[mko9]

I have seen a number of threads about manual transmission related stuff, I have also seen repeatedly the opinion that normal 5 series customers don't want a manual transmission. So how many of us are there out there? Sound off if you have one.

I have a 2011 Tasman Green 535i. I bought it used about 18 months ago when I needed to start fitting three car seats across the back. I am not willing to give up my driving enjoyment, so I needed a sedan with a manual tranny. Those options are few and far between.

[Bbb34]

I've got one (with DHP) and I absolutely love it.

I've said this in several other threads, automatic transmissions in these cars are just fantastic, slightly faster 0-60, better gas mileage, silky smooth... etc. Some have made arguments that manual is "out of place" in this type of vehicle, you know, larger upscale sedan and certain "type" of target buyer - and I can certainly understand that point of view.

That said, for me personally, absolutely no comparison. Manual with RWD is way more enjoyable, more involving driving experience.

[Boulder Bill]

So true, so true.

Pure joy each day driving my unicorn. 😀

[martin mustang]

My previous e60 was a manual, I for sure miss the experience to the point I am planning to buy an old e30, 2002 tii or Z4 with a manual box.

[peter91118]

I too have one. What a pain it was to find!

[Gpfarrell]

My wife has a 6-speed stick '08 535xi wagon... no way I'd settle for an auto. Actually, I traded a 2011 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost that was boosted to just over 400hp. I took it to the drag strip on a cool evening and it knocked off 12.9 at 105. Most boring drag race of my life! Loving my '12 535 M-sport. I think it'll get coded to start in Sport mode. The clutch delay valve is on its way out and a Dinan tune (and maybe their new mufflers) are calling my name. I keep telling my son that our 911 Targa isn't just fun when it's fast... what's special about it is it's fun to drive slow too. Ditto that wonderful 3-pedal 5-seater! We plan to keep both the 5's indefinitely, maintenance costs be damned!

[MrBusiness]

2011 AW/Cinnamon 550i M Sport - 6 Speed

[DLerner]

After 4 years, I still love my '11 535 with 6MT and hope she lasts a long time.

[dadysev]

I was looking for one in the begining but was way too hard to find. Theres a handful out there, and for obvious (fun filled) reasons, the owners don't want to get rid of them! My good friend whos a BMW tech, said he's only seen 2 come through in the past 3 years.
However, the 8 speed trani sold me very quick! you can make it sound like a manual also. My neighbour though it was a manual for a bit. Maybe because my 3 series before was manual and both have loud mufflers.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by dadysev

I was looking for one in the begining but was way too hard to find. Theres a handful out there, and for obvious (fun filled) reasons, the owners don't want to get rid of them! My good friend whos a BMW tech, said he's only seen 2 come through in the past 3 years.

You're correct, quite rare, local dealer I started dealing with said "there's no such thing" when I mentioned that I saw one "out of town" listed on bmw CPO site. After I showed him the listing, he jokingly added "if you buy that, it's yours for life, there's no selling that ... ever" (not that I listened obviously)

You're also right about automatics in these cars, they really are fantastic. It's just for those of us who like manuals, at the end of the day they are still automatics and just don't have the same "feel". Note that I'm trying very hard to avoid saying "better" as it's really not what I mean - just "different" - matter of personal preference.

[bajanbanker]

Nice to be a member of this club..

2011 AW/Black 550i M Sport - 6 Speed





MrBusiness we have a few things in common!

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by dadysev

I was looking for one in the begining but was way too hard to find.
However, the 8 speed trani sold me very quick! you can make it sound like a manual also.

same here! was looking for a stick but after the sales rep showed me how the 8 speed worked i loved it! plus, the wife wanted an auto so now we can have the best of both worlds! i will say this, if i'm in the market for an M5 i'm definitely gonna look for a manual

[MrBusiness]

bajanbanker - This is Epic! Glad to know that I have a twin out there! Looks great!

[JAGD]

My 6 speed MT 535 is 4 years old with about 40K. I wouldn't change a thing except maybe the run flats, although they are better than I expected. I special ordered it new and had to pay a larger than normal down payment as the dealer said no one else would ever want it. Well three different people in the last year have spontaneously asked to buy it if I ever want to sell. The young guys at Waterway Car Wash always say "where did you get a sedan with a manual transmission, we have never seen one". BTW none of them can actually drive a stick so the owner has to come out and drive it in.

