Are the 6-speed-Manual E60 M5s already in production? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

8-Ball · 25th March 2006, 18:07

I ordered a loaded Interlagos blue E60 M5 early February 2006 from my local BMW dealer without specifying which tranny as I didn’t yet know that a 6-speed manual was going to be available. Besides, the novelty of the SMG III was rather cool, that’s what the car came with so I didn’t think twice about it. With further research, I saw that BMW was going to make the 6-speed available later in the year. Discussing the option with my wife and not being in a particular hurry (currently owning both a 2001 M5 and a 2003 Z4 3.0), we decided to opt for the more familiar manual. About 10 days ago, I called the dealership and asked to change my order to a 6-speed. This is where it gets interesting:

My salesman said that since we hadn’t specified the SMG on the order, the 6-speed was “the default” tranny ordered. I was quite surprised so I asked him to please verify. He came back to confirm that yes, unless I had specified SMG, the car would indeed be manufactured with the 6-speed-manual. Great! I asked what time frame we were looking at for its production and he advised that it would be this fall (in line with what I’d read) and gave me the order number so that I could track its progress myself on the BMW website. Sure enough, there it was with a status of “On Order”. Too Cool!

Today, March 23, 2006, just for laughs and giggles, I again checked the website for its status to find to my surprise that it was now “code 150-Production Started” !! “NO WAY!!” I though to myself and proceeded to call the dealer to have him confirm. “Yes, the car is being made. Here’s the VIN”. “With the 6-speed-manual tranny??” I asked. He checks… “No mention of the SMG, so yep, it’s must be the 6-Speed. You’ll be the first to get one”. “Approximately how long will it take?” I asked. “In about 6-8 weeks we’ll have it at the showroom ready for you to come and get. Congratulations.” he replies!!

Is this possible?? Everything I’ve read confirms that the 6-speed won’t be available ‘till later in the year as a 2007 model and that one can’t even be ordered ‘till this summer. Has BMW decided to go ahead with its production? Or is the dealer in such a hurry to make the sale that they’re blowing smoke in hopes that I’ll “settle” for the SMG? I asked him to fax me the printed order which he did, with the VIN and production number, showing all the codes and options, etc. But, it makes no mention of the tranny, SMG III or 6-speed-manual. The base price is US$81,200.00.

Any thoughts or comments??

8-Ball · 25th March 2006, 18:14

PS. I'm going to have him verify one more time and put it in writting. I'll post with any updates.

Gustav · 25th March 2006, 18:23

This sounds very weird. $81.200 is the same as for the SMG version. I would be surprsied if BMW would not have informed US clients better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

My salesman said that since we hadn’t specified the SMG on the order, the 6-speed was “the default” tranny ordered. I was quite surprised so I asked him to please verify. He came back to confirm that yes, unless I had specified SMG, the car would indeed be manufactured with the 6-speed-manual. Great! I asked what time frame we were looking at for its production and he advised that it would be this fall (in line with what I’d read) and gave me the order number so that I could track its progress myself on the BMW website. Sure enough, there it was with a status of “On Order”. Too Cool!

Today, March 23, 2006, just for laughs and giggles, I again checked the website for its status to find to my surprise that it was now “code 150-Production Started” !! “NO WAY!!” I though to myself and proceeded to call the dealer to have him confirm. “Yes, the car is being made. Here’s the VIN”. “With the 6-speed-manual tranny??” I asked. He checks… “No mention of the SMG, so yep, it’s must be the 6-Speed. You’ll be the first to get one”. “Approximately how long will it take?” I asked. “In about 6-8 weeks we’ll have it at the showroom ready for you to come and get. Congratulations.” he replies!!

Is this possible?? Everything I’ve read confirms that the 6-speed won’t be available ‘till later in the year as a 2007 model and that one can’t even be ordered ‘till this summer. Has BMW decided to go ahead with its production? Or is the dealer in such a hurry to make the sale that they’re blowing smoke in hopes that I’ll “settle” for the SMG? I asked him to fax me the printed order which he did, with the VIN and production number, showing all the codes and options, etc. But, it makes no mention of the tranny, SMG III or 6-speed-manual. The base price is US$81,200.00.

m_five · 25th March 2006, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

I ordered a loaded Interlagos blue E60 M5 early February 2006 from my local BMW dealer without specifying which tranny as I didn’t yet know that a 6-speed manual was going to be available. Besides, the novelty of the SMG III was rather cool, that’s what the car came with so I didn’t think twice about it. With further research, I saw that BMW was going to make the 6-speed available later in the year. Discussing the option with my wife and not being in a particular hurry (currently owning both a 2001 M5 and a 2003 Z4 3.0), we decided to opt for the more familiar manual. About 10 days ago, I called the dealership and asked to change my order to a 6-speed. This is where it gets interesting:

My salesman said that since we hadn’t specified the SMG on the order, the 6-speed was “the default” tranny ordered. I was quite surprised so I asked him to please verify. He came back to confirm that yes, unless I had specified SMG, the car would indeed be manufactured with the 6-speed-manual. Great! I asked what time frame we were looking at for its production and he advised that it would be this fall (in line with what I’d read) and gave me the order number so that I could track its progress myself on the BMW website. Sure enough, there it was with a status of “On Order”. Too Cool!

