BMW now says new M5 will get manual gearbox in North America
05-16-05, 06:58 AM
#1
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BMW now says new M5 will get manual gearbox in North America
MUNICH, Germany -- BMW has changed its plans and will add a manual transmission to its new M5 high-performance sedan.
The six-speed transmission will be offered in North America because customers asked for an alternative to the seven-speed automatic transmission.
The M5 went on sale in Europe in April. It arrives in North American showrooms this fall with the automatic gearbox only. The manual will join the lineup in late 2006 or early 2007.
Last fall, BMW executives told journalists the company would offer just the automatic gearbox on the M5 because it was "sportier" than a manual transmission.
But Ulrich Bruhnke, the executive in charge of BMW's M-class models, said a "hard-core community" of buyers in North America prefer a manual transmission.
Bruhnke said no decision had been made on whether the M5 will get a manual transmission in Europe.
"The U.S. is our largest single market, where about 50 percent of our production goes," he said. "If we see the opportunity to generate additional sales, we will respond."
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102375
The six-speed transmission will be offered in North America because customers asked for an alternative to the seven-speed automatic transmission.
The M5 went on sale in Europe in April. It arrives in North American showrooms this fall with the automatic gearbox only. The manual will join the lineup in late 2006 or early 2007.
Last fall, BMW executives told journalists the company would offer just the automatic gearbox on the M5 because it was "sportier" than a manual transmission.
But Ulrich Bruhnke, the executive in charge of BMW's M-class models, said a "hard-core community" of buyers in North America prefer a manual transmission.
Bruhnke said no decision had been made on whether the M5 will get a manual transmission in Europe.
"The U.S. is our largest single market, where about 50 percent of our production goes," he said. "If we see the opportunity to generate additional sales, we will respond."
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102375
05-16-05, 08:13 AM
#3
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Originally Posted by AmethySC
That's the way it should be
What about the M6 ? It should get one too. This is the car that exites me much more than the M5 with the V10. . .
05-16-05, 09:06 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Manual transmissions are fine for uncongested areas but just don't cut it in big cities.
What BMW needs to do even more than manual trannies is to first get rid of that f - - -ing I-Drive and then start putting some SOLIDNESS back into their cars like they did up to just a few years ago. The new 5-series, especially, is a prime example of this......IMO it is like a tin can compared to its SUPERB predecessor. At the Washington, DC Auto Show last December BMW had old and new 5-series back-to-back. I examined and sat in the old one, then examined and sat in the new one, and literally wanted to cry.
BTW, even some of the BMW reps there privately agreed with me...out of earshot, of course.
What BMW needs to do even more than manual trannies is to first get rid of that f - - -ing I-Drive and then start putting some SOLIDNESS back into their cars like they did up to just a few years ago. The new 5-series, especially, is a prime example of this......IMO it is like a tin can compared to its SUPERB predecessor. At the Washington, DC Auto Show last December BMW had old and new 5-series back-to-back. I examined and sat in the old one, then examined and sat in the new one, and literally wanted to cry.
BTW, even some of the BMW reps there privately agreed with me...out of earshot, of course.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-16-05 at 09:13 AM.
05-16-05, 09:14 AM
#5
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by mmarshall
Manual transmissions are fine for uncongested areas but just don't cut it in big cities.
M5 & M6 are not cars meant to be enjoyed in congested traffic anyway, it's more suited to be a weekend car where you drive to more remote roads/track to have fun with . . .
05-16-05, 09:15 AM
#6
this is awesome news. the car might not be as fast on the track, but who cares, i am driving it on the road 
though i have to say, if autoweek wants to stay a tad professional, they should NOT say "instead of 7 speed automatic transimission". that's just wrong...
though i have to say, if autoweek wants to stay a tad professional, they should NOT say "instead of 7 speed automatic transimission". that's just wrong...
05-16-05, 09:16 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by AmethySC
Manual transmissions are the vast majority (~80%) in very congested cities in Europe & Asia, & people are generally not complaining . . .
M5 & M6 are not cars meant to be enjoyed in congested traffic anyway, it's more suited to be a weekend car where you drive to more remote roads/track to have fun with . . .
M5 & M6 are not cars meant to be enjoyed in congested traffic anyway, it's more suited to be a weekend car where you drive to more remote roads/track to have fun with . . .
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05-16-05, 09:50 AM
#8
Originally Posted by mmarshall
Manual transmissions are fine for uncongested areas but just don't cut it in big cities.
