Manual gearbox for the M5

bihus · May 12th, 2005, 05:44 AM

"BMW's M Division is being forced to rethink its gearbox strategy. Both the M5 and M6 were intended to be offered only with an SMG automated manual 'box, but pressure from dealers in the US (M's biggest market) has resulted in M having to rapidly develop a conventional three-pedal manual system.

According to the US dealers, sales are being lost because of the current SMG-only strategy. They say that customers in the US choose M-cars because they want to be different and enjoy a real drivers' car; they feel the SMG 'box isn't involving enough. This is good news for potential M-car customers in the UK because if manual versions are produced for the US (and they almost certainly will be) then pressure will be applied from BMW GB to have the car in rhd.

The seven-speed internals of the SMG 'box were never intended to work with an H-gate shifter, so manual M5s and M6s will have a six-speeder; with over 500bhp, neither is going to feel stretched with six slightly wider ratios. Indeed, with the 155mph limiter, the manuals may forego some of the theoretical 205mph V-max and keep exactly the same first six ratios. "

Saw thin on a portuguese forum, but don't know the source.

andyhui01 · May 12th, 2005, 06:24 AM

of course BMW should make a manual... I'm glad they finally thought it true... BMW is the ultimate driving machine and obviously it should have 3 pedals and not a gearbox an old-lady can drive images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Cruzz563 · May 12th, 2005, 06:32 AM

That's good news images/smilies/smile.gif

See, we Americans are good for something images/smilies/lol.gif

Raven18940 · May 12th, 2005, 02:39 PM

That's right, bow to the US market bitches. images/smilies/lol.gif

Renesis · May 12th, 2005, 02:42 PM

you guys also creaed the demand for the Porsche Cayenne, so you're even

oliB · May 12th, 2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bihus

"...but pressure from dealers in the US (M's biggest market) has resulted in M having to rapidly develop a conventional three-pedal manual system."

Good news! images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

I was a bit disappointed and surprised that BMW M only offered the SMG gearbox and no manual anyway!

I'm surprised though that there is pressure from the Americans, who want a manual! images/smilies/lol.gif

Quote:

Originally Posted by bihus

"...neither is going to feel stretched with six slightly wider ratios. Indeed, with the 155mph limiter, the manuals may forego some of the theoretical 205mph V-max and keep exactly the same first six ratios."

This would suck IMO! Wider ratios are okay but just ditching the 7th gear and having a lower top speed?? images/smilies/thumbdown.gif

If I'd buy a M5 I'd remove the limiter ASAP, because I live in Germany! images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

cya
Oliver

Z Draci · May 12th, 2005, 05:33 PM

LOL, it seems like the only people that knows a good gearbox are Americans!

I've tried those paddle shifters on many cars. They are great because you can change from manual to full auto mode. This is crucial when you drive in Southern California traffic! However, it won't allow me to do things on the track that is only possible with the traditional clutch pedal and gear knob. (i.e. shift lock)

We will most likely never see a 7-speed conventional gearbox on any car. It's been determined that it would be a bit too complicated to gate 7-gears on a shifter. Since we already see 7-speed and 8-speed cars all over the place now, maybe this is the end of the conventional gearbox!!!

bihus · May 12th, 2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzz563

That's good news images/smilies/smile.gif

See, we Americans are good for something images/smilies/lol.gif

That was the exact commentary made on the other forum... images/smilies/lol.gif

asthenia · May 12th, 2005, 07:36 PM

They could do a 7-speed manual if they went back to the old-school electronic overdrive. 1 through 6 on the shifter, then press a button for 7th. It's not like you'd be using it much anyway.

Problem is making an overdrive unit that can take 500HP. images/smilies/twisted.gif

logo · May 12th, 2005, 08:24 PM

hmmm.. 6 speed manual is good.. I wonder if they thought of making it 7 speed lol images/smilies/tongue.gif

I think that'll be too much though.. but what sucks is the top speed thing like olib said.. so for once manual will be slower than semi-auto images/smilies/sad.gif

Buba · May 12th, 2005, 10:16 PM

I really doubt this is going to happen...
"If you don't like ze geerbox you can buy anoser car..." BMW is the most efficient car company in the world (moneywise) and won't give a damn about 50 M models beeing sold less
...
Any anyway, semi-automitics are faster in 0-60 (or whatever) terms for years now...

I wouldn't mind having a tricked out smg gearbox in my M5 or M6... It has been developed on this basis and will most probably work best with that...

