Our next feature is an E60-generation BMW 550i, the V8 version of the Chris Bangle-era 5-series sedan. Polarizing styling when new, but aging into a much more interesting shape now. Most E60 550i sedans were automatics, so a factory manual 550i is legitimately uncommon and much more enthusiast-friendly. Power comes from BMW’s N62B48 4.8-liter naturally […]
The first modern manual transmission was demonstrated by two Frenchmen (Louis-Rena Panhard et Emile Levassor) way back in 1894. Many significant improvements to Panhard and Levassor’s sliding mesh “crash-box” have been engineered over the last century, but none as significant as electronics which have made the manual gearbox obsolete and replaced them in souless dual-clutch […]
By the early 2000s most mid-sized luxury sedans were equipped with automatic-only gearboxes, unless it was an expensive and finicky motorsports edition (such as BMW’s M-cars, Audi’s S-line etc). The notable exception to the torque convertor brigade was the BMW 5-series that offered a V8 mated to a manual gearbox in a large sedan, starting […]
This week’s Mid Week Match-Up victim is a friend of DT who asked me to help him find a 2007-2009 BMW 335i. For the sake of anonymity, let’s call him Dan — his 335i needs to be specifically, a 4 door sedan (consider 2 door coupe, no interest in convertibles) 6 speed manual. Exterior color preferences: 1) Space […]
The 6-speed equipped Mercedes-Benz C320 was the interesting choice for someone who wants a self shifted German luxury sedan, but doesn’t want a BMW — but DT commenter Tom McGuire hit the nail on the head when he wrote: “Can Have” and “Not Want” sum up my view of this era of MB. Buy a […]
The E34 generation BMW 5-series (1988-1996) sits in the happy depreciated valley that all luxury sedans hit after the narcotizing new car smell is gone and the bills start to pile up. However, this simply means that ownership transfers to a dedicated group of enthusiasts that consists of die-hard model fanboys, older folks who remember […]
The E60 BMW 5 series was the pinnacle of the controversial Bangle styling – but will it stand out from all of the other beige mid 2000s cars years from now? Until it becomes a collectible you will need to live with the funky styling, but the combination of performance, comfort, and status is hard […]
We would like to dedicate this post to our appreciation of depreciation. Dictionary.com defines it as: de·pre·ci·a·tion [dih-pree-shee-ey-shuhn] noun 1. decrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc. We define depreciation as this 2007 BMW 550i 6spd with original MSRP of more than $60k, now for sale at the Fiat […]