Opinions on manual BMW's
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So I'll be buying my first BMW next month, an '06 525i, and I want to know some opinions on manual vs automatic transmissions. I saw in the other thread about the steering "feeling" somebody made a reference to "driving" the car and couldn't quite figure it out if it was a pro or con.
Opinions?
Opinions?
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From: New Jersey
My Ride: 2005 545/SMG Sport Package HUD Logic 7 Bluetooth NAV Cold Weather Package
Originally Posted by Ever' post='846795' date='Apr 14 2009, 10:21 AM
So I'll be buying my first BMW next month, an '06 525i, and I want to know some opinions on manual vs automatic transmissions. I saw in the other thread about the steering "feeling" somebody made a reference to "driving" the car and couldn't quite figure it out if it was a pro or con.
Opinions?
Opinions?
I prefer a manual to an automatic despite living in the Northeast and driving in the horrendous NYC traffic. I was actually in the marke for a 6-speed when I test drove an SMG and I was hooked. Driving a manual or an SMG (in manual mode) provides you with the ultimate control over your vehicle.
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A manual in a 525 will maximize the power of the car so that in of itself is a reason to get a manual. The other reason is it is just plain fun to drive and gets you involved with the car. A BMW should be all about the driving experience and there is no substitue for a manual IMHO.
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From: Boston, MA
My Ride: 2008 535i 6MT
Auto - allows laziness
Manual - always the perfect gear, good feel via the clutch pedal
SMG/DCT - manual with no clutch pedal, no feel but perfect shifts
IMHO, a manual BMW drives better than the auto.
Manual - always the perfect gear, good feel via the clutch pedal
SMG/DCT - manual with no clutch pedal, no feel but perfect shifts
IMHO, a manual BMW drives better than the auto.
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Originally Posted by kxmills' post='846797' date='Apr 14 2009, 10:26 AM
I prefer a manual to an automatic despite living in the Northeast and driving in the horrendous NYC traffic. I was actually in the marke for a 6-speed when I test drove an SMG and I was hooked. Driving a manual or an SMG (in manual mode) provides you with the ultimate control over your vehicle.
+ 1
6 Speed Manual
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From: Ireland
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.
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.
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From: Northern NJ, USA
My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
My '06 550 was manual and my '08 is sport auto. I like both but I think my next is going to be manual again.
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Originally Posted by look555' post='846809' date='Apr 14 2009, 10:46 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.
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.
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From: B-Ham, AL
My Ride: '06 550i
'84 Nissan S12 Turbo
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