fred2d

I've had a 545 manual for 2 plus years and in a few months my lease will run out. I'm thinking of going for the 530 manual, better mpg and can't really use the full power of the 545 that often. I asked the dealer to see if he could find a 530 manual for me to test drive. He said he would never find one, but might have what he called an executive car. He called today to say he had found a 2006 530 manual. I'm going to give it a try tomorrow, weather permitting, and will post my impressions.

ImolaRedM

I found the difference between the E39 Getrag 6speed and the E60 ZF 6speed to be huge. The Getrag was more traditional BMW with long but effortless throws. The ZF seems crisp and modern and has a slightly shorter throw than the Getrag. In fact, I think the E60 manual transmission feels more like my former Z3 M Roadster than the E39. The M Roadster also had a ZF transmission (5 speed with no overdrive).

fred2d

Test drove the 530 manual today for a couple of hours with out the dealer and found it to be completely boring. It's going to have to be the 550 or something else. the 530 is just too much of a dog. Handling seems the same as the 545 but the power is really lacking.

DanM3

I had to order my 550i in a manual too. The longer you wait.....

chris.y

That's disappointing to hear... I was hoping to hear that the 255hp '06-'07 530i engine was powerful enough. On the other hand, maybe my perspective will be different from yours because you're used to the power of your 545i.

KevinMR

Hi, would like to hear either here or in PM about where you bought your car. I'm in the Bay Area as well (East Bay...Lafayette) and am considering a 530 or 550 also with 6 speed. Thanks.

mullman

That is interesting.
Coming from a '00 540 six speed sport, I am finding only a slight slower machine with a 530 six speed sport.
The 550 I took home for a weekend test drive (before placing my euro delivery order) was very fast, yet abysmal on gas mileage, compared to my 540i6, and not really much faster. Hence my current lease choice.
Maybe your area of living provides you with more wide open spaces.
Not complaining since I have hit 125 mph twice in the South (not desert Southwest) in the past 5 days since re-delivery.

bimmer_w

When I decided to trade in my 2003 330i ZHP for a 2006 530i with 6speed manual, they found only one in cali and it was loaded with options and the color wasn't my choice. regardless of price that was way too high for a 530 due to all options were on it and color, i was ready to take it. then bad news came. the dealer told me the only reason why it has the M-kit because the car had an accident and the dealer decided to install the M-kit maybe for the reason that it will be sold asap and wasn't disclose and dealer did not want to rip me off so they do not recommend giving it to me and they search for another one. goodnews! they've located one but it was out of state and had it shipped here in cali. not the options i wanted, but i took it and it had 300 miles on it. didn't want to wait that long if i were to order one. ordering one with the options you want would be worth the wait.

Kzang

According to my sales guy, BMW 5 series are usually only popular in Step transmission, so they don't usually stock manuals since they are generally hardest to sale. Also 5 series are usually targeted for older consumers who care less about sport and more about luxury.

I had a hard time finding a 5 series in a manual and I also ordered my on 5/2. My car arrived on 6/7 and I will pick it up on 6/30.

Good luck.

chris.y

Hey KevinMR - I ended up ordering my 2007 530i (6-speed) from Weatherford BMW in Berkeley. The price before TTL was roughly $1K over invoice, which seems comparable if not slightly better than what others on this forum have reported. It has been a pretty painless transaction so far - I did the order over the phone.