How many 6-speed E60's were made...?
12-29-2008, 12:30 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='755273' date='Dec 29 2008, 03:59 PM
Maybe the F10 will be the last 5er with the manual option. It's already happening on some cars (Audi RS6, Mercedes S class I believe, some Aston Martins I think too). Those are great examples of the manufacturers not putting in the effort of engineering a manual option due to low take-up of it.
Perhaps in 10 years time if you want a manual, you have to look to the cheaper end of the market to get one.
Perhaps in 10 years time if you want a manual, you have to look to the cheaper end of the market to get one.
As long as BMW markets themselves as the ultimate driving machine, they have to keep the manual as an option, but I agree with you that in 10 yrs you might have to look to the cheaper end of the market to get a stick.
I am one of the hard core stick shift enthusiasts and BMW will lose me as a customer if they eliminate the stick and I sure would hate to be driving a 4 cyl econobox with a stick.
12-29-2008, 12:57 PM
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I was originally looking for a black on black Audi S4 with Nav and a 6 spd manual. I had found a few around the country and then it just so happened that the first BMW I looked at was the one in my sig. Black on black with Nav and a 6 spd manual. All it took was 1 test drive, I was hooked!! Now I think the S4 would have been a huge mistake. What an amazing car this 5er is! 
12-29-2008, 02:04 PM
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Allen:
Congratulations on your new wheels. I was also lucky to find the E60 I wanted w/a stick. Sorry to hear about the E34. I can do you one better, my beloved 1995 E34 Grey/Black 5-speed with 92,000 miles - original owner. I have owned nine BMWs, first one a 1600 I bought in 1971. The E34 was/is the best one I have owned. I feel your pain.
Congratulations on your new wheels. I was also lucky to find the E60 I wanted w/a stick. Sorry to hear about the E34. I can do you one better, my beloved 1995 E34 Grey/Black 5-speed with 92,000 miles - original owner. I have owned nine BMWs, first one a 1600 I bought in 1971. The E34 was/is the best one I have owned. I feel your pain.
12-29-2008, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='755130' date='Dec 29 2008, 01:28 PM
Hmmm. Maybe.
edit: Now I've read the whole thread (which I didn't when I first responded) I see it's all about manuals. I really don't see why anyone wants a manual now. They're slow, clunky, a pain to drive in traffic. It takes no effort at all to reach the published 0-60mph times in an Automatic or SMG, you basically just hit the gas pedal and watch it happen. To do the same thing in a manual, which often have lower 0-60 times these days than the autos anyway, you have to treat the car like a complete asshole (pardon my french). There's no way I'd treat my own car the way the 0-60 testers treat them (letting the clutch out at 4,000rpm and ramming the stick from 1st to 2nd sometimes without the clutch). My last manual car was a Porsche Boxster (and before that was an E34 M5) and on an open road they were a joy to drive, but in any other situation it was just pointless effort for no gain at all. I'm all for putting in the effort and hard work when it pays off, but when the easy option is actually a better option, well the choice is obvious. Anyone who's stuck in the rut of the manual box being their #1 requirement needs to spend a day in an SMG car. One of the double-clutch super modern ones (like VAG's DSG) must be impressed.
edit: Now I've read the whole thread (which I didn't when I first responded) I see it's all about manuals. I really don't see why anyone wants a manual now. They're slow, clunky, a pain to drive in traffic. It takes no effort at all to reach the published 0-60mph times in an Automatic or SMG, you basically just hit the gas pedal and watch it happen. To do the same thing in a manual, which often have lower 0-60 times these days than the autos anyway, you have to treat the car like a complete asshole (pardon my french). There's no way I'd treat my own car the way the 0-60 testers treat them (letting the clutch out at 4,000rpm and ramming the stick from 1st to 2nd sometimes without the clutch). My last manual car was a Porsche Boxster (and before that was an E34 M5) and on an open road they were a joy to drive, but in any other situation it was just pointless effort for no gain at all. I'm all for putting in the effort and hard work when it pays off, but when the easy option is actually a better option, well the choice is obvious. Anyone who's stuck in the rut of the manual box being their #1 requirement needs to spend a day in an SMG car. One of the double-clutch super modern ones (like VAG's DSG) must be impressed.
