Wednesday 16th February 2011

Web Rumours Spark Fears That M5 May Go Auto-Only

Is ZF's 8-speed auto to be the only gearbox for the new M5?

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We're going to archive this one under 'Arrggh, please God no!': rumours have reached our virtual ears that the soon-to-arrive BMW M5 might be automatic only.

And we don't mean paddle-shifty, semi-auto, twin-clutch automatic either; we mean that the current internet gossip is that the next M5 will be fitted with a full-on slushmatic torque converter job.

The news seems to have originated in the States, with motoring website Motor Trend suggesting that, when BMW engineers tried to adapt the Getrag-developed M-DCT twin-clutch transmission, they struggled with the torque of the uprated 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

"Although the torque number remains unknown, it's obviously too high for the M DCT," says Motor Trend. "BMW M discovered that the transmission would have to be beefed up with bigger actuators, which would slow down the transmission's response time. The only way it could have worked was with an extensive redo of the M DCT. So BMW's M division chose to go with the eight-speed manumatic only."

If true, this would be pretty earth-shattering news. The X5 M and X6 M both use 6-speed autos, but they're hardly 'hardcore' M cars - whereas the M5 is part of M Division core line-up, and an auto-only transmission would be a pretty bold move.

There is hope, however - our own sources at BMW cannot confirm the transmission of the F10 M5, so they've promised to 'do a bit of digging' for us and find out. Here's hoping that the answer they unearth isn't '8-speed ZF auto'...

[Greenwich Ross]

...with a three speed column shift and front bench seat. In velore.

[g3org3y]

[Riggers]

g3org3y said:

Says it all, really. The collective PH office fingers are crossed that this turns out to be erroneous...

[s31tof]

So replacing the 'M' button with an 'Overdrive' one........

[kambites]

Does it really matter? They ditched proper manual gearboxes a generation ago (at least here). I thought the line between SMG type boxes and full on automatics was blurring anyway, it might be that they think they can make a slush box that's as good for spirited driving as an SMG.

The last daylight between the M division and AMG does seem to be vanishing, though.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 16th February 11:13

[Steff]

what was wrong with using a proper manual gearbox in the first place?

[j_s14a]

If they are going to be offering it with an auto, I wouldn't be suprised to see a manual option at some point.

[Carfiend]

Steff said:

what was wrong with using a proper manual gearbox in the first place?

"Progress"(c)

[Galileo]

As long as its not as horrible to drive as that god-aweful flappy paddle box.

[dazren]

FFS.

[E30M3SE]

Oh dear.

[slikrs]

A decision like this would at least partly scupper the original reason for moving to a smaller capacity forced induction powerplant - fuel economy...

I suspect they'll avoid this somehow even if it's just by artificially limiting torque output as Mercedes already do on the V12 bi-turbo as I recall...

[AyBee]

slikrs said:

A decision like this would at least partly scupper the original reason for moving to a smaller capacity forced induction powerplant - fuel economy...

I suspect they'll avoid this somehow even if it's just by artificially limiting torque output as Mercedes already do on the V12 bi-turbo as I recall...

This (fingers crossed)! Surely they realise this would be a monumentally stupid thing to do?

[MrTickle]

So... a 4.4 Forced induction and Slushbox?

Alpina anyone?

[Antj]

really?????


I highly doubt it. if we were talking about the 520d yeah i could believe it but we're talking about the M5.

Maybe its just a slownews day and you lot are filling space.

Heres a few ideas for other gap fillers,

Shock news on Porsche releasing a front engined 4 cylinder diesel

Ford to release KA based supercar with 500bhp for less than the price of a Fiat Punto

Vauxhall to give refunds to all Vectra owners after Euro court ruling selling a ste car infringes human rights.

or ( save this one for Easter bank holiday)

New M3 CSL could be made out of Wafer and chocolate to lower weight with customers having to sign a disclaimer to never take out on a hot day.

that should save you guys some times. Sounds like you lot have been reading too much autoexpress, what next a Fiesta Cosworth story......

[slipstream 1985]

the ultimate driving machine. because your not involved in the decesion making...

i really couldnt give a monkeys if an auto box allows changes at 0.003 sec compared to 0.4 or whatever for a manual. i want to be the one changing gear bliping the throttle etc. bmw heading down the same route as ferrari. cars for people who want to pose rather than drive...

[pilchardthecat]

Hang on to those normally aspirated manual M cars of the current/previous generation and prior.

They are going to stop depreciating and start increasing in value very soon.

[Beyond Rational]

Why go to the effort of engineering something properly, when you can just stick in novelty 8 speed auto?

The car is just too heavy and too powerful. It needs that much torque to get it moving, but what is the point when the whole experience of driving the thing is numbed? It's all just number chasing.

[Mr Whippy]

DSG is still automatic anyway, so what harm is there in just using a torque converter automatic if it's good enough?

Either it's got a clutch pedal, or it hasn't.

If it hasn't, and it can change gear quickly and effectively, what difference does it make?


This is what people want I guess. Bland boring gearboxes they don't need to input any effort to get a good result from. Rewarding or what!

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 16th February 12:10

[derestrictor]

Correct.

Perfection occurred in 1999.

It was always going downhill from there.