Although more and more manufacturers offer cars with automatic transmissions only, BMW is one of the companies that tries to keep manual transmissions in its range, especially when it comes to M models. Since they could soon be removed from offer, Frank Weber advises you to buy a car with a manual gearbox while they are still on offer.

“They are fun cars, but let’s be honest, there are fewer and fewer of them. And that’s why there’s no point in developing them anymore. If you want a manual transmission, you have to buy it now, before it’s too late,” added Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

His message had an effect. According to official data, in January 50% of BMW M2 cars sold were with manual transmission. At the same time, BMW sold 20% of M3 and M4 models with manual gearbox. Also, at the end of last year, BMW decided to offer the Z4 roadster with a manual transmission, thus joining the Toyota Supra, which offered such an option from the start.

In America, the M division currently only offers M2, M3 and M4 models with an optional six-speed manual transmission. On the other hand, in the UK only the M2 can be ordered with a manual gearbox due to very low demand. “We have customers who drive 25,000-30,000 kilometers a year and don’t want to stand in the city traffic, changing speeds,” added Weber in an interview with the Italian magazine Quattroruote.

BMW currently offers many cars with a manual gearbox, however the increased demand for an automatic gearbox could change this, as in Europe almost 70% of buyers opt for this option.

Source: Quattroruote