RE: BMW M5 gets a manual gearbox
Thursday 16th November 2006
BMW M5: manuals for US onlyBMW is to build a manual gearbox into the M5 -- but only for the US market.
BMW M5 gets a manual gearbox
But only for the US market
BMW M5: manuals for US only
In a move that could be viewed as perverse, the country where the auto reigns supreme and where very few drivers know how to use a manual gearbox, will receive the only M5s with a stick shift.
In the rest of the world including the UK, the only option has been the seven-speed sequential manual box, which uses an automated clutch. US drivers of the M5 will now get a six-speed box and shortened rations, although the 0-60mph time remains unchanged at 4.7 seconds.
BMW said that the situation could change if demand warranted it.
Discussion
Bring it over here please!!
How can BMW possibly warrant a manual for the states over europe in any case?
Having driven the M6 incarnation earlier this year I think I could safely say that the manual would be feckin awesome, I thought the upshifts even in "full attack" mode just weren't as fast as I thought they were going to be.
How can BMW possibly warrant a manual for the states over europe in any case?
Having driven the M6 incarnation earlier this year I think I could safely say that the manual would be feckin awesome, I thought the upshifts even in "full attack" mode just weren't as fast as I thought they were going to be.
tiga84 said:
Bring it over here please!!
How can BMW possibly warrant a manual for the states over europe in any case?
Having driven the M6 incarnation earlier this year I think I could safely say that the manual would be feckin awesome, I thought the upshifts even in "full attack" mode just weren't as fast as I thought they were going to be.
How can BMW possibly warrant a manual for the states over europe in any case?
Having driven the M6 incarnation earlier this year I think I could safely say that the manual would be feckin awesome, I thought the upshifts even in "full attack" mode just weren't as fast as I thought they were going to be.
Don't understand how BMW can go from a 7-speed SMG box to a 6-speed manual box, and at the same time "shorten the ratios"? If anything, the ratios between each gear would need to be longer?
The chaps over at www.sniffpetrol.com/index.html have come up with a very good explanation for this. Quted from this months newsletter:
BMW M5 IN MANUAL MIX-UP
Following disappointment that the new and much longed for BMW M5 with a manual gearbox is to be sold only in the United States, BMW insiders have revealed the shock reason behind this move - they actually couldn't be arsed. "For some time car journalists have been going on and on about how they wish the M5 would have a manual gearbox," admitted one Munich-based engineer. "But frankly we couldn't be bothered to make one, so we simply said that we were going to do it and then put it on sale in America where no one will ever order a stick shift anyway. Bingo, everyone gets off our case and we never actually have to build a manual M5 at all," our mole revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa, schweinhund" he added, strangely.
However, it seems BMW's cunning supply-to-no-demand scheme is not the first time the car industry has pulled off such a stunt. "I think they nicked that idea from us," moaned an insider from Renault. "I mean, we got loads of publicity from doing the Vel Satis, knowing full well that you'd have to be a mental to buy one. It was brilliant. We saved a fortune on having to install a production line and it didn't matter that the two cars we handbuilt for the press were shite," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa oheeoheeoh".
Meanwhile, over at Ford, one anonymous insider was also keen to take credit for the idea; "Come off it, we thought of that one years ago. Mondeo V6? Do me a favour. It just looks nice in the brochure. If you actually try to order one the salesman is under strict instructions to kick you in the face until you go away," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Knees up Mother Brown, gertcha".
However, one seasoned industry manager was quick to offer a warning about the perils of promising something that's never going to happen; "We were always talking about making a new medium car to take on the Focus and the Golf," admitted Joan "Austin" Towers, formerly of MG Rover. "I mean really, where were we going to get the money to do that job properly. But we thought if we kept talking about it everything would be okay. Turns out we went bust, everyone lost their jobs and I had to go and live in a big house with lots of money," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Ooops,
BMW M5 IN MANUAL MIX-UP
Following disappointment that the new and much longed for BMW M5 with a manual gearbox is to be sold only in the United States, BMW insiders have revealed the shock reason behind this move - they actually couldn't be arsed. "For some time car journalists have been going on and on about how they wish the M5 would have a manual gearbox," admitted one Munich-based engineer. "But frankly we couldn't be bothered to make one, so we simply said that we were going to do it and then put it on sale in America where no one will ever order a stick shift anyway. Bingo, everyone gets off our case and we never actually have to build a manual M5 at all," our mole revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa, schweinhund" he added, strangely.
