Allrighty the M5 is outside....

uh.....hello...pics...or are you waiting for an article in the mag?

 

"THE SARGE DON'T HAVE PATIENCE, DROP AND GIMME 20 YOU SCUMBAG!!!!!"

 

Very interesting, the response I got was quite the opposite. Can't wait for the writeup Jim.

--Dan

BTW - what's the update with CDM?

 

I am waiting on the stick shift e60 M5 before replacing my current e39 M5.

 

...a teaser!

 

I am waiting for the new ford escort f1!

 

from my understanding, they wont make a manual (unless they design a completely new transmission and gearbox)

the supposed reason why they use paddle shifts because the grears are not put in sequential order like a normal car, they are put into different areas of the gearbox depending on how strong that part of the gearbox is and how much force that gear will put into the gearbox.

aparently if they used a normal H pattern it would shift in non sequential order (ie. 2-6-4-1-3-7-5) and would therefore be too confusing for a human to figure it out.

so if they make a stronger gearbox, that'd be cool. but i wouldnt hold my breath waiting

 

The only thing I can advise is to give it some time to get used to.
For first few 100's miles hated it too,now I think it's the best tranny in the World.
Smooth and unbelievably quick gear change,not using the Auto option though,as it is a complete waste of time.

 

Let's see... the TDM offices are on my way to work in the morning... I haven't driven an M5 yet...

Hey Jim, what time will you be at the office tomorrow? Wanna go for coffee? (wink, wink)

 

It's already been said a manual will be coming to the US market only. It won't be 7 gears for the reasons you stated (can't be H pattern). They're putting in a 6-speed with the gear ratios the same as the first 6 gears in the 7-speed. Since you won't have that 7th gear, you can't hit 200mph.

 

Isn't the M5 electronically limited to 155mph? Or can you remove the software coding which initializes the governor?

 

wow, so even if you did remove the electronic limit you couldn't hit 200. what a jip for those 6MT owners.

 

Is that Chiaretto Red??

 

Yea, it's limited to 155, but there should be software already out or pretty soon to remove it.

 

Hartge has the software avalable

 

If an owner were to use the Hartage software to remove the limiter, does it invalidate the warranty on the car. Or is the Hartage software approved by BMW?

 

Rumor has it that even though the BMW SMG III is among the best single clutch sequentials even BMW is working on a Dual clutch sequential like Audi and Porsche.

The reason is simple. Its just better in the manual and automatic mode.

So seamless it can easily replace a torque convertor automatic for smoothness...and rivals the shifting speed in the manual mode of the best six speed manual.

Thanks for the heads up.

M5 still is truly one of the worlds best sports sedans.

Best of luck with it.

JB

 

isn't the dual clutch system a lot heavier though?

 

I wanna be like writerguy when I grow up.