[dms-01]

My local has an allocation but they told me "they" are only doing automatics. What that exactly means and who they are I don't know. I asked and expect an answer tomorrow but has anyone been told that as of late?

Find it hard to believe unless there is some Covid related parts shortage but even that would be a stretch.

[SamG80]

Dealers have Comp build slots & Base build slots. It's possible that they've already used their Base build slots

[chicagofan00]

Base allocations seem to be more rare than comp allocations. My dealership said they had about a 4 to 1 ratio for comp to base allocations.

[dms-01]

Ah shit, I did not know that. Weird BMW would separate them like that though, meaning what difference does it make which model the allocation is good for?

[dms-01]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Base allocations seem to be more rare than comp allocations. My dealership said they had about a 4 to 1 ratio for comp to base allocations.

I imagine its due to BMW wanting to stop making manual M3/M4s and push everyone towards an automatic.

[Jproos]

I picked up my manual G80 yesterday and the sales guy mentioned they can get Comp allocations, no problem but there's not much chance of a manual allocation.

They've been getting them for out of state buyers as far away as the west coast (they're in MI)

[Pantagathus]

Originally Posted by Jproos

I picked up my manual G80 yesterday and the sales guy mentioned they can get Comp allocations, no problem but there's not much chance of a manual allocation.

They've been getting them for out of state buyers as far away as the west coast (they're in MI)

I'm hoping this means the base holds its value a lot better in the coming years, particularly if they do drop 6MT entirely in the near future

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by dms-01

I imagine its due to BMW wanting to stop making manual M3/M4s and push everyone towards an automatic.

Maybe? I think they just realize that the take rate on manuals is low to begin with they so are releasing more of the comps. 🤷🏻

[dms-01]

For sure but they shouldn't make it harder to get a manual for us guys that want them. Everything about this generation is awkward and has me bewildered. It's like they want to be done with manual/RWD but don't want to piss that specific demographic off so they just make it harder to get it.

[PLF69]

I think they make predictions of take rate based on past, market research, evaluation of current trends and adjust production accordingly.

Not very surprising you see way more Comps arriving at dealers. It also doesn't help that they force you to a detuned drivetrain on the 6MT. I don't mind but for the ppl who need to have the bigger numbers it can be.

[mafagan]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I think they make predictions of take rate based on past, market research, evaluation of current trends and adjust production accordingly.

Not very surprising you see way more Comps arriving at dealers. It also doesn't help that they force you to a detuned drivetrain on the 6MT. I don't mind but for the ppl who need to have the bigger numbers it can be.

This is probably most of the reason. They have a set number of manual transmissions ordered and consoles already made for the manual transmissions based on prior sales and other market research.

[Scorp!on]

Originally Posted by dms-01

For sure but they shouldn't make it harder to get a manual for us guys that want them. Everything about this generation is awkward and has me bewildered. It's like they want to be done with manual/RWD but don't want to piss that specific demographic off so they just make it harder to get it.

Well basically it's pretty easy.
Due the past they know what about to expect on MT builds and Auto builds.
They plan their production way ahead, so they logically plan a lot more Automatic than MT.
I guess they got suprised by themselve how much MT are actually ordered, so this causes a long waiting time...

People really want to have the MT with this generation, I guess a lot more than the last Gen.
But we have to wait for the sale numbers.

I mean, there were people ordering after me in the same country for AT and got it nearly a month earlier. I ordered MT.

[OperationSunset]

I've had it with BMW manuals. I hate the shifter feel vs my Miata or a friend's Porsche, and I simply don't have the skill to extract the full performance out of the car with the manual. Therefore, I've made the sad decision to move to autobox/DCT after I decide to offload my M2C 6MT. Still love the car, just think I can get more out of the car with an autobox at my skill level.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by dms-01

For sure but they shouldn't make it harder to get a manual for us guys that want them. Everything about this generation is awkward and has me bewildered. It's like they want to be done with manual/RWD but don't want to piss that specific demographic off so they just make it harder to get it.

