Opinions on manual X5s?
 

I have a 2000 with 140k, and I'm thinking about trading for a manual in the 100k range. They're out there, and in the US they look like they go for a discount over the automatics. Opinions?

A while back I started looking for a manual X5, (and they are only available with the 3.0) needless to say I only actually SAW ONE in all the checking I did.
It seems there are not that many here in the US, and your chances of finding one with the packages you'd like and in a color you'd like are slim....GOOD LUCK,
I had a hard enough time finding an automatic that I liked (06 3.0 auto Premium and Sport..other than some form of grey or white....I got a metallic black with tan...

We have enjoyed our '01 3.0 5 spd manual. It's 8 1/2 years old and has
~76k miles on it...we have owned it since new; I like it for what it is:
"different", fairly rare, fun to drive, almost zero maintenance on the
trans, etc.

The downside to the 5 speed manual is a stump puller 1st gear and
a non-over driven 5th gear which results in high rpms at highway
cruise speeds.

The 6 speed manual, (2004-2006, I think), offered a slightly over
driven 6th gear, (which reduces highway rpms), but still has that
stump puller 1st gear; 2nd gear starts become familiar, in either
version.

Manual trans X5s of either ilk are difficult to find, imo; if you do find
one, drive one to see if you "like it", and be careful that previous owner
wasn't doing drop clutch starts or speed shifting...

Fun, different, rare...not sure I would be as enamored if I was doing
a daily commute in serious stop and go traffic.
My 50Cts.
GL,mD

anybody ever looked at swapping a manual into a 4.6

That question, and similar ones, have come up on the JukeBox here, before...from my fading recall, no one has done it.
A perusal on the ol' Search Tab should turn up a few threads, but I don't recall the issue/idea going very far past the wonderment stage.
GL,mD

i will start looking cause i know where to get a manual trans
A manual in a 4.6 would be ridiculous

thanks for the input. I have asked my German indi tech if it is possible to swap my automatic in my 2000 4.4. he said the only way to do the v8 is to canablize an old 540. in the end, he said its better to just sell and buy an oem manual, mainly because of the computer. Thus my question for the folks on this forum.

Any high milage issues with the 3.0? i.e. 100k and up?

Have you found a manual trans X with that kind of mileage?

There are several threads on here on high mileage Xs, but there are but
a handful of us with manual trans cars and, none that I recall are over
100k miles.

I would think if you were able to dig up a 5 spd or, better yet, a 6 speed
manual car, it would have less than 100k miles, imo.
GL,mD

PS: here is just a sampling of "high mileage" threads...Search Tab is
your friend. ;)

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...h-mileage.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...x5-owners.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ng-strong.html

I agree with all MD's comments on the manual X5. One option to consider is a manual transmission X3. The X3 doesn't have the all same luxury features as the X5 (ie single zone climate control) but it is far more tossable. Before you dismiss it out of hand, (since X3s don't tend to garner the same respect the X5 does) the later X3s had much improved ride and handling over early versions, and with the 260 hp 3.0si and a six speed manual, it is a blast to drive. The performance gain is due to the fact that the X3 weighs over 600 lbs less than the X5, and it has up to an additional 35 hp. I suspect that puts power to weight ratios in the same range as the X5 4.4.

Just one option to consider.