BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-15-2019, 12:44 AM   #1
Esteban
Major General
Esteban's Avatar
United_States
42252
Rep
7,224
Posts

Drives: a slow car fast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
As the title says, I miss driving a manual transmission. I like my DCT, but definitely not as engaging or rewarding as a manual. As I've mentioned many times here, I had an accident in 2008, and no more clutch for me. Took a fall in Mt. Baldy and severely broke my left ankle. My car was a manual 2006 Mustang GT with a 475HP supercharged engine.

Have been watching videos of the 1M, M2 and M2C, Honda S2000, and the Mark lV Supra, and they remind me of how much I truly miss a manual transmission. Recently tried a VW GTI with a manual and it did not work (at all) for me. Tough for a car enthusiast who grew up on manuals. Oh well, it could be worse, at least I get to keep driving.
__________________
Appreciate 14
      05-15-2019, 07:04 AM   #2
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

I definitely miss a manual too. I guess I could have bought used when I got my 1. But I wanted my first upscale car to be a special experience after years of econoboxes; with the exception being my 94 Z28 bought used. So I ended up with a DCT as that was the last new black 135i in the area.

I guess I get some of the manual effect with my two sport bikes. But the funny thing is I just got back from 4 days at the track with California Superbike School running around on their BMW S1000RRs. I'm starting to get a hankering to get into one of these RRs with one of the reasons being the clutchless upshift/downshift feature.

On the topic of transmissions, my recently acquired daily driver has a CVT. Makes me wish for an automatic with actual gears.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 07:51 AM   #3
Tuxedo
Bowties r cool ▶:◀
Tuxedo's Avatar
United_States
1399
Rep
793
Posts

Drives: 09' 128i MT e88, 24'G05 X5 50e
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I had a 2011 1er loaded with Steptronic that Mrs Tux approved. The kids would be driving soon and she didn't think anyone would drive it if it was a manual. Fast forward 4yrs no one likes driving my car. Sold it and found a 09' 1er manual cause damn, I missed a manual. Best car I've ever owned too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by zx10guy View Post
On the topic of transmissions, my recently acquired daily driver has a CVT. Makes me wish for an automatic with actual gears.
Friends don't let friends CVT
Appreciate 3
Esteban42251.50
CH400EM117.50
10"4946.00
      05-15-2019, 07:57 AM   #4
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuxedo View Post
I had a 2011 1er loaded with Steptronic that Mrs Tux approved. The kids would be driving soon and she didn't think anyone would drive it if it was a manual. Fast forward 4yrs no one likes driving my car. Sold it and found a 09' 1er manual cause damn, I missed a manual. Best car I've ever owned too.



Friends don't let friends CVT
Tell me about it. But I had no choice. Wanted to get into a Toyota and Toyota seems to be having a hard on for CVTs across much of their platform.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2019, 08:07 AM   #5
swunder
First Lieutenant
303
Rep
301
Posts

Drives: 135is, x3 m40i, V70R
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Yeah, there is no substitute. DCT's are closer to automatic than they are manual. Faster, fun, sure but not a replacement.
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 08:22 AM   #6
rowsdower
Captain
rowsdower's Avatar
641
Rep
695
Posts

Drives: 2011 128i 6MT Sport
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zx10guy View Post
Tell me about it. But I had no choice. Wanted to get into a Toyota and Toyota seems to be having a hard on for CVTs across much of their platform.
Perhaps the right move with Toyota. I had a 2018 Tacoma automatic (a regular auto) and the shifting logic was absolutely insane. For me, it was borderline undriveable and got far worse after the test drive as it "learned" over time. It drove me crazy enough that I sold it after a year. I'll never own a Toyota product again. I went on a test drive with a friend looking at RAV4s last week and it was the same shit. He put his foot in one spot and it upshifted, downshifted, then upshifted twice in the space of 5 seconds. You are likely better off with the CVT in a modern Toyota.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2019, 08:39 AM   #7
duder13
Captain
duder13's Avatar
767
Rep
904
Posts

Drives: Cashmere
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Sorry to hear about your accident, Esteban. I’m glad the 1ers at least have the DCT option for you.

