This is my first post here, and I was hoping to get some insight on the E60 - figure I'm in the right place.

I have been planning on purchasing a 325xi touring, and may still do so, but at 6' 3", and with two young sons, I am thinking I may enjoy a larger car. I was with a friend at an Infiniti dealer recently (he was looking at the G35) and took a good look at the M35x. I really liked the car, and it's a good value for that engine and the features, but I'm really wanting a BMW (this would be my first).

So, I'm stretching budget-wise a little as it is with the 325xi, and so naturally, the only 5-series I am considering is the 525xi. I went by a dealership this afternoon and drove a 525xi (auto) and really liked it. I would gladly give up the extra hp of the Infiniti for the overall balance, look and feel (and probably resale) of the BMW.

So, here's the question part of my post - I've never owned an auto tranny, and don't think I'm ready to give up shifting on my own yet. So I'd probably get the manual in this 525xi. While I thoroughly enjoyed my test drive of the auto 525xi, I am very curious of the impressions from owners of the 525 with a manual trannie. I thought the acceleration was at least adequate, but certainly not overwhelming (don't get me wrong - the overall driving experience was fantastic). The salesman said he'd let me know when a 525xi with the manual came in, but didn't see any on the horizon. So, in the meantime, I'm hoping to get some impressions from owners on how the manual trannie transforms the driving experience?

Thanks for any advice.

 

Oops..... I had a 02 325 wagon with a manual and im 6'0. it was a great car but just too small when my son came along, In a couple of weeks im picking up a 06 530 wagon with a auto, If I were you id get a 530 wagon with an auto. In the long run I think youd like it better.

 

My first BMW was a 2001 BMW 325i Touring with very minimal options (leatherette, manual seats, no moonroof, but StepTronic auto). I bought this vehicle used w/2700 miles on it and drove it for 3 years. For the entire time, I pined for a manual transmission, desired a little more room, a moonroof, and electric seats in order to adjust seat-bottom tilt. I'm a little shorter at 6' 0", but have a rather longer torso (e.g. rather fat). I found headroom to be just fine as it did not have a moonroof, but since I wanted a moonroof, I traded it in on a 2004 BMW 525i with 6-speed manual, premium, premium sound, folding seats and shades.

The manual transmission has been a delight. Performance is well beyond adequate, and the 525i is plenty roomy. Having said all that, if the new 325i wagon had been coming soon and had I known how much roomier the new 3-series is, I would have seriously considered trading for a new 325i wagon with 6-speed manual.

 

I'm 6'3" and have trouble getting a good view out of many cars as a driver. That is one thing I look for when car shopping. In fact, the I couldn't really see out the window of the new Lexus GS. The top half of my view was the visor. Other cars, the top half of my view is the strong green tint band. I was really happy that I had a great view out of the 5 even without the seat lowered completely. I have comfort seats, but I tried the normal and sport seats and they all worked for me.

I have the 530xi with 6 speed. I really wanted a car in the class you're looking in with a manual transmission. None of the Japanese competition offer manual in AWD. The M is a great car for the most part. One thing I can't get over is that "pregnant hump" up front in-between the front seats.

Anyway, the 530xi with 6 speed is great. The power on the 530xi is fine. I never test drove a 525 with manual. I doubt you will ever find one to test drive. As to power, I will say that I at times I want for more, but that would only lead to trouble

Tom

 

I've never driven a 525xi -- only experience is with the 545i.

For me, the manual gearbox on the 545i has its good days and bad days. I'm sort of ambivalent on the BMW 6spds. The clutch pedal travel is a bit long, the throws are also long but the syncros on the E60 are an improvement from the earlier generations in my opinion. It's definitely not the "snickety-snick" feel you get with the Honda S2000 gearbox, but it's not sloppy like the older Mustangs.

Bottom line is, in this segment, your lucky to even have the option of a 6spd gearbox. Most manufacturers think drivers don't have left legs -- and if they do, don't know how to use them.

