Automatic or Manual Gearbox? | BMW M2 (4K)

The new BMW M2 has landed and we have driven it, but the real question is would you choose the Automatic or Manual gearbox? the new BMW M2 features a reworked version of the 3 litre 6 cylinder found in the M3 and M4 only with slightly less power. Power is rated at 450hp and 500Nm of torque, with the standard 8 speed automatic gearbox the 0-60mph sprint is dealt with in just 4.1 seconds. The car has increased in size and width but has it meant the M2 has lost its edge, we took the car into Wales to find out.
For more information on the new BMW M2 please use the link below to contact your nearest Sytner BMW retailer.
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[@zhengzhu27]

Auto is the way to go for this BMW M2. Yes, this might be the last M car with a manual gearbox but that doesn't mean it is a good manual gearbox for your money. You can get a much better manual gearbox for much less money from elsewhere with the same amount of fun if not more, such as the Civic type r.

[@eek8605]

The gearbox is ok actually, I went from a wrx sti, which I only drove on weekends to this. But if this is your daily I would go for automatic, but for me I test drove the automatic and felt like it was missing something, and the manual put a big smile on my face. I do daily the manual but keep in mind I don’t sit in traffic, so it works out lol.

[@AutoPilotgogogo]

Potentially considering swapping my F87 M2 Comp for a G87 M2, and am on the fence regarding transmission choice. I am really disappointed in the feel and action of the manual transmission in my current M2 Comp. Even after upgrading with an AutoSolutions short shift kit, the mechanism is still kind of vague and notchy, and it’s difficult to drive smoothly in local traffic during the daily commute. A bit of a PITA. It’s definitely suffering in comparison to my previous daily driver, which was a 981 GT4. The manual in the GT4, despite the long ratios, was absolutely spectacular. Short, precise, finely machined throws. Very easy to drive smoothly, whether in stop n go traffic or at speed on a track/circuit. With the M2 Comp in daily traffic, it feels like you’re having to work way too hard for any progress. Part of the fault is the clutch action, which is jerky and hard to drive smoothly at low speeds. The few times I’ve been able to drive the M2 Comp on an empty, curvy, fast road, it’s felt great. But that’s 5% of my time with it, unfortunately. Something tells me that the G87 in auto as a daily driver would be much more satisfying. The one thing that still gives me pause, though, is no longer having a manual transmission car in the garage.

[@tartanwallpaper]

Great car, good question to ask. One thing missing from the review tho, a demo of the launch control feature! 😁

[@SytnerTV]

I will remember this for next time 👍🏼

[@keithronson2624]

Matt. You are a star! Bringing the M2 manual to the channel.. ( By the way, who at Rybrook is specing M2 demos with carbon packs? No! Just wrong! Spoils the M2. Boy racer vibes!) Difficult to admit but with the latest technology, it has to be Auto! I can't believe I said that!) And the manual is £600 extra option? Plus is it not 1 in every 10 sold is spec'd with a manual box? As you said those privileged few who can buy an M2 as a weekend or investment ( just don't spec the carbon stick on bits! And order black sapphire!) then perhaps the manual. Like you here I am a manual gearbox user all my driving life suggesting an M2 with Auto!! Again, the M Division will have developed the M2 with a focus on automatic? The manual almost as an after thought? Would now be interesting to compare the M2 with ( my dream choice!) the 240!! But not in the midnight purple! Thank you, Matt. Brilliant and brave optioned review!

[@SytnerTV]

Thanks Keith, It is a very interesting one, glad to hear you agree with me! I will do my best to get the M2 & M240i on a video together 🤞🏼

[@chippyjohn1]

I swear not long people will be saying it's too much effort to use cutlery or chew their food. Soon they will just be pumped with a liquid and say how they feel like they are living, sounds like the matrix. People are too lazy to walk or ride a bike, but are too lazy to even change gears.

[@SytnerTV]

Soooo I guess you are on the side of the Manual?

