[B58togo]

Originally Posted by againsttherage

I've driven a number of manual cars and the m240 is by far the most smooth and easy to shift of the bunch. The brake hold to start is quite nice and would make it easy for a beginner. Same with the rev matching.

Then I'm guessing you've never owned a manual Honda/Acura.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by B58togo

Then I'm guessing you've never owned a manual Honda/Acura.

Or a Datsun 710.

[Dylan86]

Many don't realise the difference in gearing between the 8AT and 6MT.

The 6Mt drives like a NA V8 car in terms of powerband. On track, or around town, you are shifting MUCH less than the 8AT, with the MT.

For example:

In my area, it's mainly single lane roads, and 60km/h in town (max, mostly 50km/h). This is basically a quick 1st gear pull, if anything, around town. 2nd gear in the 6MT goes a bit over 120km/h, so that's impound speeds, already. I can pass anyone on the 80km/h highways in 3rd gear, never have to power into 4th as 3rd easily gets you up to 180km/h, which is over double to average posted speed, so never needed. My point is, is that the 6MT can be much more enjoyable to drive, even if you're doing all of the work. On track, sometimes I only have one section where I get into 4th, so it's 2-3-2-3-2-3-4-3-2-3 lol, barely ever have my two hands off of the wheel, almost never have to shift mid turn (if you have the appropriate right apex speed). After a launch, these cars are basically identical in acceleration. The 8AT shifts faster, especially on the 1-4th vs the MT 1-3, but then the MT 3rd gear always catches up to the 8AT car. Have done this several times with other BMW's, and some newer Audi's like the '19 S4. Pull them every time at the top of 3rd, and into 4th. Once you're up there, auto means F all..

It's very easy to jump into an 8AT and say "wow I could never shift this fast, or blip this good", but that wears off quickly, for me. For a DD, I'm 100% pro torque converter auto, for my 2nd part-time car, I enjoy MT or full dual clutch setup.

[XutvJet]

^Good points and I agree.

I'd also note that the 6MT is WAY more dependent on you revving out the rpms/gears to get max acceleration. With the auto, you can be a bit lazier with which gear you're in as the gearing is so much deeper, especially 1 through 4.

There's more turbo lag with the 6MT and I couldn't perceive much with the auto. This is to be expected given the nature of an auto. On full throttle shifts and in Sport+/DSC Off modes, the turbo lag in the 6MT is significantly reduced, but still way more present than the auto.

When I test drove the M235 8AT and going full throttle in Sport+ and letting the car shift itself, it felt almost CVT-like in that the gearing was so tight and the shifts basically seamless. You can hear the shifts, but the shift shock is very minimal. In manual mode though, there's a lot more shift shock which I prefer, but it felt slower doing it that way and some shifts seemed excessively hard.

[4Hockey4]

soooo I get the experience part (I want a manual) but wouldn't an auto with RWD and add LSD be the best set up ? On street and track ?

I'm finding some amazing deals on used 17-18's with low mileage, and almost 20% off for a new 19, all AT.

Tough deciding between that and manual RWD w/o LSD. Daily driver (mostly, have older vert 330 I'll drive some too).

So many mixed reviews on LSD or no.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by 4Hockey4

soooo I get the experience part (I want a manual) but wouldn't an auto with RWD and add LSD be the best set up ? On street and track ?

I'm finding some amazing deals on used 17-18's with low mileage, and almost 20% off for a new 19, all AT.

Tough deciding between that and manual RWD w/o LSD. Daily driver (mostly, have older vert 330 I'll drive some too).

So many mixed reviews on LSD or no.

If "best" means performance numbers, then yes, the RWD 8at with the LSD is the way to go. If you drive hard (regardless of trans), you MUST have an LSD. The difference in traction and dynamics is staggering. I was a LSD doubter years ago. Then I installed it and was shocked at how much better the car feels and how it puts down the power. I thought it would only help in the turns. I was wrong. I used to have issues with the MPSS tires putting the power down in 1st and some of 2nd in my 6mt. With the LSD, lack of traction is largely a non-issue. I can launch far harder from a stop.

[trilax59]

Quick update:

I picked up the car on Friday (8/9) and currently driving it back home to NJ today (8/10). I will take better pics later after I do all my cosmetic modifications, but here's the new baby! I'm not a fan of white cars, but the mineral white looks too perfect on this car

P.S. I'll be adding the M-performance LSD sometime next week.

[4Hockey4]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

If "best" means performance numbers, then yes, the RWD 8at with the LSD is the way to go. If you drive hard (regardless of trans), you MUST have an LSD. The difference in traction and dynamics is staggering. I was a LSD doubter years ago. Then I installed it and was shocked at how much better the car feels and how it puts down the power. I thought it would only help in the turns. I was wrong. I used to have issues with the MPSS tires putting the power down in 1st and some of 2nd in my 6mt. With the LSD, lack of traction is largely a non-issue. I can launch far harder from a stop.

And it can't come from factory, and you can't add at port, so can you add and be covered under warranty ?

I want to order a more basic MT 240, and add LSD. I know myself, I'll being heading to Summit Point for BMW weekends

[XutvJet]

Yes, all warranty remains and is unaffected.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by trilax59

Quick update:

I picked up the car on Friday (8/9) and currently driving it back home to NJ today (8/10). I will take better pics later after I do all my cosmetic modifications, but here's the new baby! I'm not a fan of white cars, but the mineral white looks too perfect on this car

P.S. I'll be adding the M-performance LSD sometime next week.

What lowering springs are on the car?

