Proof there are still some "true" enthusiasts still out there..

JUST KIDDING!!

The fact is that you used to pay extra for an automatic (and you don't any more). And, these new gearboxes like the 8-speed Sport Automatic, my God, simply mind-blowing in blistering shift speeds. Still, there is something to be said for the purisitic 6-speed manual...






This particular one is mated to a 335i. All I can say is wow. Every dealer should have one available for demonstration purposes...

This car was also sold vis-á-vis the European Delivery program. This has proven a great way to overcome the availability shortage of 335i through normal dealer allocation channels...

Photos by me.

She's a beauty!!!

And I agree that every dealer should have a MT demo on its lot (and you should follow up on your own recommendation for BMW of SB! ). I have yet to find a MT F30 available for test drives.

Beautiful 335i Jon. I can't wait to get my 335i 6-MT, just a few days left. Damn I have not been this excited for a car in a very long time.

I got mine, the 6MT is amazing, LOVE IT... I drove both ans went manual. The auto is fast, but the 6-speed is classic...

Absolutely! I knew I wanted the MT, but the dealer had nothing for a test drive. They had me drive a completely different model, used car in an MT to get a feel for it. Something was off in the car I drove, maybe just an adjustment, but the clutch pedal was unusually high. It engaged at the right spot, but I had to hike my foot up to push the pedal. I peppered a friend with questions about hers before ordering. I was a little hesitant committing so much $$ on a leap of faith that I'd like it. Fortunately I made the right choice & love the 6MT!

This is my car. Still getting used to 6th gear and rev matching this setup, but I love it already. Windsor, you won't be disappointed.

You guys already know, but Jon is the man. :-)

Originally Posted by pacman335

This is my car. Still getting used to 6th gear and rev matching this setup, but I love it already. Windsor, you won't be disappointed.

You guys already know, but Jon is the man. :-)

Stop teasing me Pacman ....I simply ready to go nuts not having it. It doesn't help that as of this week i have to ride the Metro since my wife had to give in her company rental, so now we are one car family. This F30 should have been here in September.

Just curious: do you guys notice the clutch delay valve (CDV) in day to day driving? It usually shows up as an odd delay in clutch engagement from time to time. Primarily in 1st/2nd gears.

Correct me if I'm wrong as well, but I believe most manual drivers are finding fuel economy equivalent to their auto counterparts, despite the auto's claim to be a bit superior. Am I wrong about this?

@jon...what percentage of your customers get a stick?

Originally Posted by Jeff Winger

@jon...what percentage of your customers get a stick?

I would assume Jon delivers a higher % of manual cars than most considering his clientele is the enthusiast crowd.

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Just curious: do you guys notice the clutch delay valve (CDV) in day to day driving? It usually shows up as an odd delay in clutch engagement from time to time. Primarily in 1st/2nd gears.

Correct me if I'm wrong as well, but I believe most manual drivers are finding fuel economy equivalent to their auto counterparts, despite the auto's claim to be a bit superior. Am I wrong about this?

My shifts aren't buttery smooth yet, and it's always that I'm late. Keep in mind I've had the car for all of a day, so it's really, really too early to blame it on anything but not being used to the car. The revs fall faster than my last car, and it doesn't rev as high as I expect when I blip the gas for heel/toe and downshifts, so I'll need to adjust to this. I think the clutch engagement is later as well, which might in fact be the CDV. If things aren't better after a month, I'll try to put in a BMS clutch stop and see if that helps. I read a thread before that the F30 doesn't have a CDV (or at least one you can remove).

The computer reported 32mpg on my drive from Santa Barbara to FM yesterday which used a full tank. Half the time in Ecopro freeway at 75-80mph which claimed about 30 miles added, plus a chunk having fun on two lane roads. I wasn't using the Cruise Control much for break in paranoia, and it was over 100F yesterday so there was a lot of AC.

Originally Posted by pacman335

My shifts aren't buttery smooth yet, and it's always that I'm late. Keep in mind I've had the car for all of a day, so it's really, really too early to blame it on anything but not being used to the car. The revs fall faster than my last car, and it doesn't rev as high as I expect when I blip the gas for heel/toe and downshifts, so I'll need to adjust to this. I think the clutch engagement is later as well, which might in fact be the CDV. If things aren't better after a month, I'll try to put in a BMS clutch stop and see if that helps. I read a thread before that the F30 doesn't have a CDV (or at least one you can remove).

The computer reported 32mpg on my drive from Santa Barbara to FM yesterday which used a full tank. Half the time in Ecopro freeway at 75-80mph which claimed about 30 miles added, plus a chunk having fun on two lane roads. I wasn't using the Cruise Control much for break in paranoia, and it was over 100F yesterday so there was a lot of AC.

What was your previous car?

The clutch engagement point has been moved in the recent BMWs (Z4M's comes much sooner than my M3's) and the clutch resistance is definitely lighter too.

I can't comment on the revs, but since the FI engines on the F30 aren't as free rev'ing as the NA counterparts, your experience seems to be spot on.

