E60 530d M Sport - Manual or Auto box?

E60 530d M Sport - Manual or Auto box?

Author
Discussion

t0mmo999

Original Poster:

1 posts

97 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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I've tried to find opinions on which box is better on the E60 530 M Sport.

My budget is £6500, and I have my eye on a 55 plate with Manual box. Mileage, bodywork etc all in my requirements; seems almost perfect, but it's manual. I was hoping to get an Auto as my commute is long and I work a long day so want to enjoy my ride.

I guess my question is, is it worth missing out on this just for the sake of auto over manual? I've never owned an auto, but have driven some lovely cars with auto and am happy driving either.

I think this is the only compromise, so maybe I'm talking myself out of it...Make my choice for me biggrin

Sorry if this has been asked a million times, a linky to save time would also be appreciated smile

Sohlman

590 posts

253 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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A manual 530d is a very rare car. Not many about. The Diesel engine does suit the auto, but saying that a manual car will give a more driver focused drive. We bought a LTI auto purely because we could not find a manual. Auto gearbox is a good strong unit. Post MY08 cars have a newer gearbox which is faster through the box which is better and is easily seen by the joystick gear knob. These are LTI cars. Some cars also had a performance gearbox which had flappy padels and a different software program that's makes them quicker through the gears again.

If the car is a good well looked after car it will be great to drive with a manual. Buy on condition.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Have to say ,cannot think of much worse car wise than stirring a diesel ,rev wise they just arent set up for a gearlever surely?

Broaders

84 posts

219 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Having driven both the a pre LCI auto for 500 miles and a post LCI manual for 60k, the manual has it by a mile. The 3.0l engine loves revs and the manual box is actually very good.

If you enjoy driving a manual car, try and test dive a manual 5:30d!

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Diesel engine and loving revs?

jboy72

375 posts

180 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I own an e61 auto and have driven my friends e60 manual 525d. I prefer the manual box, it works very well with the 525d and I imagine would work equally well with a 530d. I also own an alfa 2.4jtd manual and it is definitely possible to enjoy a spirited drive in a diesel car with a manual box. I also owned an e46 330d manual and loved it. I wouldn't let the auto put you off!

to3m

1,226 posts

169 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I wouldn't dismiss the manual out of hand. Particularly if there'd be a fuel efficiency advantage from it. (2005... so maybe?)

Maybe they cocked it up on the later cars - which I doubt - but I've got a manual E46 330d, and it doesn't feel like I'm changing gear all the time, even when driving in town. The engine revs freely enough, and sounds OK enough, that you can stick in 2nd until 30mph, and 3rd until 50mph, without (very unlike the 4 cylinder equivalent) feeling too like you really have to change gear RIGHT NOW (because the engine sounds like it is about to break).

Obviously, everybody is different, so you might want to try a test drive...

Billy_Whizzzz

1,991 posts

142 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Everyone will tell you to get the auto but having had both, I'd definitely go for the manual. Better to drive, more fun to drive, more economical and also more reliable.

Broaders

84 posts

219 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Patrick Bateman said:
Diesel engine and loving revs?
Obviously not as much a good BMW 6 cylinder petrol for example but in relative terms compared to any other diesel I have driven.

cerb4.5lee

30,194 posts

179 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I didn't think the manual in my 520d suited the engine very well at all but I am told the manual in a 30d is a far better set up, had an auto in a 330d and it was a lovely match up and also have an auto in a 640d and it's a great combo.

I personally think an auto suits the short power band and low rev characteristics of a Diesel engine far better and an auto also helps take away some of the harshness away from a Diesel engine too.

I love a Manual gearbox and even specifically went for the manual in my old V8 M3 when everyone else goes for the DCT so I am certainly not against a manual for sure.

Shirt587

360 posts

134 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I spent quite some time trying to find a manual 530d E61 (touring).

Rare as hen's teeth, and those that were available had either been to the moon and back, been to the moon and back then clocked, or were ex-Plod. I ended up biting the auto bullet and getting a 545i instead...