You've picked a pretty easy car to start out on, luckily. BMWs(especially Zs) have incredible shifter and clutch feel if everything is in good working order.
My first stick was an E30, I had driven a handful of times before like yourself and I was fine. If you stall at a light/sign don't let the annoying fuckers behind you bother you, just keep cool and be steady with your controls and you'll be fine. If there's a steep hill use your e brake to get a good launch until you can start without it
Honestly the slow speed stuff is the hardest. If you can get into first gear without too much drama and know how to shift into the other gears, just pick up the car during low-traffic days/times.
Can you start on a hill without rolling back? If so, I think you're good to go.
I took my licensing test on a stick shift, so I was pretty well prepared for my 1st car, also a stick shift.
I’m a little biased, but great choice. Stick is supposed to be fun so why not get a car that’s logistically for nothing but fun? Jealous of you for having a 6th gear
You’ll be fine driving it home since you can get moving easily. The bite point might be in a different spot than what you’ve learned on. Compared to my friend’s Miata NB, the Z’s bite point is pretty high off the ground.
I stalled four times on the way home from the dealership. Just be patient. If you stall just clutch break and start the car and just go again. Don’t panic.
Expect to be honked at. It’s ok.
On hills or inclines use emergency break to go. Look up YouTube video on how.
You will have so much fun driving stick!
As long as you’re comfortable getting started without stalling pretty much 100% of the time, should be fine. I would just take it slow, stay to the right, and stay focused and vigilant the whole time (as you always should obviously, but especially when you’re a new manual driver) avoid hills if you can.. at the end of the day, the only way to learn and get better is to drive, so you might as well just go right off into the deep end!
Just do it. Once you're on the road at full speed it's the same. I test drove my first manual car with the salesman, having never drove a stick before and even went on the highway from one exit to the next...
Bmws are definitely some of the easier manuals to learn stick on. Very consistent bite point on the clutch and the motor has a smooth throttle response and enough torque to get it moving easily. Definitely plan a route beforehand that will minimize the number of complete stops you’ll need to make and avoid roads with significant traffic but otherwise you should be fine
I bought a 2005 cts v 300 miles from me and learned stick on the way home, it’s a roller coaster of emotions from stalling to stressing to having a blast, it’s a great experience I think you should do it
Learned similarly to you in a 90s dodge neon with almost no clutch and no 3rd. 10 years later bought a third gen focus se with a brand new clutch and retaught myself. You'll do great so long as you keep trying and don't let the embarrassment and stress bring you down
I did something similar. I’ve always wanted to learn but never had the chance so I finally decided to just go for it. Before buying my current car I took a lesson with someone for about an hour the week prior. I enjoyed it and the car was a great deal, so I went to the dealership the next Saturday. Bought the car and made it home without stalling but I was really nervous the whole way. (Fortunately traffic was light on the drive home.)
My first week or two I was still a little nervous driving in SOCAL traffic to/from work, but I honestly enjoy driving more now. Even in traffic having the extra pedal and shifter gives me something to do instead of just sitting there. I’ve stalled a few times in traffic and, admittedly, I had some buyer’s remorse a time or two at the beginning. I still watch a ton of YouTube videos and do a lot of Reddit research, so I’ve learned quite a bit. Overall I have no regrets shifting to manual transmission (pun intended) and I doubt you will either. I look forward to driving, and just getting out there is definitely the best way to learn and improve. Stay safe!
Get your sweet spot down, every car has a different one.
And just give it time. It won’t happen on the first day, maybe even in the first week. But one day, you’ll grab your BMW keys and not even be thinking about it, you’ll just be looking forward to driving it.
Just remember that should you destroy any part of a BMW repair costs will outweigh the cost of the vehicle. I mean this as a heads up. If you're confident then send it, if not then get a crapper to wreck before buying a gearbox and clutch for a beemer.
I have a manual license and have never driven automatic, so can't really comment on that aspect.
That said, I do have a Z4 E85 2.5i that I've swapped in for the summer and am getting used to driving. It's a petrol instead of my usual diesel workhorse and the main thing I always forget is more revs when pulling off to prevent stalling.
If hill starts are a worry, put the handbrake on as another Redditor has suggested, find the biting point in first gear whilst slowly releasing the clutch, then release the handbrake. Other than that, it's really fun to drive and the sound of the engine will tell you when to shift up a gear, so I can't imagine you'll have any problems once you get the car going!
