Damn, I miss a manual!

[mackeroni]

I learned to drive with a manual transmission and except for brief stints in an Olds 98 Regency and a later Pontiac Grand Prix, I've always had one. I feel for you, Steve. I would sure miss mine if it were gone.

But think about this... Someday, a guy a lot like you will be writing on a forum about how much he misses driving a car with an internal combustion engine. There is a future in which they will no longer exist. Electric cars can be made to accelerate rapidly, but without the sensations of an internal combustion engine providing the propulsion, where is the joy?

Clutch or no clutch, put your right foot into it frequently and savor the sounds and feelings that accompany the brisk acceleration your 135i is capable of providing.

Peace... Mack

[MN.BIMMER]

My 1er is the first manual car I've owned, or even driven.. I still get a tiny bit of nerves when I drive is a lot of traffic, but I haven't killed it since day 5 of ownership and I've fallen in love ripping gears on open stretches. It's a bummer OP won't get to drive stick, but at least he's still behind the wheel, safely!

[apex_prd8r]

Sorry to hear about your condition and that it is keeping you from a simple pleasure you seem to have enjoyed and now miss.

without knowing any specifics of the extent of your injury/debilitation; I'd urge you to investigate resources at local research universities. For example, at my place of employment (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee), we have a biosciences lab that utilizes student research assistants to research and construct 3-D printed prosthetic devices for study participants. see example here:

Depending on the severity of your injury, perhaps a team of students could design and produce some sort of brace that would help you overcome your current physical limitations.

In any event, I hope you are able to find something that provides a similar sense of enjoyment and accomplishment. I know I've considered how sad I will be if I'm ever unable to own and drive a true manual transmission vehicle someday.

[Esteban]

Thanks, but I'm not handicapped, or anything like that. I have limited range of motion and lack the control I need to modulate a clutch properly, plus still get some ankle pain every now and then that I get cortisone injections for. I can walk okay (3 miles almost every night), but I do have a slight limp.

I'm fine. This thread is about venting to my fellow 1ADDICTS. Thanks for listening and I appreciate the posts.

[B777flyboy]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

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.

Our Nissan cvt works same way it sounds. It's maddening. I hate it!

[Stubbie Blue]

I actually have a 2012 Audi A6 with a CVT. I think it works great with the turbocharged 2L 4 cyl engine because it has so much low end torque that I don't even need to rev it over 1600 rpm, so that's where the CVT keeps the revs. It's smooth and quiet for relaxed driving so I use it mainly for long highway drives.

But yeah, I got the itch for something fun to zip around in, so I got a 135i 6MT as a second car. The roads are all straight and flat down here in South Florida so I figured the manual would at least give me something to do. The pedals are great for heel and toe as well.

[c1pher]

One of the reasons we got stick in the 718 was because we missed it so much. And shifting is very easy and smooth. I haven’t even missed a gear in nine months of ownership.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by c1pher

One of the reasons we got stick in the 718 was because we missed it so much. And shifting is very easy and smooth. I haven’t even missed a gear in nine months of ownership.

Thanks, always nice to get your input. 🙃

[JimD]

My first car was a manual (3 speed) 66 mustang. I had never driven a manual when I bought it but I drove it home. I've only had one automatic and it ended up as my wife's car for much of the time we had it.

I also do not care for CVTs, I refer to them as lawn mower transmissions, and will probably never have one. I worry about durability and I don't like their feel if you want some responsiveness.

I may buy an automatic when I replace my e88. It has almost 89K miles now. I am OK driving it to 150K or so if it remains reliable. So it could be another decade or it could be in another month. But my kids want me to get something than can hold the car seats of my grandkids. My e88 will but my daughter doesn't think it will. All the bimmer SAVs are automatics. Hard to find a manual SUV.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Esteban

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.

Good thing the DCT kicks ass!! I still get giddy every time I drive my friends DCT cars

[Esteban]

Yes it does!

Owning a 135i with the DCT is not too shabby.

Not my first choice, but definitely a solid second.

[Gangplank]

I was a manual owner for much of my formative years. I thought I'd always drive them but at some point stop & go traffic gets annoying. The DCT is soooo smooth I've grown to really like it. I think the only reason I'd get a manual again is for a track car.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

I was a manual owner for much of my formative years. I thought I'd always drive them but at some point stop & go traffic gets annoying. The DCT is soooo smooth I've grown to really like it. I think the only reason I'd get a manual again is for a track car.

I used to drive my manual Mustang GT on the 405 freeway in rush hour traffic to visit my daughter who was a student living at UCLA. The 405 is known as one of the most congested places to drive in the United States. Honestly, I hated it at the time, not because of the car, just the freakin traffic, but wouldn't mind it at all now (just to be able to drive that car again). lol

I know it was just a Mustang, but that 5-speed was really nice, plus 475 supercharged ponies and a Magnaflow catback exhaust made that car a lot of fun. If not for my fall, I think I might still have that car today, and I've been known to keep my cars for a while.

That being said, I do like my DCT 135i. Have had it since Oct. 2010 and become pretty attached to it. The DCT shifts super fast. I always drive in manual mode with the sport button pressed. It's a blast, but I miss that driver/car connection that is sort of absent with the DCT. It's too easy. It doesn't take much skill to shift with a paddle. Like I said earlier, was raised on manuals and I'm totally feeling nostalgic for them these days. Guess I need to just get out and drive and enjoy what I have.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Thanks, always nice to get your input. 🙃

Sarcasm?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Sarcasm?

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Not sure what I’ve done to receive disdain but okay.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Not sure what I’ve done to receive disdain but okay.

I think you're taking this a little too seriously, friendo.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I think you're taking this a little too seriously, friendo.

I am crying.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I am crying.

Tissue?

[gjm120]

I spent about 35 hours cooking over hot smoky charcoal fires from this past Thu - Sun. When it came time to drive home Sunday evening I was happy not to have to shift anything!! Probably would have appreciated a self-driving car at that time... well not really.

So a small "1" in the plus column for AT vs MT.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by gjm120

I spent about 35 hours cooking over hot smoky charcoal fires from this past Thu - Sun. When it came time to drive home Sunday evening I was happy not to have to shift anything!! Probably would have appreciated a self-driving car at that time... well not really.

So a small "1" in the plus column for AT vs MT.

I can understand that.

I think because I don't have a manual and couldn't drive one if I did that any and every drive in one would be pleasurable. In reality I guess that may not always be the case. lol

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I can understand that.

I think because I don't have a manual and couldn't drive one if I did that any and every drive in one would be pleasurable. In reality I guess that may not always be the case. lol

Exactly my point. My ideal setup would be to have a 2nd E82 with MT in the garage but that's nuts. If I could snap my fingers and change my car to MT not absolutely sure I'd do it.