sadcaper

Just wondering why there are so few 535i manuals out there? It seems almost all the 535i's out there are the automanual. I would think a "sport sedan" would warrant a 6spd manual most of the time, but it seems most people opt for the auto. Any thoughts why? Is the automanual that nice in this car? Or is the manual that bad? Or is it just the demographic that drives these cars that wants the convenience of the auto?

Just curious...

safetywork

Personally I think the number of drivers wanting a manual are getting fairly rare. The e60 in my opinion, is more an executive car. In this demographic, there just aren't many who prefer driving a manual. I'm sure you could order one if you like. I hope BMW doesn't stop offering this option in the future.

baje1

I can't speak for the rest but my wife said she wanted at least a V-8"***k...I mean stick!!

Phantom Mark

For me personaly this is my first auto, my wife was astounded when I told her I was getting an auto this time, maybe because im only 35 and I prefer the more sporty kind of driving.

My reasons for buying an auto were as follows......

In my eyes the auto box has come a long way, modern auto boxes actually change gear nicely now lol, plus we now have things such as the sports mode, plus manual selection of gears when the fancy takes us in the same fashion a ferrari 360 used not so many years ago !! Traffic in this country has gone beserk, I spend up to 60% of my time sat in traffic creeping forwards a couple of inches etc, becomes a pain in the backside with a manual, clutch in clutch out, also the huge torque of the 530d and type of car the E60 is lends itself nicely to the auto box, smooth relaxing drive which can still be exciting when the mood takes you, thats my personal take on why an Auto works so well in a car like the E60

calpalmer

Not to mention that the Sport Automatic with Paddles is an enthusiasts' auto, a blast to drive. I can't speak for the standard steptronic, but the SAT is butter smooth and lightning quick in sport or manual mode.

Cal

dbae1978

Simply put, you get the best of both world with the SAT. manual is great for spirited driving but when it comes to comfort, it's got none.
THe way I see it, the SAT is sporty enough without the use of a manual clutch

Phantom Mark

Mine is the steptronic, its ok, its no ball of fire, but its more than good enough for when the mood takes you, im certain it will be fine on the track as long as you plan ahead a little.

I will maybe do the paddle shift retrofit I have seen posted around these forums, dunno yet if I can be that arsed tho

bigbadbull

the SAT rocks, and I needed a car that the wife could also drive... She is very bad on clutches and could not drive my R32 worth a damn. She basically caused me to get 2 new clutches in my E30 , and I used to live in ATL and driving a Manual in ATL traffic sucks..... BAD.... Birmingham has tons of really steep hills....

midwest bmw

The six speed manual rarity is not just a 535i issue -- it's applicable to all E60's here in the States.

As others have eloquently said, the market for the manual tranny is a small one.

A lot of auto's have come a long way (especially the Sport Auto) it rocks! That said, there are still those who want nothing but the manual connection with their auto, and I understand that too.



And yes, I used to be an ardent manual transmission owner.

550isport

I agree with many of the above posts that the Sport Auto is best of both worlds. On a country road or race track, I'm confident that the sport auto will turn in a better time. The shifting with the paddles is way faster than any manual driver can achieve. As for the "fun" factor of controlling the clutch...its replaced with the fun factor of playing F1 driver complete with downshifts that come with computerized rev-matching. Very cool stuff.

I think that in less than a decade the only cars that will be available with old fashioned manuals will be budget sub compacts due to cost saving factor (but even the smart has an automated manual...) and maybe some commercial trucks.

I'm 34 years old and when I was a teenager dreaming about sports cars the biggest difference was that sports cars like porsches and lamborghinis had manual transmissions while a mercedes had a slush box four speed auto that started out in 2nd gear and had to be pushed to the floor to kick down a gear. Times have changed. Now we demand manuals in sedans (BMW felt compelled to install an old 6 speed in the M5 in 08 due to pressure from American consumers), while all the hard core sports cars have paddle shift automated manuals. Ironic no?

My 2 cents: Driving in our beautiful country (US) can be very lame. Low speeds, poor roads, timid, bad and distracted drivers all add up to a potentially boring commute/ride. So how do we spice up the car and make our vehicles exciting to drive? Many manufacturers have tried to stuff a few hundred extra horsepower under the hood in recent years to make their cars more enticing (But we weren't able to speed in the first place so this power is essentially for bragging rights). Plan B, put a manual transmission in my car to make it more 'involving' to drive (while averaging 30 mph in stop and go traffic....). Also, manuals are the traditional earmark of a truly indulgent sports car toy. Nothing says I have other more practical cars in my garage like a 6 speed Carrera. I was shocked to learn that the majority of european drivers opt for the tiptronic automatic in the 911.

The single clutch manual transmission is due to join the carburetor in the automotive hall of fame at some point in my lifetime. An dats wat I tink.

DRP