[trilax59]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

What lowering springs are on the car?

None that I know of. The car is CPO and I just assumed it looked a little lower because I was used to the xDrive.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by trilax59

None that I know of. The car is CPO and I just assumed it looked a little lower because I was used to the xDrive.

The front gap looks lower than stock. Could be the lighting. Xdrive and RWD M235s have the same ride height.

You could peer into the front wheel wells and look at the springs. The stock springs are black and most aftermarket springs are red, blue, yellow, or silver.

[trilax59]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The front gap looks lower than stock. Could be the lighting. Xdrive and RWD M235s have the same ride height.

You could peer into the front wheel wells and look at the springs. The stock springs are black and most aftermarket springs are red, blue, yellow, or silver.

Just checked and the springs are black, so I'm assuming they're stock.

[CP911]

Guys, a low HP/low torque Japanese sports car like the Miata or S2000 and a high torque machine like the M240i are completely different animals with totally different sets of engineering challenges/goals. I personally think the shift quality of the M240i is as good as it gets and as good as I need it to be for trouble-free, reliable, and enjoyable row-your-own fun. I've driven the S2000 and the latest Miata. They have great shift actions, but feel more delicate and "toy-like" in nature. The M240i feels "clunkier" for lack of a better description, but it's superbly accurate and reliable. Again, I think it's the only MT car I've driven where I have never experienced a mis-shift or crunched a 2nd gear. I'll take it all day over smoother feeling, but less reliable and less consistent gear boxes.

[Edslittleworld]

Originally Posted by trilax59

Quick update:

I picked up the car on Friday (8/9) and currently driving it back home to NJ today (8/10). I will take better pics later after I do all my cosmetic modifications, but here's the new baby! I'm not a fan of white cars, but the mineral white looks too perfect on this car

P.S. I'll be adding the M-performance LSD sometime next week.

Looking good! Keep us posted on the LSD addition (cost, effectiveness, handling, etc).

[simena12]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

BMW 6-speed is too expensive to learn to manipulate a manual transmission on.

Get the 6-speed, I learned on my m235i. One of the best experiences I've ever had and a pure joy to drive. Period.

[Navdeepasi]

6MT RWD allllll day long. I live in St. John's Newfoundland Canada. Notorious for bad weather. With the proper rubber it's no problem. In regards to learning on the car, you'll beat it for a few days by the end of the week you'll be fine. Change the trans oil after if you're that concerned. My first car that I had from 5km on the odo, although not a BMW, bought brand new, not only did I learn on it, my 2 brothers, 1 friend, and 2 cousins. It went 250000km before the clutch went. Preventative maintenance.

[Zyzzthetic]

Ignore all the 6MT haters here. Yes, the 8 speed ZF is amazing. I drove the ZF 240i 3-4x before deciding to pick up the 17 m240i RWD 6 MT last week and let me tell you it is the easiest manual to drive ever. I learnt manual the first night we picked up the car. The car even auto rev matches on downshifts for you. My friend has a manual GT3 and he himself told me he did not expect the 6MT in this car to be this refined and easy to drive.

BTW I live in Calgary, Canada and probably get the most snow out of all ppl in this thread and have had no problems with the previous RWD BMW's I've dailied in the snow.

Get good tires and you're set, enjoy!

[4Hockey4]

Drove the 240i auto and clicked over to Sport+ and "manual" very impressive. Then I drove a 16' 235i MT, and the rest is history.

The most amazing auto and fastest...will NEVER replace switching gears

[POMFKIMOCHI]

To hop on the supportive bandwagon,

the 6MT in the m240 is literally one of the easiest clutch/shifter combo's I've ever driven, and the added fun-factor that RWD gives lead me to decide that it would be my perfect first car (so I got it!) I have driven many different sports cars in the class (dct and manual), and I long deliberated between getting the auto or 4WD versions (even the soft top), and am very satisfied and relieved that I went with the much more sensible option.

I have let 6 different women try their hand at learning/trying manual, and only 1 has actually managed to stall the car (put into a stressful situation), it's almost impossible to stall unless you just let out the clutch with no gas input.

It's a sporty car, that feels best when it's being used properly. If you really wanted just the straight line performance, or winter safety of this class of vehicle, I would wholly recommend an RS3 instead.

But for (true) drivers like yourself that "just want to enjoy the car and driving experience", then you HAVE to get the 6MT RWD or you'll regret it.

[morphomeman]

So I guess that makes us ZF8 automatic drivers losers at best.
I loved driving my 325 MT for a dozen years and I hope to love driving my current 235x Auto for at least as long. Each is enjoyable in its own way.
There is no one best vehicle, even for people who want to enjoy the car and the driving experience. I don't HAVE to do anything!

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by BimmerJRP

Haha, there was no way this wasn't going to turn into a stick vs auto debate.
I live on the east side of Toronto and when I moved here from even snowier climates, I traded my Porsche Macan for a RWD manual M235i. The Porsche was the only non manual car I ever owned, and while it had lots of positives I really missed driving stick and wanted to try owning a RWD car. I've been through 2 winters on dedicated snows, and it's been better than I expected. My street is the last to be plowed, and twice after giant snowfalls I've needed a little manual assistance getting to the end of the street, but once you're on plowed roads it's perfectly fine. I drive away from the city for work, so usually no stop and go for me - if there was that might change my opinion a bit.
I say if you've always wanted a manual car then go for it. Heck even the guy from Calgary made it through 5 winters no problem!

I don't know how you Canadians find yourself with RWD/Manual cars?!! Can't find any down here. Have to go all the way to Florida!