However, it seems BMW's cunning supply-to-no-demand scheme is not the first time the car industry has pulled off such a stunt. "I think they nicked that idea from us," moaned an insider from Renault. "I mean, we got loads of publicity from doing the Vel Satis, knowing full well that you'd have to be a mental to buy one. It was brilliant. We saved a fortune on having to install a production line and it didn't matter that the two cars we handbuilt for the press were shite," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa oheeoheeoh".
Meanwhile, over at Ford, one anonymous insider was also keen to take credit for the idea; "Come off it, we thought of that one years ago. Mondeo V6? Do me a favour. It just looks nice in the brochure. If you actually try to order one the salesman is under strict instructions to kick you in the face until you go away," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Knees up Mother Brown, gertcha".
However, one seasoned industry manager was quick to offer a warning about the perils of promising something that's never going to happen; "We were always talking about making a new medium car to take on the Focus and the Golf," admitted Joan "Austin" Towers, formerly of MG Rover. "I mean really, where were we going to get the money to do that job properly. But we thought if we kept talking about it everything would be okay. Turns out we went bust, everyone lost their jobs and I had to go and live in a big house with lots of money," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Ooops,
rassi said:
tiga84 said:
Bring it over here please!!
How can BMW possibly warrant a manual for the states over europe in any case?
Having driven the M6 incarnation earlier this year I think I could safely say that the manual would be feckin awesome, I thought the upshifts even in "full attack" mode just weren't as fast as I thought they were going to be.
How can BMW possibly warrant a manual for the states over europe in any case?
Having driven the M6 incarnation earlier this year I think I could safely say that the manual would be feckin awesome, I thought the upshifts even in "full attack" mode just weren't as fast as I thought they were going to be.
Don't understand how BMW can go from a 7-speed SMG box to a 6-speed manual box, and at the same time "shorten the ratios"? If anything, the ratios between each gear would need to be longer?
Just gear it down from 200+ to top out at 55mph in 6th at redline
Zod said:
This is just something that Americans who "think" they are driving gods because they have mastered the art of pulling off in a manual without stalling.As with the E46 M3, many of them will probably blow their engines by changing down at high speed, something SMG prevents.
Quite a difficult task, IMHO.
Dino D said:
The chaps over at www.sniffpetrol.com/index.html have come up with a very good explanation for this. Quted from this months newsletter:
BMW M5 IN MANUAL MIX-UP
Following disappointment that the new and much longed for BMW M5 with a manual gearbox is to be sold only in the United States, BMW insiders have revealed the shock reason behind this move - they actually couldn't be arsed. "For some time car journalists have been going on and on about how they wish the M5 would have a manual gearbox," admitted one Munich-based engineer. "But frankly we couldn't be bothered to make one, so we simply said that we were going to do it and then put it on sale in America where no one will ever order a stick shift anyway. Bingo, everyone gets off our case and we never actually have to build a manual M5 at all," our mole revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa, schweinhund" he added, strangely.
However, it seems BMW's cunning supply-to-no-demand scheme is not the first time the car industry has pulled off such a stunt. "I think they nicked that idea from us," moaned an insider from Renault. "I mean, we got loads of publicity from doing the Vel Satis, knowing full well that you'd have to be a mental to buy one. It was brilliant. We saved a fortune on having to install a production line and it didn't matter that the two cars we handbuilt for the press were shite," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa oheeoheeoh".
Meanwhile, over at Ford, one anonymous insider was also keen to take credit for the idea; "Come off it, we thought of that one years ago. Mondeo V6? Do me a favour. It just looks nice in the brochure. If you actually try to order one the salesman is under strict instructions to kick you in the face until you go away," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Knees up Mother Brown, gertcha".
However, one seasoned industry manager was quick to offer a warning about the perils of promising something that's never going to happen; "We were always talking about making a new medium car to take on the Focus and the Golf," admitted Joan "Austin" Towers, formerly of MG Rover. "I mean really, where were we going to get the money to do that job properly. But we thought if we kept talking about it everything would be okay. Turns out we went bust, everyone lost their jobs and I had to go and live in a big house with lots of money," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Ooops,
BMW M5 IN MANUAL MIX-UP
Following disappointment that the new and much longed for BMW M5 with a manual gearbox is to be sold only in the United States, BMW insiders have revealed the shock reason behind this move - they actually couldn't be arsed. "For some time car journalists have been going on and on about how they wish the M5 would have a manual gearbox," admitted one Munich-based engineer. "But frankly we couldn't be bothered to make one, so we simply said that we were going to do it and then put it on sale in America where no one will ever order a stick shift anyway. Bingo, everyone gets off our case and we never actually have to build a manual M5 at all," our mole revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa, schweinhund" he added, strangely.
