XSeries-forum

I contacted BMW UK to see how many manuals were sold through the E53 life-cycle. To my surprise they actually responded.

In total (UK only) there were 25,567 E53 cars registered and of those only 724 were manual gearboxes.

That's only 2.83% so anyone with a manual has a rare version indeed.

I wonder what the US % was.

Even less at a guess.  UK Dealers positively discouraged any thoughts of a manual option, and the U.S. Don't understand 'stick shifters' 

the main question would be why, the cars dont really suit manual

I tried the manual before the auto, and would have had one if the Dealer had not wanted a £10k deposit!  I still prefer manual boxes as I am in control of it.  However I do think modern autos are very good and I do like the 8-sp in the X6, it's just I prefer a manual transmission overall - even when as you rightly say, the car is better suited to the auto box.

I have nothing against the idea of a manual, i have manual cars i just dont think big 4x4s suit manual transmission, even when i had the ml63 i would not preffer that in manual, i did use the paddle shift on that alot but a actual stick would not be my cup of tea

i enquired as i have a manual myself.
I didn't set out to look for one but one came up at a good price, spec and low miles so i grabbed it.
It drives surprisingly well and doesn't feel awkward as i initially thought it might.

[quote="cragglemiester"]
i enquired as i have a manual myself.
I didn't set out to look for one but one came up at a good price, spec and low miles so i grabbed it.
It drives surprisingly well and doesn't feel awkward as i initially thought it might.
[/quote]

to be fair it makes a good choice with the e53's reputation for breaking autoboxes

[quote="shadrack"]
to be fair it makes a good choice with the e53's reputation for breaking autoboxes
[/quote]
Just end up replacing autobox worries with clutch/DMF issues instead.  End of the day these cars are getting on a bit now and expensive repairs are almost inevitable really. 

I can't see why anyone would want a manual E53 as they are big heavy luxury 4x4s... they are never going to be sporty or 'fun' to drive so you might as well have the auto and let the car do the hard work in traffic. 

[quote="VolvoT5"]
.......... they are big heavy luxury 4x4s... they are never going to be sporty or 'fun' to drive so you might as well have the auto and let the car do the hard work in traffic.
[/quote]
I disagree with the above.

Granted it's not a sports car, but with driver plannning I have found my E53 capable of being safely driven in a progressive manner on a multitude of roads.

.....and I say this having driven faster, lighter and more agile vehicles.

[quote="VolvoT5"]
[quote="shadrack"]
to be fair it makes a good choice with the e53's reputation for breaking autoboxes
[/quote]
Just end up replacing autobox worries with clutch/DMF issues instead.  End of the day these cars are getting on a bit now and expensive repairs are almost inevitable really. 

I can't see why anyone would want a manual E53 as they are big heavy luxury 4x4s... they are never going to be sporty or 'fun' to drive so you might as well have the auto and let the car do the hard work in traffic.
[/quote]

We recently put a dmf and clutch in the e91, didnt give up till 160k and was only £780 done by an indy

Either way there is a bill lol.