550i - Manual or Automatic ?
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From: North Carolina
My Ride: F10 535i: Jet Black, Black Dakota leather, Sport Auto, Cold Weather, Driver Assistance, Driver Assistance Plus, Dynamic Handling, Luxury Seating, M Sport, Premium, Technology, Rear Sunshades, Auto High Beams, BMW Assist w/enhanced BT and USB.
Sport auto.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Calgary, Canada
Out of the five BMW's I've owned over the years, the only one with an automatic was the X3 I got for my wife. Manual transmission is the way to go in my opinion.
Automatic transmissions are expected in North America (so people can drive while stuffing Big Mac's down their gullet and drinking a Big Gulp at the same time, in between talking on the phone and looking at themselves in the mirror). Go over to Europe, where the OP is from, and manuals are the standard spec.
My only complaint is I have a bitch of a time finding sports sedans that actually have manual transmissions. When I bought my 2006 530i from a private seller and called the dealer to talk about registering the car in my name, they knew the car without even looking it up in the computer because they had only sold two with manual transmissions that year, and mine was the black one (and this particular dealer in Calgary is the highest volume dealer in the country).
Another good thing about the manual transmission in North America is that they are in high demand. There are so few of them they get snapped up quickly at full price. The guy I bought mine from (I spoke to him the same day he advertised it online) had already received a dozen calls plus a 'sight unseen' offer from someone living 2,000 kms away in Toronto who was going to fly out to buy the car. I grabbed it immediately and have loved it.
Automatic transmissions are expected in North America (so people can drive while stuffing Big Mac's down their gullet and drinking a Big Gulp at the same time, in between talking on the phone and looking at themselves in the mirror). Go over to Europe, where the OP is from, and manuals are the standard spec.
My only complaint is I have a bitch of a time finding sports sedans that actually have manual transmissions. When I bought my 2006 530i from a private seller and called the dealer to talk about registering the car in my name, they knew the car without even looking it up in the computer because they had only sold two with manual transmissions that year, and mine was the black one (and this particular dealer in Calgary is the highest volume dealer in the country).
Another good thing about the manual transmission in North America is that they are in high demand. There are so few of them they get snapped up quickly at full price. The guy I bought mine from (I spoke to him the same day he advertised it online) had already received a dozen calls plus a 'sight unseen' offer from someone living 2,000 kms away in Toronto who was going to fly out to buy the car. I grabbed it immediately and have loved it.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Paris, France
My Ride: BMW 550i Carbonschwarz metallic Full Options... except night vision !
Thanks for your answer Eloise550i. Could you please give me some reasons about choosing the automatic over the manual ?
Great Brent P.
I live in France and unfortunately on that kind of car, people look for automatic, even though there are still people who only swear by manual.
But as I said, I won't sell it, I'm going to keep it.
I already had a Steptronic on my former 550i and I do believe that a manual on my next one will be more exciting.
Great Brent P.
I live in France and unfortunately on that kind of car, people look for automatic, even though there are still people who only swear by manual.
But as I said, I won't sell it, I'm going to keep it.
I already had a Steptronic on my former 550i and I do believe that a manual on my next one will be more exciting.
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From: Paris, France
My Ride: BMW 550i Carbonschwarz metallic Full Options... except night vision !
Sorry but as you noticed, English is not my maternal language. 
Come on others, what do you think about it ? Manual or Auto ?
Come on others, what do you think about it ? Manual or Auto ?
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Buffalo, NY
My Ride: 2004 530i
awesome. i get such a kick out these responses... tuffluck you officially are as funny as me. in my opinion because of your location an auto may be your best choice but based on what YOU are looking for a manual is whats gangster for you.....either way you'll be driving a FAST bimmer.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Paris, France
My Ride: BMW 550i Carbonschwarz metallic Full Options... except night vision !
Thanks Sluis530
Yes, I am looking for my pleasure only.
It is confirming what I thought : BMW manual gearbox are great ! Made my Getrag ?
Yes, I am looking for my pleasure only.
It is confirming what I thought : BMW manual gearbox are great ! Made my Getrag ?
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From: The State of Southern NJ!
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From: Northern Virginia
My Ride: '07 550i Black/M-Tech Body Kit/SMG/Sport/Navigation/ Logic7/ Comfort Access/Matte Black Kidney Grilles (eurosportdesign)
Performance Mods: None yet...
Coming Soon: Upgraded Brake Rotors/Pads, Stainless Steel Brakes Lines
I'm a big manual trans guy but I own an SMG and love it to death! It's a faster shift than a manual, has paddle shifters, and has the 6 speed gearbox not an like an automatic...I would recommend you test drive one first, because they are not for everyone!