What BMW needs to do even more than manual trannies is to first get rid of that f - - -ing I-Drive and then start putting some SOLIDNESS back into their cars like they did up to just a few years ago. The new 5-series, especially, is a prime example of this......IMO it is like a tin can compared to its SUPERB predecessor. At the Washington, DC Auto Show last December BMW had old and new 5-series back-to-back. I examined and sat in the old one, then examined and sat in the new one, and literally wanted to cry.
BTW, even some of the BMW reps there privately agreed with me...out of earshot, of course.
What BMW needs to do even more than manual trannies is to first get rid of that f - - -ing I-Drive and then start putting some SOLIDNESS back into their cars like they did up to just a few years ago. The new 5-series, especially, is a prime example of this......IMO it is like a tin can compared to its SUPERB predecessor. At the Washington, DC Auto Show last December BMW had old and new 5-series back-to-back. I examined and sat in the old one, then examined and sat in the new one, and literally wanted to cry.
BTW, even some of the BMW reps there privately agreed with me...out of earshot, of course.
And for people who haven't owned a BMW before will certainly have no idea what they've missed or something to compare to
So many options for BMWs though
05-16-05, 11:06 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by GS3Tek
I'm sure that I am wrong, mmarshall, but I don't think that the majority of Bangle's-design owners even notice the reduction of solidness/quality materials used. They just know that it's a new design, hence newer should be better. Better yet, I'd say 9/10 don't even know who Bangle is.
And for people who haven't owned a BMW before will certainly have no idea what they've missed or something to compare to
So many options for BMWs though
And for people who haven't owned a BMW before will certainly have no idea what they've missed or something to compare to
So many options for BMWs though
That's not to say that EVERYTHING on the new ones is a step backwards, though. BMW engines and transmissions continue to evolve and improve....though 500 HP on the new M5 may be a little overkill.
05-16-05, 12:40 PM
#10
Originally Posted by mmarshall
I don't know if you are wrong or not about the new BMW owners. But I can assure you...I noticed it.
That's not to say that EVERYTHING on the new ones is a step backwards, though. BMW engines and transmissions continue to evolve and improve....though 500 HP on the new M5 may be a little overkill.
That's not to say that EVERYTHING on the new ones is a step backwards, though. BMW engines and transmissions continue to evolve and improve....though 500 HP on the new M5 may be a little overkill.
get the right person inside the 500hp m5, that's a good match
05-16-05, 02:06 PM
#11
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by rominl
hahaha, when you see a 70 yr old guy using handicapped sign in his sl55 or sl600 (seen both before already), that's overkill
get the right person inside the 500hp m5, that's a good match
get the right person inside the 500hp m5, that's a good match
Imagine what he'll do with a SL55/600 
05-16-05, 03:46 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by AmethySC
You remember that 60+ year old guy speeding & racing & crashing his RSX into a Mercedes dealership lot right ? Imagine what he'll do with a SL55/600
Imagine what he'll do with a SL55/600
05-16-05, 04:25 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
BMW went in the right direction with a manual for the M5. A car like that needs it.
I'd take a manual over an auto anytime and I frequently drive my car into Manhattan. Queens traffic is bad enough.
I'd take a manual over an auto anytime and I frequently drive my car into Manhattan. Queens traffic is bad enough.
05-16-05, 06:46 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
Manual transmissions are fine for uncongested areas but just don't cut it in big cities.
What BMW needs to do even more than manual trannies is to first get rid of that f - - -ing I-Drive and then start putting some SOLIDNESS back into their cars like they did up to just a few years ago. The new 5-series, especially, is a prime example of this......IMO it is like a tin can compared to its SUPERB predecessor. At the Washington, DC Auto Show last December BMW had old and new 5-series back-to-back. I examined and sat in the old one, then examined and sat in the new one, and literally wanted to cry.
BTW, even some of the BMW reps there privately agreed with me...out of earshot, of course.
What BMW needs to do even more than manual trannies is to first get rid of that f - - -ing I-Drive and then start putting some SOLIDNESS back into their cars like they did up to just a few years ago. The new 5-series, especially, is a prime example of this......IMO it is like a tin can compared to its SUPERB predecessor. At the Washington, DC Auto Show last December BMW had old and new 5-series back-to-back. I examined and sat in the old one, then examined and sat in the new one, and literally wanted to cry.
BTW, even some of the BMW reps there privately agreed with me...out of earshot, of course.
... now heavy duty aftermarket clutch in a big city... too much calf exercise...