[Keyser Soze]

I have been looking around for more information on the MT's in 535/550 and it seems they both are offspring of the Getrag GS6 units that first appeared on the E46 ZHP 6-speed back in 2003 and has been used in 135/335/535. They have different final drive ratios for all these vehicles and of course for 535 vs 550 as well. What I can't find is the Max MPH for each 535/550 gear, which is readily available for the E46.

Part of my own issue with it on the F10 is obviously that I go right from a E46 5-speed that I commute in - which has a 1st gear that I can take to 25 mph easily - and then the next day hop into the F10 6-speed. Although I could probably take the F10 over 30mph, it just doesn't feel the same and it seems to be straining (mostly due to the extra 800+ lbs it's towing) and I usually just short shift 1st at around (I'm guessing) 15-20 mph max. I also don't have this problem with 335 6-speeds, which again is a much lighter car but with a shorter first gear as well.

I think it's great that BMW is still even offering this option on the F10 (even without the old "discount") but I don't think it's a clear fit from those coming from other more sport oriented cars. It would also be difficult for buyers to find one to test drive and it seems that a 335 test will offer a significantly different experience.

I threw together this spreadsheet with what I could find so far.....

[DLerner]

Originally Posted by The X Men

its not just me, just about every car companies feels that way as well. That is why the mid size luxury sedan with stick shift are almost extinct and that is why BMW is phasing out the manual transmission option in the F10.

Thank you for clarifying why we're seeing less manuals, very helpful. Original poster teed up the question of auto vs. manual. I've said my piece. I'll let you get back to your one man crusade to eradicate the choice.

[Boulder Bill]

Lol

[1HOT BMR]

Originally Posted by The X Men

its not just me, just about every car companies feels that way as well. That is why the mid size luxury sedan with stick shift are almost extinct and that is why BMW is phasing out the manual transmission option in the F10.

The reason stick shift cars are disappearing is clear - they don't sell. Why? Because everyone has drank the Kool-Aid: i.e. double clutch manuals are faster, better, F1 cars use it, manuals are old technology that we don't need anymore, etc. etc. The truth of the matter is that everyone buying a car with a modern DCT and paddles believes it's going to be/feel better than a manual but in the end they leave the paddles untouched and they drive an automatic transmission car like everyone else. It reminds me of the time when CDs came out (yes I'm that old) and when I told everyone that my vinyl records sounded better to me, they all looked at me like I did not know what I was talking about. Every stereo/audio magazine was going wild about the new technology . . . . perhaps manuals will be recognized again in another 30 or 40 years

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

The reason stick shift cars are disappearing is clear - they don't sell. Why? Because everyone has drank the Kool-Aid: i.e. double clutch manuals are faster, better, F1 cars use it, manuals are old technology that we don't need anymore, etc. etc. The truth of the matter is that everyone buying a car with a modern DCT and paddles believes it's going to be/feel better than a manual but in the end they leave the paddles untouched and they drive an automatic transmission car like everyone else. It reminds me of the time when CDs came out (yes I'm that old) and when I told everyone that my vinyl records sounded better to me, they all looked at me like I did not know what I was talking about. Every stereo/audio magazine was going wild about the new technology . . . . perhaps manuals will be recognized again in another 30 or 40 years

I guess vinyl record vs CD is a good analogy for auto vs manual. Analog vinyl record do sounds a bit better than CD, but only if you are using the right amplifier. Much like the manual tranny, it is only fun in the right car, and the F10 is not the right amplifier .

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by YodaSyrup

Thank you for clarifying why we're seeing less manuals, very helpful. Original poster teed up the question of auto vs. manual. I've said my piece. I'll let you get back to your one man crusade to eradicate the choice.

How can I be a one man crusade if more than 90% of the F10 drivers out there are driving an automatic? Your debating skill is as bad as that amateur Bill.

[tougedrifted]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Its no fun sitting in traffic with a manual, its not like we are talking about a Mazda Miata here.

Have you ever driven a 535 f10 in stick? or a miata?


I would absolutely take the f10 in stick. No question. It is really, really fun. Obviously this is not so i can race it. It's just for enjoying the smooth shifting gears, and the effortless clutch.

seriously a brand new bmw clutch is the easiest stick car I've ever driven. I mean they are almost stall proof! But a miata? now that is one tuff clutch.


I wish my 535 was stick all the time. If it is still available when my lease is up im going to order it in stick.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by tougedrifted

Have you ever driven a 535 f10 in stick? or a miata?


I would absolutely take the f10 in stick. No question. It is really, really fun. Obviously this is not so i can race it. It's just for enjoying the smooth shifting gears, and the effortless clutch.

seriously a brand new bmw clutch is the easiest stick car I've ever driven. I mean they are almost stall proof! But a miata? now that is one tuff clutch.


I wish my 535 was stick all the time. If it is still available when my lease is up im going to order it in stick.

Why wouldn't BMW start equipping the car as a 7 speed manual? If they are the proven leader, where is our advanced manual?

I guess in the end of the day if they can make an xdrive stick for the North East, it would be a few more looks than rwd. After all, some of us need AWD with the hills in the winter!

[Boulder Bill]

Originally Posted by The X Men

How can I be a one man crusade if more than 90% of the F10 drivers out there are driving an automatic? Your debating skill is as bad as that amateur Bill.

Amateur! Amateur! Moderators, expell this foul and evil troll!

