[BMW DIY Guy]

Summer has been gorgeous and no better way to celebrate that then taking out the new G82 M4 in a manual transmission!

Sadly we are very likely getting closer to the day when the manual transmission is finally gone, but not in this case!

I got an opportunity for a walk around and test drive of the new G82 M4 in a 6MT, and it was worth it! Pack every single piece of possible technology into my car, but I still want that manual gear shift thanks!

[NightWriter]

Good review, thanks. And certainly tempers some other recent concerns about the quality of the 6MT experience.

Are any dealers actually allowing test drives? The handful I've contacted (in the Baltimore/DC area at least) barely have any inventory, and are not allowing them. Hopefully that'll ease up as inventory builds up (and demand softens) over time...

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

Good review, thanks. And certainly tempers some other recent concerns about the quality of the 6MT experience.

Are any dealers actually allowing test drives? The handful I've contacted (in the Baltimore/DC area at least) barely have any inventory, and are not allowing them. Hopefully that'll ease up as inventory builds up (and demand softens) over time...

Well here in Seattle at least, it isn't an issue for a test drive. I am a huge fan of BMW Seattle, and see tests going out all the time. Super bummer if your local folks are not allowing it.. that would be a huge problem for me if I was trying to buy one.

[naywa01]

Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy

Well here in Seattle at least, it isn't an issue for a test drive. I am a huge fan of BMW Seattle, and see tests going out all the time. Super bummer if your local folks are not allowing it.. that would be a huge problem for me if I was trying to buy one.

Here in the UK I've had multiple emails from my local dealer and BMW UK encouraging me to book a drive. I actually haven't tried to book a test drive (yet) as I'm waiting until closer the time I'll actually be swapping - so I don't get too fixated on the new one!!

However I certainly wouldn't consider buying any car 'blind', let alone spending that much money...

[NightWriter]

Yeah, I have zero intention of buying until I've had a chance to drive and sample. But I also understand dealers with strong sales and very limited allocations not wanting to put miles on their precious inventory. But I'm also not ready to pull the trigger yet anyway, so I won't be pushing it until next Spring.

[LuvMyE92]

I couldn't find any cars in my area in stock, much less one to test drive. I took a leap of faith and bought it based on a friend's recommendation, and it's been a great move for me. The car I bought, out of dealer stock, had no miles on it, no test drives, so that was a plus for me. So there is a side to both sides of the argument.

I did a poll here, and about 50% of G8x buyers bought their car without a test drive. Of the two that were unhappy with their purchase (buyer's remorse) both had test driven the car first.

I didn't watch the whole video (who has the time?) but I'm glad to see that not everyone is bashing the manual. It's not perfect, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd go for three pedals a second time.

[MTM3]

Can’t freaking wait

[nearwater4me]

Thanks for sharing the drive experience.
I really liked how you were respectful of the break-in period and the future owner of that car.
I’m with you on the MT. No matter how superior the ATs are, I’ll keep buying the manual until it’s discontinued.

[JMU_BMW]

How does this M4 still have wireless charging? Is it an older G82 or something?

[james550imanual]

I'm coming from a '13 550i manual and loved every bit of it. Pretty sure the m3 will be leaps and bounds better…just ordered one sight unseen.

Hell I'll take an average-feel manual over automatic every day 😂

[Circa77]

Folks were doomsaying this shifter but it is, in fact, real good.

The clutch engagement, not so much. The pedal is perfectly fine, but I feel like I'm constantly waiting for the clutch to grab. Not sure if that's because my last car's clutch was so much heavier and grabby or if it really is as soft as it is seeming. The clutch engagement reminds me of like a 90s manual nissan. I'm hoping removing the CDV helps.

[Jproos]

Originally Posted by Circa77

Folks were doomsaying this shifter but it is, in fact, real good.

The clutch engagement, not so much. The pedal is perfectly fine, but I feel like I'm constantly waiting for the clutch to grab. Not sure if that's because my last car's clutch was so much heavier and grabby or if it really is as soft as it is seeming. The clutch engagement reminds me of like a 90s manual nissan. I'm hoping removing the CDV helps.

My experience is you and the clutch eventually meet in the middle after a few thousand miles

[av.7447]

Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy

Summer has been gorgeous and no better way to celebrate that then taking out the new G82 M4 in a manual transmission!

Sadly we are very likely getting closer to the day when the manual transmission is finally gone, but not in this case!

I got an opportunity for a walk around and test drive of the new G82 M4 in a 6MT, and it was worth it! Pack every single piece of possible technology into my car, but I still want that manual gear shift thanks!