Buba

VWKafer · May 13th, 2005, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliB

This would suck IMO! Wider ratios are okay but just ditching the 7th gear and having a lower top speed?? images/smilies/thumbdown.gif

If I'd buy a M5 I'd remove the limiter ASAP, because I live in Germany! images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

cya
Oliver

well, anyway the seventh ratio and higher top speed would only matter for you deutschers, so i suppose that we all will be given the option.

BTW, I have heard if you live in germany and you pull the right strings, the guys at M will yank the limiter for you, for a price of course.

Demented Freak · May 13th, 2005, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renesis

you guys also creaed the demand for the Porsche Cayenne, so you're even

Great call there

Cruzz563 · May 13th, 2005, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renesis

you guys also creaed the demand for the Porsche Cayenne, so you're even

True, but if it helps Porsche stay independent, it can't be all bad...70/30 Bad/Good. images/smilies/smile.gif

Viggen · May 13th, 2005, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bihus

According to the US dealers, sales are being lost because of the current SMG-only strategy. They say that customers in the US choose M-cars because they want to be different and enjoy a real drivers' car; they feel the SMG 'box isn't involving enough.

Wow, and of all places it's America! Gee, I thought no one here drives a manual anymore! images/smilies/wink.gif

Joking aside, glad to hear it's mostly the enthusiasts that are the ones buying these cars and BMW actually listened.

logo · May 13th, 2005, 06:02 PM

usually auto lovers go for the e55 instead of the M5, M5 fans would always take a manual tranny over a auto. altho that smg is seriously good.. hmm :p

Cruzz563 · May 13th, 2005, 06:05 PM

As an auto lover, I would take the M5 every time... images/smilies/smile.gif

jasonchiu · May 13th, 2005, 06:51 PM

M5 is way better than any audi lol

toma_alimosh · May 14th, 2005, 01:42 AM

^ E55 is MB images/smilies/wacko.gif

blargonator · May 14th, 2005, 06:06 AM

i would always choose a manual over anything with "flappy paddles". i know they are faster, but that is not what driving is about to me, i would rather enjoy a happy spirited stroll than a flying bore <8- P i heard that they are pretty slow on downshifts though, i have never been in a car equipped with it, but would anyone with experience like to step in?

May 12th, 2005, 05:44 AM	#1
bihus Joined: Dec 7th, 2003 Last Online: April 2nd, 2006 Location: Portugal Posts: 4,618 Rep Power: 25	Manual gearbox for the M5 "BMW's M Division is being forced to rethink its gearbox strategy. Both the M5 and M6 were intended to be offered only with an SMG automated manual 'box, but pressure from dealers in the US (M's biggest market) has resulted in M having to rapidly develop a conventional three-pedal manual system. According to the US dealers, sales are being lost because of the current SMG-only strategy. They say that customers in the US choose M-cars because they want to be different and enjoy a real drivers' car; they feel the SMG 'box isn't involving enough. This is good news for potential M-car customers in the UK because if manual versions are produced for the US (and they almost certainly will be) then pressure will be applied from BMW GB to have the car in rhd. The seven-speed internals of the SMG 'box were never intended to work with an H-gate shifter, so manual M5s and M6s will have a six-speeder; with over 500bhp, neither is going to feel stretched with six slightly wider ratios. Indeed, with the 155mph limiter, the manuals may forego some of the theoretical 205mph V-max and keep exactly the same first six ratios. " Saw thin on a portuguese forum, but don't know the source.

May 12th, 2005, 06:24 AM	#2
andyhui01 Joined: Jun 4th, 2004 Last Online: November 27th, 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 20 Posts: 8,511 Car: 00' Subaru Forester GT LFS Status: Rep Power: 28	of course BMW should make a manual... I'm glad they finally thought it true... BMW is the ultimate driving machine and obviously it should have 3 pedals and not a gearbox an old-lady can drive __________________

May 12th, 2005, 06:32 AM	#3
Cruzz563 Cruzz563\|work Joined: Dec 8th, 2003 Last Online: November 16th, 2008 Location: Houston, Texas, The States Age: 24 Posts: 2,657 Rep Power: 25	That's good news See, we Americans are good for something __________________ In the USA, 100% of the Federal Income Tax Money goes to paying interest on the national deficit, and nothing else. Where's the law that says we have to pay?

May 12th, 2005, 02:39 PM	#4
Raven18940 Joined: Apr 16th, 2005 Last Online: February 19th, 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 633 Rep Power: 0	That's right, bow to the US market bitches. __________________ 2001 Saab 9-5 aero....don't laugh, it's fast.

