I think it is fair to blame cellphones and Starbucks but there are other reasons too. True, kids are not taught how to drive a manual transmission anymore. I learned in a friends orange VW Bug and my brother's Volvo 240 series Turbo. My first new car and my first BMW were both manuals. Anyway, I think that the increasing complexity of cars make an auto more attractive. With complicated distraction like satellite radio, iPods in our cars, Bluetooth, navigation, and so on, our hands wind up being called on to deal with those items rather than on shifting, and sometimes simply driving. I must admit that one of the reasons I ordered my E90 with Steptronic was that I was getting it with iDrive and with the fear of having to manipulate that puzzle I thought it better to get Step. It also makes the car easier to resell later on too. Besides, the plan is always to have a third car for fun and that would be a stick.

I also agree with B-Line in that BMW does share the blame. Along with his reasoning that BMW is slow to bring manuals over, they also tout all of the technological advances in their cars and SMG happens to be one of them that they want to push. It's the same with all can manufacturers and the highline sports cars are a big part of it. They make it out to be a like you're missing out on something if you don't have paddles on your steering wheel.

Is it all bad? I don't think so when it comes to good systems like DSG, F1, or eGear. It's actually pretty cool. Either way, we all have to accept that it's a reality and there might just come a time when you will be charged extra to get a manual and maybe a day will come where you can't even get a manual in anything except the purest of sports cars.

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You think looking for the 650 is bad, do a search for Porsche 911's.....when I had my 996, I got it because it was the only manual Porsche for sale within 150 miles. The rest were all auto.

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The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases - Thomas Jefferson
http://www.lp.org/
I'm heavenly blessed and worldly wise.

I miss driving a manual car. I learned how to drive in a 1960 Ford pickup with a 4 speed manual box .

Well with all the shifting problems with my current X, I am shockingly considering
a manual for my next vehicle. This X
makes the third car in a row I've had with hesitation. I am beginning to believe
this is the wave of the future with conservation. A manual should eliminate
that problem. This issue might brighten the future for manuals also.

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Automatics have become far better and you don't have the issue of clutch waring out.

Given the traffic in my area an auto is the only way to go. PS I don't go to Starbucks.

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X5world - Where you come for the information but stay for the friendships

Prior to my first X5 purchase, every car I've owned was a manual. I never had to replace a clutch, clutch plates or any other component. With everyone learning to drive automatics, your point could be valid due to the fact that most people don't know how to drive a manual....so worn out clutches would be a major issue. It's seems like auto makers are forcing the consumers hand. Let's face it, driving something with 350hp is a whole lot more enjoyable when you are throwing that stick around and double cluthing from the light .....Phil

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650i Coupe:
Deep Sea Blue
Sport Package
Heated Seats
Comfort Access
Premium Sound
Sport Auto w/ Paddle Shifters

Save your opinion for November 4th........By law, you get one!

That is SCARY...much more so than even the 650.

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Yeah I never learned to drive stick and all my BMW's we're automatic, for me, even thou I don't know how Manual trannys wouldn't be something I want because who wants to drive a manual in morning so cali traffic?

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Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8. Join us this fall and place a vote for equality, not a vote for hate, a vote for 8 is a vote for hate!
www.letcaliforniaring.org

Think about the gas you'll save in morning traffic. Southern Cali traffic is no worse that other metros....I lived in Diego for 10yrs and grow up driving in Chi-town, trust me....traffic is horrible in Houston as well......Phil

Yeah but like I stated I would not want to do that with a manual tranny