2007 BMW M5 gets a 6sp Manual
 

- Mototrauthority.com

I find it ironic that the "lazy" americans who only drive autos and build "crappy" handling cars are the only ones getting the more driver oriented version of the M5. I'm accept the manual with open arms, thankyou very much. :)

Good news for the Hardcore fans who dream of ever owning one, the gearbox was the only thing pissing me a bit off :mrgreen:

Yeah why? :?

Now we gotta import a German car out of America if you want one, how stupid is that? :roll:

hahaha we finally get something better then you all HAHAHAHA!!! :P

That means that its made in Germany, shipped to the US and if you want one ship it back to Europe :?

Yeah but the point is you can't built something better yourself, its still german :P

i really wish that people would stop groaning about the SMG. It's not a bad transmission at all once you learn you can accelerate smoothly.

BMW has been hesitant about doing the 6 speed because they don't think we know how to shift correctly and that translates into wrecked cars, blown engines, gearboxes and clutches. That's why they have made the SMG the only option until now.

It's not the problem w/ SMG I think, it's about not having the choice to choose. Yes, that's one intention of BMW, but they also save money when they only have one transmission in the production line, easier QC, and better yet, less warranty claims (regardless of who's fault it is)

It definitely saves BMW more money to only have one tranmission option.. but we see now money isn't a problem since they are offering it to the US.

I think the reason all of their new M cars are SMG is because it is clearly the best transmission option for the best performance.

Although I will never get tired of a "slower" car with a manual instead of a sequential.

Should be very interesting to see the first tests.. I'm wondering how much of a performance hit the M5 will take with a true manual gearbox.

I still won't believe this option is foreal until I see it ;) Since when did BMW start catering towards the US Market?? They have ALWAYS sent over "weak" versions of their cars just like all of the other manufactures around the world.

As many as manual F430 :mrgreen: (My Guess < 20%)

But don't both transmission options for the F430 both have 6 gears? The M5 with 6-speed manual should have different ratios and what not..

I know the performance between manual and smg won't be monumental, I'm thinking it will be significant.

Oh sorry, I think I mis-read your reply. I thought you are asking how many M5 will be sold in manual.

What i understood from about a year ago is that many of the U.S. forums were complaining heavily about not having the option of the manual for the M5. Come on, a company that supposedly has the worlds best driving machine doesn't let you have the feel for the gearbox, kind of contradictory. IMO Ferrari has this problem now too, at least for the F430. Anyways, BMW America listened to the protest and actually came through.

Please note something.....

It's going manual to the US, not to be more pure, but to be more smooth!!

If you want something Smooth, a 550i or a 540i should be the car to buy... not an M5!!!!

In a few days... there will be a depowered version of the M5 to the US... to be more smooth??? The M5 accelerates too fast, and makes by american smooth butt feel unconfortable?? :D :D :D

Eheh... just joking!

The F430 is also available with a normal manual gearbox, although it's not a populair option.

^ thats because Ferrari shifters are horrible for actually shifting ;) Although they are nice to look at.

Not to mention all of the posers who love the fact the new Ferrari now comes in an "automatic"!

i just checked this out at the local dealer and the '07 m5 comes standard with 6sp manual and smg is a $2200 cdn option.....although in reality what they have done is reduce the base price from the '06 m5 by $2200....so in a nutshell we north americans can now get a 6spd manual m5 and also at the same time pocket 2 g's! thanks BNA!

Why have i never seen a review of a manual one, what the hell!! I just found one on ebay, i think it looks classic with the manual open gate.

Didnt know they existed in the metal yet.. can you post the link or the pictures of the manual M5 that you found on ebay?

^Yeah, I want to see that too, I'm glad they are offering a 6spd! The SMG is cool and all, but you shouldn't be forced to forgo a clutch if you don't want to, I'm all for the 6spd! :D

It'll be a lot slower with the manual, and i bet those clutches are expensive to replace, the clutch in the E39 M5 is the weakpoint in the drivetrain, im guessing it still will be in the E60, and a lot harder to drive with the torque characteristics of the V10... I can tell you that sometimes you just wish the E39 was an auto, when your stuck in traffic or just goin along when your tired, yes its great to have the option of the manual for spirited driving, but to me the SMG seems like a nice compromise.
If i had the choice between the two...... I'd have to drive them both first!!! :)

If I had the choice.. I'd probably go with the SMG just to keep myself out of trouble and not replace the clutch every month ;)

Although it seems stupid that the M5's computer will not prevent you from doing hard launches at every stop, for most people it's the only way to prevent you from breaking your brand new sports car ;)

^lol, how bad of a manual driver are u dutch??

