Anyone on the forum done the Manual gearbox conversion?

[A-I]

The reasons why companies are moving away from manuals have been stated numerous times. From torque issues, to efficiency, to people just not really buying them.

True, it is understood that those are some of the reasons, yet the likes of Porsche and some others continue to make manuals because people do buy them as they offer something different and suit the needs of different customers.

It's just not worth some companies' time to invest R&D in manual transmissions. More and more companies would rather spend money in other areas such as AI and electrical advancements.

But in reply to this, Toyota could choose to access BMW's 6-speed box to option it on their A90 line up. Not that much R&D to be done I wouldn't have thought, given that the A90 is mostly Z4 chassis and also that BMW offer the Z4 a manual gearbox option already.

They'll probably release the manual either in the 2022 model year or 2023 model year just to keep the lineup fresh. With that said, I feel like only the 4 cylinder version of the Supra will get the manual. But that's just me speculating.

They'd be doing the Supra a disservice if they only decided to put it in the 4-cylinder version.
Fast cars of years gone by have generally had manual gearboxes, the power output of anything up to about around 500bhp is "easily controlled" via a manual box. Not aiming this at you but there is often a misconception that manual gearbox power levels are only "worth it" up to about 300bhp. Any more and that is deemed the realm of the autobox in order to get those all important 0-60 times as low as possible.
but many who buy manual gearbox are not interested in 0-60 as the prime importance factor, and struggle to think of a time where outright 0-60 time is applicable on road driving.

Any way, hope you're right that Toyota will option a manual gearbox.
But will keep an eye out and also interest in if anybody on here does go down the route of the manual box conversion.
Cheers for the replies.

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[Xxyion]

I'm happy its automatic and thats a big part of why i bought it. I also hate BMW manual transmissions.

 

[Octane]

I'm happy its automatic and thats a big part of why i bought it. I also hate BMW manual transmissions.

Curious as to why you hate them? As a previous E90 and F80 owner with manual transmission for both, I found no issues and thought they were quite solid.

 

[Xxyion]

Curious as to why you hate them? As a previous E90 and F80 owner with manual transmission for both, I found no issues and thought they were quite solid.

My M2 Competition is my second MT BMW i've driven extensively. First being an E36 M3.
1st-2nd gear in both for whatever reason could never be done smoothly. Theres always this weird clunk almost like i'm popping the clutch too early. I found i could only make this smooth with more time off the throttle before shifting which meant a slow 1-2 always. Shifting felt rubbery and occasionally i'd get this issue where i'm at a stop and it wont go into first.

Now before you say "maybe you just arent experienced enough", i've been driving MT cars for 20 years. The Supra is only the second AT car i've ever owned in my life. The first being a Lancer which i owned for only 10 months before i bought my BRZ. I've never disliked driving a MT more than when i was in my M2. That car, as good as it is, almost made me hate driving manual, and i was really close to selling my S2000 because i just didnt want to deal with it anymore.

So maybe its less that the BMW transmission itself is bad, and just more i'm too used to JDM transmissions (my entire car history is mainly Hondas and other JDM cars), but i had a bad experience with the F80 M2C and i never want to drive another MT BMW again.

 

[Octane]

My M2 Competition is my second MT BMW i've driven extensively. First being an E36 M3.
1st-2nd gear in both for whatever reason could never be done smoothly. Theres always this weird clunk almost like i'm popping the clutch too early. I found i could only make this smooth with more time off the throttle before shifting which meant a slow 1-2 always. Shifting felt rubbery and occasionally i'd get this issue where i'm at a stop and it wont go into first.

Now before you say "maybe you just arent experienced enough", i've been driving MT cars for 20 years. The Supra is only the second AT car i've ever owned in my life. The first being a Lancer which i owned for only 10 months before i bought my BRZ. I've never disliked driving a MT more than when i was in my M2. That car, as good as it is, almost made me hate driving manual, and i was really close to selling my S2000 because i just didnt want to deal with it anymore.

