Next generation of the BMW M5 will be automatic only
We heard this idea before; for the F10 version of the BMW M5 the Bavarians were going to kill off the manual transmission. Thanks to the US market, that didn’t happen.
Now however, having released the F10 M5 for a while now and having had some time since the release of the F12 M6, BMW are saying this was the last time.
F10 BMW M5
Whenever they build the next generations of these cars, BMW will no longer accept small amount of demands to make a manual gearbox.
Everybody will have to stick to automatics. We’re not sure what gearbox will be used for these versions but who really cares at this point.
Just about all enthusiasts are currently mourning the demise of the manual transmission. Sure, the older versions will be great value on the second hand market but somehow it’s not the same.
F10 BMW M5
So did BMW sell their soul with this decision? Well, it’s halfway there since the decision is based on financial reasons.
According to Albert Biermann, BMW M-brand engineering chief, the manual version of the M5 only sells some 15% of the total purchases.
Sadly for BMW, and subsequently for us, that means the manual gearbox continues to lose money and that they want to put it on hold.
F10 BMW M5
It seems that despite the American effort for the automatic gearbox within the M powered 5 and 6 Series is going to die.
Thankfully, the manual gearbox seems to be surviving in the smaller types of both these cars so there’s still a chance to get a kick out of rowing your own.
