Was there a manual transmission available in the late 80's early 90's 7
series. Did the 5 series have similiar power?
I basically drive a couple times a month to other side of the state which
makes close to a 400 mile trip each way and can't do the 65 limit. I been
doing 70-80mph on occasion abit more. In the Porsche I had the speed was not
of a concern to me but I am now driving a Buick and thinking about getting
another German auto either a BMW or Mercedes. Trunk space became an issue
which led to the purchase of the buick.
I also thought about an XJS with the 12cylinder but my mechanic said that
was a bad idea
fbloogyudsr - 14 Jan 2004 05:59 GMT
> Was there a manual transmission available in the late 80's early 90's 7
> series. Did the 5 series have similiar power?
The last 7-series with a manual transmission (in the USA) was 1990
with the 735i. The 1989-'92 E34 5 series came with the same 3.5L
"big six" and transmission - they are the clear ticket to look for.
> I basically drive a couple times a month to other side of the state which
> makes close to a 400 mile trip each way and can't do the 65 limit. I been
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I also thought about an XJS with the 12cylinder but my mechanic said that
> was a bad idea
Probably a very bad idea - even the later models had lots of problems.
Actually, the BMW V12 is a high-maintenance engine, too, but if you
don't mind costs, you might look at an 850i - they came with a 6 speed
(somewhat rare) but are much more refined than an XJS.
Floyd
Jack Baruth - 14 Jan 2004 15:32 GMT
> The last 7-series with a manual transmission (in the USA) was 1990
> with the 735i. The 1989-'92 E34 5 series came with the same 3.5L
> "big six" and transmission - they are the clear ticket to look for.
I second that emotion. The E34 3.5/five-speed is a wonderful car.
>> I also thought about an XJS with the 12cylinder but my mechanic said that
>> was a bad idea
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> don't mind costs, you might look at an 850i - they came with a 6 speed
> (somewhat rare) but are much more refined than an XJS.
The V12 was a basically reliable motor with some bad electronics. Almost all
the ones you could buy now are probably rectified. There are also some
six-cylinder XJ-Ses out there, including my favorite but certainly rarest
US-market six-cylinder, five-speed XJ-S Coupe.
bfd - 14 Jan 2004 22:52 GMT
> > The last 7-series with a manual transmission (in the USA) was 1990
> > with the 735i. The 1989-'92 E34 5 series came with the same 3.5L
> > "big six" and transmission - they are the clear ticket to look for.
>
> I second that emotion. The E34 3.5/five-speed is a wonderful car.
I own a 1990 E34 535i/5spd manual transmission with 93K miles. Lots of
power, especially with a chip and fun to drive. However, if you're
looking at a 7 series (E32), then you're looking for more room than
what the E34 offers. I would test drive a few to see what you like.
Note - in the US, only something like 5% of all E34 535i came with
manual trannys (auto was "no-cost" option, so most new buyers appear
to have chosen the auto), so might be a bit tough to find. Then again,
very, very few E32 7s came with sticks, at least in the US, so those
would nearly impossible to find (unless you lived in Europe)....Good
Luck!
Frank Kemper - 14 Jan 2004 22:55 GMT
"Jereme" <jereme365@comcast.net> haute in die Tasten:
> Was there a manual transmission available in the late 80's early 90's 7
> series. Did the 5 series have similiar power?
The late 80's 7'series (E32) was available with 2,8 litre I6, 3,0 litre V8,
3,5 litre I6, 4.0 litre V8 and 5.0 litre V12. With the exception of the V12
engine, all these were also available in the 5' series (E34) and could be
ordered with manual transmission. However most buyers which chose a 7-
series with big engine, also ordered auto trans.
This statement is valid for Germany. I do not know if BMW USA may have
behaved differently.
Frank

Signature
please replace spam-muelleimer with fk-newsgroups for e-mail contact
Time Flies Like An Arrow - Fruit Flies Like A Banana
hsg@h-gee.co.uk - 15 Jan 2004 21:19 GMT
>Was there a manual transmission available in the late 80's early 90's 7
>series. Did the 5 series have similiar power?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>I also thought about an XJS with the 12cylinder but my mechanic said that
>was a bad idea
Definitely a BAD idea but go for the newer V8 XJ saloon Nice cars and on a par
with the Merc/BMW for comfort and boot/trunk space but not the usual US tin can
however the Camero Soft-top hasn't got any trunk space....
Hugh
Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!
Hugh Gundersen
hsg@h-gee.co.uk
hsg@bognor-bill.co.uk
http://www.bognor-bill.co.uk
Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK
-------------------------------------------------
Vyisder Asmeni
Orsisarsis Asderisorsis.
B.Cozderiz
Vunarz
PERORZ
-------------------------------------------------
Hutch - 17 Jan 2004 00:27 GMT
> I also thought about an XJS with the 12cylinder but my mechanic said that
> was a bad idea
Why? I have a 1993 XJS V12 that I use for business trips. Bought it in 1998
with 41,000 miles and now have 149,000 and still going strong. Never left me
stranded or had a major break down, I just be sure to have the service done
before that can happen. Its a fabulous GT car, before you dismiss it at
least look at a few descent examples.