|
m5board.comoholic (>1000 posts)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,799
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groovdog
Only org that can answer is BMWNA. Available data (which costs in many cases serious $$) does not typically track transmissions (unless there are different engine combos which with the M5 there is not). If you wanted to really pay up you could get the answer from RL Polk. Anyone out there with unfettered access to the data (I doubt it as it would typically only be bought by the car companies as cost is typically 7+ figure subscription costs)??
The answer to your question is under-demand, as I think they ultimately listened to a minority that were set on it (6 sp), many of whom avoided it because of the DSC issue (why do you think they fixed this, yep you answered your own question).
Reality is there are alot of people who prefer SMG because you can drive it automatic if you need to (this includes myself) and real sales volumes require an automatic type option (why do you think almost all sports cars are now SMG, DSG, Tiptronic, etc.) as probably 5% of Americans under 40 can drive a stick today.
|
I would have thought this figure is available to folks within the BMW organization and/or dealers, some of which are on this board, hence why I was hoping people like member bmw1986 can chime in.
It can very well be a result of under-demand. I really do think that BMW scored an own-goal not because they released the 6-spd manual, but because of the entire DSC-on issue. And the top US magazines were quick to pick that up, including Automobile Magazine and Car and Driver. If I an not mistaken, both were harsh in their write-up of the of the E60 6-speed M5 versus the E63AMG and S6. And when the car is over 0.3sec slower than its SMG counterpart, readers and buyers will frawn. In fact I think the 0-60 time on the E60 M5 6-speed was at best equal to that of the E39 M5 (4.9 secs). I think that was a big turnoff for the vast majority of crowds.
And knowing BMW wents to the parts bin of the 545/550 for sourcing of critical tranny/clutch/diff parts was another thumbs down...
__________________
THE WIFE
Das Beast:: Carbon Black 2000 E39 M5 
Factory Love: PDC, Folding rear seats with ski bag, Black extended leather with Alcantara headliner, aluminum trim (swapped from burlwood)
The Looks: Full 2001+ facelift upgrade: Euro AEs, Euro Celis taillights, steering wheel, grey instrument cluster, ACS Rooflid Spoiler
The Ride: Dinan Stage III Suspension, Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace, TCD rear sway bar brackets, X5 4.8is thrust arm bushings, 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sports all around on rear OEM 9.5” rims
SuperSprint Me: Supersprint Headers, Supersprint Magnum exhaust, Supersprint X-pipe
Stop-and-Go: StopTech 355mm front BBK (red calipers, cross drilled rotors, Axxis Ultimates pads), Powerchip Gold 93 (v3), Dinan clutch assembly, Dinan lightened flywheel, Cold Air Intake, UFMotorsport IATS
SolelyManualGear: Rogue Octane SSK with WSR, Rogue Tranny mounts, Rogue Clutch Stop, UUC illuminated aluminum shift knob
The Sound: MB Quart Reference Series component speakers all around, M-Audio subs retrofit, Dension Ice>Link Plus i-Pod adapter
The Light: PIAA custom 3-watt Luxeon blue AE LEDs, Xenon/LED Interior Lighting Kit, 6000K fog HIDs, Euro rear fogs activated
Tech Gadgets:16x9 widescreen, MKIV DVD Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Valentine 1
Little extras: 35% Tint, M5 Trunk Mat, TEC cupholder, custom ///M5 Ultimate Pedals, extra OEM staggered wheels with Pirelli SnowSport 240 winter gear, Dinan trunk insignia
THE MISTRESS
Das 'other' Ubber-Beast:: 2008 Audi B7 RS4 
Named "Buffy", the Exotic Car Slayer 
Sprint Blue, Ivory Leather, Premium Package, Titanium Package
Tinted, Valentine'd, Lamin-X'ed, Lidatek'ed, MTM Spacer'ed, Clear Bra'd, Euro RS4 flat steering wheel'ed, JHM Short Shifter'ed, Milltek'ed, de-resonated, de-flapped, de-badged, and most of all: De-Bangled!
Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on extra set of stock 19's for all-weather FUN courtesy of Quattro GmbH 
Let the modding begin...
|