E60 M5 = NO Manual Transmission = Deal Breaker?

chunpng · 18th August 2004, 07:54

Just curious how many of you will NOT buy the E60 M5 for the lack of a manual transmission?

I will not buy the new M5 in any case. The three strikes are: Looks, Idrive, and SMG only. Also, I'm totally happy with my E39 and my RUF.

Just wondering how you folks feel.

CP

MEnthusiast · 18th August 2004, 13:40

CP,
you just said how I feel about it. Whats interesting is my take on SMG. I first hated it, then I found a SMG car that I liked and Ive been living with it for about a 1.25 years. In that time I grew to master it and enjoy it, but something strange happened about 4-5 months ago. I stopped driving it. I hate to say it, but for me, it became boring. My and my wife's experience with SMG can be summed up as the worst of both worlds (manual/automatic): not automatic enough for her, and not manual enough for me.

The system does work and its very slick and many will enjoy it, but ultimately, its not for me. I very much doubt I'd get a SMG car ever again. I also think its a marketing mistake to not offer the car with a real stick shift.

All that said, if the car had a stick, Id still not get it because of the other 2 issues (styling+idrive). If the car had better styling+idrive and was SMG only, Id still not get it. So for me each of these is a "fatal flaw".

Andy-UK · 18th August 2004, 13:57

Certainly is the deal breaker. If you read car mags like Evo no matter what car they test. If it hasn't got a manual shift they always say it somewhat dilutes the driving experience. And I've got to agree. To me a sports car be it a sedan like the M5 or a supercar has got to be a manual. My driving consists of two parts. The daily commute into work for which an automatic is ideal for when your crawling around in traffic. This type of driving may make up 90% of my driving time. But it's the other 10% which I enjoy most, that makes me say to myself it's got to be a manual or forget it. Nothing can beat the feeling of slotting a gear, getting on the gas watching the needle close in on the redline and then repeating the actions again. Clutch buried in the carpet, next gear. You get the picture. Isn't this what driving is all about?

AJ · 18th August 2004, 14:21

the problem is that the head of the "m" division mispresented the truth. he was quoted in a car mag not long ago that "m" has always been a symbol of high revving and responsive engine, excellent balance and manual transmission. so he pretty much lied.

i am disappointed. i will see how the first test cars fare and i will make up my mind. however, if i wanted an auto, i would've gotten the e55- it has much more tunning potential and imo looks much better.

i undestand that bmw wants to make this car appeal to a wider range of customers, but in doing so i think they are departing from their core identity which will hurt them in this day of all-alike-boring computer generated vehicles.

besides, i am not particularly excited about a high-revving v10 in a 3900 pound sports-lux sedan. just doesnt sound good on paper. double vanos or not.

alex
few cars

Fart · 18th August 2004, 14:25

my view is that SMG is manual. Even if the clutch is not present you still have to make the gear changes your self.

It's evolution, like ABS brakes, power steering, and syncro in gear boxes.

but thats only my 2 cents.

SuperBMW · 18th August 2004, 14:38

I think we must wait and test it.
Its not the SMG II in the M3, so could feel very diffferent, especially with the funky shift patern of the gearbox.

Gustav · 18th August 2004, 14:42

You ahve a poitn. This gearbox and car was made from the ground up to be the most advanced sequential gearbox on the market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBMW

I think we must wait and test it.
Its not the SMG II in the M3, so could feel very diffferent, especially with the funky shift patern of the gearbox.

SC'dKellenersM5 · 18th August 2004, 14:56

Slowly going the way of the buffalo....

Teutonaddict · 18th August 2004, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy-UK

Certainly is the deal breaker. If you read car mags like Evo no matter what car they test. If it hasn't got a manual shift they always say it somewhat dilutes the driving experience. And I've got to agree. To me a sports car be it a sedan like the M5 or a supercar has got to be a manual. My driving consists of two parts. The daily commute into work for which an automatic is ideal for when your crawling around in traffic. This type of driving may make up 90% of my driving time. But it's the other 10% which I enjoy most, that makes me say to myself it's got to be a manual or forget it. Nothing can beat the feeling of slotting a gear, getting on the gas watching the needle close in on the redline and then repeating the actions again. Clutch buried in the carpet, next gear. You get the picture. Isn't this what driving is all about?

Could not have said it better myself. It IS the deal-breaker. Over the past two years or so of spy shots, I've talked myself into accepting the styling and working around iDrive. An auto tranny, no matter how sophisticated, removes the involvement and enjoyment that I require.

I live in one of the "top three" metro areas in the US for length of commute, and I have a typical :90/day commute time. I drive my E39 M5 every single day, and I love it. For me, SMG-III = no longer a Bimmerphile.

Sad to say those words....

Fart · 18th August 2004, 15:12

are rally cars manual or automatic.. WRC cars that is. They all have the sequential gearboxes, so do the champcars, almost all track sportscars, the IRL cars also. Lets not forget the F1, F3 and F3000 cars.

Try to tell any of the current rally/race drivers that their cars are automatic.

I think too many of the anti-SGM crew has things a little bit crossed. Too many people think that the steptronic feature makes their automatic car manual.

I find that too many journalists in todays car mags are too old school about everything. Jeremy clarksson is one of them. They will never let go of their old school habits like the need to use a clutch.

Regarding I-drive... 4 of my friends drive E60's and no one has any problems using I-drive.

The only problem I have with the E60 is that I think it lacks power. I would have expected BMW-M to deliver us something special, like the engine of the McLaren F1. 10 years of evolution should have brought us an 8.250rpm reving 650hp engine without any turbos or SC's