[Keyser Soze]

If you have a manual make sure to get the performance exhaust, makes it much better when you can actually hear the engine.

[Rayzuli]

Dear fellow members, I have a 2011 535i sport package in Mojave metallic with 6 MT, I can say that it is great to drive and love it!!

We also had to special order it and included everything possible but night vision. I specially like the integral active steering.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by JAGD

My 6 speed MT 535 is 4 years old with about 40K. I wouldn't change a thing except maybe the run flats, although they are better than I expected. I special ordered it new and had to pay a larger than normal down payment as the dealer said no one else would ever want it. Well three different people in the last year have spontaneously asked to buy it if I ever want to sell. The young guys at Waterway Car Wash always say "where did you get a sedan with a manual transmission, we have never seen one". BTW none of them can actually drive a stick so the owner has to come out and drive it in.

It's not so much that "no one else" would ever want it - but more of "a select few" will want it very much. From a dealer's perspective, unless they're specifically in the business of selling rare cars (desirable but limited audience), they just want the car with the most broadly alluring configuration. And to the point you made about the "young guys" at the car wash, we now have entire generations of drivers who've never driven a manual (and don't care to either). On a sports car, they'd probably gladly add it to inventory, while a manual luxury sedan will be passed over by the majority of shoppers.

Within the next 10 years, I think we'll have seen the very last of the manual transmissions. The highest-end supercars and sports cars are under increasing pressure to post the very best "stats" - which can now only be accomplished with the likes of dual-clutch automated transmissions. As they're in much higher demand than manuals, most of these manufacturers have already dropped manual options on their cars - it's not worth the extra engineering time and money, and they know their buyers will buy the DCT cars regardless.

With the "regular" autos (like ZF 8-speed) as good as they are, and even DCTs becoming increasingly affordable, they've made it such that even regular sedans are better performing than with a manual. And that alone, for an enthusiast who seeks speed, makes it harder and harder to justify a manual. Yes, you get more "involvement" with your arms and legs doing more physical work, but you're technically getting less performance and more distractions. For a sedan on the road, that doesn't matter much. But let's face it - there's a reason for the whole "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" mantra... enthusiasts have historically gravitated towards the cars and tech they see on the race-track, and manufacturers invest in their racing teams and halo cars for this very reason... it sells cars.

Now, I wouldn't quite call the 5's ZF-8 an "interesting" or "exciting" transmission. It's a decent transmission, but it's not going to thrill anyone. But if you're looking for driver involvement, and you're likely not racing your 4,000+ lb 4-door sedan, you're probably better off with the manual transmission. But if you're buying a sports car, and part of your goal is actually maximizing speed (you're tracking it, for example), a manual won't cut it these days. The DCTs are just so fast, slick, and smart... many are smarter, faster, and more accurate in their "auto" modes than you can achieve in "manual" mode, as well... sad but true. But that said, the cars are just getting stupid-fast these days that two hands on the wheel and all mental concentration on the track is required anyway.

For better or worse, my gut tells me we're about at the end of the rope for manuals in nearly any car, though. So, if you want one, I'd buy them while you can!

[HighlandPete]

We've already lost a lot of the BMW manual options over here in Europe.

In the UK there are no manual versions of the 5-series in the larger engine models, from the 528i and upwards. Only the 520i and small diesels get an MT option. Even the F10 M5 has no MT option in the UK. I'm aware one of our motor mags' came across to the US to try the M5 manual model.

At present we can still get a 340i sedan with MT, but not the 340i wagon, that is simply fitted with SAT. All 330d & 335d sedans and wagons are SAT. Same for the 4-series.

And when we think about it, the UK was MT for most cars, autos not really in fashion at all.

HighlandPete

[N55_PL]

Own one, and love it!

[dadysev]

Originally Posted by N55_PL

Own one, and love it!

Show off!!! Just kidding and enjoy it!! There "ain't" too many of them out there.

[lincvert]

A very rare bird if you are looking for an MSport and manual 550i

I have one listed in the classifieds for $24k but plan to trade it in a few days when my M6 arrives.

[Keyser Soze]

Last month, I took mine into the dealer for its yearly oil change and when I picked it up the car fetcher boy had to come get me, he had no idea how to drive a stick.