After reviewing this board for a short period of time, it is clear that there is relevant content.

I am considering purchasing a 2005 545i. I was initially leaning towards the the 530i (with the new R6 engine), but with the performance of the 545i and additional standard options, it seems to make more sense.

I have had several cars with a manual trans and it seems to be a challenge when selling the car. I was surprised that even selling a 300Z (in perfect condition, with a manual trans) was difficult. I would expect most buyers of a sports car to prefer a stick, but apparently this is not the case - at least in South FL.

I would appreciate your thoughts on the sportronic vs manual trans - from a driver's standpoint and from a resale standpoint.

Also, I've sent messages to nine BMW dealers in the area regarding European Delivery, but they have had generic responses and poor follow-up. Please respond if you know a good contact for ED. I'd like to pick up the car in April or May 2005.

 

welcome aboard, e60fl !

 

Welcome aboard, e60fl !

From the resale point of view I would say it's better to get auto. Drivers point of view, manual.

Have you been driving manual before? Then you might want to get SMG... THAT is the number 1 for the "driver".

 

get the car you want, not what will happen several years down the road. you need to enjoy now

 

There are many who buy BMWs because they offer manual transmissions. I can't speak directly to the resale value vs. an automatic but clearly the manual is desireable to many.

As someone else said, get what you want. When you go to sell it, you should be able to find someone who's looking for whatever transmission you chose..

 

Why not do this:
Go to nada.com and look up several models two or three years old to see, if there is a difference in resale, trade in, etc that is significant. Then decide what you want.

I asked a NY dealer, if he had one to try and he said he doesn't really sell them.

I had same decision, but it wasn't based on price. In any event, 545 is a great car.

As far as ED, or anything involving purchase, you have to get to the sales mgr, in person to make progress--my experience.

 

I agree with Rudy.

 

I think that most of the responses here are right on target. To add my $.02 though, I've never driven anything other than sticks. When it comes to resale, because there are fewer of us "stick guys", the market isn't as broad. However, if you're one of the guys looking for a stick, the inventory isn't as broad either. My experience . . . it may take a little loinger to find the right buyer, but he or she will pay for it, if it's what they want.

As for ED, I can't help you with a FLA dealer, but I can encourage you to look harder. The experience is too great to ignore.

 

I agree, get what you want now!
As for resale value, when I sold my manual E39 a couple of months ago, it was funny. The dealer told me I'll get a good price blah blah, until he saw its a manual. He immediately said that manual 5s are very hard to sell and it would decrease the trade-in value by several $1,000. He actually in between refused to take the trade-in. Also, all used E39s on his lot wera slushboxes.

Jochen

 

I agree. Not that I care. The residuals on the lease are the same, so the fewer buyers are the dealers problem. However, should they find one, I would venture to say that they could charge a premium, because a 545 6spd is a rare car. Its like the market for an E39 M5. Its small. They are also 6spd manuals, but have great resale prices.