Today, March 23, 2006, just for laughs and giggles, I again checked the website for its status to find to my surprise that it was now “code 150-Production Started” !! “NO WAY!!” I though to myself and proceeded to call the dealer to have him confirm. “Yes, the car is being made. Here’s the VIN”. “With the 6-speed-manual tranny??” I asked. He checks… “No mention of the SMG, so yep, it’s must be the 6-Speed. You’ll be the first to get one”. “Approximately how long will it take?” I asked. “In about 6-8 weeks we’ll have it at the showroom ready for you to come and get. Congratulations.” he replies!!

Is this possible?? Everything I’ve read confirms that the 6-speed won’t be available ‘till later in the year as a 2007 model and that one can’t even be ordered ‘till this summer. Has BMW decided to go ahead with its production? Or is the dealer in such a hurry to make the sale that they’re blowing smoke in hopes that I’ll “settle” for the SMG? I asked him to fax me the printed order which he did, with the VIN and production number, showing all the codes and options, etc. But, it makes no mention of the tranny, SMG III or 6-speed-manual. The base price is US$81,200.00.

Any thoughts or comments??

My sense is that either your dealer is 1) clueless, or 2) full of it, and hopes you'll take the SMG when it arrives!

Wolverine · 25th March 2006, 18:45

There is just no way in the world I would take the information that a car salesman gives me as reliable without verifying it with a second source. His statement that "...the 6-speed is the default unless you specify SMG..." tells me he's not really too knowledgeable. If he is knowledgeable and he's right, then he is at best a poor salesperson for not informing you of the tranny change prior to your asking about it.

I would try to get some information from a second source - possibly your asking to have the tranny choice in writing will spur your dealership to do some research. Sorry, but unless you have a printout, or some other knowledgeable source saying the same thing, I think you're getting an SMG.

Digi · 25th March 2006, 18:57

No 6 speed, only SMG this year. Your dealer is absolutely clueless. The statement that 6 speed is standard unless SMG is specified has never been true, and ought to be a clue to those who have just a basic knowledge of the BMW product line, which obvouosly the dealer does not. No telling what you'll get. Better check the order, as it lists all standard and optional equipment. The dealer should have a copy of the confirmation from BMW. This will tell you what else he may not have ordered.

Did you get the optional V10? All 5 series come with a V8 unless you specify V10.

8-Ball · 25th March 2006, 19:17

I just got off the phone with my salesman. He once again claimed that unless I specified the SMG, it would come as a 6-speed. I told him that when Ford first came out, there was no need to specify a colour as it only came in black and that this was the case currently with the E60..only available with the SMG!! He's going to once again verify and call me back. Of course, I expect that he'll tell me that it's being made with the SMG. This is unbelievable as this guy's been with this #1 dealership in Atlanta for at least five years (I've bought 3 new BMWs from him)!!

Looks like there'll be a loaded interlagos blue available in a few weeks as I'll probably still be waiting for the 6-speed.

Will advise when I hear back from Global BMW.

LJM5 · 25th March 2006, 19:36

Your sales guy is an idiot. No matter what he comes back and tells you. I just looked over my ordering paperwork, and nowhere does it tell me what type of transmission I am getting. Nor will yours, like you stated it doesn't.

SMG is the "default". Maybe he ordered you a regular e60 and was going to put the m-aero kit on with the m wheels and some badging and hope you wouldn't notice.

"Manual is the default"... priceless!

rodman31 · 25th March 2006, 19:56

All I can say is let your fingers do the driving!!! SMG, all the way! Tell me the techs at the dealer know more about the M5 than your salesmen or you are in for a nightmare!!!

Robert

Congrats on the new car, anyway!!!

CSBM5 · 25th March 2006, 20:01

I agree with all the others above. The odds are 100% that your car is coming with the SMG. The salesman is a total idiot. The 6-spd is not and never has been the "default" transmission on the E60 M5 -- he's thinking of the E46 M3!

I bet next year, the 2007 model year M5, when the 6-spd is actually available it will have to be specified as an option (no cost) too. It will NOT be the default transmission unless BMWNA is realing over SMG feedback or something.