[SunnyD]

Need to have one manual in the stable, and it's currently a merc 190E 2.3-16 with the dogleg 5spd

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Need to have one manual in the stable, and it's currently a merc 190E 2.3-16 with the dogleg 5spd

Awesome! I'm a sucker for the 190E 2.3-16, such an excellent chassis on those cars.

[TKDbilly]

My first 6 cars were English sports cars that I restored, all of which were manual. I currently have a Z3 manual and a G01 auto. They both have their place yet I find the control of a manual transmission much more exhilarating, particularly if you go to a high performance driving school and fine-tune your shifting approach.

[mikado463]

Originally Posted by Rocket455

Nice. M21 here as well ('72 Firebird).

I'm done having a manual as a daily...just too lazy and can't be bothered any more. Automatics have come a really long way though; there was a time when they sucked the joy out of the entire driving experience, but new tech has helped fix that to a truly unprecedented degree IMO. I love the different drive modes that completely alter transmission behavior. Just a few years ago, if I were to experience the savagery of my M340i in Sport + vs how benign Comfort mode is blindfolded, I'd swear I was in 2 completely different cars.

Very nice Rocket, one of my favorites from the 70's , and there weren't many, is the '72 T/A, 455 SD, blue with white stripe.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Robotechnology

Another thing. There is a difference between a great Dual Clutch set up and a conventional auto. After living with them for some time, I now think of the Dual Clutch as a manual. NEVER will I think of a conventional auto as a manual.

Have you driven the F90 comp? I really think I might prefer that transmission to DCT. I found there is very little between DCT and the very best autos now. The big gap is manual to any type of auto.

[Humdizzle]

the auto vs dct gap is closing. but there is still a gap. porsche, ferrari, mclaren continue to develop the DCT trans for their cars instead of jumping to auto.

[Alfisti]

In the GTA, honestly what is the point of a manual? Roads a so numb you barely need to change gear after you leave the driveway.

[alihustle]

Automatic for the win!

[TSM330i]

I technically have three manual cars (991.2 C2, 2015 GTI and Z4 racecar).

I do not like driving an automatic at all, much less so a sports car with a flappy paddle gearbox. It takes a lot of the fun away for me.

Your question: Should you buy a 2012 V10 R8 with a manual, even though it costs the same as a 2017/18 R8?
The easy answer for this is yes! There is a reason why the manual car is getting a premium. It always will because they simply cannot be had anymore.
Your 2017/18 will not be unique, except for the fact that it's an R8. When you look to move on from the car, there will be plenty of '17 or '18's available to compete with yours.
Now, the 2012 with the manual transmission will be a whole other story.

Plus, the driver involvement of the manual V10 R8 will be intoxicating. It will be full-on driver immersion in fun.

It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned. Go for the manual car. You won't regret it. The 2012 is a really stoudt car and will last a long time. They got a lot of the bugs out of the cars by that time.

[Robotechnology]

Originally Posted by chris719

Have you driven the F90 comp? I really think I might prefer that transmission to DCT. I found there is very little between DCT and the very best autos now. The big gap is manual to any type of auto.

No desire. My only 3 brand new cars were M cars. I will NOT pay the M premium for a vehicle that has the same transmission technology as regular non M models. Price goes up and technology goes down... no thank you. Next stop Porsche. I have an original year Boxster that was great. I will still keep my Z4 M Coupe and my F80.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Robotechnology

No desire. My only 3 brand new cars were M cars. I will NOT pay the M premium for a vehicle that has the same transmission technology as regular non M models. Price goes up and technology goes down... no thank you. Next stop Porsche. I have an original year Boxster that was great. I will still keep my Z4 M Coupe and my F80.

That’s great, but let’s not pretend that DCT isn’t an auto. Since you’ve never driven both the new ZF M auto and DCT, I’m not sure why anyone should care. The difference was not very large.

[Drtsk]

Currently, three manuals and three automatic
2015 991.1 C4 GTS
2016 GT4
2018 M2
2018 VW GTI
2019 G29 Z4 3.0
2021 Hyundai Sonata N-line
The first photo is 2013 335is. Accidentally uploaded the wrong photo.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by chris719

That’s great, but let’s not pretend that DCT isn’t an auto. Since you’ve never driven both the new ZF M auto and DCT, I’m not sure why anyone should care. The difference was not very large.

good read from F90 post :

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1553454

My experience is about the same. The ZF8 really just isn't as sharp, especially on downshifts at high rpms when braking into corner. Its a much more refined experience though... not as clunky and you dont feel any clutches slipping during 2-3mph stuff. For an M5 the auto is good though, its more of a cruiser / stoplight car than sports car anyway.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

good read from F90 post :

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1553454

My experience is about the same. The ZF8 really just isn't as sharp, especially on downshifts at high rpms when braking into corner. Its a much more refined experience though... not as clunky and you dont feel any clutches slipping during 2-3mph stuff. For an M5 the auto is good though, its more of a cruiser / stoplight car than sports car anyway.

I read the entire thread, I'm aware it's not exactly the same. Not everyone seems to agree that it's a downgrade, though.

[Vivek.]

E30-5MT
E39-6MT
E92-7DCT

So short answer is yes my full stable is MT. To light another fire, the SMG E46 in the garage is also a manual. I've never understood the argument that it's an 'automatic' when the actual transmission is the exact same unit as the manual...to present the inverse: if you can shift an automatic, no one says it's a manual.

[eluded]

All mine are manuals. Four of them. First non-manual will be the Tesla