LOL, “the shifting is precise and clean, gear engagement is perfect!” Seriously? Sounds like you either got paid for marketing or completely clueless about what is a precise manual gearbox!

Guys, don’t listen to this dude… if anything, go test drive that car yourself! If I did, I would have never bought a manual M4… read my review of this transmission which perfectly summarizes what that is…

[MadMoose]

I like the manual transmission in my G80. Way more enjoyable to daily drive than the one in my GT350. The rev matching is a great thing to have

[Indo Rider]

Originally Posted by Circa77

Folks were doomsaying this shifter but it is, in fact, real good.

The clutch engagement, not so much. The pedal is perfectly fine, but I feel like I'm constantly waiting for the clutch to grab. Not sure if that's because my last car's clutch was so much heavier and grabby or if it really is as soft as it is seeming. The clutch engagement reminds me of like a 90s manual nissan. I'm hoping removing the CDV helps.

Yes. Really hoping what you describe can be improved by removing the CDV. Removing it was night and day difference on my 135. Need some people that actually have their G8x already to hurry up and do it and report on how much it helps! Learning to live with it doesn't sound good at all to me, not after knowing how much removing the CDV helped on my last BMW.

[Circa77]

Originally Posted by Indo Rider

Yes. Really hoping what you describe can be improved by removing the CDV. Removing it was night and day difference on my 135. Need some people that actually have their G8x already to hurry up and do it and report on how much it helps! Learning to live with it doesn't sound good at all to me, not after knowing how much removing the CDV helped on my last BMW.

I mean I make it sound a billion times worse than it actually is, because on the internet you couch everything in superlatives. The clutch is serviceable and "fine" but by contrast it just seems awfully less good than everything else about the car.

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by JMU_BMW

How does this M4 still have wireless charging? Is it an older G82 or something?

An older G82? I am confused..

[JMU_BMW]

Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy

An older G82? I am confused..

The G8x's originally had the wireless charging when they were first released, but then they quickly removed that option to help deal with the chip shortages. All of the G8x's produced since this summer have been without the wireless charging. I just find it hard to believe that this M4 was one of those earlier produced G82s and has been sitting on the dealership lot for months without selling.

[av.7447]

Originally Posted by JMU_BMW

The G8x's originally had the wireless charging when they were first released, but then they quickly removed that option to help deal with the chip shortages. All of the G8x's produced since this summer have been without the wireless charging. I just find it hard to believe that this M4 was one of those earlier produced G82s and has been sitting on the dealership lot for months without selling.

Kinda proves the point of this video being a marketing campaign for that exact car… 😅
My G82 has wireless charging and most of the 2021 models produced before June!

[nearwater4me]

Originally Posted by av.7447

LOL, “the shifting is precise and clean, gear engagement is perfect!” Seriously? Sounds like you either got paid for marketing or completely clueless about what is a precise manual gearbox!

Guys, don’t listen to this dude… if anything, go test drive that car yourself! If I did, I would have never bought a manual M4… read my review of this transmission which perfectly summarizes what that is…

Not everyone prefers the knife-like precision in the shifters.
I, for one, preferred the smoother shifter in the MK4 VW R32 (call it rubbery if you will) over the crunchy RSX-S.
And yes, I like the BMW shifters more than the any shifters paired with Tremec transmissions.
Notchy shifters aren't exactly my cup of tea. I like shifters that just glide into gears, which best describes the BMW's.

[DoubleDave]

I ordered a manual M3 (should finally get here any day now). I test drove one first and it’s not at all the best shifter I’ve ever driven but it’s not the worst either.

Anyone who thinks they want one should definitely drive it first. For me, it was a joy to get back into a manual after about 8 years in automatics…it was like seeing an old friend again.

[av.7447]

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

Not everyone prefers the knife-like precision in the shifters.
I, for one, preferred the smoother shifter in the MK4 VW R32 (call it rubbery if you will) over the crunchy RSX-S.
And yes, I like the BMW shifters more than the any shifters paired with Tremec transmissions.
Notchy shifters aren't exactly my cup of tea. I like shifters that just glide into gears, which best describes the BMW's.

I understand exactly what you mean and I understand that some people would prefer the rubbery BMW shifter over something like a Tremec or a type R manual, but my argument is that a G80 is not a luxury car but an all out performance car and that a usual bmw manual getrag unit, the way it’s setup does not belong on that kind of vehicle! It’s same thing as arguing about some people prefer luxury soft suspension over the sporty firm one… c’mon man! (Biden voice), this is an M3! 😅