I think he was talking about the F430 and not the M5...

I'm not ;)

The SMG in the M5 has a "launch mode." Basically you floor the pedal, let go of the shifter and the car launches it self with just the right amount of wheel spin. The computer automatically adjusts clutch release and throttle to launch the car from stop perfectly, with out any skills neccessary.

The transmission's software also prevents you from using launch mode over and over again, ultimately blowing the clutch. I don't know how many times it allows you, but I'd imagine it has something to do with the heat of the clutch too.

In the manual 6 speed, you've got nothing stopping you but yourself :lol:

But really though, the manual would definitely be nice, but the engine was meant for the SMG II. And I'd probably use it every day so sitting in traffic would be inevitable.

I have to agree with you on SMG. My friends dad has a M5(of course SMG), and I didn't notice any jerkiness, or anything bad at all. Sure, a manual is more driver oriented, but the SMG is not bad at all.

I have 2006 M5 & after just 2000 k ... the gear is dead ( transmision faller ).
At that time there was 3 cars with the same proplem in the BMW workshop :shock:
:?: :?: :?:

I think you will need to provide some proof before using the word "I have" :wink:

Yeah i was referring to the F430, but does this mean that the M6 will come standard with a manual?

Manual for me all the way. Although I'm not sure that in a big car like that you would want a manual transmission, but in my opinion it would be better than the SMG

Same here, don't really care if it's few tenths slower, all it counts is the pleasure while driving. Plus, if you can afford a 100k car, should have no problem affording a few clutches.

No word on it yet, but i'd be surprised if it won't come with one later in the year or next year.

SMG for me

- SMG for the track, launchcontrol, middle-gas sounds when shifting down, able to turn of DSC 100%

- Manual for reliability, no software that can be messed up. DSC can't be turn off 100% (and that sucks, now its so Mercedesish )

Manual gearbox reviews from M5 owners
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/sho...187#post891187
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=83917

Dude for drivers like you and me the way DSC/ESP can be turned off is definetely gonna be enough. Watch the clip from 5th Gear where Tiff drives the CLS55. I doubt that one of us cold control that car with more driftangle.

BTW AMG has hinted that their models will be available with ESP that can be turned off 100% in the not so distant future. Maybe together with their version of the DSG-box.

Sorry but Im not a driver like you ;) the point is, BMW M has always been able to turn off 100%, why change it now? Let the guys taking their cars to the track to be able to enjoy their car completly without having any helpaids interfering.

and I dont care what MB will do in the future, I live today and I drive cars of today. So yes , this is so mercedesish. Give me SMG, I can have just as fun with SMG as a manual.

Yeah but I hope you plan on living in the future too :wink:

I know that you're not a driver like me, not many people are but I hope that you at least are average 8)

Still I agree with you that you should always have the option of turning all driver aids completely off. Especially on drivingmachines like M-cars oand similar.

You can already turn off ESP 100% on almost all +2005 AMG's, as well as on some non-AMG vehicles. You just need to know how ;)

The electronic aids are definitely good to have in a car with that much power. But I still want the ability to disable all aids, 100%. That is ridiculous that they do not allow that with the manual.

And it looks kinda weird if you ask me..
http://www.kozmanautos.com/e60m53.jpg

Damn that stick looks really tiny and weak. Maybe it's just the picture.

Its pretty much the same shifter you get in any other BMW.. it just looks out of place in the E60 interior.

^I agree, looks like any 550i out there.

Yeah doesn't look right... :?

But still, if it shifts like a beauty and the clutch is like stepping on a marsmallow I don't think it will give so many problems :wink:

Proof !! how ??
Its just an M5 .. not Boeing 777 8)

Because if you can afford an M5, you can afford a digital camera. Walk 20 steps, pull out your key & manual, lay it on the trunk, and *snap*

;)

Whatever it looks like to you guys,
a manual M5 looks like a S*@&load of fun to me!

Agreed

I'll say the same even if you say you own a beat-up corolla. It's part of forum rules :wink:

LMAO

Owned definately! 8)

Its not the point to proof if I have the M5 or no & its not your business.
All I want to say is I didn't like the SMG gear & There is TOO many problems.
I can put a picture of my M5 , But how can you be sure if its mine or no??
For your information the M5 is one of my cars .. you will find in my garage 2002 Viper GTS/FE TT ( +1000 HP ) , 2005 lamborghini murcielago , Porsche cayenne turbo, BMW 745il , the LP640 will arrive this month & I dont have to put you ALL the pictures of my Cars.
Note: Check the lambo video .. you will find a Race OF My 2 Cars ( Viper Vs. Lambo )