I've narrowed down my options and have a specific kind of car I'm looking for (2006+ 550i w/ manual transmission, sport and cold weather packages, > 50k miles), and after reading about some of the pricing available through wholesale auctions I'm trying to go that route. Found a dealer here in Chicago that was willing to pick one up for me at auction, but they are telling me that a manual transmission on these cars is really rare. Apparently they have been looking for a couple of other people for over a year with no results. Not sure what to make of this, are these cars really that rare?

In any case, anyone have any connections/referrals to someone with wholesale auction access around Chicago? Figure at least I'll try these guys: http://www.offleaseautobrokers.com/ and see what they have to say. I have been looking through cars.com/ebay/autotrader, but not really having too much luck-most of these dealerships advertising don't really look all that reputable, and I'd rather not fly halfway around the country only to find terms of the deal have changed, etc.

 

I have only seen one in person...I heard someone tell a group of journalists a while back that less than 10% of the 5 series destined for the us have the manual. A lot of reasons, but other than lazyness...the manual also drops the mpg into the gas guzzler tax..

 

You might want to try "www.swapalease.com", someone may have leased one that he/she wants out of??? Good luck shopping.....

 

where are you located? what color do you want? price range?
how about something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-5...nt-financingId

 

Sounds about right.

When I was looking for my current e60, I went direct through BMWNA. My only initial criteria were all three packages, and a stick. They searched all the current inventory in the US, and the inventory coming over on the boat. There were only 6 that I had to choose from. Had I not wanted a stick, there would have been hundreds. Anyway, that's the story.

 

I just used the Certified Pre-Owned model search function on BMWUSA.com to search for any manual 550, and there are currently seven listed in the entire USA.

 

same here...i used the search function on the cpu/bmwusa.com website and it gave me the option of 5 manual 550i's. I ended up flying to Chicago from NYC and driving her back....

 

I'm in Chicago. Indifferent to color, really looking for a stick shift with the sport package. I'm hoping to get the car and a warranty for under 30k, kinda means CPO is out of my price range.


Thanks guys.

 

you've got a pm

 

Today I test drove the 550i (Laurel BMW in Westmont). I was not that impressed. Later I test drove 535i (similar options) and the car seemed more nimble, more responsive. 550I felt heavy, of course it had a lot of power, but I had to push it. I thought I had decided to take a 550i, but after driving today, not so sure.

It seems like in Chicago you can't get a 535i which is not a buyback/lemon. Out of 20 535i 16 turned out to be buybacks according to autocheck.