Manual, yes or no?

So will the X1, let alone the new X3, be offered with manuals?

I certainly hope it will be offerred with a manual! If not then I will not even consider it. The only reason my wife bought her X3 was because it is offerred with a manual. Otherwise she would probably have bought something else.

Unlikely, based on the fact that the xDrive28i is only paired with an automatic in Europe.

I would say its certainly possible.

Was an X3 3.0i offered in Europe with a manual?, it wasnt in many other markets, but in the USA it was. Which I find quite bizarre given the preference for auto in this countr. Most other countries you wouldnt even consider asking whether a manual 6cylinder or V8 in any body style was available with a manual. Here almost every model is available with manual. But dont even ask for a 4cylinder or a diesel, or an individual package, or a wider color option, or lemon interior......

Originally Posted by dwulffusa

I would say its certainly possible.

Was an X3 3.0i offered in Europe with a manual?, it wasnt in many other markets, but in the USA it was. Which I find quite bizarre given the preference for auto in this countr. Most other countries you wouldnt even consider asking whether a manual 6cylinder or V8 in any body style was available with a manual. Here almost every model is available with manual. But dont even ask for a 4cylinder or a diesel, or an individual package, or a wider color option, or lemon interior......

The X3 3.0si has been and continues to be offered with the standard 6MT in Germany. The automatic gearbox is a €2100 option.

The X3 3.0sd on the other hand is automatic only, as with any other BMW equipped with the N57 motor.

I really hope bmw offers a manual, but i'm begining to doubt it

It better have manual with all of these auto failures. But I recall them saying they won't do it THAT much anymore because they are phasing out that transmission.

Eh the E90 is on its way anyway. I guess I could wait 15 years and retrofit a manual.

Well, if it doesn't have a manual, then what's the point? The Tiguan, Q5, etc. are all serious competition. The manual is the key thing that would get me to spring the extra money for the BMW.

You've heard the marketing line, "All-wheel drive. It's what makes a Subaru a Subaru"? Well, I keep thinking "6-spd manual. It's what makes a BMW a BMW"

No Manual, no new BMW for me.

Cheers

They have a manual in the 2.0d model! I highly doubt though that they will bring it over here

X1 with 6 speed and cloth seats, like in the picture above - my wishful dream!

I am amazed how much companies like Apple have changed my expectations of new-product roll outs. The last time I bought a computer, the new model was announced on a Tuesday at 10am and I purchased it that same day at 3pm. It was delivered ~1 week later.
The auto industry has this amazing latency built in. We all know the X1 is coming. We've seen films, photos from every conceivable angle, some European press reviews, etc. But we still don't know exactly when it will be available in the US or the basic drivetrain options that will be offered -- even months later.
I'm not bashing BMW, since all auto makers have this problem. But it is amazing how much my expectations have changed in the last 5 years or so.

-James
Seattle, WA

This is what I've been waiting for!

I certainly hope it will be offerred with a manual! If not then I will not even consider it.

"6-spd manual. It's what makes a BMW a BMW"

With U guys here!

Doesn't make a difference how BMW outfits vehicles for the Euro market. BMW NA decides how our cars should be equipped and the options that we can select.

FYI, the F25 will have a 6 sp manual as an option.

Originally Posted by 87bimmerguy

FYI, the F25 will have a 6 sp manual as an option.

Says who? The Product Planning Bulletin on the F25 forum says otherwise; 8AT only according to that.

http://www.bimmerfile.com/section/f25-x3/

Looks like it might be time for a trade-in....

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Says who? The Product Planning Bulletin on the F25 forum says otherwise; 8AT only according to that.

I don't have any documentation, but I work on the line where we are making the F25 and one of the high-up managers told us they were including a 6 sp option. Also a US diesel.



Edit: Now that I think about it, I did see some black shift boots on a shelf near the engine/transmission line when I walked by the other day...

Originally Posted by 87bimmerguy

I don't have any documentation, but I work on the line where we are making the F25 and one of the high-up managers told us they were including a 6 sp option. Also a US diesel.



Edit: Now that I think about it, I did see some black shift boots on a shelf near the engine/transmission line when I walked by the other day...

I know other markets will receive the xDrive20d with the 6MT, perhaps you saw models for export. I would be very shocked and it would be very un-BMW NA-like to offer a diesel manual X3 for the North American market. See this thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=472089

(This thread is getting a bit off-topic)

Adding my two cents in case BMW NA reads the forum; I've owned X3's with manual since 2004 -- on my second -- and I'll also stop being a BMW owner if I can't renew my lease in 2012 on an X1 6-speed. Disappointed they're making the X3 larger, so it's X1 or nothing in my case, and no way will I drive automatic.
>>Brent

Come on, can't be serious about giving up BMW's Brent! Not much else worth driving...Hear ya though and that's why I'll keep my 2 beemers. The company is following the $$ which is more about Latte's, cell phones and impressing the neighbors. Need that right hand for something other than a stick. If BMW stops making them all together, there is something really wrong and I can't see it happen with all models.
My X3 is a 2007 which seems smaller than the early models. Why would they go bigger? Buy an X5 if you want bigger! An X1, 3 door 6-speed was my choice till some idiot decided this country wasn't interested in hatch-backs. I see them everywhere! Good luck on the lease. Let me know what happens.

Phasing out the stick? Seriously?

Saw my first Mini Countryman All4 here in London yesterday. I was impressed. I imagine it'll do really well with the young, urban crowd that wants something more fuel efficient, easy to parallel park, and yet has all-wheel drive and a little bit of ground clearance. Oh, and it does have a manual!
I saw several X1 here in London too. The X1 is a much better looking car than the Countryman, and it's a great size as well. Visually, it seems significantly smaller than the outgoing X3, but most of that may be in height rather than length or width. While the new X3 would seat 5 comfortably, the X1 looks like it would only seat 4 comfortably. As I've said before, the X1 is the obvious next car for me -- if it comes with a manual. Otherwise I'll have to check out other options including, but not limited to the Countryman.

-James
Seattle, WA (currently in London, England)

Heard at the Chicago Auto Show there's no hope for an X1 and manual for 2011 or beyond. Test drove a Mini Countryman yesterday, and liked everything about it except for its low clearance/seating relative to my X3, but I'd rather give that up rather than AWD, a decent stick (albeit a quirky retro shifter knob) and BMW quality.
>>Brent