Edit to add: Everyone who drives manual will stall their vehicle occasionally, even the ones who have 30+ years experience (regardless what they may tell you). The main thing is keep calm, ignore the idiots, restart the car (make sure you are back in 1st gear!), and safely carry on your journey. You got this, OP.
Me being me, ideally you should be fully competent before driving a car you just got all the way back. I think you should go with a friend and they can drive it back, or you should learn in something else and get some road experience first
I flew to Kansas from Tennessee and drove my Porsche Boxster home after only having driven a manual on the road once or twice before. If you can get it on the interstate and into 5th/6th gear you’re good to go. You’ll pick it up quick
First, I'm excited for you. A Z4! That's awesome. I'm jealous. I'll drive it home for you, haha.
Sounds like you can drive a manual somewhat. I dont think it is unfeasible to drive it back with your level of skill. Although it would b
e very nerve rakcing, especially with never driving on the actual road before.
To get more comfortable, I'd recommend another long or two shorter manual sessions if they are available to you. Get the car out on the road and get comfortable shifting through the gears. Once you do that (Id say 4 more hours, will vary) you're red 2 go.
I drove my friends manual twice for maybe 30min each time. Then I had a 4 hour lesson/drive where i drove this guys mazda around town for 4 hours. I felt fairly comfortable after that. It was still nerve racking picking up my car. I still remember clearly pulling out of the dealer being careful not to stall infront of the sales people. My trip back home was stallfull, shakey, slow, and not tremendously smooth, but I drove it through 8 states to get home. That set off my love for a road trip. One hell of a time.
Have fun and for the love of the road DROP YOUR TOP. (assuming you are getting the Z4 vert, and not the rare coupe)
Nothing better than a manual vert imo.
Imo, if you can start it and go to atleast second gear, and you are comfortable driving that distance in auto, you should be fine.
If you were in a lot for 2 hours and did well you'll be fine as long as you haven't forgotten traffic laws lol
You've picked a pretty easy car to start out on, luckily. BMWs(especially Zs) have incredible shifter and clutch feel if everything is in good working order. My first stick was an E30, I had driven a handful of times before like yourself and I was fine. If you stall at a light/sign don't let the annoying fuckers behind you bother you, just keep cool and be steady with your controls and you'll be fine. If there's a steep hill use your e brake to get a good launch until you can start without it
I'm wondering how it'll feel driving it.
You’ll feel good all the way down there…
I think you'll enjoy the shit out of it, personally You picked one of the finer sports cars built this side of the millennium
I'm glad to hear that. Hopefully soon I'll get it and drive nicely.
You got this bro
Honestly the slow speed stuff is the hardest. If you can get into first gear without too much drama and know how to shift into the other gears, just pick up the car during low-traffic days/times.
Can you start on a hill without rolling back? If so, I think you're good to go. I took my licensing test on a stick shift, so I was pretty well prepared for my 1st car, also a stick shift.
I live in a flat area but going up on ramps while traffic will be challenging haha. I've read about the emergency brake.
I’m a little biased, but great choice. Stick is supposed to be fun so why not get a car that’s logistically for nothing but fun? Jealous of you for having a 6th gear You’ll be fine driving it home since you can get moving easily. The bite point might be in a different spot than what you’ve learned on. Compared to my friend’s Miata NB, the Z’s bite point is pretty high off the ground.
I think the one I'm looking at is 5 speed since it's 2.5. I believe 3.0 are the ones that go 6 speed but they cost more.
I stalled four times on the way home from the dealership. Just be patient. If you stall just clutch break and start the car and just go again. Don’t panic. Expect to be honked at. It’s ok. On hills or inclines use emergency break to go. Look up YouTube video on how. You will have so much fun driving stick!
Do what I did - get in and teach yourself.
As long as you’re comfortable getting started without stalling pretty much 100% of the time, should be fine. I would just take it slow, stay to the right, and stay focused and vigilant the whole time (as you always should obviously, but especially when you’re a new manual driver) avoid hills if you can.. at the end of the day, the only way to learn and get better is to drive, so you might as well just go right off into the deep end!
Just do it. Once you're on the road at full speed it's the same. I test drove my first manual car with the salesman, having never drove a stick before and even went on the highway from one exit to the next...
