Why so few 535i 6spds?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
My Ride: G30 530i M-sport
Model Year: 2018
Phantom Mar's right on the money. The auto boxes are certainly no slouches and, I dare say a lot of us just end up sitting in traffic most of the time anyway.
Not sure about the market Stateside, but in Europe, a manual/stick shift would hurt your resale/residual value on anything other than a 520i/d. People expect a car like this to be executive/luxury and therefore to have an auto box. There's also the expectation that a larger engine is less likely to have been damaged when coupled with an auto box as opposed to one with a manual that's been misused - again, it affects your ability to re-sell. I buy my cars used and would never buy anything larger than a basic 2litre 4-pot as a manual.
Not sure about the market Stateside, but in Europe, a manual/stick shift would hurt your resale/residual value on anything other than a 520i/d. People expect a car like this to be executive/luxury and therefore to have an auto box. There's also the expectation that a larger engine is less likely to have been damaged when coupled with an auto box as opposed to one with a manual that's been misused - again, it affects your ability to re-sell. I buy my cars used and would never buy anything larger than a basic 2litre 4-pot as a manual.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
The Steptronic Sport gives one the possibility the do the gear changes it self.
The upcoming SMG auto (now only available in the M3) will be even much better.
Clutches just don't bear the large torques in the modern strong engines, or then
they wave to be built very heavy and strong, which isn't a user friendly matter.
All racing and rally cars have nowadays a auto gearbox of some kind.
The upcoming SMG auto (now only available in the M3) will be even much better.
Clutches just don't bear the large torques in the modern strong engines, or then
they wave to be built very heavy and strong, which isn't a user friendly matter.
All racing and rally cars have nowadays a auto gearbox of some kind.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 308
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From: Vancouver, B.C.
My Ride: 2008 535i, Carbon Black, Black Dakota, Black Diamond Trim, 6sp Sport Automatic with Paddles, M-Sport Package, Premium Package
Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='744031' date='Dec 12 2008, 12:10 PM
The Steptronic Sport gives one the possibility the do the gear changes it self.
The upcoming SMG auto (now only available in the M3) will be even much better.
Clutches just don't bear the large torques in the modern strong engines, or then
they wave to be built very heavy and strong, which isn't a user friendly matter.
All racing and rally cars have nowadays a auto gearbox of some kind.
The upcoming SMG auto (now only available in the M3) will be even much better.
Clutches just don't bear the large torques in the modern strong engines, or then
they wave to be built very heavy and strong, which isn't a user friendly matter.
All racing and rally cars have nowadays a auto gearbox of some kind.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by midwest bmw' post='743869' date='Dec 12 2008, 10:04 AM
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.
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.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
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From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Since the 535 has a turbo the sport auto is the performance choice. The turbos spin from exhaust gas flow and with the SA you just keep your foot planted as it goes through the gears. If you want your normal six speed to last you raise up on the accelerator between shifts which interrupts exhaust pressure and reduces power.
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='744215' date='Dec 12 2008, 08:33 PM
Since the 535 has a turbo the sport auto is the performance choice. The turbos spin from exhaust gas flow and with the SA you just keep your foot planted as it goes through the gears. If you want your normal six speed to last you raise up on the accelerator between shifts which interrupts exhaust pressure and reduces power.
Yep, he hit the nail on the head. Auto lets you keep the turbo spooled up. Check out the rally cars sometime, some have fuel systems that inject directly into exhaust in order to keep the turbo spooled, even when the driver has to let off the gas.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
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From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Actually the 535 does that too, when you go back on the gas, which is one reason they have been able to minimize turbo lag so much.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2005 Alpine White 545i 6 speed manual, Auburn Interior, Dinan intake, RDSport exhaust.
yeah, i drove an M5 6 speed manual and an SMG. the manual is just SO much more fun and engaging. nothing more fun than double clutching while downshifting. paddles are lame! 
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
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From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
[quote name='kinglenario' date='Dec 13 2008, 05:49 PM' post='744638']
yeah, i drove an M5 6 speed manual and an SMG. the manual is just SO much more fun and engaging. nothing more fun than double clutching while downshifting. paddles are lame!
/quote]
Look at the 0-60 times and quarter mile times between the SMG and the 6speed M5, then tell us which is lame. Also going through a road course and not having to takes your hands off the steering wheels is huge.
yeah, i drove an M5 6 speed manual and an SMG. the manual is just SO much more fun and engaging. nothing more fun than double clutching while downshifting. paddles are lame!
/quote]
Look at the 0-60 times and quarter mile times between the SMG and the 6speed M5, then tell us which is lame. Also going through a road course and not having to takes your hands off the steering wheels is huge.
