BMW M Boss Questions Manual Transmission's Future; Manual M Models May Be Phased Out

Frank van Meel, head of BMW's M division, recently stated that from an engineering perspective, manual transmissions are "not really logical," despite the fact that around 40% of M customers still opt for them. He acknowledged that while BMW will continue offering manual gearboxes for loyal enthusiasts over the next few years, their long-term future in the M lineup is uncertain. This isn't the first time van Meel has signaled such a stance—he already advised enthusiasts back in 2024 to "buy a manual M car while you still can." Currently, the BMW M2, M3, M4, and the Z4 equipped with the "Handschalter" package are still available with manual transmissions. However, the Z4 is set to be discontinued by the end of 2026, and the arrival of the next-generation 3 Series and M3 leaves the fate of the manual gearbox further in doubt. Despite declining demand, many enthusiasts continue to call for preserving this symbol of driving engagement.