2007 BMW M5 Gets Manual Transmission

It’s not often that adding a manual transmission to a car is considered an improvement, but with the 500-hp V-10 BMW M5, some say it’s a necessity. When it came on the scene last year, the M5 featured a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, which most people found plenty adequate — especially with the M5’s special launch mode. That got you to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.

It’s not likely the no-cost option of a six-speed manual will get you to 60 mph any faster, but car fanatics are a picky lot who expect performance cars to have stick shifts. Otherwise, the 2007 M5 sees very little change from 2006, with an added tire pressure monitoring system and real-time traffic monitoring. Prices haven’t been announced yet, but we don’t expect much of a change from the 2006 starting figure of $81,200. Keep reading for more photos.

Update: Pricing for the 2007 M5 starts at $82,500. Destination charges are $695. While the six-speed manual is a no cost option, the gas guzzler tax for the manual is $700 more than the automatic.

Comments

I love the exterior, its just that BMW interior that kills it...i wish they would do something more upscale and alittle less with the cheap hard plastic

[Spankey]

I'd leave my wife for this car.

[Brad]

We have one and there are no more than two pieces of cheap, hard plastic in the entire interior. The only places they exist are on the door handles, around the window control. Everything else is beautifully covered in leather.

I don't see that beautiful leather on the top of the dashboard...

[segfault]

BMW used to have chromed door pulls instead of the metallic-paint-impregnated ones they have now. The chromed ones were classier.

[Mike H.]

It sounds like Brad's M5 has the optional full-leather interior that covers the instrument panel, center console and door panels in leather.

[sum dude]

the interior in the picture, to me, looks like somthin outta the late 80s, early 90s. but thats just me, and thats one very small shifter

[Dave T.]

Unfortunately the interior shot is of the SMG with paddle shifters. Not sure why BMW didn't provide one with the manual.
There is not much "cheap" plastic in any BMW I've been in lately. However, there is plastic. I would not turn one down.

I recently purchased the M5 2007 with stick. Unbelievable. Probably too much power if there is such a thing. This automobile is fast, tight and thrilling. Quite possibly the finest auto available at any price.

[MAC]

On Dec 4, 2006 I took delivery of my 2007 Silver-Gray M5. 1 week later I had 479 miles at <4000 rpm. Then my service due light came on. I took it in and BMW serviced it at the 1k level. Wow, WOW WOW!. I drove it another 100 miles since yesterday and only this afternoon ran it through its paces! Did I say WOW yet! plastic or no, This car is very VERY FAST! the harder you drive it the better it drives! It literaly begs to be driven fast. 130 mph and it felt like I was going 30 mph. I ran out of room so this weekend I will drive down to Ortega and open her all the way till I hit the speed limiter! I cant wait!
BTW- the car is beautiful in and out. I got mine with full indianapolis red merino leather. Looks better than I imagined! no cheap stuff anywhere.

[Jim]

I own a 2007 550I. Is the M5 that much better? Can you get an automatice trans? Hard to drink coffee in the morning with all that shifting.

[yaw]

pls just buy me one in interlagos blue.i guess i'd be REALLY grateful.........waiting!

[No longer joeBMW]

This is not an M car. Electronics to the point of complete driver isolation. Doesnt feel in contact with the road in any suspension setting. Way too heavy. Interior materials showing wear at 6 months. Already traded mine and very glad to do so even with a big finacial hit. BTW, BMW is already offering incentives to dealers to move the car below current invoice. Tells you something.

[Paul]

great car

[Chakka71]

Having driven an 07' on a track for two days, it is incredible to think that this a 4 door. Aggressive in it's shifting and can be driven as hard as most would want to. The car has the "M" badge for a reason. If you want plush comfort, buy a 7 series.

I couldn't wait to get rid of my M5 with stick - non-defeatable traction control? in a performance car? 10mpg? rides and sounds like a truck?

[tj blattner]

this car is amazing and so is the smg transmission. whoever says it is crap is a fool

[M5 Junky....]

I can't beleive some of the things I am reading and seeing on the web. I have owned beemers for years and recently bought the 07 M5 SMG. I was looking for the manual and was not sure of the SMG? I took it out for an hour from the dealer returned and bought it on the spot. This was after reading and watching audi and mercedes reviews that they were better. Mercedes has always been an over priced luxury feeling car - nothing sporty about them at all and the audi - decent I would say but lacks the look and feel of sportiness. One question - why would they put the Audi R against the M5 when it is the same size and weight as the M3?? If anyone thinks the M5 is garbage - I am sorry but your out of your mind. The only thing I do not like on the M5 are the paddle shifters on the steering wheel - which those belong in a mitsubishi/toyota. Other than that - since buying it I have a whole new respect for 500hp - next week I am chipping it at the Dinan Dealer - not sure why but I love blowing the doors off anything next to me.. ITS FREAKY AWESOME!!

[Troy]

This was after reading and watching audi and mercedes reviews that they were better. Mercedes has always been an over priced luxury feeling car - nothing sporty about them at all and the audi - decent I would say but lacks the look and feel of sportiness. One question - why would they put the Audi R against the M5 when it is http://www.batterylaptoppower.com/toshiba/pa3431u-1brs.php TOSHIBA SATELLITE M65 BATTERY PA3431U-BRS PABAS068 laptop battery , the same size and weight as the M3?? If anyone thinks the M5 is garbage - I am sorry but your out of your mind. The only thing I do not like on the M5 are the paddle shifters on the steering wheel - which those belong in a mitsubishi/toyota