May 12th, 2005, 05:33 PM	#7
Z Draci Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: May 23rd, 2007 Location: Glendora/Riverside, CA Posts: 915 Rep Power: 0	LOL, it seems like the only people that knows a good gearbox are Americans! I've tried those paddle shifters on many cars. They are great because you can change from manual to full auto mode. This is crucial when you drive in Southern California traffic! However, it won't allow me to do things on the track that is only possible with the traditional clutch pedal and gear knob. (i.e. shift lock) We will most likely never see a 7-speed conventional gearbox on any car. It's been determined that it would be a bit too complicated to gate 7-gears on a shifter. Since we already see 7-speed and 8-speed cars all over the place now, maybe this is the end of the conventional gearbox!!! __________________ *"The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive." - Sir William Lyons*

May 12th, 2005, 02:42 PM	#5
Renesis Lazier than Viper Joined: Nov 27th, 2003 Last Online: December 1st, 2008 Location: Quebec, Canada Age: 21 Posts: 9,677 Car: 2007 Pontiac G5 GT LFS Status: Rep Power: 0	you guys also creaed the demand for the Porsche Cayenne, so you're even

May 12th, 2005, 07:36 PM	#9
asthenia Joined: May 24th, 2004 Last Online: November 24th, 2008 Location: Melbun Ostraya Posts: 241 Rep Power: 19	They could do a 7-speed manual if they went back to the old-school electronic overdrive. 1 through 6 on the shifter, then press a button for 7th. It's not like you'd be using it much anyway. Problem is making an overdrive unit that can take 500HP.

May 12th, 2005, 08:24 PM	#10
logo Joined: Jul 18th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Canada-Ottawa Posts: 1,698 Rep Power: 0	hmmm.. 6 speed manual is good.. I wonder if they thought of making it 7 speed lol I think that'll be too much though.. but what sucks is the top speed thing like olib said.. so for once manual will be slower than semi-auto __________________ Adrenaline. Always Hungry, 1 n33d foods bebe!

May 12th, 2005, 10:16 PM	#11
Buba Wants Rick Astley's Babies Joined: Nov 12th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Regensburg, Bavaria Age: 27 Posts: 5,997 Car: Golf LFS Status: Rep Power: 38	I really doubt this is going to happen... "If you don't like ze geerbox you can buy anoser car..." BMW is the most efficient car company in the world (moneywise) and won't give a damn about 50 M models beeing sold less ... Any anyway, semi-automitics are faster in 0-60 (or whatever) terms for years now... I wouldn't mind having a tricked out smg gearbox in my M5 or M6... It has been developed on this basis and will most probably work best with that... Buba __________________ [18:11] MXM: it means buba is better than you now [18:12] sam-l: In what way? [18:12] Slycer: longer penis

May 13th, 2005, 06:02 PM	#16
logo Joined: Jul 18th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Canada-Ottawa Posts: 1,698 Rep Power: 0	usually auto lovers go for the e55 instead of the M5, M5 fans would always take a manual tranny over a auto. altho that smg is seriously good.. hmm :p __________________ Adrenaline. Always Hungry, 1 n33d foods bebe!

May 13th, 2005, 06:05 PM	#17
Cruzz563 Cruzz563\|work Joined: Dec 8th, 2003 Last Online: November 16th, 2008 Location: Houston, Texas, The States Age: 24 Posts: 2,657 Rep Power: 25	As an auto lover, I would take the M5 every time... __________________ In the USA, 100% of the Federal Income Tax Money goes to paying interest on the national deficit, and nothing else. Where's the law that says we have to pay?

May 13th, 2005, 06:51 PM	#18
jasonchiu Joined: May 26th, 2004 Last Online: August 26th, 2005 Location: hong kong Posts: 5,216 Rep Power: 0	M5 is way better than any audi lol

May 14th, 2005, 01:42 AM	#19
toma_alimosh Joined: Mar 14th, 2005 Last Online: 04:10 AM Location: "Meeting Place" Age: 21 Posts: 2,606 Car: none as of yet Rep Power: 47	^ E55 is MB

May 14th, 2005, 06:06 AM	#20
blargonator Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: March 6th, 2007 Location: MI Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	i would always choose a manual over anything with "flappy paddles". i know they are faster, but that is not what driving is about to me, i would rather enjoy a happy spirited stroll than a flying bore <8- P i heard that they are pretty slow on downshifts though, i have never been in a car equipped with it, but would anyone with experience like to step in?

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