive the three-pedal M2, successfully making it the ultimate mannequin with the “old-school” gearbox.
Our sources near BMW have informed us {that a} new 4 Sequence just isn’t deliberate, so don’t get your hopes up for an additional M4. As a refresher, the present era presents a handbook solely within the M4 G82 Coupe. The G83 Convertible is bought solely as a Competitors xDrive mannequin. The identical goes for the extra sensible M3 G81 Touring.
The Z4 has been providing a handbook ever for the reason that G29 debuted in 2018. Up till earlier this 12 months, you would solely purchase the roadster with three pedals by choosing the sDrive20i bought outdoors of america. The globally obtainable Z4 M40i now presents the 6MT setup as nicely. However the query is – for the way lengthy? It’s been broadly reported that BMW will discontinue the open-top sports activities automobiles in early 2026. There aren’t any plans for a direct substitute.
The BMW Handbook Nonetheless Has A Few Good Years Left
In October 2022, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel promised to maintain the handbook transmission alive till 2030. Nonetheless, there was an asterisk connected to his assertion as a result of it relies on buyer demand. The M division has additionally pledged to maintain the inline-six and V8 engines within the lineup till the tip of the last decade. Which means you may have about 5 years left earlier than hybrids and EVs take over.
We’ve solely lined common manufacturing fashions however who’s to say BMW gained’t do one other particular undertaking just like the 3.0 CSL? With the clock ticking, an ultra-exclusive, high-priced handbook M automobile can be an instantaneous collector’s merchandise. If the corporate had no issues promoting the M4 CSL-based 3.0 CSL for a rumored €750,000, it’s assured it will possibly cost an obscene sum of money for a ultimate M with a stick.
It doesn’t even need to be a coachbuilt automobile like the three.0 CSL. An M2 CSL because the handbook gearbox’s epilogue can be a industrial hit. It might make sense for BMW to mark the retirement of the 6MT with a ludicrously costly special-edition automobile. We’ve already seen a limited-run M3 MT Remaining Version in Japan the place the sports activities sedan has gone auto-only.
The writing is on the wall. Earlier this 12 months, Frank van Meel stated you’d higher act quick in order for you a three-pedal M automobile: “There are enjoyable merchandise, however let’s be sincere, the volumes are getting smaller and smaller. And so, it doesn’t make sense to develop them anymore. If you’d like a handbook M, it’s a must to purchase it now.”
The place Is The Handbook M240i, BMW?
Though BMW has performed its half to save lots of the manuals higher than rivals Mercedes and Audi, one mannequin is lacking from the lineup. Sure, the M240i with a clutch pedal. Is it too late to throw a stick shift within the 2 Sequence Coupe? Possibly not contemplating the G42 is supposedly staying in manufacturing till mid-2029.
Nonetheless, we don’t know whether or not this cheaper M2 various is occurring. The bean counters from Munich would possibly’ve stated no already. It wouldn’t take quite a lot of effort to make it occur now that BMW sells the Z4 M40i with a handbook. In any case, the B58+6MT combo just isn’t precisely a novelty.
When all is alleged and achieved, time is working out for handbook automobiles from Bavaria. If you’d like one, you most likely have just a few years to make the leap.
