I know the BMW braintrust here can help me out.

I currently have a 2005 non-sport 545 and have ordered a 2008 535 sport with virtually every option offered (this is not a 535 v. 550 debate. I test drove both, loved both, and decided to get a 535 so I could load it up without needing to move into a smaller house. Plus the front line acceleration felt identical when I drove them, and both felt quicker than my 545).

Today I got a call from my sales rep telling me that my car was on the boat coming over, but he found out that the transmission in my car was erroneously ordered as a manual 6-speed instead of the steptronic that I had actually ordered. Apparently he wrote STP on the order, but the order entry person thought it was STD and ordered it as a 6-speed.

I'd like to get feedback from anyone here who has driven both the 6-speed manual and Steptronic. I've always liked manual better than automatic so my first thought is to go ahead and take delivery -- I was actually pretty jazzed when my sales rep told me of the issue -- but would like input from those with experience on both transmissions. What are your thoughts?

 

thats a score in my book.... take advantage get the price lower.... AND FOR ME THE 6 SPEEDS THE WAY TO GO.. i drove both... but i went with the SMG.. TO bad it dont come that way anymore .. BUT i would go for it

 

I would not buy a BMW without a manual transmission. I love the 6-speed in my 07 530i. Clutch and shifter are both great. They did you a favor!

 

I think you have to test drive it to decide...
I have the manual but the shift is quite long and rubbery for my 525i, not sure if it's the same for a 535i.
My friend just got a 545i and after he test drive the manual, he decide on the auto since the shift is long
Go find one and test drive, if they don't have one at the dealer, try to test drive it at used car dealership. We saw some manual 545i so it shouldn't be too hard to find.
I thought they don't charge for the auto option right now? For my 07 they do charge for auto so that's one of the reason I went with the manual.

 

Either way, you can't go wrong. I ordered Sport Auto on my new car just because I wanted a change after driving a stick for 10 years. I am sure that I will go back after this lease is up. Since it appears that the dealer has screwed up I would negotiate a lower price. I am sure they will go along with it.

 

I have owned 5 BMW's, all manual. It really comes down to preference. There are those who claim the step or sat can outshift any manual out there. To that I say, "what's your point". I didn't buy a performance luxury sedan with a manual tranny for stoplight racing or bragging rights. I bought it because of the total driver involvement. IMHO, an auto, no matter how fast the shift, isolates the driver from the driving experience. To all you auto drivers out there, notice I qualified with IMHO before blasting me.

BMW could have done a better job with its shifters. I have placed SSK's in all my manual BMW's.

Again, it comes to preference and your typical driving conditions. If you commute in long stop and go driving situations, maybe the manual isn't the best fit. If your wife can't drive a manual, it makes perfect sense to get one

best of luck with your decision

al

 

Although there is a bit of a difference in the manuals for the 550i and the 535i, I think you are going to really be please!

 

I also would only buy a 5 series with manual. Have to agree with others comments about long shift throws with stock shifter.

I have installed Rogue Engineering's short shift kit with weighted shift rod (SSK/WSR) in two 540i's and my current 550i. Shifts are short and crisp and I have never had any issues with the Rogue products. I also installed a modifed clutch delay valve (CDV) as offered by zeckhausen racing.

www.rogueengineering.com
www.zeckhausen.com

 

I have an 04 545i with the 6 speed manual. I actually bought it CPO with 21K miles on it. I really did not pay attention to the clutch when I test drove it before purchase. Honestly for the first 6 months I hated the manual transmission due to the extreme care and patience it requires. Keep in mind that the non M cars have a clutch delay valve and a heavy dual mass flywheel. I would say that you would likely be able to shift faster with the auto stick. That being said, I have had some time to get used to it and it has grown on me quite a bit. It can be very smooth, in fact with practice it can shift very well with little clutch pedal pressure. The main thing that is still hard to get used to is the amount of time you have to wait while shifting from 1st to 2nd. It takes almost a full second for the rpm to lower down enough to rev match. Other than that I would say that I now enjoy it even though at first I did not like it. Maybe some day I might get a lightweight flywheel and or a different clutch disc but not anytime soon. Also the modified Zeckenhousen racing clutch delay valve made a small difference but I would like to get a tube bender and just remove the stupid thing completely to speed up the clutch pedal response. By the way I think you made the right choice with the 535i vs 550i, it is lighter and would make the car handle better.

 

HUH??