x5 3.0i Manual or Tiptronic?
 

I'm planning of getting an X5 3.0i with aero kit and 20 inch wheels, but i can't decide whether to get the 6 speed manual or 5 speed tiptronic. Any advise will be very much appreciated...............thanks :)

Manny, depends on your style of driving and personal prefs, but mine is a manual, I have never purchased autos. Even if your stuck in traffic in So Cal, changing gears is therapeutic for me as is being in total control of the car. Nothing nicer than letting her rip, and changing when you want to. Fuel consusmption = does it matter......?!

So, yes, 6 sp man please!!

Cheers,

Thanks very much for the advise .....TBE................Manny....yes, me too never purchased autos.....but people at the dealership keeps suggesting that if I'm buying SUV should be auto.

The sales guys are only trying to push what they have on the lot, which are 99% 5speed Steptronics. So...just get whatever you want and ignore the sales pitches.

Since it's the 3.0 I6, I would consider the manual...if it was the V8 with more tq/hp I would go auto, thats just me a lot of peeps would go manual either way. IMO I bought the X5 4.4 to kick back in when driving, so the auto was my route (the Z is for racing) :)

Although I way prefer manuals to drive (you're more in control, more involved, etc.), in the X5 I would get the automatic. My 330 is a manual, and it's fun.. My X5 was an auto, it was great too. But they're different types of cars. The 330 is small, sporty, etc., so it's more suited to a manual. I think it's just more practical to get an automatic in the X5. That being said, I've never driven a 3.0i, let alone one with a stick shift, so I don't really know the X5 driving experience with a manual. Other than my opinion, the best advice I can give is to drive both, and see which suits you better. If I lived in a city, it'd definitely be an auto for me,though. :dunno:

:withstupi

Gotta agree, I like manuals a lot, but I just didn't see the X5 as that type of vehicle. My dealer had one in stock, but one look at the residuals scared me off. Check out how few 3.0s actually have the manual. If you are going to keep it a long time, then it's not so much of an issue. Also, I drive in traffic every day, and didn't need the hassle. Maybe I am just getting old....

Jeff

I have just (1 month) got my manual 3.0d. Coming from larger cars (SUV's) I find the manual to be great for the X5. I think it makes the car "feel" smaller and more fun. I bought the manual blind, could not get a test drive, and the dealer also tried to talk me out of it. Mine is the first one they sold in this city.(100,000 people). The shift feel is very good and the clutch becomes better after the first 1000k's. Never driven the 3.0 petrol but it may be even better. The diesel have low (no) touque at low revs and takes a bit of a shuffle to get things moving. However, once underway, absoulutly fantasic. I have a miata as well and I gauge all manuals to its slick little 5 speed. Not quite a flick of the wrist like the mazda, but the best I've used in a larger vehicle.

Mat

In terms of preference I would definitely get the manual. I just purchased a manual, and my friends all have automatic and its so much faster. If you are purchasing new I would go with auto because of the resale values, it much harder to sell a manual x5 to a soccer mom, or to any women in general. So if you buy preowned and let someone else take the hit then its worth it, but otherwise consir the resale value. Just to get an idea, I just bought a 2003 3.0 5speed manual with 24k miles, certified until 09/2009 100k miles from BMW Certified Preqoned at BMW dealer, in mint condition, the car looks like its new, its even hard to convince someone that its preowned and its got leather, and no sunroof and I got in for $28,500 after negotiating. The cheapest X5 I could find in automatic with the same miles, but an 02 and it had sunroof and premium package, BMW CErtified was $31,000 after negotiating it down from their 39500 sticker. But they did not want to go under 31k because it was easier for them to sell an automatic transmission.

Sure, resale has to be an important part of any choice, but dont forget (Australia anyway) the manuals are nearly 3gs cheaper to start with.....In our used car prices guide(s), the manuals have similar depreciation rates to the autos. This may be because there are so few, so if you want a second hand manual, you have much less to choose from. You might have to wait longer, as a seller, but maybe you have a captive group of buyers.

I'll let you know how I go in 2-3 years....

Mat

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

X5 manual does better on the highway (about 3% per gov't test)
X5 auto does better in town (about 7% per gov't test)

Theoretically, the auto will lose out due to torque converter efficiency, but lock up converters and electronic control over shift points have reduced that effect. Also, gov't tests aren't necessarily real world, but they are comparable on the same cycle, IMO.