So maybe its less that the BMW transmission itself is bad, and just more i'm too used to JDM transmissions (my entire car history is mainly Hondas and other JDM cars), but i had a bad experience with the F80 M2C and i never want to drive another MT BMW again.

Ahh okay, thats totally understandable. Before the M4 was warmed up, the shifts from 1-2 could be a little rough at times with the bucking that it had. I learned to just let the car running for a few min before I started driving. I have heard complaints from others on the BMW forums, but I probably just got used to it so it didn't bother me much.

&& I too came from the JDM scene, with the M3/M4 being my first 2 german cars. The 370z had a wonderful manual transmission, the STI had a pretty rough manual. G35 manual was pretty meh.

 

[muckduck]

My M2 Competition is my second MT BMW i've driven extensively. First being an E36 M3.
1st-2nd gear in both for whatever reason could never be done smoothly.

I found the same experience with the m2C 6speed, and I am also experienced with manuals - driven both on street and some track use. All my previous fun cars were manuals (993, 1m, e46, s2k, 981 gts etc etc).

I am still torn on this, but I am starting to realize:
1) modern fast turbo cars are much better in an auto/dct configuration - they are too fast where shifting just upsets the car and the constant pull of these cars is more fun than using modern manuals - see #2
2) Modern manuals aren't that engaging anymore. With auto rev matching, SUPER heavy clutch pedals that don't have any feel (981 gts is an example) make shifting very video game like. Compare to my 993, s2ks - much more engaging and mechanical.
3) Slower cars are fun with a manual
4) Older cars are more fun with a manual
5) NA cars are more fun with a manual, but #3 and #4 trump #5 in terms of priority

That being said, if Toyota came out with a manual, I'd have to go test drive it and see how it feels, but for now, the auto and the supra work well and I was a super big hater before actually spending time in one.

 

[Xxyion]

I found the same experience with the m2C 6speed, and I am also experienced with manuals - driven both on street and some track use. All my previous fun cars were manuals (993, 1m, e46, s2k, 981 gts etc etc).

I am still torn on this, but I am starting to realize:
1) modern fast turbo cars are much better in an auto/dct configuration - they are too fast where shifting just upsets the car and the constant pull of these cars is more fun than using modern manuals - see #2
2) Modern manuals aren't that engaging anymore. With auto rev matching, SUPER heavy clutch pedals that don't have any feel (981 gts is an example) make shifting very video game like. Compare to my 993, s2ks - much more engaging and mechanical.
3) Slower cars are fun with a manual
4) Older cars are more fun with a manual
5) NA cars are more fun with a manual, but #3 and #4 trump #5 in terms of priority

That being said, if Toyota came out with a manual, I'd have to go test drive it and see how it feels, but for now, the auto and the supra work well and I was a super big hater before actually spending time in one.

Exactly my thoughts on modern manual transmissions. Remind me when i went with my friend to test drive the new Civic SI sedan. The clutch felt like you were stomping on air while also having the highest grab point and the entire thing somehow just felt artificial.

My s2k and BRZ were both fun as hell with MT. But as fast as the M2C was, it just wasnt as fun, not by a long shot.

I think companies are trying to intice people to buy a MT, by making it feel like you arent driving a MT. Making the clutch too soft, or rev matching, or enableing the Auto Start/Stop so that you effectively never stall the car. Its gotten to the point where modern MT, in my opinion are less engaging than the ZF or DCT in many other cars. Noone will ever convince me that the new Civic SI MT is as engaging as my S2000. It just isnt. For a car with having 3 pedals, it feels less engaging than a CVT.

 

[diablo2112]

Another reason you're unlikely to see manual transmission in many models is the growth of active safety features. For example, pedestrian collision mitigation basically requires an automatic, as do many other features such as lane keeping. These features are highly regulated in most countries, and require things like not stalling the engine when functional or activated. Hence, they're only available with AT powertrains.

 

[muckduck]

One day they will make a "manual" that's actually just an auto with a "clutch" pedal and shifter that's basically just an iracing rig in your car!

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