2008 M3 Automatic?

[A03]

Hello. I'm newbie with a question that I"m sure that can be answered right away..
Currently I'm in a market for a new ride which I cannot decide due to 2 problems..
Originally I was in the process of purchasing a Brand new 2008 Range Rover Supercharged but something has slowly changed my way..
It's BMW M3 2008..Now my question is does these ever come in automatics?
I'm asking in general from the prior M3's..I heard don't quote me on this but later down Dealers will have them in stock but not sure if it's true..

IF it's the case I'll probably wait till another year before deciding on RR SC or the M3..

It's real nice ride, it just that I'm so use to SUV's..

Was intent it on purchasing between Cherokee SRT8(For pure Muscle) or straight up luxury with speed and looks of RR SC but M3 is another car that is pulling me away from the 2 SUV's..

 

[Big Daddy]

Sure they make M3's in an automatic.

 

[///M SPEED]

Sure they make M3's in an automatic.

NOT!!!

 

[deutsch100]

Hello. I'm newbie with a question that I"m sure that can be answered right away..
Currently I'm in a market for a new ride which I cannot decide due to 2 problems..
Originally I was in the process of purchasing a Brand new 2008 Range Rover Supercharged but something has slowly changed my way..
It's BMW M3 2008..Now my question is does these ever come in automatics?
I'm asking in general from the prior M3's..I heard don't quote me on this but later down Dealers will have them in stock but not sure if it's true..

IF it's the case I'll probably wait till another year before deciding on RR SC or the M3..

It's real nice ride, it just that I'm so use to SUV's..

Was intent it on purchasing between Cherokee SRT8(For pure Muscle) or straight up luxury with speed and looks of RR SC but M3 is another car that is pulling me away from the 2 SUV's..

AVOID the entire Land Rover/Range Rover brand like the plague. My experience with a 2007 Supercharged was nothing less than a nightmare. If you read ANY consumer based auto reviews, or just search for personal auto reviews/experiences...you'll quickly find that Land Rover is just the worst. Their reliability has been horrible for years, and sadly is NOT improving. I even had multiple service advisors tell me that people do not buy a Land Rover for reliability, but just for pure status. C'mon, honestly who buys a $85,000 SUV for off roading? My Supercharged looked so hot, but from week one it was in the shop, and rarely left it.

I know 99.9% of our board freak at the idea of an automatic M3, but I think it would outsell the manual or SMG 10x in fold. If automatics are so "bad", Porsche would not have made one for the new Turbo 911 (in which the automatic not only is FASTER than the manual, the mpg is slightly better). Yeah, old "slush boxes" as our board lovingly calls auto trannies were not so great, but in the last 5-10 years, I think many automatics are better than any manual tranny. I'd buy an automatic M3 in a NY minute!

 

[A03]

AVOID the entire Land Rover/Range Rover brand like the plague. My experience with a 2007 Supercharged was nothing less than a nightmare. If you read ANY consumer based auto reviews, or just search for personal auto reviews/experiences...you'll quickly find that Land Rover is just the worst. Their reliability has been horrible for years, and sadly is NOT improving. I even had multiple service advisors tell me that people do not buy a Land Rover for reliability, but just for pure status. C'mon, honestly who buys a $85,000 SUV for off roading? My Supercharged looked so hot, but from week one it was in the shop, and rarely left it.

I know 99.9% of our board freak at the idea of an automatic M3, but I think it would outsell the manual or SMG 10x in fold. If automatics are so "bad", Porsche would not have made one for the new Turbo 911 (in which the automatic not only is FASTER than the manual, the mpg is slightly better). Yeah, old "slush boxes" as our board lovingly calls auto trannies were not so great, but in the last 5-10 years, I think many automatics are better than any manual tranny. I'd buy an automatic M3 in a NY minute!

Whew, it seems like lot of people are sh**ting on the Rovers..Oh man, your not the first bro, Exterior wise it's very nice but some people tell me they had nothing but BAD EXPERIENCE with them..Now I'm starting to get really swayed away from them..Can you tell me if yours was purchased new or used also how many problems etc..I'm kinda thinking of getting one used this way it won't as bad then..
Back in 02 I purchased LR Discovery Brand new I don't have problems with them except typical maintenance etc so naturally when Range came out with the SC model I was quite impressed..


As for M3's from everyone's sarcasm no auto's huh? I guess the dealer down my way is either dumb as bricks or he has no idea WTF he's talking about..