Originally Posted by windsor027

Stop teasing me Pacman ....I simply ready to go nuts not having it. It doesn't help that as of this week i have to ride the Metro since my wife had to give in her company rental, so now we are one car family. This F30 should have been here in September.

Windsor, I can feel your pain of just One car in the Family. We have gone almost 7 months since we turned in our 335i in late March. We will be finally getting our 335i very soon. It can come soon enough. The positve part was 7 months of no lease payments or gas or insurance. Every time I see a Red BMW I cringe. Hang in there, soon we will have that Silly Ass Grin

Originally Posted by pacman335

My shifts aren't buttery smooth yet, and it's always that I'm late. Keep in mind I've had the car for all of a day, so it's really, really too early to blame it on anything but not being used to the car. The revs fall faster than my last car, and it doesn't rev as high as I expect when I blip the gas for heel/toe and downshifts, so I'll need to adjust to this. I think the clutch engagement is later as well, which might in fact be the CDV. If things aren't better after a month, I'll try to put in a BMS clutch stop and see if that helps. I read a thread before that the F30 doesn't have a CDV (or at least one you can remove).

The computer reported 32mpg on my drive from Santa Barbara to FM yesterday which used a full tank. Half the time in Ecopro freeway at 75-80mph which claimed about 30 miles added, plus a chunk having fun on two lane roads. I wasn't using the Cruise Control much for break in paranoia, and it was over 100F yesterday so there was a lot of AC.

pacman, you have some fun roads near Folsom The roads over the Mountain to Lake Tahoe are beautiful , and so fun to drive. You will have to take some pictures of a cruise around Lake Tahoe, before the First Snow, there are some incredible backdrops for some super Pictures. See you at that fun little Mexican Restrnt in the Middle of Folsom. My friend has a house up in Folsom, and we used it as our base for our annual Golf Week every August.

Neat car. But why did BMW have to offer that red strip. Looks like painters tape.

pacman, your car was a big hit on our Facebook page...



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Originally Posted by enigma

What was your previous car?

The clutch engagement point has been moved in the recent BMWs (Z4M's comes much sooner than my M3's) and the clutch resistance is definitely lighter too.

I can't comment on the revs, but since the FI engines on the F30 aren't as free rev'ing as the NA counterparts, your experience seems to be spot on.

Previous cars was a 05 Focus and 99 Jetta, but I've been on foreign assignment and sold them both 3 years ago. The Ford is especially slow to drop revs due to emissions concerns I think.

Paid more attention today on the drive to work and my shifting is already better. Still figuring out the timing when skip shifting.

Originally Posted by SD330i

pacman, you have some fun roads near Folsom The roads over the Mountain to Lake Tahoe are beautiful , and so fun to drive. You will have to take some pictures of a cruise around Lake Tahoe, before the First Snow, there are some incredible backdrops for some super Pictures. See you at that fun little Mexican Restrnt in the Middle of Folsom. My friend has a house up in Folsom, and we used it as our base for our annual Golf Week every August.

Haha, I had lunch at La Fiesta today actually.

Originally Posted by pacman335

Haha, I had lunch at La Fiesta today actually.

Excellent Mexican Food. I Remember the Margaritas were quite Tasty Too Enjoy you new Bimmer

Originally Posted by pacman335

Haha, I had lunch at La Fiesta today actually.

Pacman, what are options and packages on your new Bimmer ? Line ? Wheels ? Enjoy the 6 MT !! Love to see more Pictures when you get a chance.

Originally Posted by SD330i

Windsor, I can feel your pain of just One car in the Family. We have gone almost 7 months since we turned in our 335i in late March. We will be finally getting our 335i very soon. It can come soon enough. The positve part was 7 months of no lease payments or gas or insurance. Every time I see a Red BMW I cringe. Hang in there, soon we will have that Silly Ass Grin

its an immense pain SD. don't know how people do it man. its times like these that we all have to thank our lucky stars for having so much and living so well.

Originally Posted by SD330i

Pacman, what are options and packages on your new Bimmer ? Line ? Wheels ? Enjoy the 6 MT !! Love to see more Pictures when you get a chance.

6MT, Sport with the standard 18" wheels, dynamic handling/adaptive suspension, aluminum/red highlight, perfomance tires, rear shades, line designation delete. 335i's come with folding mirrors and Xeon's standard as well.

I have tons of pictures from my pickup in Germany here.

Originally Posted by windsor027

its an immense pain SD. don't know how people do it man. its times like these that we all have to thank our lucky stars for having so much and living so well.

Windsor, this is going to be our one and only car for a while - but I bike to work. :-) Even then I think we'll wear down eventually.

Originally Posted by pacman335

Windsor, this is going to be our one and only car for a while - but I bike to work. :-) Even then I think we'll wear down eventually.

I would love to be able to bike to work. its just so hard with two kids, even with the wife working from the house to just have one car. You feel so restricted. Anyway just talked to my CA the car will be here Tuesday. The wait is almost over.

I've got a 335i xDrive 6MT ZDH on the way myself. Stick shift supremacy!