12-29-2008, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='755130' date='Dec 29 2008, 01:28 PM
Hmmm. Maybe.
edit: Now I've read the whole thread (which I didn't when I first responded) I see it's all about manuals. I really don't see why anyone wants a manual now. They're slow, clunky, a pain to drive in traffic. It takes no effort at all to reach the published 0-60mph times in an Automatic or SMG, you basically just hit the gas pedal and watch it happen. To do the same thing in a manual, which often have lower 0-60 times these days than the autos anyway, you have to treat the car like a complete asshole (pardon my french). There's no way I'd treat my own car the way the 0-60 testers treat them (letting the clutch out at 4,000rpm and ramming the stick from 1st to 2nd sometimes without the clutch). My last manual car was a Porsche Boxster (and before that was an E34 M5) and on an open road they were a joy to drive, but in any other situation it was just pointless effort for no gain at all. I'm all for putting in the effort and hard work when it pays off, but when the easy option is actually a better option, well the choice is obvious. Anyone who's stuck in the rut of the manual box being their #1 requirement needs to spend a day in an SMG car. One of the double-clutch super modern ones (like VAG's DSG) must be impressed.
edit: Now I've read the whole thread (which I didn't when I first responded) I see it's all about manuals. I really don't see why anyone wants a manual now. They're slow, clunky, a pain to drive in traffic. It takes no effort at all to reach the published 0-60mph times in an Automatic or SMG, you basically just hit the gas pedal and watch it happen. To do the same thing in a manual, which often have lower 0-60 times these days than the autos anyway, you have to treat the car like a complete asshole (pardon my french). There's no way I'd treat my own car the way the 0-60 testers treat them (letting the clutch out at 4,000rpm and ramming the stick from 1st to 2nd sometimes without the clutch). My last manual car was a Porsche Boxster (and before that was an E34 M5) and on an open road they were a joy to drive, but in any other situation it was just pointless effort for no gain at all. I'm all for putting in the effort and hard work when it pays off, but when the easy option is actually a better option, well the choice is obvious. Anyone who's stuck in the rut of the manual box being their #1 requirement needs to spend a day in an SMG car. One of the double-clutch super modern ones (like VAG's DSG) must be impressed.
12-29-2008, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by sy1616' post='755395' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:14 AM
why's it all about 0-60???
12-29-2008, 02:43 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors
It used to be that manual 5-series cars went for less than autos (it is one of the three questions asked by Black Book). The fact is, very few people want a 525/535/550 with manual - but those who do, really want it! I've now see (informally) that manual and SMG 5-series cars (non-M5 mind you) seem to be going for MORE than their auto equivalent!!!
For me, I loved my 550 - was an incredible car and yes, I do sometimes wonder why I got rid of it.
HOWEVER, having a manual transmission again is just wonderful -it might be one of my favorite features of my M5. Yes, the SMG would shift faster and be better for the track, but the manual is what puts a smile on my face every time I drive the car.......
For me, I loved my 550 - was an incredible car and yes, I do sometimes wonder why I got rid of it.
HOWEVER, having a manual transmission again is just wonderful -it might be one of my favorite features of my M5. Yes, the SMG would shift faster and be better for the track, but the manual is what puts a smile on my face every time I drive the car.......
12-29-2008, 05:37 PM
#28
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My Ride: 535i 6-speed
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='755042' date='Dec 29 2008, 12:14 PM
so you now have 2 E60? I dont quite get your sentence "since you got yours in 12/07"
12-29-2008, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by sy1616' post='755394' date='Dec 29 2008, 06:12 PM
it's about controlling the engine, the rpm, the whole feel is different. automatics, to me, are boring. BTW, city driving is a pleasure with it too.
Perfect description.
I couldn't care less about 0-60 times. The fact is that I can still smoke most things you'll meet at a stoplight.
Actually, I really don't care about top end either.
It's all about the twisties and hitting the perfect double clutch or heel toe in a corner and enjoying every second of it.
12-29-2008, 07:48 PM
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I wanted a stick, and none were available so had to order it. The dealer tried to talk me out of it, said they wouldn't give me much when it was time to trade, etc. They even made me put a $1,000 downpayment so they wouldn't be stuck with it if I backed out.
Yes, its a little more work. But, so much more fun!! Plus, the EPA mileage rating was slightly higher for the manual 530. Conversely, the auto was higher mileage rating than manual for the 550.
I think the new dual clutch systems are the future, and I will probably go over to the dark side if BMW puts a dual clutch tranny in the F10.
Yes, its a little more work. But, so much more fun!! Plus, the EPA mileage rating was slightly higher for the manual 530. Conversely, the auto was higher mileage rating than manual for the 550.
I think the new dual clutch systems are the future, and I will probably go over to the dark side if BMW puts a dual clutch tranny in the F10.