 

[A03]

Actually after the previous posting I just did some research and it's believable that BMW would bring out M3 auto's for 2008 models b/c I was just on Ebay and they do exist in general..I think from my point of view buying automatic are no no's for M3's..

 

[///M SPEED]

Look up SMG. The M3 can come equipped with a SMG gearbox. It is not an automatic transmission although, it does not have a clutch pedal. As far as I know BMW does not offer the M3 with an automatic gearbox. If so, it's news to me....

 

[Detrich]

they fair well in tv-broadcasted car chases... :lol:

 

[Kirby]

Jin, the debate over anything other than a manual transmission in an M3 rages on!!!

The sarcasm is because a lot of people feel that an automatic gearbox in an M3 is blasphemy to the pedigree.

However, yes, next year the new M3 will have a fully automated manual transmission. This type of transmission has it's roots in Formula 1 racing. No clutch pedal, just paddles on the steering wheel, and a computer controlled fully automatic mode. Read below:

BMW will launch its 2008/2009 M3 coupe with an all-new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the regular six-speed manual. Official confirmation comes from a memo sent to BMW dealers, according to Autocar.

The gearbox will be called M DCT, and is very similar to Volkswagen's DSG transmission. A dual-clutch system features two computer-controlled clutches, making shifts both smooth and extremely quick. Simple automated manuals — such as BMW's SMG — provided quick shifts but can be jerky during tame driving.

The M DCT model will likely be a few tenths of a second faster than the manual M3. The transmission is being built by Getrag. Drivers will be able to use a shift lever or paddles to change gears.

The M DCT will be available on the new M3 in March 2008. BMW is likely to replace the SMG III transmission used in the M5 and M6 with a similar gearbox in the near future, possibly along with mid-cylce facelifts to the cars.

 

[///M SPEED]

The sarcasm is because a lot of people feel that an automatic gearbox in an M3 is blasphemy to the pedigree.

However, yes, next year the new M3 will have a fully automated manual transmission. This type of transmission has it's roots in Formula 1 racing. No clutch pedal, just paddles on the steering wheel, and a computer controlled fully automatic mode. Read below:

BMW will launch its 2008/2009 M3 coupe with an all-new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the regular six-speed manual. Official confirmation comes from a memo sent to BMW dealers, according to Autocar.

The gearbox will be called M DCT, and is very similar to Volkswagen's DSG transmission. A dual-clutch system features two computer-controlled clutches, making shifts both smooth and extremely quick. Simple automated manuals — such as BMW's SMG — provided quick shifts but can be jerky during tame driving.

The M DCT model will likely be a few tenths of a second faster than the manual M3. The transmission is being built by Getrag. Drivers will be able to use a shift lever or paddles to change gears.

The M DCT will be available on the new M3 in March 2008. BMW is likely to replace the SMG III transmission used in the M5 and M6 with a similar gearbox in the near future, possibly along with mid-cylce facelifts to the cars.

I haven't been sarcastic here. I own an SMG equipped M3. Although, I do miss the rowing of the gears, I have to admit I love this gearbox.

The SMG gearbox is a full clutch-less gearbox. If driven correctly you shouldn't be subjected to the jerky motion Kirby speaks of during normal MANUAL mode. The automated mode is a different animal. You can break you nose on the steering wheel in that mode if you not careful... There are many settings to choose from in both the manual and auto modes; 11 total: 6 for manual, 5 for auto….

True, the new clutch-less M gearbox is a better design that the current SMG. The SMG transmission incorporates many of the features Kirby lists above. It was the first design derived from F1 racing by BMW. BMW has and will continue to perfect the system....

 

[deutsch100]

Whew, it seems like lot of people are sh**ting on the Rovers..Oh man, your not the first bro, Exterior wise it's very nice but some people tell me they had nothing but BAD EXPERIENCE with them..Now I'm starting to get really swayed away from them..Can you tell me if yours was purchased new or used also how many problems etc..I'm kinda thinking of getting one used this way it won't as bad then..
Back in 02 I purchased LR Discovery Brand new I don't have problems with them except typical maintenance etc so naturally when Range came out with the SC model I was quite impressed..


As for M3's from everyone's sarcasm no auto's huh? I guess the dealer down my way is either dumb as bricks or he has no idea WTF he's talking about..