I don't think he is on a crusade so much as he is a just a sheep, comfortable only in the cloak of the majority. You know he has never driven an F10, or likely any other car, with a MT. Keep dishing your smiley faces X-boy.

[JK479]

As a side note, the 535i stick, if it was equipped with 350lbs ft of tq would be a different story with th manual. From take off, it doesn't seem super fast. Same can be said of 335i. The real speed builds in second. I think that's the difference on a manual vs automatic . It feels faster in automatic . First is a very high ratio. Atleast that might be the case. I've drive. 550 stick, and with 450 lbs it moves much after off the line. Again, bmw canned maybe the wrong manual... Even a 535d would be faster..

[K-A]

The N55 actually makes closer to 350 torque at the crank than the underrated figure of 300. I've seen dyno's posted of it getting 302 TQ at the wheels, not to mention it makes its peak torque at around 1,200 RPM's and holds it flat throughout the RPM range (so it actually makes its peak torque throughout the band which would make it essentially torquier than cars with higher figures but very peak-y powerbands).

[JK479]

Originally Posted by K-A

The N55 actually makes closer to 350 torque at the crank than the underrated figure of 300. I've seen dyno's posted of it getting 302 TQ at the wheels, not to mention it makes its peak torque at around 1,200 RPM's and holds it flat throughout the RPM range (so it actually makes its peak torque throughout the band which would make it essentially torquier than cars with higher figures but very peak-y powerbands).

Maybe the 450lbs is just a better power for the manual and f10?

550 sticks are going to be rare!

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

Amateur! Amateur! Moderators, expell this foul and evil troll!

I don't think he is on a crusade so much as he is a just a sheep, comfortable only in the cloak of the majority. You know he has never driven an F10, or likely any other car, with a MT. Keep dishing your smiley faces X-boy.

Thanks for proving my point Bill. No information shared, just spreading hate, I think that's the definition of a troll. According to the dictionary, the definition of a troll is as follow:

In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people,[1] by posting inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a forum, chat room, or blog), either accidentally[3][4] or with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[5] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

Looking back at all your pass postings, the above definition fits you well. You offer no knowledge or useful information to the forum. Looking at this thread alone, most of your post are off topic and intend to provoke a negative response from others. Do us all a favor will you, if you have nothing relevant to say, just dont say anything at all.

[tougedrifted]

Originally Posted by JK479

Why wouldn't BMW start equipping the car as a 7 speed manual? If they are the proven leader, where is our advanced manual?

Which 7 speed are you talking about? The double clutch tranny? Because we all know that is avail in M5....

[Keyser Soze]

Porsche 991 has a 7 speed MT, he's referring to having the same in a BMW, to most likely weeze out a bit more mileage.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

Porsche 991 has a 7 speed MT, he's referring to having the same in a BMW, to most likely weeze out a bit more mileage.

And maybe a little more performance? Could 1st be a bit longer than it currently is claimed to be for better acceleration?

[Grumpy514]

Why yes it is worth getting! Automatic cars just bore me in general, I guess i'm not at that age yet where I find them to be necessary.

My 2014 535i 6MT should be arriving in about 2 weeks.

I'll post back when it arrives!

[JK479]

Originally Posted by Grumpy514

Why yes it is worth getting! Automatic cars just bore me in general, I guess i'm not at that age yet where I find them to be necessary.

My 2014 535i 6MT should be arriving in about 2 weeks.

I'll post back when it arrives!

I'd love to see this. Did you do luxury or M sport? MY heart is always with the original design, but seeing as its an LCI, either one is good now since the style changed...

[TheRealOrosie]

Originally Posted by JK479

Has BMW announced if it will have a 6 speed manual i or xi.

I know its been discontinued on the 550i. Are we just left with an i manual? I've gotten to the point these days of even questioning if a manual is a good fit for the 535i. Days of the lighter e60 have moved into a beautiful, 7 series based 535i. Maybe the Automatic is best?

Also, if you get sport auto, does it still have that abrupt slamming sound from the fast downshifts? I only heard it in the 650i sport auto convertible. Does it even make a sound on the 5?

Do it! Just make sure you delete the CDV. I love my 550i 6 speed. I have had others with Dinan Stage 4 and 5 with the SAT drive my car, and they all say that it feels faster with the manual and Stage 3. = )

[superbuick]

Originally Posted by P-Town550i

Do it! Just make sure you delete the CDV. I love my 550i 6 speed. I have had others with Dinan Stage 4 and 5 with the SAT drive my car, and they all say that it feels faster with the manual and Stage 3. = )

Totally agree on the CDV delete. Absolutely insane that a car company would use such an insidious device. Completely transforms the driving experience and makes you wonder what the hell BMW was thinking!!

[Boulder Bill]

Agreed. Had it removed on my E39, but haven't done it yet on this car. The difference isn't as pronounced I don't think. I may or may not have it deleted. I guess BMW feels it needs to protect the cars from our incompetence?

[Philip993]

I just received my 2013 535i manual on Monday and absolutely couldn't be happier. I have never owned an automatic transmission in my short 16 years of driving. When I was 16 my father had a 993 Porsche that I thought was the greatest car and I knew that I had to learn to drive a manual before I could have the opportunity to drive the 993. Everyone has certain needs when they are buying a car and makes the choices based on those needs. If anyone wants a manual I say go for it!

The only difficult part about the manual is I am distracted by all the technology while driving my car.