I can't find any information on actual production numbers. A friend that works for a dealer told me that they were only produced based on pre-orders. I don't know if I believe that becuase I've seen a few for sale at dealers.

I'm considering picking up a fully loaded 6 spd m6 at a very good price, and the current owner keeps going on about how rare the car is.

 

BMW doesn't break out the numbers by trans type - you'd have to pay $30 to log into BMWTIS.com and look it up.

 

Never saw one nor heard of one......have driven the E60M5 6sp and IMHO...the smg is better suited for that motor.....if it is just a question of perference(you like rowing)....then go for it!

 

I think rare in this case isn't a good thing. Yes, people like the MT, but the SMG in these cars are more desirable.

 

Owned an e60 m5 with smg for two years. Although everyone says its "suited" for the V10, I wasn't a huge fan of the SMG. Useless in fully auto mode, and not spectacular in manual mode.

I drove the 6 spd M6. I Much prefer the true manual gearbox.

 

If it shifted anywhere as nice as the pdk on the new 911's I would have loved it.

 

The M6 got the option of a 6-speed manual when BMW added one for the M5 in the US market. Most reviews I've read said they felt the gear ratios weren't well-suited for V10's power curve, but apparently changing the final drive to 3.91 fixes that.

Down the line, I suspect the 6-spds might be more desirable, as SMGs seem to be an expensive failure point on older BMWs. I took quite a shine to the M6 when I drove one at the BMW Performance Center "M-School," though the SMG didn't grow on me.

 

3.91 final drive sounds very intriguing.

 

Friend had a 6 speed manual trans M5, I didn't care for the trans as it seemed like it wasn't matched/geared wel to the V10, and I hate smg sooooo lol. He got the manual b/c of that reason as well (hated smg).

 

At casual glance, I'd say the ratios in the M6 box are the same as in my Z4M - if so, I think the 3.91 would work quite well. With the 3.91 final drive, the torque comes in that bit earlier for these peaky engines and is really nice. It says something that the E92 M3s with a similar profile are running 3.85 final drive ratios. If I could only have one of the upgrades to my Z4MC, it'd be the 3.91 - though I'd really miss my CSL wheels.

 

What does the 3.91 have to do with your CSL's Burnouts?

 

They exist I saw one about a year and a half ago at my local dealer I didn't buy it cause I wanted the SMG but they were leasing it for like $899 a month fully loaded(cept SMG). But the SMG was like $1599 I guess that tells you how much it wasn't liked, But now that I have my 6-speed M3 and drove a DCT the other day I'm really glad I ended up with the 6-speed and Honestly If I did by that M6 with the 6-speed I would have upgraded to 3.91's my self even the M3's 3.85 would be great in my mind.

 

by suited I am referring to the power range/gearing that the SMG offers the E60 which the manual cannot/does not.
We all know about the Red Cog of death that quite a few 06's suffered. Leaving a few fellow M5board members stuck on the side of the road....one member actually had his SMG fail twice!.....and yes you have that hesitation and then clunk into gear during stop & go city driving....
I still prefer the SMG...just my opinion....too bad the DCT from the E92 is not suited for the E60....
as a personal preference my E92 M3 is a 6spd.....did not want the DCT....even though it shifts faster...is quicker....I like rowing my cars.
I just never saw a 6spd M6.....did'nt know that they offered you that option as well. I remember alot of people on the M5board were very vocal about a 6spd version esp. when the SMG failures came to light.
S

 

You can only get the manual in the 08 and newer.

 

Its 07 and up...