I'd love to know your rationale in getting a used Rover, thinking it will be less problems than a new one!! Haven't you thought about the reason it might be used? Sure, someone could just have traded up or down, but with Land Rover, most pre-owned are just from people who couldn't take it anymore.

I bought my brand new, still wrapped in shipping plastic (I was the first person to drive it, the dealer had not even tested it yet!)

From week one the Navigation screen would freeze, radio/Satellite radio/CD would freeze, instrument lighting would come and go on it's own. For no reason, the car would not start, then 10 mins later it would start just fine. In reverse, the A/C would blow hot (not even a Master Tech at the dealership could figure this one out). Car would drop itself on it's 3 level option suspension on it's own.... Nightmare. I have NEVER, NEVER spoken with a single Rover owner who does not have numerous & frequent issues. Some still love the looks of the car, and continue buying them, but reliability is awful. One service advisor actually told me they are not really suited to be your only car, as you cannot trust it. I think that alone, should decide for you!!!

 

[Kirby]

I haven't been sarcastic here. I own an SMG equipped M3. Although, I do miss the rowing of the gears, I have to admit I love this gearbox.

I have nothing against SMG, and have often debated with myself as to which I will buy when I get my next BMW. I was planning on the M Roadster next year, but with the rumors of the next gen getting the V8, I will most likely wait. No doubt it will have M DCT, making the decision even more difficult. On the other hand, if I can't wait that long, then maybe I will "compromise" and go with an M3...

 

[Big Daddy]

NOT!!!

Are they not going to?

 

[A03]

Jin, the debate over anything other than a manual transmission in an M3 rages on!!!

The sarcasm is because a lot of people feel that an automatic gearbox in an M3 is blasphemy to the pedigree.

However, yes, next year the new M3 will have a fully automated manual transmission. This type of transmission has it's roots in Formula 1 racing. No clutch pedal, just paddles on the steering wheel, and a computer controlled fully automatic mode. Read below:

BMW will launch its 2008/2009 M3 coupe with an all-new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the regular six-speed manual. Official confirmation comes from a memo sent to BMW dealers, according to Autocar.

The gearbox will be called M DCT, and is very similar to Volkswagen's DSG transmission. A dual-clutch system features two computer-controlled clutches, making shifts both smooth and extremely quick. Simple automated manuals — such as BMW's SMG — provided quick shifts but can be jerky during tame driving.

The M DCT model will likely be a few tenths of a second faster than the manual M3. The transmission is being built by Getrag. Drivers will be able to use a shift lever or paddles to change gears.

The M DCT will be available on the new M3 in March 2008. BMW is likely to replace the SMG III transmission used in the M5 and M6 with a similar gearbox in the near future, possibly along with mid-cylce facelifts to the cars.

I guess I'll be cheating myself buying a semi Auto..It's like eating fish at a Outback Steak House when their specialty is Steak I mean yeah their fish is good but steak is their main thing..Yes?

 

[A03]

I'd love to know your rationale in getting a used Rover, thinking it will be less problems than a new one!! Haven't you thought about the reason it might be used? Sure, someone could just have traded up or down, but with Land Rover, most pre-owned are just from people who couldn't take it anymore.

I bought my brand new, still wrapped in shipping plastic (I was the first person to drive it, the dealer had not even tested it yet!)

From week one the Navigation screen would freeze, radio/Satellite radio/CD would freeze, instrument lighting would come and go on it's own. For no reason, the car would not start, then 10 mins later it would start just fine. In reverse, the A/C would blow hot (not even a Master Tech at the dealership could figure this one out). Car would drop itself on it's 3 level option suspension on it's own.... Nightmare. I have NEVER, NEVER spoken with a single Rover owner who does not have numerous & frequent issues. Some still love the looks of the car, and continue buying them, but reliability is awful. One service advisor actually told me they are not really suited to be your only car, as you cannot trust it. I think that alone, should decide for you!!!

Bro, many gratitudes for the warning..Oh man! As indicated earlier I still currently own a LR Discovery(90K miles on 5 year old car still going strong) which I'm still happy with BTW but it seems few or some owners have MAJOR problems with them mainly Range's..My impression is that when BMW's use to own them I would think that it would be more reliable I mean yeah now that Ford owns them and they're in a process of dumping them to a another company it will just get worse or better somehow(unlikely but who knows)..

Now I'm in a turmoil on which car to buy..I'm into purchasing rides no one has hardly on the road so RRSC in my opinion was suitable for me..And then I saw M3 I was awed by it..