Why no MT in US?

gator4life108 · 10-09-2012, 06:46 AM

I've always been a fan of the manual transmission. Nowadays it seems harder and harder to find SUVs with a manual transmission. I feel more connected to the vehicle and it makes the driving experience more enjoyable.

Why does Europe and the UK get the option of a manual transmission and the US does not?

clivem2 · 10-09-2012, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator4life108

I've always been a fan of the manual transmission. Nowadays it seems harder and harder to find SUVs with a manual transmission. I feel more connected to the vehicle and it makes the driving experience more enjoyable.

Why does Europe and the UK get the option of a manual transmission and the US does not?

Do you also want the 2.0 diesel engine that goes with the MT option?

But you're in Spain aren't you? The US don't get the 2.0 diesel....

gator4life108 · 10-09-2012, 07:23 AM

I'm just stationed in Spain, but I ordered through the Pentagon Car Sales which is for DOD members. So I have a US Spec on the way.

I do see your point and I would not want that engine.

gareth3685 · 10-09-2012, 11:14 AM

I suspect the reason is because BMW USA don't believe there is sufficient demand to make it worthwhile.

Nahoa · 10-09-2012, 05:13 PM

And the reality is, while you might enjoy the manual transmission and be very good at using it, most US drivers' performance with a MT transmission is far below what a modern automatic transmission can produce both from a performance and an efficiency/emissions perspective. The poor driver training in the US results in poor performance with a manual transmission (generally, not exclusively) and also relatively fewer people seeking them.

greg2step · 10-09-2012, 05:44 PM

I used to have a coworker at a prior job who's father was in the car rental business on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. they used to have 2 fleets - Automatic for North American tourists, and standard shift for European tourists.

lack of manual in the US goes far beyond BMW. part of me thinks its too bad that manuals are rare in many car lines, and part of me thinks traffic sucks so much that i don't care anymore. only thing that is odd, the E83 X3 had a stick option, F25 does not in the US.

10-09-2012, 06:46 AM	#1
gator4life108 Enlisted Member 7 Rep 38 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Why no MT in US? I've always been a fan of the manual transmission. Nowadays it seems harder and harder to find SUVs with a manual transmission. I feel more connected to the vehicle and it makes the driving experience more enjoyable. Why does Europe and the UK get the option of a manual transmission and the US does not?
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10-09-2012, 07:23 AM	#3
gator4life108 Enlisted Member 7 Rep 38 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I'm just stationed in Spain, but I ordered through the Pentagon Car Sales which is for DOD members. So I have a US Spec on the way. I do see your point and I would not want that engine.
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10-09-2012, 11:14 AM	#4
gareth3685 Private First Class 13 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2.0D Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I suspect the reason is because BMW USA don't believe there is sufficient demand to make it worthwhile.
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10-09-2012, 05:13 PM	#5
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	And the reality is, while you might enjoy the manual transmission and be very good at using it, most US drivers' performance with a MT transmission is far below what a modern automatic transmission can produce both from a performance and an efficiency/emissions perspective. The poor driver training in the US results in poor performance with a manual transmission (generally, not exclusively) and also relatively fewer people seeking them. __________________
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10-09-2012, 05:44 PM	#6
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver 212 Rep 785 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i (G01) [0.00]	I used to have a coworker at a prior job who's father was in the car rental business on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. they used to have 2 fleets - Automatic for North American tourists, and standard shift for European tourists. lack of manual in the US goes far beyond BMW. part of me thinks its too bad that manuals are rare in many car lines, and part of me thinks traffic sucks so much that i don't care anymore. only thing that is odd, the E83 X3 had a stick option, F25 does not in the US. __________________ 2018 X3 M40i G01 \| Phytonic Blue \| Mocha \| Premium+Exec \| Driver Assist \| Adaptive M Suspension 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in] 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
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