I get 20-21 mpg around town in traffic, 26-27 hwy, with an X5 3.0 steptronic, but then we have larger gallons than the US, as do other commonwealth countries. Conversion is 5/6 for imperial gallons/US gallons.

Jeff

Get 6 Speed Only Dont Get 5speed
 

I HAVE '01 5 SPEED X5 AND ITS FAST AS HELL ITS JUST 1 SEC SLOWER 4.4I AUTO, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE FIRST GEAR IS SO SLOW AND TOO MUCH TORQUE ITS LIKE ON BIG TRUCKS SO I EVEN USING 2 GEAR MOSTLY FROM ALL STOP SIGNS AND ONES YOU HIT 80MPH YOUR RPM IS ALMOST 5000 I THINK MAYBE 4700 AND I DRIVE FAST LIKE THIS EVERYDAY AND EVEN FASTER SO THE ENGINE ALWAYS REVING HIGH BUT I STIL GET 20MPG AVERAGE AND 26 HIGHWAY BUT THE OTHER THING IS I HAVE TO ADD 1 QUORTH OF OIL LIKE EVERY 1500MILES I THINK BECAUSE OF OF 4000-5000 ALL THE TIME, SO I THINK ITS JUST MISSING 6 GEAR BUT OTHERVISE I LOVE IT IN A TRAFFIC AND NOT AND WILL NOT BUY ANY SAV OR SUV AUTO. bY THE WAY I JUST UPGRADED TO 20" RIMS SO MY 5 SPOKE SPORT PACKAGE WHEELS ARE FOR SALE IF SOMEONE INTERESTED http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMESE%3AIT

Jeff,
Gosh that surprises me, I thought it would be other way around, due to lock up torque converters on the highway, and the slipping effect while changing gears around town.
:confused:
mmmm, looked up the figures in Australia on the BMW site and found here at least, manual is better on both highway and city cycle.(also quicker acceleration)

USA web says what you say, go figure? (different test proceedures?)

Mat

Mat: Interesting that the figures aren't consistent worldwide. I use the bmw.ca site, not the US one, but those two are similar for some reason, if out of step with the rest of bmw sites. I see the .co.uk site is as per your figures. If it is down to the test cycle, it could have to do with cold vs warm engine. Also, the EPA and CA city cycles have lots of starts/stops in them. Logic says that the manual ought to be more efficient, but on my wife's 325 the figures are 0.1 l/100 km apart manual vs auto. Lots of cars are now posting better figures with new generation automatics over manuals, but I would at least expect the published stats to be consistent worldwide. Another wrinkle: the Z4 with the SMG is far better than the manual, in the published figures. Maybe it is a case of what the digital camera guys call measurbation, too much focus on the figures.

Jeff

Jeff,
Interesting...I am convinced that auto's are getting MUCH better, so don't get me wrong.
I drove the X5 in the auto as well, very smooth and well matched to the engine. When I drive an auto, its like I want to catch it out, you know what I mean, so then I almost sub-consciously drive worse, then you can say, "I would change better than that" or "come on, shift up!". However the X5's was the most intuitive I've ever used.

A manual, its just up to you....I would prefer an auto for "drags" from the lights, to save any embarrassment...(stalling, bad change, etc), but that’s all.

The rest of the time, its more enjoyable, faster and as a closet greenie, economy.

Mat

Porsche`s SUV is now available in a V6 manual, looks nice. Yet to drive it.

Any comments DIAZ?

Cheers,

I love the Cayenne V6, however I have it on a tiptronic. It just turns amazing, compared to the X5 the handling is way superior, but the X5 3.0 has better acceleration from 0-60 in the Cayenne V6 its 9.1, the car feels like it has a lot more torque than 250, hp is also about 250. I would love to drive a manual cayenne but have never seen one.

For some reason I think the 3.0 5 speed feels faster than the 4.4 auto if you granny shift, I feel like the gears dont last enough, especially first is too low and with too much torque, but its an SUV so it has to use first gear for power. I cant wait until there is a snow storm to go test out the handling. But I just drove a 3.0 automatic yeswterday and I cant stress how much faster the manual feels. has anyone raced a 4.4 against a 3.0 manual?