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Opinions on manual BMW's

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Old 04-14-2009, 07:16 AM
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I absolutley love a manual transmission.If you don't feel that same way you'll get sick of it.Its more fun to drive and challenging.This is my 5th MT car and my 3rd BMW and i have no regrets.
Old 04-14-2009, 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by look555' post='846809
One problem with a manual from my experience is the damn shift knob....it will pop off in your hand if your not careful. I was test driving a 335 before I bought my car......and it happened to me shifting from 1st to 2nd. Thought that was a piss poor design....don't know why bmw doesn't use screw on knobs like "other" car makers. Other than that, it shifted smoothly, great pedal pressure, etc etc
There must have been somethiing wrong with the shift knob in the 335 you were driving most peoples experience with the oem shift knobs are that they can never get them off, I've heard of people having to pull so hard on the knob to get it out that they gave themselves black eyes when the knob finally released and they hit themsleves in the face.

As for SMG seemingly this is the best of both worlds however there seems to be some mechanical/maintainence issues involved that pop up in the forums on ocassion. I have no personal experience with the SMG though.
Old 04-14-2009, 07:29 AM
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Working at a dealership I have and had in the past taken many respectable cars for more than a few days. From auto. G35's to auto. Aston Martin DB7...etc...
The autos are great in traffic time...but come "Spirited" driving, i feel like im not 100% in touch with the road. Ive contemplated many many times to settle for an automatic, and I am very glad that i didnt!
Old 04-14-2009, 07:40 AM
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I think the non turbo 6 cylinders need manual transmission in order to really enjoy it but the V8 or twin turbo 6 cylinder engines are very adequate in auto.
Old 04-14-2009, 08:42 AM
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If we hadn't found our 535XI Wagon in a stick we'd still be driving our 420hp Grand Cherokee.

What's the point in driving the ultimate driving machine if you leave part of the driving to the car?
Old 04-14-2009, 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by gpfarrell' post='846915' date='Apr 14 2009, 10:42 AM
If we hadn't found our 535XI Wagon in a stick we'd still be driving our 420hp Grand Cherokee.

What's the point in driving the ultimate driving machine if you leave part of the driving to the car?
wow great find a 535xi in a wagon that is manual thats pretty hard to come by without special ordering.
Old 04-14-2009, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by gpfarrell' post='846915' date='Apr 14 2009, 11:42 AM
If we hadn't found our 535XI Wagon in a stick we'd still be driving our 420hp Grand Cherokee.

What's the point in driving the ultimate driving machine if you leave part of the driving to the car?
Well said
Old 04-14-2009, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by look555' post='846809' date='Apr 14 2009, 07:46 AM
IMHO no to manual on a 5.

My wife had an E39 520i ( 6 cyl 2L) until recently. It was manual and i could never get used to the clutch action on it.

I read around and it seems BMW put a delay valve on the hyd circuit that activates the clutch. There are a number of postings on various BM forums re removing this valve and the improvement it gives. Im not certain that this valave is on the E60 also but if so I would go auto.


The above does not refer to SMG.

Hope this helps.
I think the CDV was only on the V-8's but I could be wrong. There is a fix for that.

Otherwise it is just personal preference in general if you like auto's, SMG's or manuals.

The BMW manuals are very tight, IMO, compared to a 4 cycle toyota or honda. In that you have to be more precise with your shifts.

I love my 6-speed manual!
Old 04-14-2009, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by jsal' post='846991' date='Apr 14 2009, 12:31 PM
I think the CDV was only on the V-8's but I could be wrong. There is a fix for that.

Otherwise it is just personal preference in general if you like auto's, SMG's or manuals.

The BMW manuals are very tight, IMO, compared to a 4 cycle toyota or honda. In that you have to be more precise with your shifts.

I love my 6-speed manual!
My E46 M3 had it also.
Old 04-14-2009, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by jsal' post='846991' date='Apr 14 2009, 11:31 AM
I think the CDV was only on the V-8's but I could be wrong. There is a fix for that.

Otherwise it is just personal preference in general if you like auto's, SMG's or manuals.

The BMW manuals are very tight, IMO, compared to a 4 cycle toyota or honda. In that you have to be more precise with your shifts.

I love my 6-speed manual!
CDV is on a lot of the bmw's I had it done on my e46.


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