Manual Transmission F10 M5 Respotted Just Ahead of US Orders. What Will You Order?

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Manual Transmission F10 M5 Respotted Just Ahead of US Orders. What Will You Order?

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BMW's DCT is an excellent transmission and is now without doubt the fastest production transmission offered by BMW, but enthusiasts who appreciate rowing their own gears still get a warm fuzzy feeling when seeing a manual transmission in a new BMW model, even if it's already been confirmed and has been seen previously -- such as the 6 speed shifter seen in this F10 M5.

There are just a few US spec F10 M5s roaming the US being driven by BMW employees or on loan as press cars. One of these was just spotted (thanks Justin) in Newport Beach in Los Angeles.

The U.S. order bank for the 2013 M5 will open this week and full option pricing and order guides will also be made available. The 6 speed manual transmission will be a no-cost option for the 2013 M5 and will be available immediately. Production of the 2013 M5 begins in July and deliveries will be begin in late August / early September. European delivery dates begin September 1.

2013 M5 U.S. base pricing has already been announced at $90,695 (destination and handling included). Stay tuned for ordering info this week!

BMW M President Dr. Nitschke was recently asked why the US M5 gets manual transmission, but not other markets such as the German home market, to which he responded:

That is a curious situation. America is an automatic-transmission market. But sporty drivers always chose a manual over the automatic transmissions, which used to be inefficient and have just three or four gears. But technology has moved forward—personally, I am actually quicker with an automatic than with a manual. Our European customers have understood that. But in the U.S., there is a small but very stable following of customers who simply insist on the manual. And that is not always easy for us: Our new M5 and M6 have so much power that a mismatched shift can easily destroy the transmission. It’s not easy. Therefore, for the first time, we have advanced our software to cut spikes and protect the transmission electronically.

To our North American members: will you be ordering manual, DCT, or are you still undecided? VOTE ABOVE.

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[Jason]

Any of our North American members plan on ordering their M5 with manual transmission?

Please vote in the poll above and respond letting us know what transmission you're planning to order.

[uhn2000]

Man this is a great poll, I was just looking for any type of example with MT and could not find anything!

[kbryce]

i won't be ordering an m5 any time soon, but if i was, i would go 6mt or die

[BMWI6]

6MT4EVR

[Niko1414]

DCT 4 me! Only way to go on the f10 m5

[GOLFFRR]

6MT, always have had MT prob always will.

[bmrm396]

maaaaan, what a great color ... one day, one day

[RafsterM]

What's an automatic ?????

[bimmerjph]

I think the DCT suits the cars personality better now, but I would probably get the manual to send a message to BMW. I want the manual to fit the car's character.

[JC919]

The car was designed around the DCT, with the 6MT as an after thought to satisfy the American market. After a ton of research into the decision (and trust me, there are few more hardcore 6MT guys out there), I am going with the DCT as I fear spec'ing otherwise will compromise the car.

The e9x M3 was designed around both gearboxes, while like the e60 M5, the F10 was not. The e60 M5 with a manual was absolute shit and I don't really believe the F10 will be much better. If it was they would have offered the option to the rest of the world.

It pains me to say this as I've never even liked DCT in the M3, but after a lot of research into the issue, I've made my decision.

[bavarian19]

Electronic aids? No dumping the clutch?



I will not be ordering one, but would also go MT without question. If it were a true track car, then I would understand. Around town driving, I would still prefer MT.


Maybe if BMW went the route of Porsche and offering a 7MT, it could be as efficient as the DCT.

[berk]

The problem with the U.S. spec MT is the clutch! It wont last long due to cdv!! So it kills the fun!!

[Kalud]

Blue F10 M5 + 6MT

[BlackMoupe]

Newport is definitely Orange County, not LA. 6mt in the new M5 should be interesting with all that torque.

[VAUROS]

I think unless you plan on keeping your car longer than 3 years, you have to go DCT for resale value purposes. If you plan to track the car and you are 100% certain you will never miss a shift, then go MT. However, if you are not 100% sure then I would go DCT.

Personally, since I currently have a GT-R and have grown fond of lightning fast shifts, I might have to go DCT. Now, if we are talking an M3 then 6MT all day. I actually wish the GT-R had a manual trans but I'm sure I would have damaged it by now... LOL!

[Accelerometer]

Does anyone know if this M5 is in Estoril Blue II? Looks great

[VAUROS]

Originally Posted by PeteNJ

Does anyone know if this M5 is in Estoril Blue II? Looks great

Monte Carlo Blue, only.

[VAUROS]

Originally Posted by berk

The problem with the U.S. spec MT is the clutch! It wont last long due to cdv!! So it kills the fun!!

So, is there a mod to remove the CDV like what is shown here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/cdv.htm

[ddmerino]

Originally Posted by JC919

The car was designed around the DCT, with the 6MT as an after thought to satisfy the American market. After a ton of research into the decision (and trust me, there are few more hardcore 6MT guys out there), I am going with the DCT as I fear spec'ing otherwise will compromise the car.

Personally, I believe BMW put in the DCT as they were fearful that in the hands of amateurs and inexperienced manual shift users, a mismatched shifting may destroy the transmission as the car has so much power. Although there is usually some synching done in all manual transmissions, there is always that possibility. Anyway, I do believe BMW has worked it out with the new M5 that manual transmission would work just right. In fact that's what BMW M President Dr. Nitschke has said as a reply when asked about manual transmission for the U.S. market.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by PeteNJ

Does anyone know if this M5 is in Estoril Blue II? Looks great

Monte Carlo Blue Metallic

[MUFCbmwbear]

I'd go DCT here. This is under the estimation that I would still have my 6MT M3.