he is talking in the future. BMW has or had plans to do this, odd 4 door, even 2 door.

 

yes...the "C" is either for coupes or convertibles. hence 325Ci or 330Ci are the 2 door versions (some are convertible). the 325i or 330i is the 4 dr. version. the "C" is only used for the 3 and new 6 series (645Ci). http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles

C = coupe or convertible
i = fuel injected
Li or iL = long wheel base, fuel injected
is = sports fuel injected (Honda's "Si", i guess is a bite off)

bmw has thousands of acronyms and such...bavarian motor werke (something like that)

they call sedans, saloons. stationwagons are touring. hoods are bonnets. DAMN ZEE GERMANS~!!

 

You need to go read it again... think about what the word optional and what the words as well as would mean in the highlighted sentence.

 

Nope.

I just don't think there is anyway a manual transmision will be offered in the M5 & M6. The platform is too limited in it's production numbers to support two tranys that would only be used in it's power train due to it's torque requirements.

However, I also didn't say I've never been wrong. Guess we'll check back in 4 years or so when the platform has changed again...

 

OK. I'll jump into this one. Again, trany control really has little impact in my selection process anymore ...

So are we saying that the RX-8 has two manaul transmission choices? Isn't the non-stick shift version really the same as the SMG?

 

no...the non-stick shift version that comes w/ the automatic transmissions are totally different from the SMG transmission. the non-stick shift version is an actual automatic transmission that uses valve bodies and planetary gears. its like shifting from L to 2 to 3 to D position. the SMG is an actual manual transmission w/ a bunch of solenoids, etc. in the SMG, you can also control the harshness of the gear change...its really nice for track use. i can't stand driving it daily tho. i like my traditional manual transmission. the new 7 series has a 7 spd. automatic. it doesn't have a SMG shifter, but it does have buttons on the steering wheel to upshift and downshift. who knows...maybe the newer SMG transmission will be better. i'll keep you guys posted when the new rides come in :D

just go test drive a 330Ci automatic and then test drive a 330Ci SMG. you'll understand

 

So where does that leave my 6 speed Phaeton with the shifter gate ... or my previous Prolwer with Autositck???

And I have driven the SMG - I still say it's an automatic with markting to try and convince us it's a manual - except for those looking for an auto JMO

 

Auto = torque converter
SMG = hydrolic clutch (I think)
Manual = manual clutch

So SMG is more of a manual than an automatic. But it can operate automatically so I guess you can consider it automatic and manual.

 

Well I guess you're welcome to believe whatever makes you feel right.

All the interviews they've highlighted on the BMW boards say it won't be available at launch, and it's for the US market only, so we'll see sometime next year if it's true.

 

Which makes a no-go in my book already. Manualmatic.. SMG... all the same to me (I do know that the mechanics are different). They both work the same... no clutch... no double-H... no go for me. I'll leave that for the lazy, the old men and the ladies. Give me a traditional clutch and double-H anyday... yes even if it is slower shifting than the Ferrari F-1 trans.

 

Everything I've seen says that the M5 isn't going to have a REAL manual (clutch pedal and double-H shift), just the SMG and auto. If that's the case... the BMW has screwed the M5 just like they did with the Bangle design... Although that pic of a 4 series (coupe) looks pretty sharp.

 

Although I haven't been a fan at all of the new Bangle design either, the M5 in the first post, to me, looks pretty hot (even if the front grill design will continue to remind me of a Grand Am).

 

yes the NEW 5 series specially with the M kit looks reallly nice... i'm ok with the 5 but the M5 looks soo mean.... the rest of the bmws r so so to me... don like the 6, 7 and maybe hte new 3....

 

There are alot of people who think like you, which is the only reason the clutch pedal still exists. I've got no problem with that.

However they don't work the same at all. Actually SMG and traditional MTs work the same. One just needs more human input.

 

The V10 weighs like 500 lbs, and the flat plane crank V8 for the next M3 is ~450 lbs. And there is probably another 25 lbs of ancillaries in the car.
For a 75 lb budget, get 2 turbochargers & intercoolers, and BAM 600 hp 220 mph M3. Skyline who?

A switch to a manual would be a retrograde step, performance wise, but it might stroke the ego of some drivers, that need stroking.

 

the person who buys a new M5, i guarantee won't be able to handle the car if it were a traditional manual. why do i say this? b/c the chump who buys this expensive *** car only has the money and not the brains for a machine like this. now i'm not sayin' every single one of them are idiots, but majority of them just have too much money and will buy somethin' that they have no idea what they're in for. therefore, the assist of the SMG is a great idea. this thread is gettin' kind of long :D

 

Still hate the way it looks.

 

The inside of the transmission may work the same, but that's where it ends.... and I don't see that part. What I do see is no clutch and that stupid +/- thing. I have it on my automanual S-Wagon (Protege5). I hate it. Maybe for autocrossing it'd be helpful, but otherwise... I always forget to shift and often shift the wrong way, so I just always run full-auto. The clutch is nice for a little downshift and coast when coming up to a red light.

Make mine a REAL manual transmission.

 

You sound like you're talking more about Benz's AMG than BMW's M buyers. I've always felt that's why they dont bother making a manual; those cars are all motor (and not enough chassis to handle it) and seem built for people who just like to occasionally drive fast in a straight line, like a drag race.

Believe me, the majority of people know what they're getting when they buy an M5. They're usually REAL drivers who'll take advantage of the car's high potential.

 

an SMG is a manual transmission--they don't have torque converters. As far as the M drivers are rich idiots--I'd have to agree with RX8-79 on this one; usually M drivers are the serious sporting types while AMG owners are poseurs-however, I do like AMGs, and now with the horrendous styling of the new 5 series I'll have to give my nod to the E55 and the like.

 

Everything they've released up until now has said it would be SMG only on the M5. But maybe they've been listening to their bitching customers and decided to shut them up by offering a real manual as well as SMG. They know the US is their largest market so maybe they're trying to keep them happy.

 

Do you really think they would call the m-power 1 series the M1? They have already used it before for the car below.

 

Maybe so... I'd like that. but for some reason the US seems to be getting the image as a mainly auto market. As far as the Japanese thinking so.. they must be kidding... everything except serious sports cars or cheap econo (that's changing too) are only offfered in auto... many times even if a manual is offered in the US....

 

Believe it or not the take rate for automatic transmissions in similar vehicles is nearly equal in the USA and Japan. The rest of the world is a different story.