Fast forward 6months-1 yr and there will be plenty of manual allocations.... you are looking at this backwards due to the fact that early demand (we are in month 2 post launch) is highest in the enthusiast community thus a higher percentage of manual demand than will shake out long term is causing manual allocations to be more scarce at the moment. However the point is actually to help manual buyers... dealers cannot switch a manual allocation for a comp allocation, by keeping them separate they ensure there will be supply of manual cars . Dealers cannot just refuse manuals and supplement with the more expensive comp models like they could in the previous gen where transmission was just an option, dealers could load up on auto.

Considering that the manual allocations can't be converted to comp your dealer is a moron if they "only do comp models" because they would be letting allocations (sales) just disappear... sounds more like a lazy salesman didn't feel like diving into the allocation process, trying to win your business in the moment

[dms-01]

Yeah good points all around. I did ask again about making it base vs comp allocation but still waiting to hear back. Also my dealer has sold 2 of 5 G8Xs they have on the lot. 2 of which they got in the first batch and haven't moved.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by dms-01

I imagine its due to BMW wanting to stop making manual M3/M4s and push everyone towards an automatic.

No it's because they are realistic about what the relative sales numbers are going to be and have to appropriately order parts while maximizing production efficiency.


People need to stop spreading the fallacy that BMW is attempting to kill the manual transmission when they are one of 3 companies still making them (and will be making them for the next 4-5 years).

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by dms-01

Yeah good points all around. I did ask again about making it base vs comp allocation but still waiting to hear back. Also my dealer has sold 2 of 5 G8Xs they have on the lot. 2 of which they got in the first batch and haven't moved.

As xlover said, you are looking at a short term supply and demand imbalance as a an indicator that something perhaps more sinister.

My dealer had G80 deposits for 8 manuals and 3 competitions when they started production in December. That is (obviously) in no way an indicator of the overall sales numbers. They are not trying to make anything difficult, they're trying to sell us the cars we want.

If you're new to ordering a model soon after it is released you may think it's difficult. Trust me, getting an F80 allocation was equally difficult. The only difference is they didnt' split the allocations between comp and non-comp because they didn't bifurcate them as 2 distinct models. However, it does make sense from an operational efficiency perspective that they are doing so. Sit tight my man.

[dms-01]

No offense but none of that matters to me. I just want to know why my local can't seem to order me base MT. What this forum is saying and they are saying is different.

They have an allocation and are saying its good for comp or base but not a base 6MT (now called ZMT??).

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by dms-01

No offense but none of that matters to me. I just want to know why my local can't seem to order me base MT. What this forum is saying and they are saying is different.

They have an allocation and are saying its good for comp or base but not a base 6MT (now called ZMT??).

Base auto does not exist

[dms-01]

Originally Posted by PLF69

Base auto does not exist

Ty man. I never looked to see if auto was available on a base. So that being the case if they can order a base M3 I am golden.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by dms-01

Ty man. I never looked to see if auto was available on a base. So that being the case if they can order a base M3 I am golden.

No problem, I have to agree it's kind of confusing. I have a hard time believing there story about the transmission not enduring the torque but anyways.

It seems like they wanted to have a M3 closer in heritage to the M3's of old with a naturally aspirated feeling powerband and Manual only.

With the comp filling the other roles wanted by the masses and even more in AWD.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by dms-01

No offense but none of that matters to me. I just want to know why my local can't seem to order me base MT. What this forum is saying and they are saying is different.

They have an allocation and are saying its good for comp or base but not a base 6MT (now called ZMT??).

"No offense" but you need to find a new dealership. ZMT? What the hell lol. They literally combined the words ZF + 6MT = ZMT and made up a car that doesn't exist.

Allocations are specific to base or comp, we knew that in November. They, as a dealership, should have known that earlier than we did.