Manual Transmission Feel

[geekatthewheel]

hi all,

There is a topic I have been wanting to post about. It is the MT feel for the FL5 compared to the F87 M2C. I love how smooth the FL5 is on traffic, as if you could not tell what it is capable of doing on track. The clutch release is linear and it is impossible to miss the spot where traction begins. The M2 however feels like a beast who hates stop and go traffic, once you gain speed on the upper gears the feeling of the clutch for fast changes is fantastic. However, as I said on stop and go traffic clutch engagement is clunky and I cant help compare both cars in my head.

I have not driven many other manual sports cars, lucky to have driven a Xbow (completely different animal), Miata, M3, 370z and F Type. I wanted to ask to those of you who own or have driven ferrari, porsche gt or the new M4/M3 (Manual of course) how does the clutch engagement and gear feel compare?

I am very curious to drive the new G87 and the manual gt3 but unless you buy then it will be impossible where I live. Thank you all for chiming in!

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[damage]

I've owned the following manual cars

• Honda AP2 S2000
• Porsche 997 GT3
• Porsche 718 GT4
• Porsche 992 911 S/T (currently own)

If I had to rank them in terms of how the shifter and clutch feel is, it would be this..

1. Porsche 992 911 S/T
2. Honda AP2 S2000
3. Porsche 718 GT4
4. Porsche 997 GT3

The new 911 ST is hands down the best manual car ever IMO. The shifter mechanism is even better than the S2000 which I had placed it in the #1 spot until driving this car. The ST is rifle bolt precise and solid feel with short throws and the perfect weighted feel. The clutch is tricky though as it has a lightweight flywheel so the revs rise AND drop fast. Stop and go traffic would be tricky as you'll end up stalling.

S2000 was superb also. Just wish Honda would release another one in coupe form with 400HP+. Shifter and clutch was perfect.

GT4 is decent but you can tell there's plastic bits in the shifter mechanism. Clutch was easy to use also and grabs well.

997 GT3 shifter mechanism felt very cheap with a lot of play and the clutch was FIRM AF. It's like doing light leg presses but has really good grab/friction when it engages. You'd get a sore leg if you had to deal with stop and go traffic.

I find the clutch in the FL5 to be almost too light. When it grabs it's so feathery. I need to get used to that.

 

[TchnoZ33]

Bro, how did you manage to get an allocation for that S/T. So much envy lol.

 

[damage]

Bro, how did you manage to get an allocation for that S/T. So much envy lol.

Luck

 

[TchnoZ33]

Probably my favorite Porsche

 

[damage]

Probably my favorite Porsche

Out of all the Porsche's I've owned, my favorite remains the 997 GT3. Perfect size, power, manual, and raw. I've had 997GT3, 991.2 GT3RS, 718 GT4. The 997 is the perfect size. The GT4 would be top if it was more raw and had a better power band.

 

[TchnoZ33]

It’s pretty cool that you own all these amazing cars and still have an FL5. Speaks volumes about the car.

 

[damage]

It’s pretty cool that you own all these amazing cars and still have an FL5. Speaks volumes about the car.

I’m actually selling the fl5 since I hardly get to drive it. It’s got 400 miles only.

 

[TypeRD]

Luck

We need S/T pics!!! Please!

 

[TchnoZ33]

I’m actually selling thr fl5 since I hardly get to drive it. It’s got 400 miles only.

Well that didn’t help prove my point

 

[optronix]

Luck

I'm not even going to try to hide my jealousy and contempt.

On topic- short of a 911 S/T (lol), the shifter feel of the FL5 is really great, especially vs ANY BMW. BMW shifter feel is a joke compared to these cars.

That is objective fact.

The Supra does it much better, somehow.

Some people complain about the clutch in the FL5/DE5; I can't. This car has been a joy to drive in any conditions, including autocross/track and heavy traffic. I haven't had a 911 S/T (lol), but I have had a 981 Boxster GTS 6 speed and a 991.2 Carrera S 7-speed, and my DE5 is as good or better than either of them (The 911 wasn't as good as the 981 IMHO).

I also owned an E36 M3 and E92 335i. BMW shifters are "sloppy", and don't like to be rushed. Especially 1-2 shifts. This is universal; it's no different in the F87. That's why I chose the DCT when I bought an F82 M4, and a large reason why I don't own an F87 right now.

 

[naafl5]

The clutch release is linear and it is impossible to miss the spot where traction begins.

Wait what? There is no bite feel on my foot whatsoever for me and I thought that was the general consensus. Only now with the PRL RMM can I feel the vibrations more.

 

[damage]

Wait what? There is no bite feel on my foot whatsoever for me and I thought that was the general consensus. Only now with the PRL RMM can I feel the vibrations more.

It's a very soft grab. I agree with you. You can tell when it does but it's definitely light. If you wear shoes with thick soles, it'll be even harder to feel it.

Thankfully the shifter is one of the best out there. I'm not sure why they can't make it feel like the one in the S2000 though. That was damn near perfect.

 

[MooMoo]

I came from a M2 comp, there was no where (fast slow, low RPM, high RPM) that the M2 comp shifter or clutch feels better than the FL5. When I had the M2 I thought was not too bad but then driving the FL5 I understand why people always say bmw shifters are not great. Super rubbery, very vague, throws feel longer and less feedback when putting in gear. And it does not end on the shifter, anything that is related to feedback the FL5 hands down wins

edit - actually minus noise, the FL5 exhaust is too quite, have to rely on the stupid fake noise or you would not even know what is happening)

 

[optronix]

I came from a M2 comp, there was no where (fast slow, low RPM, high RPM) that the M2 comp shifter or clutch feels better than the FL5. When I had the M2 I thought was not too bad but then driving the FL5 I understand why people always say bmw shifters are not great. Super rubbery, very vague, throws feel longer and less feedback when putting in gear. And it does not end on the shifter, anything that is related to feedback the FL5 hands down wins

edit - actually minus noise, the FL5 exhaust is too quite, have to rely on the stupid fake noise or you would not even know what is happening)

Agreed on all points.... but the F87 is still a great car. If the inputs were just a slight bit better I would have found a way to justify having two less doors, because end of the day I do prefer rear-wheel drive in a sports car. But the FL5/DE5 just nails the inputs.

Including the clutch. I don't even know wtf we're talking about anymore. Are you guys driving the same car?

Why are we suddenly comparing to 911 S/Ts and Ferraris and shit?

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