Will BMW M Stick to Manuals, or Are They Gone for Good?

The concrete answer is that while BMW M will continue to offer manuals in the short term, the writing is on the wall for their eventual demise.

The company has committed to keeping the six-speed manual transmission alive as long as there is enough demand, and currently, that demand is just sufficient to make it financially viable.

Models like the M2, M3, and M4 still offer a manual option, and the upcoming Z4 M40i will also feature a three-pedal setup.

However, BMW has also made it clear that all future M models will be electrified, which effectively means that manuals are living on borrowed time.

Industry experts predict that manuals will likely disappear from the lineup within the next 5-6 years, as hybrid and electric drivetrains become the norm.

Manuals Are Still Here – For Now

The good news for purists is that manual transmissions are not dead at BMW M—at least not yet.

In fact, BMW has confirmed that they will continue to offer manual gearboxes as long as there’s a demand for them. The current lineup still features some manual options, and there’s more on the way.

Current Manual Offerings

Presently, BMW’s M division offers stick shift on the following models:

But that’s not all. BMW has announced that the Z4 M40i will also receive a manual transmission later this year, making it an enticing proposition for those who crave open-top driving pleasure combined with manual control. This move signals that BMW still sees value in offering a three-pedal setup, at least in select models.

Why Manuals Are Still Alive

Despite the growing dominance of automatic and electrified drivetrains, manual transmissions at BMW M are far from obsolete—for now.

In a recent interview with Top Gear Magazine, a BMW spokesperson made it clear that the brand has no intention of discontinuing manual gearboxes anytime soon. This decision isn’t just rooted in nostalgia; it’s a strategic response to strong and consistent customer demand.

According to BMW, a significant number of enthusiasts still prefer the do-it-yourself gearbox, making it financially viable for the M division to continue offering the six-speed manual transmission (6MT).

The company acknowledges that the appeal of a manual isn’t just about performance—it’s about preserving the essence of the driving experience. As the spokesperson put it,

“Definitely enough to continue to offer the manual gearbox. We owe it to ourselves and of course to our fans all around the world.”

This commitment to the manual transmission is not just lip service; the sales numbers back it up. BMW’s internal data shows a surprising and substantial demand for manual models, especially in key markets like the United States.

Demand Keeps the Manual Alive

BMW M Wants to Keep Manual Gearbox Alive As Demand Is Still There

Over half of G87 M2’s sold in the United States last year were equipped with a clutch pedal.

Read more: https://t.co/7K1skR50Y3 pic.twitter.com/qW4vldirPd

— Zero2Turbo (@Zero2Turbo) January 15, 2024

The numbers tell a compelling story that justifies keeping manuals on the roster. Take the M2 G87, for example—more than 50% of units sold in the United States last year were equipped with a clutch pedal.

This statistic is particularly telling, given that the U.S. market is often perceived as automatic-friendly. The reality is that hardcore BMW M enthusiasts still deeply value the tactile engagement that only a manual can provide.

On a global scale, around 20% of all BMW M cars come with a manual transmission, demonstrating that the appeal of three pedals transcends borders. Even among the more powerful and luxury-oriented models, manuals continue to hold their ground.

About 15-20% of M3s and M4s sold worldwide are equipped with a manual gearbox, proving that there’s still a significant portion of the market that prioritizes driving involvement over convenience according to Top Gear.

These figures clearly illustrate that a substantial number of BMW M customers are not ready to give up on manuals just yet. For them, having a manual transmission is not merely a feature—it’s a core element of the M driving philosophy.

Whether it’s the thrill of shifting through gears on a winding road or the satisfaction of mastering heel-and-toe downshifts, the manual gearbox remains a symbol of unfiltered driving engagement.

The Inevitable Demise of Manuals

Despite the reassuring words from BMW, the reality is that manuals are living on borrowed time. The shift toward electrification and hybridization means that manuals are gradually being phased out.

BMW M has pledged to electrify all of its future models, which inevitably means moving away from traditional gear-shifting methods.

Electrification Is the Future

Electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains simply don’t work well with manual gearboxes. Unlike combustion engines that benefit from gear selection, electric motors deliver power instantly and continuously. This makes manual transmissions obsolete in the context of electric propulsion.

BMW’s plan to gradually transition to electric M cars over the next decade means that the manual gearbox will soon become a relic of the past. Industry insiders predict that the six-speed manual will likely disappear within the next 5-6 years. This means that if you’re in the market for a new manual M car, now might be your last chance.

The Upcoming Lineup: Mixed Emotions

For those holding out hope, the standard M2, M3, and M4 are expected to retain the manual transmission until the end of their production cycles.

However, once those cycles conclude, the manual era at BMW M will almost certainly be over.

End Dates for Manual M Models

Next Generation BMW M3 (G84) Production Will Begin July 2028 https://t.co/8awf7YH0P2

— BIMMERPOST (@bimmerpost) October 25, 2024

While BMW is committed to offering manuals in the short term, production timelines are already hinting at their eventual phase-out:

With these dates in mind, the countdown has already begun. As these cars cycle out, BMW will transition entirely to electrified models that will exclusively use automatic transmissions.