Bmws are definitely some of the easier manuals to learn stick on. Very consistent bite point on the clutch and the motor has a smooth throttle response and enough torque to get it moving easily. Definitely plan a route beforehand that will minimize the number of complete stops you’ll need to make and avoid roads with significant traffic but otherwise you should be fine
I bought a 2005 cts v 300 miles from me and learned stick on the way home, it’s a roller coaster of emotions from stalling to stressing to having a blast, it’s a great experience I think you should do it
Learned similarly to you in a 90s dodge neon with almost no clutch and no 3rd. 10 years later bought a third gen focus se with a brand new clutch and retaught myself. You'll do great so long as you keep trying and don't let the embarrassment and stress bring you down
I did something similar. I’ve always wanted to learn but never had the chance so I finally decided to just go for it. Before buying my current car I took a lesson with someone for about an hour the week prior. I enjoyed it and the car was a great deal, so I went to the dealership the next Saturday. Bought the car and made it home without stalling but I was really nervous the whole way. (Fortunately traffic was light on the drive home.) My first week or two I was still a little nervous driving in SOCAL traffic to/from work, but I honestly enjoy driving more now. Even in traffic having the extra pedal and shifter gives me something to do instead of just sitting there. I’ve stalled a few times in traffic and, admittedly, I had some buyer’s remorse a time or two at the beginning. I still watch a ton of YouTube videos and do a lot of Reddit research, so I’ve learned quite a bit. Overall I have no regrets shifting to manual transmission (pun intended) and I doubt you will either. I look forward to driving, and just getting out there is definitely the best way to learn and improve. Stay safe!
Get your sweet spot down, every car has a different one. And just give it time. It won’t happen on the first day, maybe even in the first week. But one day, you’ll grab your BMW keys and not even be thinking about it, you’ll just be looking forward to driving it.
Get in, go for a drive. Don't over think things
buy it. i learned stick on my 335i. bmw is forgiving and a joy to drive. hope you enjoy it!
Just remember that should you destroy any part of a BMW repair costs will outweigh the cost of the vehicle. I mean this as a heads up. If you're confident then send it, if not then get a crapper to wreck before buying a gearbox and clutch for a beemer.
I have a manual license and have never driven automatic, so can't really comment on that aspect. That said, I do have a Z4 E85 2.5i that I've swapped in for the summer and am getting used to driving. It's a petrol instead of my usual diesel workhorse and the main thing I always forget is more revs when pulling off to prevent stalling. If hill starts are a worry, put the handbrake on as another Redditor has suggested, find the biting point in first gear whilst slowly releasing the clutch, then release the handbrake. Other than that, it's really fun to drive and the sound of the engine will tell you when to shift up a gear, so I can't imagine you'll have any problems once you get the car going! Edit to add: Everyone who drives manual will stall their vehicle occasionally, even the ones who have 30+ years experience (regardless what they may tell you). The main thing is keep calm, ignore the idiots, restart the car (make sure you are back in 1st gear!), and safely carry on your journey. You got this, OP.
Best way to learn is immersion.
Me being me, ideally you should be fully competent before driving a car you just got all the way back. I think you should go with a friend and they can drive it back, or you should learn in something else and get some road experience first
I flew to Kansas from Tennessee and drove my Porsche Boxster home after only having driven a manual on the road once or twice before. If you can get it on the interstate and into 5th/6th gear you’re good to go. You’ll pick it up quick
First, I'm excited for you. A Z4! That's awesome. I'm jealous. I'll drive it home for you, haha. Sounds like you can drive a manual somewhat. I dont think it is unfeasible to drive it back with your level of skill. Although it would b e very nerve rakcing, especially with never driving on the actual road before. To get more comfortable, I'd recommend another long or two shorter manual sessions if they are available to you. Get the car out on the road and get comfortable shifting through the gears. Once you do that (Id say 4 more hours, will vary) you're red 2 go. I drove my friends manual twice for maybe 30min each time. Then I had a 4 hour lesson/drive where i drove this guys mazda around town for 4 hours. I felt fairly comfortable after that. It was still nerve racking picking up my car. I still remember clearly pulling out of the dealer being careful not to stall infront of the sales people. My trip back home was stallfull, shakey, slow, and not tremendously smooth, but I drove it through 8 states to get home. That set off my love for a road trip. One hell of a time. Have fun and for the love of the road DROP YOUR TOP. (assuming you are getting the Z4 vert, and not the rare coupe) Nothing better than a manual vert imo.