I saw that you were speaking about the diesel, and with outback in your name it had to be Oz. The OP is in BC (I am in Vancouver). LOL, we may even be talking about the same dealer. Here in Canada the manual is a 'no charge option'.

Good luck on yours, wish we could get the diesel here.

You are right. Australia and a thankfull diesel owner to BMW. The reason they don't sell diesel X5's to the States and Canada has to do with your diesel quality, sorry... 500nm touque.....mmmmm nice!

Mat

I have a 3.0 manual, and have driven both.

If you live in a large city I would go the auto, as first is quite low and you would be changing gears alot in stop/star driving. I live in a city that got 90 000 so it's OK for me. If you are a 'driver' then definately go for the manual as I feel it is a far more rewarding drive.

If you go the manual definately get the clutch damper removed (easy) job.

I'm getting 26 mpg on the highway in my manual, with an average of 20mpg


Cheers Matt

June 2006, both US and Canada go to refinery limits of 15 ppm on-highway diesel (plus some months of phasing in time for retail outlets). So, not too long now, and maybe BMW will consider bringing them in here. The press are talking about two different diesels for the new X5. Dare we hope for the 3.5 litre?

Toptoy, thats pretty good for a petrol (economy). mine is getting around 7.5l/100km highway and 10ish/100 around town.(diesel though, and manual)

mat

Hey Matt, you are doing well with the consumption levels. I`m above that definately. I still find it hard to justify buying a top car and having to fill it up with diesel. Mabye casue I`m a traditionlist. HAd the chance to drive a 05 530i diesel, did not like the shaking taking place.

Also I think all the oldies out there would prefer autos, compared to us young uns. At traffic lights, and if on a downhill, I`ll easily pull away in 2nd gear, don`t need to use first.

Cheers, M

IMO I would say go for the auto. Not only for the resale value, but also b/c the X5 is more of an activity vehicle where we can install tons of fun little gadgets. Don't get me wrong. I am completely in love with manual cars. Especially on my e46 M3. But b/c the X5 (somehow in my mind anyways) somehow promotes installation of fun toys like stereo systems, PS2s, computers, etc...for road trips, a stick car would just be too much.

WOW 20 mpg, I am getting 13.3 mpg on my 3.0 5speed.
What do you think would get better gas mileage, manual or automatic?

Get the 6 speed, get the 6 speed. I'm a die hard fan of manual transmissions. All of my cars have been sticks and I plan to continue that indefinitely. In fact that was what made the X5 the top contender when it came time for me to get a larger vehicle. The list was made very short when I found out how few luxomobiles were available with an manual option. It was made even shorted when I added the suv componant. I had pretty much made up my mind on a 3 or 5 series when I discovered the X5 was available with a stick. My only complaint was that I couldn't get a stick and the V8 engine like in the 540i. Other than that I love my X5. I frequently get comments on the fact it's a stick. If you are concerned about resale value remember first and foremost you are buying the car for you. If you want a vehicle a certain way with certain options I'm certain if you do sell it at some point it will be someone elses dream come true. Especially if it's a BMW

I'm with above...The car is for you. I found the same when buying a luxury SUV (sorry BMW..SAV). No other manufactures had a manual option. Easy choice then hey.

On the economy discussion, a manual will return better mileage than an auto if driven in a similar fashion. An auto has inherent inefficiencies with the torque converter, of about 1-2 l/100km. That goes for any vehicle.

The choice is personal. If the question is…

”is the BMW manual ‘box a good one?” , then

Absolutely yes is my answer! (and it's more fun)

Mat
3.0d manual