However, it seems BMW's cunning supply-to-no-demand scheme is not the first time the car industry has pulled off such a stunt. "I think they nicked that idea from us," moaned an insider from Renault. "I mean, we got loads of publicity from doing the Vel Satis, knowing full well that you'd have to be a mental to buy one. It was brilliant. We saved a fortune on having to install a production line and it didn't matter that the two cars we handbuilt for the press were shite," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa oheeoheeoh".
Meanwhile, over at Ford, one anonymous insider was also keen to take credit for the idea; "Come off it, we thought of that one years ago. Mondeo V6? Do me a favour. It just looks nice in the brochure. If you actually try to order one the salesman is under strict instructions to kick you in the face until you go away," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Knees up Mother Brown, gertcha".
However, one seasoned industry manager was quick to offer a warning about the perils of promising something that's never going to happen; "We were always talking about making a new medium car to take on the Focus and the Golf," admitted Joan "Austin" Towers, formerly of MG Rover. "I mean really, where were we going to get the money to do that job properly. But we thought if we kept talking about it everything would be okay. Turns out we went bust, everyone lost their jobs and I had to go and live in a big house with lots of money," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Ooops,
Unlike the chaps who've sniffed a gallon too many, I think I read about the real reason on autoweek: Its says over there that although the US normally embraces their automatics and thinks "stick shifts" are nauseating (seriously!!!), the people who are in the market for an M5 tend to be consumers who have a serious interest in motorsports and technology.
When the new model was announced the number of preorders was dissapointing and many regulars stated that they'd pass on the opportunity since they prefer shifting themselves. Since the US is an important market the importers decided to a meet the demands...
That sounds a lot more sensible to me than pooping out a model in the wrong market so no-one will buy it but customers "will think" it exists anyway, which I think they're basically saying at petrolsniffers...
Dino D said:
The chaps over at www.sniffpetrol.com/index.html have come up with a very good explanation for this. Quted from this months newsletter:
BMW M5 IN MANUAL MIX-UP
Following disappointment that the new and much longed for BMW M5 with a manual gearbox is to be sold only in the United States, BMW insiders have revealed the shock reason behind this move - they actually couldn't be arsed. "For some time car journalists have been going on and on about how they wish the M5 would have a manual gearbox," admitted one Munich-based engineer. "But frankly we couldn't be bothered to make one, so we simply said that we were going to do it and then put it on sale in America where no one will ever order a stick shift anyway. Bingo, everyone gets off our case and we never actually have to build a manual M5 at all," our mole revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa, schweinhund" he added, strangely.
However, it seems BMW's cunning supply-to-no-demand scheme is not the first time the car industry has pulled off such a stunt. "I think they nicked that idea from us," moaned an insider from Renault. "I mean, we got loads of publicity from doing the Vel Satis, knowing full well that you'd have to be a mental to buy one. It was brilliant. We saved a fortune on having to install a production line and it didn't matter that the two cars we handbuilt for the press were shite," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa oheeoheeoh".
Meanwhile, over at Ford, one anonymous insider was also keen to take credit for the idea; "Come off it, we thought of that one years ago. Mondeo V6? Do me a favour. It just looks nice in the brochure. If you actually try to order one the salesman is under strict instructions to kick you in the face until you go away," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Knees up Mother Brown, gertcha".
However, one seasoned industry manager was quick to offer a warning about the perils of promising something that's never going to happen; "We were always talking about making a new medium car to take on the Focus and the Golf," admitted Joan "Austin" Towers, formerly of MG Rover. "I mean really, where were we going to get the money to do that job properly. But we thought if we kept talking about it everything would be okay. Turns out we went bust, everyone lost their jobs and I had to go and live in a big house with lots of money," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Ooops,
BMW M5 IN MANUAL MIX-UP
Following disappointment that the new and much longed for BMW M5 with a manual gearbox is to be sold only in the United States, BMW insiders have revealed the shock reason behind this move - they actually couldn't be arsed. "For some time car journalists have been going on and on about how they wish the M5 would have a manual gearbox," admitted one Munich-based engineer. "But frankly we couldn't be bothered to make one, so we simply said that we were going to do it and then put it on sale in America where no one will ever order a stick shift anyway. Bingo, everyone gets off our case and we never actually have to build a manual M5 at all," our mole revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa, schweinhund" he added, strangely.
