The BMW M3 and M4 Competition replaced the previous generation’s dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic. BMW says the choice was about balancing sporty driving with comfort and making M xDrive available on the M3 and M4 for the first time—not because BMW has established that a DCT was slower or impossible to use.
Why BMW chose the 8-speed M Steptronic
BMW M’s drivetrain Q&A gives two reasons for the change: the eight-speed transmission offers what BMW describes as a broad range between sporty use and comfort, and it enabled the introduction of M xDrive in the M3 and M4. BMW also says its experience with the M8 and M8 Competition provided a starting point for calibrating the transmission in the smaller cars. BMW M’s drivetrain Q&A
That explanation is narrower than some common assumptions about the switch. BMW’s cited statements do not establish that a DCT was slower, less reliable, more expensive, or impossible to package. The stated choice was to use a transmission BMW considered suitable for both sporty driving and comfort, while supporting the M xDrive option.
What replaced the DCT, and how does it behave?
The M3 and M4 Competition use an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic. BMW transmission developer Karsten said it can downshift multiple gears at once and is faster “most of the time” in a kickdown—the response to a request for rapid acceleration. That is a claim about that maneuver, not proof that the automatic shifts faster than every DCT in every situation. BMW M’s transmission Q&A, published April 12, 2021
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BMW also said the new M3 and M4 Competition had better track performance than their predecessors. That is BMW’s product claim; it is not an independent test result or a direct lap-time comparison between the DCT and M Steptronic. BMW’s published statements do not provide a DCT-versus-Steptronic lap-time or full-cycle shift-time figure.
Can you still get a manual M3 or M4?
Yes, BMW has offered a six-speed manual in applicable M3 and M4 configurations. The manual is not available across every trim, drivetrain, model year, or market, so check the specifications for the exact car and country rather than assuming the whole model line is automatic-only. BMW USA’s M model overview
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The manual and Competition automatic are not simply two transmissions fitted to otherwise identical versions. BMW M’s manual Q&A lists 353 kW and 550 Nm for manual models, and 375 kW and 650 Nm for Competition models with the eight-speed M Steptronic. Those are variant ratings, not a controlled comparison isolating the transmission’s effect on output. BMW M’s manual-transmission Q&A
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much weight does the manual save?
BMW publishes two figures in different contexts. Its 2021 transmission Q&A gives a 23.8 kg in-car weight difference between automatic and manual, counting the automatic’s additional oil cooler. BMW Group PressClub USA’s 2020 launch release says the manual saves 50 lb versus the eight-speed M Steptronic. These are BMW figures from their respective sources and contexts, not a universal measurement for every model year, market, or configuration.
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The automatic’s weight difference is one practical trade-off, but the available figures should not be used to claim that one transmission alone determines the cars’ performance. The manual and Competition automatic also have different stated power and torque ratings.
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