535i Manual gearbox.

[s4avant]

It is nice to see this thread still running!
Since buying the car in July 2014, I have now covered around 20,000 miles in my F11 535i manual and it really is the best all rounder that I have ever owned!
It is practical,supremely fast and comfortable with the manual gearbox giving full control when negotiating the wide variety of A and B roads that I regularly use here in the North of Scotland.
I can however, see the benefits of an auto if your daily running included a large proportion of motorway/commuter traffic, but for me, the manual is ideal.
Average fuel consumption on regular unleaded ( 95 ron )is around the 34/ 35 mpg mark and I've found that the best drivetrain / chassis set up is in Sport/ Comfort modes respectively.
The power and smoothness of the brakes are some of the best features of the car.
In all, no regrets and miles better than the S4 Avant that i had been running when I first stumbled across Pistonheads.

[gizlaroc]

hornetrider said:

I'd agree that the auto suits the E39 very well. Even in Sport guise the car is a bit of a barge and I feel well matched to the auto. A pleasant drive.

Certainly when I took my 530iA to test drive a 540i with MT, whilst I was looking forward to driving the car, in reality I felt the gearbox was a horrid thing. Long throw, imprecise, unpleasant. A major disappointment. I won't mention the steering either!

The same day I went to try the 550i MT. What a difference! Stubby gear lever, short throw, firm precise feel. The whole car had a completely different character and it's all the better for it. I walked so as not to seem to keen but did the deal a couple of days later.

3 years and 60k on I still have no thoughts on replacing it, despite being an AT barge thread junkie. If only the clutch was a bit better, really need to bin the CDV.

E34 530i, E39 528i and 530i and 645ci.

I just don't think they suit them.

[gizlaroc]

JNW1 said:

I agree to a point but for me the only reason you can really justify a manual nowadays is about the desire to feel involved in the driving process and the reality is it's probably only enthusiasts who think that way; the vast majority of drivers couldn't care less and hence a machine that does it all for them - whether it be a traditional auto or a DCT-type arrangement - is fine as far as they're concerned.

I just don't feel they add anything, I don't feel more connected with a manual 'box. I would rather have my hands on the wheel, whack it in sport mode or manual mode and use the paddles.
I have yet to find a manual 'box in a big car that I really like.


I had a 328i for the day today, that was manual, and it was OK and felt a bit more involving on the main roads, but when I got on the twisties I thought "Hmm, nice car actually, but would be sweeter with the auto and paddles."

[willttqs]

I have a manual m135i but a growing family might mean a bigger car. I’ve just found a manual 528i that thankfully has the 3.0 engine