However, it seems BMW's cunning supply-to-no-demand scheme is not the first time the car industry has pulled off such a stunt. "I think they nicked that idea from us," moaned an insider from Renault. "I mean, we got loads of publicity from doing the Vel Satis, knowing full well that you'd have to be a mental to buy one. It was brilliant. We saved a fortune on having to install a production line and it didn't matter that the two cars we handbuilt for the press were shite," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa oheeoheeoh".
Meanwhile, over at Ford, one anonymous insider was also keen to take credit for the idea; "Come off it, we thought of that one years ago. Mondeo V6? Do me a favour. It just looks nice in the brochure. If you actually try to order one the salesman is under strict instructions to kick you in the face until you go away," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Knees up Mother Brown, gertcha".
However, one seasoned industry manager was quick to offer a warning about the perils of promising something that's never going to happen; "We were always talking about making a new medium car to take on the Focus and the Golf," admitted Joan "Austin" Towers, formerly of MG Rover. "I mean really, where were we going to get the money to do that job properly. But we thought if we kept talking about it everything would be okay. Turns out we went bust, everyone lost their jobs and I had to go and live in a big house with lots of money," he revealed. "Mwaa-haa-haaa. Ooops,
I LOVE Sniff Petrol!!!
trenchtown said:
That sounds a lot more sensible to me than pooping out a model in the wrong market so no-one will buy it but customers "will think" it exists anyway, which I think they're basically saying at petrolsniffers...
Are you implying that the honourable chaps from Sniffpetrol might be fabricating stories for entertainment value? That is a serious allegation my friend.
I suggest you do a little more research into the matter by visiting their their archive: www.sniffpetrol.com/archive.html and find me one article that is remotely untrue.
Sniffpetrol are regarded as an industry watchdog in many circles and have always been known for their serious reporting. Thye certainly a more factual source than the said Autocar who are the automotive equivalent of 'Heat' magazine!
www.sniffpetrol.com/index.html
Read it...
Laughed a lot...
then felt sad, 'cause it's bleedin' true!
Read it...
Laughed a lot...
then felt sad, 'cause it's bleedin' true!
Dino D said:
trenchtown said:
That sounds a lot more sensible to me than pooping out a model in the wrong market so no-one will buy it but customers "will think" it exists anyway, which I think they're basically saying at petrolsniffers...
Are you implying that the honourable chaps from Sniffpetrol might be fabricating stories for entertainment value? That is a serious allegation my friend.
I suggest you do a little more research into the matter by visiting their their archive: www.sniffpetrol.com/archive.html and find me one article that is remotely untrue.
Sniffpetrol are regarded as an industry watchdog in many circles and have always been known for their serious reporting. Thye certainly a more factual source than the said Autocar who are the automotive equivalent of 'Heat' magazine!
HEY!!!
I happen to like that site too, but any article with more Mwaaa-haaa-haaa's in it than an average Borat interview is obviously not to be taken as serious as you you are doing right now.
What do we have?
"BMW meeting displeased cashstrapped customers demands" vs. a car blog with the hulk on the front page...
C'mon n****, please?!
ps: What's "Heat" magazine? Any chicks in it?
Edited by trenchtown on Thursday 16th November 13:17
trenchtown said:
The [American] people who are in the market for an M5 tend to be consumers who have a serious interest in motorsports and technology.
How many motorsports have a gear level these days?
And shirley a 7 speed sequential manual gearbox is more technologically advanced than a traditional 6 speed manual?
Can I call you Shirley?
So the yanks get a manual, the Germans and italians get a tourer, and no doubt they will all get a manual tourer at some point - LHD, you see.
I would buy one of these. Much as I like my XC90 and love my Griff, I would swap them both for a safe, spacious, practical car with supercar performance and a manual 'box.
I am considering going to look at an RS4 Avant in Guilford on Tuesday, but I pretty much already know it won't be big enough for a family of 3 with a wife does triathlons.
COME ON BMW, give us what we want.
I would buy one of these. Much as I like my XC90 and love my Griff, I would swap them both for a safe, spacious, practical car with supercar performance and a manual 'box.
I am considering going to look at an RS4 Avant in Guilford on Tuesday, but I pretty much already know it won't be big enough for a family of 3 with a wife does triathlons.
COME ON BMW, give us what we want.
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