THE X5 to have...

[Bayerische E53]

Originally Posted by dinan e39

If cars these days are so heavy, why do you not want the most power available in the model offered? With the X5, the mileage is essentially the same from the 3.0 to the 4.8. To argue otherwise is silly. When you say a proper transmission, what exactly do you mean? If a manual is so perfect, why are all manufacturers going away from a manual? It's all about preference for the individual. There's no such thing as "proper" or perfect.

As I said, I don't care too much about power. Unless you're going off-road (whether in the woods or racing), it is my opinion that big power is really unnecessary. Look at the big AMG MLs and the X5/6 M/// - who needs that kind of power to cart the kids/wife/groceries around? Plus, you need special equipment and a degree in nuclear engineering to do anything more complex than a god damned oil change. It's not my thing. As I said before, TO ME, simplicity is more important than power. Not hating on anyone with the "big" cars (except the people who buy them for the simple fact of saying "look how much power I have." Lame and unimpressive.) ... it's just not my cup of tea.

Originally Posted by Skyline

For one thing, automatics are getting better and better. Aside from the computer controlled clutchless manuals, (DSG, SMG or whatever; these shift faster than humanly possible), regular auto boxes are getting SO much better. More gears for better gas mileage, and they are much better at putting themselves in the right gear and anticipating your needs. Many conventional automatics now rev-match on downshifts, a big pet peeve I used to have. I drove a Carrera S a few years back with Tiptronic, (lacking this rev matching). I downshifted just before the apex of a corner, and the rear wheels locked up for a moment. I got quite sideways. No thanks. Today's Tiptronic would rev-match perfectly. From a performance and control standpoint, the advantages of a manual are shrinking, maybe already gone in many cars. All that's left is the extra hassle.

I wonder if so many V8 X5 owners would still be longing for a manual if the automatic were up to the best of today.... AND reliable.

Very good post. This is all true.

Originally Posted by epdarks

It seems that manufacturers are going away from manual transmissions due to consumer demand, not because the mfg's are pushing autos over manuals. As the autos and sequential manual boxes get better, as Skyline said, more people want them.

Now, in my humble opinion, the underlying force behind this demand is that people like "new tech", the latest and greatest, they are buying these new autos not only for the function but to be ahead of the technology curve.

As tech gets better and better we will reach a point of diminishing returns. In the example of SMG/DCT transmissions... they will hit a peak balancing fast gear shifts with the ultimate usability day to day.

As all consumer choices come in cycles, the "fad" of the high-tech SMG gearbox will blow over. What happened to just having fun behind the wheel, regardless if you are .1 seconds slower to 60 MPH?

IMO, manual transmissions will see a resurgence in the near future. With that, rare manual transmission vehicles will become more desirable in a sea of automatics.

Just a theory in my head, take it with a grain of salt, but I believe there will always be a core group of people seeking to purchase the good old fashioned 3 pedal manual transmission.

I agree with everything you just posted. It's the consumer rather than the car companies that is sending traditional things to the way side. I mean, let's get real here - the new BMWs have the ability to "tweet" from the iDrive. Get fuckin' real, will ya? Look at BMW's current customer-base majority - it's comprised mainly of the new generation of kids and soccer moms with nothing to do but gossip on facebook and twitter. What do you think BMW is going to do? They gotta out-sell Audi!

Seriously, I'm still trying to find the importance and need of a 500hp, 5,000lbs luxury SUV. Even more difficult to find is the importance of a transmission that allows that very SUV to shift in 150 miliseconds. The consumer loves saying "I laugh at your car...my SUV does 0-60 in 4.2 seconds - with a standard manual it would only do it in 4.5 seconds!" Again, I respectfully state the following rhetorical statement/question: "Get fuckin' real, will ya?"

People love showing off how tech-savvy they are, how cutting-edge they are, how cool their "stuff" is, how powerful their engines are, and how fast their transmissions are. In my opinion, these types of people are on the cutting-edge of showing off and fucking about ... that's all.

Yeah, I'm an old fart - so?

Again, not hating on the "big" cars. The X5M, for instance, is a stellar truck. It's just too much bling-bling and complexity for me.

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

BMW info states the E53 3.0L MT trailer limit is 5000lbs, only the V8s are rated for 6000lbs. I guess you're making that face after SlickGT1 post? It's no suprise there are MT V8 X5s out there, these same engines were mated to MTs when installed in 5 series vehicles.

Depends. Manual 3.0s were rated at 6,000lbs. I also believe that the Facelift autos got bumped up to 6,000lbs as well. You are correct, however, that the pre-facelift 3.0s were rated at 5,000lbs. Never the less, I towed my 5,000+lbs trailer with my pre-facelift 3.0 without incident over the course of 15,000 miles or so. The weight limitation on these cars is underrated.