Why didn't M's come as Auto?

I can't believe how negative some are about autos. The Z4MC would be so much better as an auto.

Autos are now so good that there is just no point in choosing manual if auto is available.
 
Cos you wouldn't be distracted by gear changes and could spend more time looking for cars with illegal M badges on. :fuelfire:
 
pvr said:
Why?
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Because the majority of owners want to tootle around in their M's & not wrestle them at full revs on the track , which is where the biggest difference in box choice will show itself . The manual box is set up to be revved hard & that will not come natural to most drivers . The auto or SMG , should it have been a choice would have allowed the car to be all things to all owners 8)
 
Z4coupebeaver said:
I can't believe how negative some are about autos. The Z4MC would be so much better as an auto.

Autos are now so good that there is just no point in choosing manual if auto is available.
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As good as my DCT is, you simply don't feel as in control, and you don't always get the gear you want, when you want it. There's nothing in the way with a Manual, if you want a gear, you get it, right when you want it. Shift speed is irrelevant when it comes to feeling the car and having fun...

DCT/Auto all the way for an every day car, don't get me wrong. But if you want pure fun, that feeling, then for me at least, Manual is the way to go.
 
Mr wilks -You seem to point it as a performance point. For me it is not about the performance element as I know that SMG / DCT boxes can shift quicker than I can, it is purely about the enjoyment factor of the actual driving.

I have an auto box in the X5 (with paddles etc), I have DCT in the Abart and manual in the Golf and M. Different cars for different purposes.
 
I think conceptually I disagree with auto boxes on performance cars.

Yes auto boxes are now becoming more efficient and faster than manuals, but it takes away from the enjoyment of driving.

As GPS systems start to improve and track you along roads, will systems be developed to brake for the driver and steer for the driver? Theoretically at some point technology will be so advanced that a driver will become completely redundant. If that makes the car 10 seconds quicker around the ring would you buy it as a weekend toy? Or for the driving enjoyment?

Personally I don't think you can judge a car by it's figures/ statistics alone, but on the overall experience it delivers. For me, a manual box is part of the 'fun'.

p.s. I should mention that I still shoot in 35mm.
 
For me its not about performance of shift or how high I can rev it. Its the analogue connection I have with the car.
 
pvr said:
Mr wilks -You seem to point it as a performance point. For me it is not about the performance element as I know that SMG / DCT boxes can shift quicker than I can, it is purely about the enjoyment factor of the actual driving.

I have an auto box in the X5 (with paddles etc), I have DCT in the Abart and manual in the Golf and M. Different cars for different purposes.
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Not at all mate , for me the choice of box is down to personal preference & after the choice is made this is what makes a car enjoyable or not to drive for the owner/user..
i have never or would ever try to convince anyone that auto is best , but neither do i want to hear that a manual box gives a more "focused" "connected" "responsive" drive or whatever other bullshit term can be thought up . yes it may do for some , but not for all
 
I think the answer to the question is:- that there wasn't room (without much fettling) to fit the SMG gearbox from the M3 into the Z4M. I seem to recall that being offered as an explanation some years ago.

The DCT in the E92 M3 is quite excellent and I've tanked one around the track and it is great fun, you can concentrate on the track without worrying about the gearchange - and there's the rub for petrolheads. You will always have an arguement that you are detached from the driving experience to a degree in an auto and so the pleasure is therefore diminished. But an auto is fine for everyday driving etc and both our 'daily' drivers are autos.
 
Seems this topic is becoming a little fractious now... with people answering very defensively. No one is attacking anyone, nor their personal choices. People are entirely allowed to state their own personal preferences.
 
Interestingly the old M5 v10 and the new M5 V8 (the V8 a backwards step BTW) are only sold with SMG/DCT in the UK, however in the US they both come with a manual box, strange??? Only found that a few weeks ago.

Also I had a SMG in my M3 e46 and it was good fun. Now have both manuals on the Z4M and M3 e92, however the Z has a Rogue Engineering quick shift installed which is great. However now every time I get into the M3 you can really feel the travel between changing gears (next mod to the M3 LOL). Also thinking about it, 13 years ago I remember my Honda S2000 having a fantastic 6-speed manual...

Anyway have to recommend a short shift kit, really aids the M Driver experience ... if you know what I mean, LOL.
 
sammyz said:
I think the answer to the question is:- that there wasn't room (without much fettling) to fit the SMG gearbox from the M3 into the Z4M. I seem to recall that being offered as an explanation some years ago.
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Yes I believe this is the correct answer, just like when the Z3M couldn't have the 6 speed manual fitted.
 
It is curious that the M5 is offered to the US as a manual while we get the auto only. Perhaps BMW don't think it's worth the effort as virtually all cars they would sell would be autos.

Autos are now so good manual gearboxes will all but vanish over the next ten years IMO. They will still be offered on some performance cars provided there's a demand.
 
Automatic gearboxes in proper sports cars would be like automatic golf clubs. Where's the skill in driving when the driver is disconnected from gear selection?
 
Whether or not its right for the M to have an auto is clearly debateable... But BMW as a business would probably sell a shed more M's if they gave this as an option.

Also a DCT would be quicker around a track... It maybe cheating but it would still be quicker!
 
Not sure about DCT being cheating round a track - how many race cars have manual boxes nowadays ? Surely it's about correct lines, braking and speed ? Where does the manual box help ?

Edited to say - I do however get inkey$ point about the analogue connection with the car, very well put :thumbsup:
 
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