Frank Weber, a key member of BMW’s board, says the writing is on the wall for the brand’s manual transmissions and that includes its enthusiast-oriented M models.
Automotive executives have been saying the days of the stick shift are numbered for years and while there are still quite a few options on the market, the numbers are dwindling. BMW has been one of the last holdouts in the luxury segment, still offering buyers of the M2, M3, M4, and more recently, the Z4 M40i, the opportunity to row their own gears, while both Mercedes and Audi have killed off the manual.
However, during a recent interview with Italian publication Quattroruote, Frank Weber said “it’s over” for the brand’s manual models, noting that the sales figures for them don’t justify the development costs.
Weber did not specify an exact date for when BMW will axe all of its manual options but it could be soon with him adding, “If you want a manual M, you need to buy it now.”
“They are fun products, but let’s be honest, the volumes are getting smaller and smaller, and so it doesn’t make sense to develop them anymore,” he said.
Read: BMW M Says It’s Done With DCTs, Manual Gearbox Will Die After The M2
Interestingly, Weber’s statements come just a few weeks after BMW unveiled the 2025 Z4 M40i with the option of a six-speed manual and confirmed that it will be sold in North America. This marks the first time the G29 Z4 has been sold with a manual in the U.S. and comes two years after the closely related Toyota Supra was made available with a six-speed.
Demand for BMW’s manuals proved strong in the U.S. last year, accounting for roughly 20% of all M3 and M4s sold as well as over half of M2 sales. Despite these figures, they’re apparently not enough to convince BMW of the long-term viability of its manuals.
