• F10 M5 available with 6 speed manual as no cost option from moment car goes on sale in USA this summer

                    
      		   
      Published on 01-09-2012 08:51 PM
      6 Comments Comments
      BMW published a press release today confirming the 6 speed manual for the US market we all knew was coming. It is nice the US market is getting something the rest of the world is not so at least one small gesture for North American BMW enthusiasts. The manual will share the DCT's final drive ratio (likely to lower cost on differentials for BMW) but the individual gearing will be changed obviously as the manual has 6 speeds versus the DCT's 7.

      It is a bit odd this is a no cost option when the dual clutch transmission is much, much more expensive. A manual version should be cheaper as BMW will likely just be re-using the E60 M5 6 speed box but at this point we are just happy to see the option from BMW. For those keeping score, it was a no cost option on the E60 M5 as well. BMW will have a higher profit margin this time as the DCT transmission is also much more expensive than the SMG III previously used.

      Oh, and BMW, please don't make the same mistake as last time making the traction control undefeatable. Let's hope you learned your lesson.

      This article was originally published in forum thread: F10 M5 available with 6 speed manual as no cost option from moment car goes on sale in USA this summer started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 6 Comments
      1. flipm3's Avatar
        flipm3 - 01-10-2012, 10:17 AM
        Great news for sure. Often times, I miss having the 6MT in my E90 M3. While putting around town, I really wish I could physically row through gears since the daily use of a DCT can be mundane. But on the track, I am constantly thankful for the DCT. It may make the experience "easier" but it is rather rewarding to be consistent.

        I was going to mention as well, BMW better let drivers completely shut off traction control!

        I'm curious to see the time differences between the 6MT and DCT.
      1. G0TB00ST?'s Avatar
        G0TB00ST? - 01-10-2012, 11:58 AM
        You couldn't turn off the traction control in the last m5?Click here to enlarge
      1. fastgti69's Avatar
        fastgti69 - 01-10-2012, 11:59 AM
        Great news, now I need to go test drive Click here to enlarge
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 01-10-2012, 03:17 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by G0TB00ST? Click here to enlarge
        You couldn't turn off the traction control in the last m5?Click here to enlarge
        Not in the manual. At least not until BMW rescinded after complaints and offered a software update that allowed you to. Pretty bad move to not allow you disable it and I hope they learned from it.
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 01-10-2012, 05:23 PM
        Pretty good news for those hardcore wealthy enthusiasts who care nothing for Automated manuals. Great news indeed, this will definitely benefit BMW as it will open up more market.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 01-10-2012, 06:25 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by leo985i Click here to enlarge
        Pretty good news for those hardcore wealthy enthusiasts who care nothing for Automated manuals. Great news indeed, this will definitely benefit BMW as it will open up more market.
        The DCT will outsell the manual 10:1. Cool option though, definitely.