 

I bought a 530xi, but I drove the 525's with auto and manual. The 525xi is more than adequate. Plenty of passing power, plaenty of acceleration, and a great driving feeling. You will notice a differenceif you "get on it" a lot. But compared to almost every other car out there, you will have the best ride. If budget is a concern the 525xi with no optiions in my opinion is a great car.

Other things the 525 does not have are the xenons - which for the most part who cares
lumbar support - again who cares (it does come with the premium package if you get that)

the 06 525 come with 215 hp - which is only 10 less than the 05 530

and I think it is the "feel" that makes the BMW better than all the others - and you get that in all of the e60's - regardless of engine size.

 

Welcome. I'll answer in reverse. My personal cars all have been manuals for the past 40 years--until now (but I still have 2 manuals). I have a 545i with Steptronic (wouldn't yet have an SMG although many love theirs).

You might be surprised at the nice compromise between manual and automatic that can acheived by driving a Steptronic in "sport mode" (i.e., DS mode) and shifting manually. I always drive using a combination of automatic and manual shifting in DS mode--mostly manual. Note that the Steptronic does not start in first gear unless in DS mode. So, you may not have experienced the capability of a Steptronic fully.

Given that you like manuals, you would know the general benefits of shifting manually--but without a clutch. Be aware that, even shifting manually, a Steptronic will overide you if your car "thinks" that your are trying to hurt it (sort of like Hal)--e.g., trying to downshift from 6th to 1st at 100 mph. The Steptronic also will not shift into 6th automatically when in DS mode--which is a good thing. You can always shift to 6th maually when in DS. There are other interesting things to know about Steptronics. Post back if you become more interested in a Steptronic.

 

Thanks for all the responses. To reply to some of the comments:

Someone mentioned how much roomier the new 3-series is compared to the outgoing model - I totally agree. Based on the relatively small outside dimensions, I was surprised at how roomy it is on the inside (front and back) as compared to the competitors I looked at (A4, IS250). So, as I mentioned, I still may go with a 3-series wagon (perhaps a good first BMW, huh?), but I really like the extra room of the 525.

Sounds like most feel the 525 power is adequate, if not better. The 2006 upgrade has really made a difference to me. I recently test drove a 2003 525i with the 5-speed manual and thought it felt surprisingly quick, so I'm sure the 2006 with the extra gear and extra horses would be lots of fun.

It is nice that BMW still offers this combo. I can't think of any other mid/full-size sedan, in any class, that pairs a manual transmission with AWD.

A local dealer here is expecting a white/beige 525xi with only leather and heated seats (with manual trannie). I have a feeling they may be willing to deal on this particular model, just because I doubt that combo is in high demand. Could be good for me. The only feature I would personally miss is the auto-dimming mirrors - has anyone added this aftermarket?

Again, thanks for the responses.

 

Leather is available as a separate option - as are heated seats, but usually they come as part of packages

The leather is part of the premium pkg - which includes auto-dim mirrors and lumbar support
the heated seats are part of he cold weather package - which includes headlight washers and heated sterring wheel

the dealer maybe right that only the options are present, but it has been my experience that many sales associates do not knoe the difference between packages on options

If you go to the dealer there is an accessory catalog - look at this, I think there is a mirror you can get that has a compass and autodim feature - but I am not sure
the accessories are BMW aftermarket and can be installed by the dealer, includes things such as wood gearshift knobs, car cover, various protection, ski racks, etc - and not all fo the things in the catalog were on the website

 

Welcome to the forum. I had already 4 BMWs and all of them are with manual gear. At present I am driving a MY 2006 525i touring and I am more than satisfied with this car. The power, 218 bhp is adequate to the size of the car and the manual gear gives really nice riding sensation. However adding also the x-drive it will be simply gorgeous. Keep us informed with your final decision.

P.S.: In case you buy it do not forget to add some great gadgets like M-sport package, xenon lights etc.