RolandKelly

Hello,

I am planning my next ED for Nov 19 (fifth) and was wondering if anyone would care to comment on the "new" 6 speed manual transmission fitted to the 550. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area which has heavy traffic at times but also many twisty country roads and open expressways to enjoy the 6 speed. I am reading the reviews about the new Sports Automatic transmission and the paddles and I am finding it very hard to make the final decision. I have driven manuals since 16 and I have to say I really miss it... (my current car is a 2003 May, 540 Steptronic with all options and I will be sad to see that go... but I really am ready for a change).

So my question is.... will I get bored with the Automatic SAT slushbox or if I get the 6 speed will I regret it.... I will need to train my left leg to regular duty. I drove a MY06 550 6 speed and really enjoyed it... I wonder is it different as an everyday experience.

Thanks for any insights.. (also one last question to those with a MY 2008 550 manual, is the shifter EXACTLY as per the brochure ? I thought I saw a changed one in a forum picture... also is what is the black button near the I-Drive circular controller.. that I think I can see in the printed brochure..)

Cheers,
Roland Kelly
Menlo Park, CA (Originally Dublin, Ireland)

iversonm

Roland,

I went through the same thoughts about the SAT. The SAT would ease some marital strife. However, in the end, I'm getting the manual. In general, I've found the 5- and 6-speed transmission in my last 2 E46's to be very easy to drive in traffic.

The transmissions are as good as it gets, and BMW understands what proper pedal spacing is, making heel-toe rev-matching a breeze.

The shifter in the 550 sport package is a leather-wrapped knob similar to that found in the E46 Performance Package. (a.k.a the M-sport package elsewhere) The picture in the brochure is not correct.

hinckley

Rolland:

I've driven nothing but sticks for the last 30 years, so I'm a committed "left foot" guy and may be the wrong person to respond. I live in Boston (which has plenty of traffic, but few hills) and still I won't drive anything but a stick as long as BMW continues to manufacture them.

As for the E60 stick - I first had an 04 and it was very disappointing. The worst of the then four 5ers that I had driven. The new stick in the 08 is a huge advance. It is at least as good as my old E39 540 and almost as good as my Porsche 911. It has a nice short-throw and a great snick-snick through the gears. The clutch is the traditional BMW best-in-class (btw, if you're interested, you can see a picture of the stick here: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=39782&hl=).

So if you're a committed stick guy like me, you'll love the 550 sport's manny tranny. If you are more ambivalent, I'm sure that you'll love the new sport automatic. My guess is that it will be easier to drive, but much less entertaining.

BMWSTL

I was a committed manual driver for over 25 years (my wife thinks I should be committed for my obsession with cars, but that's another issue ). I refused to even consider a car that didn't have one. I switched to automatics in 1996 after I lost control of my 540 on a curve and flipped it, deciding that my driving needed to be toned down a bit. My current 540 is an automatic with a Steptronic. It's been a great transmission, but I often thought it would be nice to get back into a manual. I thought long and hard about ordering a 550 with the new short throw manual, but at the end of the day decided to get the new Sport Automatic. Based on the reviews I've been reading, I'm glad I did.

Although I have no experience driving the Sport Auto (still waiting for my car to get to the dealer), I found the "regular" new automatic transmission to an excellent, fast shifting and responsive transmission. It shifts faster than I (and most people) could ever shift a manual, and affords a more responsive power curve as a result. I should have plenty of manual control in the Sport mode in particular, and the paddle shifters will add a new dimension to my driving. Plus, it will be easier to live with in everyday or heavy traffic, and will deliver better gas mileage than a manual (the reverse of what used to be the case years back).

Whether you'll get bored driving the Sport Automatic or regret having gotten a manual is a question only you can answer. That answer may vary during different driving conditions. I think the "fun factor" tilts to the manual for the most part (not very much in my opinion), but the performance and convenience factors tilt to the Sport Auto.

Lou

jrsamps

The choice of a 6 banger is one of the big reasons I stick with the E60

iversonm

Good point. That is actually why I bought my first BMW.

skaffa

Me too and would change to 535d if it would not be auto only! LCI I dont know (have not tested yet), but older could be litlle shorter stick. Not ANY other complains.

Skaffa

RolandKelly

Thanks everyone for your detailed replies.... I am now leaning toward the 6 speed.... need to pull the trigger soon... Cheers, Roland