Which BMWs Have a Manual Transmission?

For the 2021 model year, several new BMW M Cars and 2 Series models come with an available manual transmission—making

BMW

the manufacturer with the most manual cars on the market.

As manual transmissions lose traction across America, BMW remains the top automaker producing manual cars.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series, M2, M3, and M4 all feature standard or optional manual transmissions.

In some models—like the M3 and M4—it’s hard to get engine upgrades without opting for an automatic transmission instead.

BMW cars with manual transmissions

When it comes to transmissions, most car enthusiasts prefer a manual gearbox over an automatic one. But the joy of the clutch might be a dying art—in 2019, close to 99% of all new cars sold in the United States were automatics

As of 2022, BMW still offers four separate car models with an available manual transmission. And

BMW’s chief of development

said that the company plans to keep the manual transmission in the BMW M4 at least through 2028.

Below, we break down the four existing BMW models made with manual transmissions.

BMW 2 Series

Starting price: $36,895

The gutsy, roisterous cousin to the 2 Series, the

M2 Competition

comes standard with a turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine attached to a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is optional, but drivers will find it gets slightly worse fuel economy than its standard stick-shift counterpart.

If you’re looking for a daily driver, the 2 Series might be a better option than the M2—the M2 and its ferocious 405-horsepower engine aren’t exactly at home in the daycare pickup line or the Kroger’s parking lot. But if you want a manual for the sheer joy of driving one, the M2 won’t let you down.

BMW M3

Starting price: $71,095

The

sedan poses a serious dilemma for driving enthusiasts.

Its 473-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six engine comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission—but the brawnier M3 Competition and its 503-hp engine are only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The automatic M3 is also the only way to get all-wheel drive (AWD).

For drivers who want a manual that can perform as well on the daily commute as on the racetrack, the M3 is an ideal choice. It’s slightly tamer than the brutally quick M2, particularly since the stick-shift transmission is coupled with the more sedate engine.

BMW M4

Starting price: $72,995

The

coupe is the model that’s destined to carry the manual torch to the end. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 473 horsepower.

As with the M3, though, the Competition trim is only available with an automatic transmission. But if you want a manual BMW built for speed, this high-performance model might be the one—the M4 coupe can hit 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds!

Benefits and drawbacks of a manual transmission

The manual vs. automatic transmission debate is a foundational question for car lovers. You may already know exactly where you stand, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few advantages and disadvantages of a manual transmission:

Pro	Con
Typically cheaper to purchase	Tiring to drive in stop-and-go traffic
Can be a theft deterrent—between 44% and 84% of U.S. drivers don’t know how to drive stick	Harder to learn to drive a manual—and harder to find someone to teach you
Lower repair costs	Automatics tend to have better fuel economy