10-02-2012, 03:26 PM | #1 |
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Any 6MT news?
I've been out of the X1 loop for some time now, but I remember at NAIAS, BMW stated that, with appropriate demand, they would consider bringing the 6sp manual transmission paired with the N55 to North America.
Any updates on this front? Rumors? I need to pull the trigger on a new vehicle of the X1's dimensions fairly soon, but I'd hate for it to be an auto.
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10-02-2012, 03:57 PM | #3 |
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With the utmost respect, I can't see it happening anytime soon, at least in the US anyway. It's been available here for a couple of months so if there are any significant changes it probably would not be until next model year at the earliest.
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10-02-2012, 04:05 PM | #4 | |
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I've always had a manual car and plan on keeping it that way, even with a few knee surgeries behind me (right knee, I'm hosed either way). I'd look else where if you really want a manual car. I've dropped the F30 from my list of potential cars because it just feels too big. It's really a shame that BMW isn't further along with the F2x 1 series sedan and has no interest in bringing the F20 M135i over here. |
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10-02-2012, 04:14 PM | #5 | |
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10-02-2012, 04:39 PM | #6 | |
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The 8s cars I've driven in manual mode (X1 28i, F30 328i and 335i and a friend's A6) just feel odd, the spacing between gears is really small and efficiency they have over manuals starts to disappear very quickly if you let them rev over 2k rpm, which just seems better suited to diesels. A friend has a 7s manual 991 and it's similarly weird, the gear box is drive by wire and always feels odd and I find myself using 2, 4 and 6 for nearly all driving. I know I'm a curmudgeon, but I still prefer a 5s manual to 6s except the very rare case where 6 is more than just a huge overdrive. |
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10-02-2012, 05:20 PM | #7 | |
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10-03-2012, 07:50 AM | #8 |
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While I agree with both of you; I have to say welcome to the future. Manuals are going to go bye bye.
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10-03-2012, 08:50 AM | #9 |
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10-03-2012, 11:12 AM | #10 | |
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991.2 C2S | Polestar 2 | PAST: E91 328i, B8 A4 Avant, MK7 GTI, W211 E55, E46 M3, W201 190E 2.3-16
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10-03-2012, 12:21 PM | #11 | |
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It's the same reason we don't get the M135i; because hatches (no matter how many internet posts you see wanting them) do not sell very well here. |
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10-03-2012, 12:27 PM | #12 | |
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Years ago, my folks had a second generation Isuzu Trooper with a manual. That thing was great for what it was. My sister bought an automatic one and it was just as bad as the manual one was good. |
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10-03-2012, 01:05 PM | #14 | |
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Manuals will always exist, but I do think they'll become more and more limited to sports/sporty cars. I'm okay with that. If I had to buy a car today it would likely be a BRZ or a Miata and both conveniently have great manuals and a deficit of torque. |
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10-03-2012, 08:58 PM | #15 | |
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I may have to pick up a 6mt E91 while I still can. Shame I can't import the N55. Or M5 touring while I'm dreaming. I figured it just made sense for the X1 to come in manual. It's the smallest, cheapest SAV they make and it's not like there would be a ton of configuration required to mate the typical 6mt to the N55.
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Last edited by stefan; 10-03-2012 at 09:03 PM.. |
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10-04-2012, 04:40 PM | #16 |
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I always thought that's what Mercedes was for, they've been getting it wrong IMO and will lose most of their enthusiast following soon I believe. What bothers me is there are 5 badge hoes and/or dopes who don't care about driving dynamics for every one enthusiast, ok maybe 10 which is why your statement is becoming truer with each new generation. Electric steering, start/stop buttons, hybrids, turbo everything (even in M cars!) that don't get the mileage they claim and will never respond like an NA. I get this stuff but they would do more with less by just bringing more diesels while retaining some old school goodness of the brand that is ie. hydraulic, NA, 6MT, etc rather than this all or nothing approach they seem to be adopting.
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10-04-2012, 06:45 PM | #17 |
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Ok guys, so, what to do? Need AWD (LSD if full-time, or at least RWD bias prior to front engagement), good power, 6-speed, navigation.
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10-04-2012, 07:53 PM | #18 |
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I drove the X1 xDrive35i M Sport Line in manual mode using the console selector (no paddle shifters on the car) and thought it was fun to drive that way. I think having 6 gears instead of 8 is an advantage if you want to drive that way.
I'm driving a 2010 135i convertible now with 6MT and like the manual trans, but would be okay with the 6 speed auto in the X1. |
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10-04-2012, 11:52 PM | #19 | |
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Drives: BMW X1 (awaiting delivery)
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I got a lightly optioned X1 in part since I want to be able to justify in my mind possibly getting a fun manual based sports car within the next couple of years to go alongside it. If I didn't live in a high traffic area, I would certainly get a manual car as a daily driver but I only switched after driving manuals in heavy traffic for 12 years. |
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10-10-2012, 08:11 AM | #20 |
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That is the nature of my speculation. We know that if the N55 and 6sp auto can go into the X1, so can the 6mt from the same era.
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10-10-2012, 09:08 AM | #21 |
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Don't count on it. BMW USA appears convinced that only a few folks want manuals. Note that the F30 328i xDrive and all of the F31's will be automatic only. This is a growing trend with BMW USA and for me at least, it's forcing me to shop elsewhere.
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10-10-2012, 10:38 AM | #22 |
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Not many choices- 335 Xdrive is still there (always CPO too) or you'll be looking at things like WRX/STi/Golf R. S4 although not cheap is definitely worth a look
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