Confirm the right transmission
BMW offered a six-speed manual and an optional eight-speed M Steptronic in the documented US launch configuration. This guide concerns the manual assistant, not automatic shift programs or paddle behavior.
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Before changing the setting
Find the explanation while parked
Read the Gear Shift Assistant entry in the vehicle’s own manual and inspect M Setup while stationary. Interface details can change; do not hunt through menus while driving.
Know what you are changing
Treat this as a change to assistance during a manual shift, not a change to which gear is mechanically appropriate. Keep the setting you can use confidently and follow the vehicle’s operating instructions.
If behavior seems inconsistent
Write down the selected configuration and the exact circumstances. If you suspect a fault, give those observations to a qualified workshop; this reference does not diagnose a clutch or gearbox problem from a single shift.
What this page does not recommend
It does not suggest disabling stability control, forcing a shift or experimenting with high-speed downshifts. There is no universal instruction here for later software, another market’s M2 or an automatic car.
Does the assistant choose the gear for me?
No. The documented function is rev matching for the manual transmission. Gear selection and operation remain the driver’s job.
Sources 1
Sources / references 1
- BMW PressClub USA — All-new 2023 M2 ↗Reviewed Sep 27, 2026
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