--- title: "BMW M Says It’ll Keep Using Manual Transmissions Until 2030: Report" description: "Despite the push for electrification, the manual transmission should live on in BMW M cars until the end of the decade." date: "2022-10-17" modified: "2022-10-17" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-m-says-itll-keep-using-manual-transmissions-until-2030-report" categories: - "BMW News" - "Culture" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # BMW M Says It’ll Keep Using Manual Transmissions Until 2030: Report ![]() Most "Save the Manual" campaigns fall on deaf ears, as automakers continue to phase manuals out of their lineups — if they haven't completely done so already. However, there are still a handful of brands that are keeping the row-your-own gearbox alive and BMW is going to be one of them until at least the end of the decade. During a recent conversation with *[CarBuzz]()*, BMW M Boss Frank van Meel said that the manual transmission will live on in the BMW M3, M4, and the new [BMW M2](). The latter of which will last until 2030, while the M3 and M4 are probably done by the end of 2028. According to van Meel, customer demand is the only thing keeping manual transmissions alive. BMW vice president of sales, Timo Resch, echoed that, saying that BMW M engineers (and accountants) need to be convinced to keep the manual around. Resch said M engineers will ask why they need the manual transmission when it's slower than automatics, and the answer is always the same: M customers want manuals. ![]() That all goes away once those cars switch to electrification, though. This BMW M2 is very likely the last new M car to be offered with a manual. Every new M Division product moving forward is going to either be a plug-in hybrid or a fully electric vehicle. Once the entire lineup is electrified, the manual transmission from BMW is as good as dead. It's nice to know that we still have a little more than seven years of three-pedal driving from BMW, though. Brands like [Mercedes]() and Audi have completely abandoned the manual in their performance cars, so that leaves BMW as one of the very few brands that are giving enthusiasts and customers what they want. Thankfully, that might not change any time soon. *Got a tip? Send it in to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()