[@chippyjohn1]

@@SytnerTV I did write a detailed reply, but lost it. In short, as a mechanic that worked for a prestige's automotive company, automatics are designed to fail. They are encouraged not only by lazy drivers but also the automotive industry for increased income. Charge a customer more to have it and make more money from it through repairing and servicing. BMW for instance has a 200,000km 5 year life on their transmission. the oil is supposed to last the "lifetime" but they would consistently develop leaks as early as 40k thus requiring expensive oil to be changed along with the pan. Selector bars built with wiring design to fail. SO many issues, I stick to manual. manual is still better. People purchase cars expecting to throw them away in the near future, not to last or be reliable.

[@fredericberthou]

Rien à voir tu est hors sujet , cette voiture en boîte manuelle est mauvaise et paresseuse ( elle n.a pas progressé depuis la e92 )

[@pixelrash]

Manual - 3 pedal is more fun than 2

[@lazerphoenix8222]

Defo auto for a daily, weekend car, maybe manual. I run a manual 992 GTS as weekend car and the manual is mega, on the odd occasion i use it for work, its a pain when stuck in traffic. Also would say that if your pushing on, the time it takes to change gear can sometimes be irritating as the next gear comes up quickly, tough decision tbh, but not for a daily in uk traffic. My daily is an F87 M2C and i am changing to the new M2 and it will be an Auto.

[@chrisginoc]

Auto all day!

[@donarmstrong4166]

YES..."you're getting lazy"! :)

[@keithronson2624]

PS. Forgot! Stating the obvious! Just use the paddle shift and the two M modes! From memory, rev matching too! 🤣🤣. So indeed Auto is the one to have..

[@CorgiOnStilts_]

BMW have definitely lost their way. I own an M140i but wouldn't mind upgrading to an F87 M2 comp. The new M2 is horrendously ugly. Worse with those random bits of unnecessary carbon and that exhaust.

[@chippyjohn1]

I still love my E30 coupe, and my economy is on par with modern vehicles.

[@deadmonk5y]

driving characteristics aside… this car is hideous

[@JamesYoung-g4m]

3 pedals for me

[@patc8653]

Only the purist picks the manual.. auto is too boring for me.. no matter how fast the thing can shift.

[@arymonem]

Don’t take it the wrong way, but you’re getting old man and getting lazy is unfortunately part of it. Proper 6 speed in a car like this is a no brainer.

[@Outer_Nerd]

It’s been decades since I’ve had a manual as my daily driver. I currently have a 2022 M240i and love the auto. However, I’m looking at ordering an M2 in the next year or two and can’t decide between the two transmissions. I feel a lot of nostalgia for the days of rowing my own gears, but wonder if I will feel the same with a manual as my daily today.

[@anthonybrazzale7251]

If you are used to driving an automatic then I understand that you can’t be bothered with manual. I have been driving manual since I obtained my licence in 1970. Currently drive manual BMW and love it. Would probably stick with the manual. Porsche is a different story for me. Having driven Porsches with PDK (if I could afford one) I would probably go PDK. What an amazing gearbox.

[@Dhime]

“Why are we hung up on manuals?” That’s pretty easy, really. You said most of it. Same reason you’d buy an m2 over a Tesla. You want to DRIVE the car. Why have a steering wheel? Why have pedals? Why _drive_ ?

[@colinbfletcher]

It’s pretty simple… the 6MT is far more engaging and will probably be dropped at LSi so residuals will remain suitably higher. Either get a the manual or buy a Prius…

[@coachmann100]

I had an X1 X-drive 25D automatic and felt it was driving me instead of the other way round. Having driven a BMW 118i manual for some weeks, which was great, I looked in vein for a review of a manual X1.

[@pacthug]

Although, the manual is the more engaging and rare option. (I noticed you already mentioned it lol)

[@mrlv8126]

I’m with you AUTO every time..

[@jameshill8711]

I agree, the auto is by far the most sensible choice.

[@SytnerTV]

Agreed!

[@smilepermile8165]

You don't buy an M2 as a sensible choice for a daily driver though...

[@Mrbobcat7]

​@@smilepermile8165why not?

[@smilepermile8165]

@@Mrbobcat7 Because you can get cheaper to run cars for a sensible daily driver. A car that doesn't constantly make you go break the speed limit to have fun on public roads. Go figure.