6-Speed Dinosaur: 2008 BMW 550i

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 things that have rubber bands, sensors, and brains that tell the pile of parts when and how to shift.  Manual gearboxes might be all but gone from new car dealer lots today, but take a walk on the wild side over to the used lots and you can still double clutch and row your own.  Find this 2008 BMW 550i offered for $5,500 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

Clutch Player: 2006 BMW 550i

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 as far back we can remember and continuing to 540i, 545i, 550i, etc. Find this 2006 BMW 550i here on eBay with starting bid of $5,000 and $9,900 buy-it-now located in Brooklyn, NY.

Mid Week Match-Up: Not a BMW 335i For Dan

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 Grey 2) Alpine White 3) dark blue (montego?) or black/sliver plain colors could also work. Interior - very much desire the upgraded Napa saddle brown leather! This is much harder to find than the typical black base leather. Price range <$15k but prefer in $10-12k range Mileage prefer under 100k I'd also be interested in the same generation 135i with similar features/colors. So I'd prefer 335 sedan>335 coupe>135 coupe.

Six Speeds, No Excuses: 2007 BMW 550i E60

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 BMW.  Can't argue with that kind of logic -- but what if you don't want to be yet another poseur in a black 3-series?  You could pickup a used 6-speed equipped 5-series, like this 2007 BMW 550i here on eBay with opening bid of $9,900 reserve-not-met located in New Rochelle, NY.

V12 6spd Convert: 1995 BMW E34 550i

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 a time when stuff lasted for years, and speed junkies who modify anything that moves...this was owned by the latter.  Find this 1995 BMW E34 550i V12 6-Speed offered for $7,999 in Burlington, KY via craigslist.  Tip from Mrkwong.

15k: E60 6-Speed: 2007 BMW 550i

 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 to match at this price.  Find this 2007 BMW 550i offered here on eBay for $14,800 buy-it-now or make-offer, located in Cleveland, OH.

15k DT Flash: 2007 BMW 550i 6spd

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 of Strongsville, OH for the price of $16,495 - roughly the price of a new cinquecento. 

The E60 BMW 5 series was the pinnacle of the controversial Bangle styling - but we think it will 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.