I agree about manuals. Even though I bought my first manual as a teen, I still drive around practicing my heel/toe shifting all the time...even when pulling into the grocery store parking lot. lol Outside of a health issue, I plan on sticking with a manual for the long haul.
Appreciate 2
Esteban42251.50
Lucky1639.50
      05-15-2019, 09:02 AM   #8
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rowsdower View Post
Perhaps the right move with Toyota. I had a 2018 Tacoma automatic (a regular auto) and the shifting logic was absolutely insane. For me, it was borderline undriveable and got far worse after the test drive as it "learned" over time. It drove me crazy enough that I sold it after a year. I'll never own a Toyota product again. I went on a test drive with a friend looking at RAV4s last week and it was the same shit. He put his foot in one spot and it upshifted, downshifted, then upshifted twice in the space of 5 seconds. You are likely better off with the CVT in a modern Toyota.
I guess I have to experience what you're describing. For my situation, it's on a C-HR. In addition to the under powered motor for a 3300 lb car, the trans doesn't do it any favors. The simulation of gear shifting causes the engine to just rev up hanging where there is no acceleration just noise. At lower RPMs, whatever the trans is doing, causes the engine RPMs to jump up with slight throttle application instantaneously. There's no gradual ramp up of RPMs as you would expect if the trans is set on a specific gear. You might say that's not a bad thing to spool up the engine to get into the power band. But the spin up of RPMs doesn't translate into a requisite increase in acceleration.

Toyota put out a hybrid trans for the 2019 Corolla hatch back. It has an actual 1st gear used as a launch gear which afterwards the CVT would take over.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 1
      05-15-2019, 09:06 AM   #9
minirips2
Second Lieutenant
207
Rep
282
Posts

Drives: 2010 128i 6M CR Slicktop
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear about your accident, Esteban. Maybe one day I will give up on manuals, but I learned to drive in one many moons ago, and I've always had a manual in the garage to keep my skills sharp, and deliver the satisfaction that comes from a series of well executed heel and toe downshifts. Flicking a paddle isn't the same, because there's no challenge to it. For several years, I commuted in a 2009 Prius, and it was not fun. The only joy there was in looking at the mileage readout, and marveling at how little gas I was using. The CVT in that car was nasty, but I get that it's the best way to incorporate hybrid power. I told my friends that a Prius is like an appliance that gets you places. The general move to CVTs in the industry is depressing.
As to zx10guy's comment about clutchless shift assistance, at least you have the option to shift like any other bike, so you can have your cake and eat it, too.
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 09:25 AM   #10
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
I miss a manual for short periods of time. But then on my epic commute, I don't miss one at all.
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 09:45 AM   #11
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by minirips2 View Post
Sorry to hear about your accident, Esteban. Maybe one day I will give up on manuals, but I learned to drive in one many moons ago, and I've always had a manual in the garage to keep my skills sharp, and deliver the satisfaction that comes from a series of well executed heel and toe downshifts. Flicking a paddle isn't the same, because there's no challenge to it. For several years, I commuted in a 2009 Prius, and it was not fun. The only joy there was in looking at the mileage readout, and marveling at how little gas I was using. The CVT in that car was nasty, but I get that it's the best way to incorporate hybrid power. I told my friends that a Prius is like an appliance that gets you places. The general move to CVTs in the industry is depressing.
As to zx10guy's comment about clutchless shift assistance, at least you have the option to shift like any other bike, so you can have your cake and eat it, too.
At least with Toyota and their CVTs, there's some confidence that they'll be reliable. Look at the nightmare Nissan owners are going through...let alone anyone that uses a Jatco CVT.

With the clutchless shifting I mentioned of the RR, it's really really good. It's not an automatic and can't be viewed that way compared to a DCT. You still have to manually change gears. But with how refined the system is from BMW, it's just a dream to use. You don't have to be hard on the gas to upshift. As long as you apply some throttle, you can click the trans up to the next gear. Same applies to down shifting. Get off the throttle completely, and then push down on the shifter. Bam into the next lower gear. Syncing of the rear wheel speed with engine RPMs isn't much of a concern either with the slipper clutch.

With how fast the system works in changing gears without a clutch, I don't know why anyone would ever touch the clutch lever.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2019, 10:35 AM   #12
HyeWarrior
Major
747
Rep
1,117
Posts

Drives: 2012 135i DCT
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: San Dimas, CA

iTrader: (1)

I regret getting a DCT too.

At the time I was commuting 80+ miles a day in stop and go traffic in a manual GTI, so I thought DCT would've been a good idea. 3 months after getting the 135i, I ended up switching job sites to one that was 5 miles away, and now my grad program is only 3 miles away lol. Oh well.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2019, 11:19 AM   #13
blue135
Captain
327
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Convertible
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (1)

Went nearly 12 years w/o a manual. So glad I have one now.
Had knee replacement along the way and used getting back into the E88 as rehab motivation. Worked for me.

Drove a combine in the 70's that had a 'CVT'. Worked great in the field, not so great on the road.

