Ferrari Mailing List: Re: [NFC] 2003 BMW M5?

[Dennis Liu (BigHeadDennis]

Dude, what are you smokin'?  The "cars are too heavy for a manual"?  Brian,
MB *sells* cheap e-class sedans in other parts of the world WITH a *MANUAL
TRANSMISSION*.  While the AMG may be a few pounds heavier than an E300, the
reason MB doesn't sell them here with an automatic is not because of the
car's WEIGHT.  Rather, it's a function of market demand - there aren't
enough buyers for an E55 with a manual transmission, because, well, MB
buyers are girls!!!!  BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Seriously, MB took a look at the market, decided that a small % of E55 sales
would be with a manual, and concluded that it wouldn't be worth the effort.
True for almost its entire range here in the US (MB used to offer a manual
in the SLK, dunno if they still do).

As opposed to BMW, which offers a manual transmission in the 3-series,
5-series, 6-series, X3, X5, Z4 roadster and coupe, not to mention the Z8.
And all of its M cars too (yeah, the new M5 and M6 are getting real 6-speed
manuals).  

That's because real men (and women) who know how to drive and appreciate the
feel of a perfectly timed heel-toe downshift will always enjoy driving a
sports car (or a sport sedan) with a manual transmission.  Whereas girls
drive MBs.  :-)

Kidding aside, go back and reread what I wrote.  I did not say that
automatic trannies suck, simply that if I'm buying something that's a sports
car, or a sports sedan, or even has pretentions of being such, ***I WANT A
MANUAL***.  Heck, I've OWNED a couple of big German cars with automatics,
and I've LOVED them.  And I've driven a variety of AMGs, and they sure were
fun when you stepped on the gas.  But as a whole, they were soft, HEAVY, and
blech.  I will probably always own a big German sedan, but I acknowledge
that it is what it is - a big heavy sedan that's well suited for an
automatic, perfect for sitting in traffic and hauling the family around.

But if I wanted a SPORTS SEDAN with 500hp that SHOULD be fun to drive, I'm
going to get one with a stick.  You wuss!  :-)

Vty,

--Dennis


________________________________

From: Brian E. Buxton [mailto:BrianBuxton [at] BuxtonMotorsports.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:39 PM
To: BigHeadDennis [at] earthlink.net
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] [NFC] 2003 BMW M5?


I may be a wuss, but have you driven one?  Mercedes new 5 and 7 speed
trannies are *excellent,* and the cars are too heavy for a manual.

Brian


Dennis Liu wrote:


        Brian Buxton wrote:
        
          

                The M5 is a great car ... I am more of a Mercedes-Benz
person and
                    

        personally would opt for an 03 E55 AMG with 469 hp. & 516 ft.-lb.
torque for
        about the same money.  But an M5 is a great way to haul 4 people
around in
        comfort, safety and speed!  I think the price seems a bit high for
the
        mileage, although the warranty is a plus that cannot easily be
duplicated in
        the aftermarket ... but for just a few dollars more I can 
        get you about 38K LESS miles!
http://www.buxtonmotorsports.com/10.php
        
        ====================
        
        Ah, BMW v MB.  Another classic battle.  My $0.02 - the AMGs are for
girls
        (and no, I don't mean females, I mean __GIRLS__).  Awesome concept,
forever
        hobbled by that slushbox automatic transmission.  I think the most
beautiful
        German sedan available now is the CLS, and I'd LOVE to have a CLS55,
but
        ain't no way - not if I can only get an automatic.
        
        Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against automatics per se.
It's
        just that if I'm buying a sports car, or even a big sedan that's
ostensibly
        sporty in nature, then I want a damn manual transmission.  I love my
740iL
        with the auto, and I'm thinking about buying another one (or even a
750).
        But I'm not going to get the "M" version with an automatic.  I don't
even
        like the SMG versions.  Heck, that's why the current M5 has been on
my sh*t
        list, because the BMW SMG tranny bites it, big time.  And why I've
been
        waiting and waiting and waiting for my 430, with a manual 6-speed
(who knows
        if I'll EVER get one).
        
        Bottom line, the AMG is just plain ridiculous.  What's the point of
all that
        power and stiff suspension if you can't enjoy driving the dang thing
because
        of the slushbox?  Might as well get the E500/E550 (or CLS550) and
save $15k.
        You'll still have every bit as much fun.
        
        AMG, Brian?  You wuss.  :-P
        
        Vty,
        
        --Dennis