Earlier this week, BMW confirmed the inevitable: the Z4 goes out of manufacturing. The roadster goes down in historical past because the final non-M mannequin to supply a stick shift. Earlier than it drives off into the proverbial sundown, the “G29” in Ultimate Version guise nonetheless affords a clutch pedal in case you step as much as the M40i mannequin in the US. Europeans may get the lesser, four-cylinder Z4 sDrive20i with three pedals. Manufacturing ends in April 2026, leaving solely three fashions with a handbook gearbox.
With the Z4 months away from retirement, the do-it-yourself gearbox turns into unique to M vehicles. The M2 “G87” is now the most cost effective entry level into the row-your-own membership, adopted by the M3 “G80” and M4 “G82.” Nonetheless, the 2 bigger vehicles are solely out there with a handbook in case you stick (pun meant) to the bottom variations. The warmer Competitors fashions are offered solely with the eight-speed automated. Since BMW solely affords the M3 Touring “G81” and M4 Convertible “G83” as Competitors fashions with xDrive, these include the two-pedal Steptronic setup.
Consequently, the once-dominant handbook is steadily fading, nearing the tip of its decades-long prolific run. Excluding the Z4, the final common vehicles to supply a 6MT had been the previous-generation 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe. Each bowed out final yr to make method for dual-clutch-only successors.
The Axe Is Falling On BMW’s Guide Vehicles
The following handbook BMW doubtless going through the chopping block is the M3. The present sports activities sedan is believed to finish manufacturing in February 2027. Though M has confirmed a next-gen automobile, doubtless codenamed “G84,” it may not have three pedals. We’ve beforehand reported that the long run inline-six M3 is predicted to return solely with xDrive and an automated.
You doubtless have considerably extra time to purchase a brand new BMW M automobile with two doorways. The M4 is reportedly sticking round till June 2029. Insiders declare manufacturing of the “G82” has been prolonged, together with the remainder of the “G22” 4 Sequence household. Moreover, the marginally smaller M2 might stay in manufacturing till July 2029.
It’s price distinguishing end-of-production dates from the timeframe to purchase vehicles. Order books sometimes shut months prematurely, so BMW might cease taking M3 orders roughly a yr from now. Equally, the M2 and M4 may develop into unavailable by early 2029.
A Subsequent-Gen M Automotive With A Guide Is A Particular Perhaps
Is there any hope for a future BMW M automobile with a handbook? We’re cautiously optimistic, based mostly on a press release made by Sylvia Neubauer, M’s Vice President of Buyer, Model, and Gross sales. Talking with BMWBLOG throughout the Le Mans weekend earlier this yr, she didn’t completely shut the door:
“I feel BMW will at all times be very inventive. We are able to at all times give it some thought [M car with a manual transmission]. BMW M is a somewhat entrepreneurial firm of very passionate M guys. So if our engineers could make it occur, I feel they may at all times attempt to take action.”
As for a standard manual-gearbox expertise in an electrical automobile, it gained’t occur. BMW M boss Frank van Meel ruled out giving the M3 “ZA0” three pedals. Nonetheless, the mayor of M City isn’t against a simulated handbook. On high of that, some combustion-engine sound trickery is more likely to be pumped via the audio system. We’re instructed it’s a necessity somewhat than a gimmick:
“In a pure EV with one gear, no sound, and no emotion, you don’t know in case you’re doing 125, 150, or no matter. You want an answer for that. You must discover a connection to the mind of the motive force, with out forcing you to take a look at your speedometer.”
Even when simulated gear shifts and inline-six sounds are coming to the electrical M3, it gained’t be the tip of the world. We consider BMW gained’t pressure these “options” on drivers; as a substitute, they’ll let drivers flip them off, so no hurt, no foul. The “ZA0” is rumored to enter manufacturing in March 2027, so its world premiere shouldn’t be far behind the i3 Sedan (“NA0”), which debuts subsequent yr.
If a next-gen M automobile with a correct handbook by no means occurs once more, BMW will doubtless capitalize on the six-speed M2, M3, and M4 till the very finish. Restricted-run particular editions marking the tip of the period appear extremely believable. At a steep premium, after all.
One Final Dance For The Guide Gearbox
If we had been the higher-ups in Munich, we’d green-light an ultra-exclusive ultimate automobile with a handbook. Suppose 3.0 CSL, however perhaps based mostly on the M2 somewhat than the M4. To not get your hopes up too excessive, however BMW’s small-series workforce has secured a slot for an M mannequin. Nonetheless, it’s unclear which automobile would be the donor. Right here’s what Syliva instructed us:
“We’re discussing issues, however we have to discover the correct time to do it. Be assured, we share the identical dream and keenness. Now we have been speaking with Adrian van Hooydonk [Head of BMW Group Design] and the workforce who does the small collection planning, and there’s a slot reserved for BMW M.”
Deep-pocketed lovers would bounce on the likelihood, understanding it could be the final of its sort. In an ideal world, BMW would pair the bigger V8 with a handbook, however one thing tells us that ship has sailed. Nonetheless, we’d like to be confirmed mistaken.
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