Turbo Manual Unicorn: 2010 BMW 535i XDrive
This next car is a real unicorn and is probably the last chance to drive a manual gearbox wagon if you believe all the Voltswagon hype these days. Electric SUVs and dual-clutch-17 speed transmissions might be the future, but BMW sent the 5-series wagon off with a bang with the E61 generation (2003-2010). They put the twin turbocharged N54 inline-6 attached to a 6-speed manual and sold a car that was a few turbocharger upgrades away from being as fast as the European M5 wagon. The only thing they forgot to include was a set of rear facing jump seats. Find this 2010 BMW 535i XDrive offered for $11,000 in Dover, MA via craigslist.
From the seller:
2010 bmw 535i xdrive
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 70000
paint color: white
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: wagon
2010 BMW E61 wagon . N54 engine 70k miles MT 6speed. Cold weather package , panoramic roof .leather interior. 18 inch m sport wheels. New gaskets and front struts.
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one of 600 e61 manuals imported into North America…. $11k is a good price
If only this car wasn’t from the Massachusetts! 10 winters of salty roads and potholes can really wear these cars out.
Haven’t kept up with this powertrain for a few years. Did they ever figure out how to make them stop eating high pressure fuel pumps every 24 months?
Yes, by not driving them. JK. n54 engine platform has a lot of tuning potential if you can get past the valve cover, oil filter housing, and oil pan gaskets, HPFP failures, clattering wastegates. Oh and upgrading the clutch if you are going to chase more HP in a manual.