Quote Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
^^I'm a lil confused, I think u mean M3. The last M5 only came in a manual.
Here is the kicker. BMW feels SMG is the best way to drive a M car, thus the current M5 had the new 7 speed SMG only. Amazingly it wasnt' Europe that cried, it was AMERICA, who said "we want a manual".
BMW finally made the option of a M5 manual. But they Won't let you turn off the the traction control completely.
So do you pick the M5 with SMG but you can disable all electronics
or
M5 that is a manual but keeps some electronics?
Porsche just debuted a PDK dual clutch and expects American buyers to shift from 70/30 manual auto to 50/50 manual/auto.
Guess what, Europe is ALREADY 50/50 auto/manual with Porsche!!
.....

No im talking about the E60 M5 (this one \/)


The SMG 7 speed manual


True Manual H 6 speed with a human operated clutch


When i say Manual....i guess i should call it a standard gearbox instead.

now i found this on wiki but i went to every BMW website and cant find anymore info on the 6 speed.

The BMW M5, along with the new M6, were designed to use the new SMG III electrohydraulic manual transmission. The transmission, while responsive at the track, has been criticized for its general lack of smoothness in everyday driving. In October 2006 BMW announced that a 6-speed manual transmission would be available in North America based on suggestions from the motoring press. Unfortunately, this gearbox reduces acceleration performance slightly. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower, since the stability control cannot be disengaged as per the SMG version. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature, which allows maximum performance standing starts automatically. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced rpm to prevent vehicle damage and abuse.

Do you have a pic of an E60 6 speed manual?

Is it no longer in production?