Last edited by blue135; 05-15-2019 at 11:20 AM.. Reason: add line
Appreciate 4
Esteban42251.50
gjm1202181.50
      05-15-2019, 01:02 PM   #14
Thunderguts
Captain
Thunderguts's Avatar
772
Rep
992
Posts

Drives: 2009 128i Sport MT
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

I would really miss life without a manual. I've never owned anything but manual cars and plan to drive at least one until I'm dead. I have one of the few 92 Explorer 4X4s that came with a manual and that clutch is a beast. It's gotten to the point where it makes my knee sore after a day of driving it. Fortunately everything else I drive has a much lighter clutch.

The wife recently bought a Civic Sport with a CVT and for leisurely driving it's tolerable. It's awful if you accelerate hard and there is an extremely frustrating delay when you lift off throttle and apply gas again. It's only saving grace is "Sport" mode where you can select 7 simulated gears.

I hate CVTs!
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 02:12 PM   #15
low135
Banned
2209
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: E88 135i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Clearwater

iTrader: (0)

I felt this until I tuned my 6AT. Not sure what options (if any) there are for DCT cars but it really changed the whole driving behavior for me. I miss manual but I'm not mad/upset that I got 6AT now. Stage 3 XHP tune a couple months after picking up my car and I've never go back to stock tune
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 03:01 PM   #16
The Wind Breezes
Lieutenant Colonel
912
Rep
1,850
Posts

Drives: 135i N55 DCT
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Drive faster and you won't miss it.
Appreciate 1
zx10guy5139.00
      05-15-2019, 03:07 PM   #17
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

I commuted with a MT in pretty heavy traffic for 20+ years. Still have that car so I get to shift when I want. Got the E82 in AT for a couple of reasons. One - it met all my other criteria. Another reason is similar to Esteban (much less severe an incident) but made the clutch difficult to deal with all the same. Plus I got older and lazier.

Have to add the MT with paddles isn't too bad as it will hold a gear in sport mode for cornering.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB

Last edited by gjm120; 05-15-2019 at 03:08 PM.. Reason: add comment
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 03:30 PM   #18
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes View Post
Drive faster and you won't miss it.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2019, 04:48 PM   #19
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10512
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Esteban Have you ever thought about buying a manual car and then have a hand controlled operated clutch ? There are many companies out there that convert cars to hand controls.

Dackel
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 05:01 PM   #20
KRAMCLASSIC
Private First Class
Philippines
46
Rep
192
Posts

Drives: 2012 135I 6MT AW/RED
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
As the title says, I miss driving a manual transmission. I like my DCT, but definitely not as engaging or rewarding as a manual. As I've mentioned many times here, I had an accident in 2008, and no more clutch for me. Took a fall in Mt. Baldy and severely broke my left ankle. My car was a manual 2006 Mustang GT with a 475HP supercharged engine.

Have been watching videos of the 1M, M2 and M2C, Honda S2000, and the Mark lV Supra, and they remind me of how much I truly miss a manual transmission. Recently tried a VW GTI with a manual and it did not work (at all) for me. Tough for a car enthusiast who grew up on manuals. Oh well, it could be worse, at least I get to keep driving.
Was that Mt. Baldy of the 210 near Rancho Cucamonga? Sounds tough Esteban...It's funny some days I wish I had DCT just for launches and not having to worry about missing a shift or over revving, and LA Traffic of course, but I usually forget about that as soon as the roads open up
__________________
12 135i: DINAN S3, ARM 7" FMIC, MADDAD MIDPIPES, REMUS EXHAUST, INJEN INTAKE, ARM CP
Appreciate 1
Esteban42251.50
      05-15-2019, 05:32 PM   #21
elitesales305
shmo
elitesales305's Avatar
United_States
383
Rep
1,026
Posts

Drives: honda
Join Date: May 2017
Location: no where

iTrader: (0)

And this is why i bought the manual is..
__________________
No sig
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2019, 05:57 PM   #22
Esteban
Major General
Esteban's Avatar
United_States
42252
Rep
7,224
Posts

Drives: a slow car fast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Esteban Have you ever thought about buying a manual car and then have a hand controlled operated clutch ? There are many companies out there that convert cars to hand controls.

Dackel
Had not thought about that, Dack. Reminds me of the movie "Coming Home," where Jon Voight is a paraplegic and if I remember correctly drives a Mustang that has been converted from a conventional manual to all hand controls.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KRAMCLASSIC View Post
Was that Mt. Baldy of the 210 near Rancho Cucamonga?
Yes it is. I enter above Upland.
__________________
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10512.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:28 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST