Is the 6-Speed manual in the new BMW M5 a REAL improvement?

I'd rather take it as an SMG. Yes manual transmission is more 'fun' in theory, but the M5 was designed to be a precision tool for going very quick and offering a greater degree of practicality (at a more affordable price) than something like an F430. It was supposed to have SMG, not full-on stick shifting - the customer cropped up with a "we are always right" attitude, and guess what they weren't - BMW should have stuck to thier guns on this.

I guess an analogy for other people might be Audi Quattro... RWD is more fun than 4WD (in the same way a manual box is more fun than a semi-auto)... so should Audi offer the RS4 in RWD too - just to make it more fun - even though it wouldn't be as fast.....??

— matt635 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 2:46:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I would also take the SMG. Sure the stick is more fun, but the SMG makes it a daily driver (city) that's also fast(er).

Did BMW design the manual transmission at the last moment, or did they anticipate the need and designed it with the SMG?

— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 3:28:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

they took it from the previous gen m5

— Boss8can (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 3:35:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I wouldn't take either of them.

The SMG may be more practical, but basically, it sucks to drive.

The manual may be more fun- and it's great to drive, but it sucks as a daily driver.

So basically, I think the new M5 is a dud. I hate saying that, though. I love the bodykit, and the engine is a masterpiece.

But I'm going to have to go with the E63 AMG, as a practical automatic that is also blindingly quick and luxurious, until the new RS6 comes out.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 4:12:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

What? "...BMW took away the ability to fully disable the stability control system." So much for "Ultimate Driving Machine". :)

— SupraNeverBack (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 4:57:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Before bringing the M5 MT to market, BMW should have spent some time refining the manual gearbox, rather than taking it directly from the previous gen. They did it too hastily and I think it cost them a little bit.

I agree with what Matt said above, the M5 (and its illustrious V10) is a precision vehicle. It demands the best in terms of tranmission as well as powerplant. The 6MT just doesn't cut it. Same with the F430...the 6sp just doesn't cut it with these kinds of engines. The new "manumatic" transmissions have gotten better at shifting than a human ever could, so its no surprise that C&D got slower 0-60, 0-100, and 1/4mi times.

In terms of my preference, I love all of them, but I drove the E55 and loved it, so I would probably take the E63 over the competition...but the M5 would be close behind.

The S6, unfortunately, does not compete (nor was it meant to) so it should not have been considered in the comparo in the latest C&D. Although, despite being underpowered, it did manage to beat out the M5, so I guess hats off to Audi.

— NARunner (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 10:31:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Well yes. Of course it is.
The desire for a manual isn’t a rational one. That’s why rational arguments such as "you never have to take your hands off the wheel, better gas mileage, even faster, etc." don’t hold any water. Any one who’s driven and enjoyed a manual for any length of time has developed an extra "limb" of sorts that operates autonomously... kind of like having an automatic hardwired to your brain. Ever seen (or been :-) ) a "manual driver" in an automatic car? They’re pressing invisible pedals, trying to move shifter that won’t move, they forget to put it in Park... it’s a sad sight. It’s clear there’s a missing "limb."

A traditional manual is more involving and (therefore) more fun to drive than any automated system will ever be; so it doesn’t matter that SMG is logically better. Manual should always be an option on a car priding itself on being a driving machine.

— webguy (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2007 11:12:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

^ one of the most enthusiast driven not to mention well written posts ive seen here... ever! hat tip to you.

hey, have u guys ever heard about the e39 m5 that did under 13 in stock form? gosh! the e39 m5 truly was a milestone!

— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 2:45:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Bottom line is the M5 is all about performance, and the 6-spd manual is a step back.

I’m very surprised that BMW would go for the quick band-aid fix and just bolt on the transmission from the previous M5.

— weaponX (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 9:00:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I wouldn't buy the E63 mainly because if I'm buying a fast expensive car like that, I would want perfect safety. Remember the poor marks the E-Class got? (It's also an older, dated, design, but it sure is fast).

— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 9:35:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I just don't get people who would order the SMG. If the point of this car isn't to have fun, what is it? Sure, you can go .3 seconds or whatever faster with the SMG, but I actually like driving, and without a real manual gearbox, frankly, your not driving. SMG is marketed as the best, but the reality is that it, and the flappy paddle gearboxes like those found in Ferrari's and others, are designed to sell automatics to people who have never learned to heel toe. Those with the SMG are missing out.

As for daily driving, I drive a manual in Toronto, which has some of the continents heaviest traffic, without any difficulty.

— lizthevw (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 10:38:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

no audi ever beat a BMW. the only reason this happened in the car mag you talk about was becasue of their hatred for idrive. Ive said this before.. anyone with half a brain (this does not include audi owners)can figure this out in 30 mins.. except these morons. I have smg M5. It is quite simply one of the greatest cars ever made and one that audi with all their fwd trickery cannot come close to.

— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 11:48:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Audi does not yet make a car that has the handling adjustability of a Beemer. With their current front heavy AWD layout it is a physical impossibilty. The RS4 is about 1/2 way there but that is as close as Audi has ever gotten. With the up coming shortened drivetrain allowing them to push the engine further back will definately help. It will be interesting to see how the handling changes on the new A4 that's coming out next year. The other point is that Audi's philosophy about how a car handles is simply been different then BMW's. Audi has chosen to value the safety of AWD without adjustable handling as in say a WRX or and EVO deliberately. I don't think you will see the same kind of oversteering fun from a BMW ever in an Audi.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 2:07:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

how many people here have actually DRIVEN a SMG M5 to make an informed decision? I love manual transmission cars as well, but SMG gives you total control of the engine and is quite thrilling to drive. With that being said, if you have driven both than that is your preference, but don't come to conclusions if the closest you have ever gotten to an M5 is the auto show.

— phantom330 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2007 3:42:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I agree with MDalle 100%. The SMG may not be as fun, but its surely better overall. Not to mention its faster. U people probably havent driven the M5...
You also described the E AMG exactly what it is!! A saloon with a big engine and its comfortable.

SMG all the way! lol

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2007 11:37:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

MDalle great post.

Hope one day people will realise that sequentials and automatics aren't the same thing.

— DarkOneForce (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2007 6:39:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

BMW now offers the manual transmission in response to the SMG being problematic, and because their SMG provides a ride that has been called "rubbish" by reviewers.

BMW does a lot of things right. They also do some things wrong. Some of them VERY wrong. "Launch Control" was a feature that was VERY wrong, as it tended to trash the drive train if used exactly as directed.

— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 1/4/2007 11:37:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

My friend used to have a 6spd manual 330i, and now drives a SMG M3.

He wishes he got a manual. End of story.

On paper and initially the SMG is great, but the only people that actually prefer the SMG in the long run are people that have never owned a manual transmission car.

— caffeinetrip (View Profile)

Posted on 1/4/2007 2:21:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

It seems to me that this highlights a couple of issues that may be disturbing trends.

1. According to car and driver the biggest reason the performance on the manual takes a hit is because the crash control systems (DSC) can’t be completely turned off like they can on the SMG version. Thus not allowing real driving like you would think this car was made for especially in a manual version of the car. But apparently this is a liability issue. What that has to do with a car that has 500 BHP is baffling.

2. BMW had to throw in the old version of the manual tranny. That seems an impossibility given the power boost over the previous generation, but I haven’t heard if this was modified in any way. Sounds like a lot of time, development and cost goes into the new systems, while the manual gets the scraps left over.

Both of these points hint at disturbing trends, shame on you BMW. How can you be the ultimate driving machine with such a compromise?

— mpwr (View Profile)

Posted on 1/6/2007 10:46:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3