Dan, GO WITH THE MAN-TRANS, NOT THE CHICK STICK BUDDY! I have 48,000 on my car now and have never had an issue with the trans. If you look down the list of thread titles here, you'll see that 90% of all issues with these cars are related to the SMG. That makes it pretty obvious where if you're going to have problems what the cause will be. There's 2 reasons I chose the manual over the SMG; 1. The "purist" sense of driving a manual. To me, a real sports car has a manual transmission. It involves your input and your skill to make those shifts giving more satisfaction in the driving experience. 2. If the SMG s#!t the bed, I would never attempt to repair it. The manual transmission/clutch I could. I've replaced man-trans clutches before and it's no issue to accomplish.
Also, having a man-trans keeps me from bowing to excessive technology in a way and keeping a hold on some of the old-school way of driving. We're forced to live in a technological world in so many ways and this is one way to resist that. With my loud exhaust it's more fun showing that off with the manual. When people hear me going through the gears they know it a manual transmission which is getting more rare each year. Being that the man-trans isn't very common in these cars, it gives it even more of an exclusive appeal also. People are impressed that such a sophisticated car can still have a manual transmission also.
Good luck in whatever you choose Dan!
Dean,
This just came up on the M5 board. Someone took it out for repairs.
I know that I would be at the mechanic for any problem.
Josh
Josh,
That's the first issue I have seen with the manual trans. I'm sure there have been more but I just don't remember seeing any others. I looked through the first 10 pages of threads and counted 11 instances of SMG issues with no manual trans issues. I'm considering installing the Spec PT Clutch for increased strength to account for the nitrous that's getting installed when I get home on a few days. It's also an 18 pound decrease in rotating mass and they're giving me an 18% military discount also.
__________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming: "WOW! WHAT A RIDE!!"
Josh,
That's the first issue I have seen with the manual trans. I'm sure there have been more but I just don't remember seeing any others. I looked through the first 10 pages of threads and counted 11 instances of SMG issues with no manual trans issues. I'm considering installing the Spec PT Clutch for increased strength to account for the nitrous that's getting installed when I get home on a few days. It's also an 18 pound decrease in rotating mass and they're giving me an 18% military discount also.
If I read this one right, It is an SMG issue as well. Just that the OP fixed it himself. That Spec clutch looked impressive and should be able to take a beating.
__________________
Bmw M6-E63 Schnitzer 600 hp - Heavily modded
Bmw X3-F25 35i Xdrive M-Pack 380 hp - AC Schnitzer
Porsche Gemballa Avalanche (4.3 litre), RSR 1600-RR - 1600 hp on race gas
Porsche Gemballa Gt600 - Carrera 4s compressor ( VF-Engineering ) 600 hp
Ferrari 599 GTB Novitec Rosso SuperSport - 888 hp
Lamborghini Aventador LP-760 Mansory Edition - 754 hp
Aston Martin 1-77. V12 - 770 hp. No 57 out of 77
I am 5 years in just under 30k miles. I love the 6 speed. No issues. Maybe I cannot shift as fast as the manumatic, but I would never trade the feel of really driving the car. It is kind of old school these days considering the tech of manumatics, but it is just so satisfying hitting a solid shift or pulling a corner with a proper downshft.
I've had an epiphany (don't worry, not contagous).
Dan, if you get a 6 speed, finally insight regarding the differences between pedal equipped manual and SMG cars will have an ultimate experienced and respected voice. E63 performance from 2006 to 2010 is supposed to be basically the same, so your time with SMG could be compared over the span that you own a 6-speed car and really clarify the lively debate. Heck, you pretty much have to buy a 6-speed now. The power of m6board compels thee!
The entertainment value as you tweak a 6-speed and post your results would be way huge. Finding the right car might not be easy, but if you post your 2010 6-speed requirements/desires, I betcha board members could find a plethora of candidates for you to evaluate.
61Likes
I have 48,000 on my car now and have never had an issue with the trans. If you look down the list of thread titles here, you'll see that 90% of all issues with these cars are related to the SMG. That makes it pretty obvious where if you're going to have problems what the cause will be. There's 2 reasons I chose the manual over the SMG; 1. The "purist" sense of driving a manual. To me, a real sports car has a manual transmission. It involves your input and your skill to make those shifts giving more satisfaction in the driving experience. 2. If the SMG s#!t the bed, I would never attempt to repair it. The manual transmission/clutch I could. I've replaced man-trans clutches before and it's no issue to accomplish. 
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