B7TMW 76 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 (edited) The e61 530d 6 speed manual was a great car. A mate had one a few years back. Was a great performer and he still, to this day, reckons it was the best all rounder he's owned. it returned seriously good MPG as well compared to his mates 535d. Would still have it if only his nephew hadn't put it through two stationary cars and across the top of a roundabout that the afore mentioned cars were waiting to enter!!!! Edited August 25, 2016 by B7TMW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grizzle_E60 260 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 My nephew would no longer be able to walk if he done that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Westy 69 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 Guys this is a big diesel exec saloon designed for long distance cruising. Most people don't want a manual in a car that's doing lots of miles. I definitely don't miss a manual now I'm sat in motorway traffic most days. If you look on auto trader at the f10 520d you see that a lot of them are autos now too. If you want similar power and a manual shift you need you go for a petrol variant. 1 Lennox reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lennox 466 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 Agree Westy, love the manual in my GTD but the 535d would not be the distance cruiser and fast road paddle demon that it is. I stun friends when I select sport plus and use the paddles, how agile and pointy the huge boat can be. Keep annoying my mate in his GTR as if he's caught napping and not in the right gear/power band the 535d is all over him. 1 Westy reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 9 hours ago, Blobby said: I think one of the big obstacles in having a manual would be the clutch.. You need some seriously powerful springs to make sure it doesn't slip with all the torque. Clutch isn't a issue many high pressure clutches around and good flywheels Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 8 hours ago, Lennox said: I would get it looked at as my E61 535d (two up) was logged on a timing box when mapped at 5.6s and 6.3s 0-60 when it was returned to standard (full iDrive update). Done a few in the F11 (standard) and my best was 5.8s but that was using an iPhone app. Yeah need take it to my indy to have a look what do think it could be.. I know vacuum pipes could be one anymore? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 5 hours ago, Westy said: Guys this is a big diesel exec saloon designed for long distance cruising. Most people don't want a manual in a car that's doing lots of miles. I definitely don't miss a manual now I'm sat in motorway traffic most days. If you look on auto trader at the f10 520d you see that a lot of them are autos now too. If you want similar power and a manual shift you need you go for a petrol variant. That's definitely a good point but diesels these days have the same potential as any petrol variant Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuvoc 299 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 Diesels don't have the same narrow power band that they used to have surely, technology has moved on. So I don't see why a diesel can't be manual. You have complete control, so you change gear at the right time to suit the characteristics of the engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Westy 69 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 Diesels don't have the same narrow power band that they used to have surely, technology has moved on. So I don't see why a diesel can't be manual. You have complete control, so you change gear at the right time to suit the characteristics of the engine. I'm not saying they can't be manual. I'm saying that most people/companies that buy diesels, buy them to do lots of miles, and therefore an auto box is a lot nicer than manual clutching in rush hour on the M25. 1 Lennox reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lennox 466 Report post Posted August 25, 2016 I also like having both hands on the wheel and instant up and down shifts. I find I can drive faster whilst smoother in the 535d. The golf a more fling it about ride as you stir the pot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 26, 2016 At the end of the day I see my 535d is a motorway monster but as for the street it's nowhere competitive against any jdm rocket or hot hatch sometimes I feel like I'm driving a old man's barge! 1 Lennox reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lennox 466 Report post Posted August 26, 2016 Buy and map an F11!!!! But stay off sport plus if your not into drifting!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Westy 69 Report post Posted August 26, 2016 sometimes I feel like I'm driving a old man's barge! You are mate. These cars are built for comfort and eating up the miles. You cant compare apples with oranges. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 26, 2016 3 hours ago, Lennox said: Buy and map an F11!!!! But stay off sport plus if your not into drifting!!! Yeah I bet the 8 speed f11535d is awesome drive 1 Lennox reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 26, 2016 3 hours ago, Westy said: You are mate. These cars are built for comfort and eating up the miles. You cant compare apples with oranges. Yeah I'm guessing your right maybe I'm just missing my hot hatches and think the barge is something it's not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blobby 696 Report post Posted August 29, 2016 Straight line performance, there can't be many hot hatches that can beat a 535d Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lennox 466 Report post Posted August 29, 2016 Straight line performance, there can't be many hot hatches that can beat a 535d When I had my E61 535d (DMS 370bhp) I embarrassed many a young dreamer (I was only early 30s mind you), had great fun one night with a blue and gold Subaru. I'm sure on the track he would have me but 50-120mph on a (private runway) all he did was Bob up and down as I kept pulling away... the only cars I really lost too were: - Mates 2010 GTR - Neighbours S8 then Bentley W12 - an M5 F10 - 996 Turbo S (that I do nearly bought, kids killed the dream) - a very close race with an Audi A8 4.2tdi but road conditions were against me. I raced almost every hot hatch and from stand still to a 60 it could sometimes be close but beyond that I was gone. However in the age of uber hot hatches I think the 535d is off the pace. The F11 is quicker I feel midrange (gearbox?!?) and with a map (eco tune 390bhp) it would be fun!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Wong 47 Report post Posted August 30, 2016 (edited) Seriously my 0-60 is so poor it's untrue But 60-140 is a monster! What about a retrofit F11 gearbox in a e61? Edited August 30, 2016 by Chris Wong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuvoc 299 Report post Posted August 30, 2016 3 hours ago, Chris Wong said: Seriously my 0-60 is so poor it's untrue But 60-140 is a monster! What about a retrofit F11 gearbox in a e61? Well, get your car properly diagnosed then before throwing money at other "solutions". Clearly something is not right with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paperjams 136 Report post Posted August 30, 2016 I have a 3.0 d in my f11 with a manual gearbox because I hate autos, I know it is a very unpopular combination of 6 pot diesel manual but I rather like it, the power band is wider than you'd imagine and it pulls from almost no revs. I will be remapping it later this year too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
