For those who want an update on the UUC short shifter, I posted an update. I have a 2002 3.0 d with 5 speed manual. If you haven't changed the oil in your transmission - something that will improve shifting. BMW's lifetime oil is a good synthetic but it's not forever.

Whether you have a 5 or 6 speed manual, change it and put in Redline MTL, I did and it's much better. Technically the viscosity would call for an ATF but per Mike Miller of the BMW CCA, he's seen that MTL works even better with no adverse issues.

Removing the clutch delay valve (been there, done that) also will make you happy.

thanks for the update Gregory! i added you to our archives, still too rich for my blood though, need money for the house haha.


I changed the trans oil to MTL when I did my diffs and transfer case fluids a few months back, and the CDV with a zeckhausen unit. Shifts feel great now! MTL I highly recommend

So I have a question to ask everyone in the room... My truck is gonna be 12 years old and burns about 1.5 quarts of synthetic every 800 or so miles. It is really annoying and Im also bored with the truck. Im looking for something newer (like 2009 or better) and ideally want something with a manual tranny with the same panache AND utility as the X5.
I like the NEW body Cayenne but the GTS would be too expensive and I dont wanna get stuck with another underpowered, heavy suv.

I WOULD consider a slushbox but prob only the X6 5.0. My question to you guys is:

What other cars have you considered/cross-shopped and why when searching for your manual tranny X5? What car/truck might you recommend considering the mindset of someone who drives a manual tranny X5?

PS A manual E61 M5 wagon would be perrrrrfect actually...

It may not be a popular choice, but we went from a 3.0 X5 to a 3.0si X3 and are very happy with it. That choice dropped 500 lbs of curb weight and gave us more luggage space than the X5. We also got an additional 40 hp with the 3.0si. Six speed manual transmission in the X3 doesn't have the very low first gear, so the rest of the ratios are closer. The X3 is more of a driver's vehicle than the X5, IMO, as it is more agile and tossable. Mileage improved as well.

What it doesn't have is the luxury of the X5. That was fine for us, I wouldn't opt for many of the features of the X5 as they are more weight and complexity, just more things to break, but that is just my opinion. Some people want all those bells and whistles, and the X3 has fewer of them than the X5. An example is no two-zone climate control.

The X3 also doesn't have the same towing capacity. We went from 5000 lbs (with the steptronic, pre LCI) to 3500 lbs with the X3. That said, it tows well. If you are considering a 5 series, that has the same towing capacity, so that may not be an issue.

The X3 is narrower as well. I find it reasonable for shoulder room, and I am 6'4" and 225 lbs, but it is tighter than the X5 for three in the back seat.

We are thinking about what we will replace the X3 with, as it is over five years old now. The new X3 doesn't do much for us. The X5 is too big, and seems to be getting bigger. The X1 is a nice driver, but doesn't have a manual transmission available in North America.

I was cross shopping an E83 X5 when looking for my car, and would have considered that as well.

When the E53 gets replaced, I would replace it with a 2005 or 2006 6 speed version if possible, since I know the car in and out by now.

If that is not feasible and I am making some good money, a Porsche Cayenne would be my only other manual replacement. I would love a GTS, but would happily drive a Cayenne S with 6 speed manual. As far as I could tell the S was made until last year with manual trans. Porsche's 6 cylinders are peppy, I drove in a slushbox S some years ago and found it fun to drive in.


If I were to go into a automatic German SUV, I would only accept a diesel. E70 35d or VW Touareg TDI.

If you have a real truck (not an SUV) and need / want a real truck but want some of the X5 feel, put a VW Amarok. You can haul what you want, get many creature comforts and (at least in Europe) have the benefits of diesel power and fuel economy. For what I do, a 2002 diesel X5 with a manual 5 speed is quite fine. If I needed to haul things, I'd add a Westfalia hitch and buy a trailer.

Solid find here while just being bored on ebay today,

2010 X3 Black, sport package, 6 speed manual! Only 34k miles, I have never seen a manual trans X3 as new as this one, maybe someone on the boards is in the market?

BMW : X3 AWD 4dr 30i in BMW | eBay Motors

Hullo,

Own a 2006 6 speed manual transmission sport black on black.pics soon

Lovely forum.

Guessing you are from UK? Will update with your info, thanks!

Hello, I would like to be a part of the "Standard Club" LoL.. I get the truck back in a couple of days, RMS supercharged and dyno tuned. To all that share the manual X5 experience, enjoy..!

P.S. I have my AFE Cold Air Intake up for sale. Great addition if you're looking to get high flow cold air delivery the truck so deserves. The kit uses components from the stock air intake system, as well as the ram air vents located behind the grill.