The transmission makes the difference with a 3.0. Not nearly as much fun with an auto....especially a Gen 1 auto which had a tendency to blow up.

The secret is the dif gearing. 4.10s make it get up and go, but even with 5 speeds it pushes 3 grand on the highway and you will wish they had realized 6 speeds were better sooner.

They are good cars. Not technically German per se...built in Spartanburg in South Carolina.

Welcome to the board.

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2001 E53 3.0 5pd