There is no shortage of fine cars in the $35,000-to-$55,000
luxury-sedan segment. The menu is studded with Audis, Acuras, Cadillacs,
Jaguars, Benzes, Lexuses, and Infinitis. But a close look at the spec
sheets for these fine cars reveals a sobering fact: There is an
almost-complete dearth of manual-transmissioned models in the segment.
Saab offers a stick in the 9000, which is priced somewhat lower than
the top players, and there are do-it-yourself shifters in much-cheaper
Infiniti I30s, but the rest of the high-end players have all forsaken the
three-pedal approach.
With its 5-series cars, BMW is alone among high-end luxury car builders
to offer manual transmissions. On offer are a five-speed gearbox in the
six-cylinder 528i and a six speed in the potent V-8-powered 540i. In our
recent "50-Kilobuck Class" comparison test (C/D, December 1996),
the BMW 540i placed second, partly because its superb performance was not
deemed sufficient to compensate for its smallest-in-class interior
accommodations. Now that the car is available with a six-speed manual,
there can be no rematch. It is in a class of its own.
There are some compelling advantages gained from wielding a stick. The
manual 540i gets to 60 mph almost a second (0.9) sooner, and to 100 mph
1.9 seconds earlier, than its slushbox-equipped equivalent. The standing
quarter whizzes by 0.8 second sooner, at 14.1 seconds, with an extra 4 mph
on the clock (101 mph).
With less difference in gear spacing between the manual and automatic
five-speed transmissions, the 528i's sprint to 60 mph does not improve as
much as the 540i's. At 7.1 seconds, it is just six-tenths of a second
ahead of its automatic twin, and the time taken to 100 mph is 1.1 seconds
better. The quarter-mile performance improves by 0.5 second and 3 mph, to
15.6 seconds at 90 mph. If the improvements in performance and control
aren't enough incentive to shift for yourself, there's an even better one:
The stick knocks $1053 off the price.
Unfortunately, the same is not true of the 540i. Because the six-speed
540i incurs a gas-guzzler penalty of $1300 that its autobox version does
not, and because it comes equipped with a significantly uprated M-Technic
suspension, which includes more athletic springs, shocks, and bars, and
gorgeous two-piece wheels wearing 235/45R-17 tires, the price jumps $4050
above that of the automatic model. Yes, you read that right. The manual-transmissioned
car has thirstier EPA fuel-consumption estimates than the automatic: 15
city and 24 highway versus 18/24.
Both manual gearboxes are built by Getrag, and both feel alike in
operation, with light, fluent throws and polished selections. The 540i
sports a sixth ratio, which is almost superfluous considering the car's
abundant torque, but its overdriven 0.83:1 ratio helps cut fuel
consumption when cruising.
The 528i wears a new front suspension with rack-and-pinion steering;
the 540i uses the recirculating-ball steering and suspension from the
7-series, now with extensive use of aluminum parts. Any differences in the
way they feel is largely masked by the two cars' very different chassis
disciplines, but the BMW philosophy comes through in either car. From the
moment you slip the shifter into first gear and engage the smooth, firm
clutch --whether in the 528i or its beefy big-brother 540i -- you know
there's something special going on here.
The clutch, the shifter, and the wheel all respond smoothly, and all
have enough weight and sense of mechanical connection not to be nebulous
in feel. So the driver is immediately in touch with the car. That's
important, because the levels of isolation from unwanted noise and
vibration are extremely high. So high, in fact, that there is little
increase in sound or harshness as speeds rise. In either car, you can find
yourself chafing at the slowness of freeway traffic and then look down and
discover the speedo needle is at 85.
But as with quality hi-fi equipment, the stuff you want to hear and
feel is largely retained, especially on the 540i manual, which has spring,
shock, and bar values set toward the sporty side of luxury. The 528i -- by
dint of its smaller engine and correspondingly comfortable suspension and
tires -- ends up the more luxurious car in terms of noise and ride
quality. For most people's needs, the 528i probably offers a better
balance between performance and utility. It performs decently, exhibiting
commendable flexibility and throttle response at all engine speeds. And it
steers nicely, turning in deftly and resisting under steer to an
unexpected degree, then obediently tucking in on a dropped throttle.
It's just the extra body roll and limited grip that set it apart from
its burly brother. The six-speed 540i gets a noisier, firmer ride and
handling that is appropriately sporty, thanks to the M-Technic suspension
and the low-profile doughnuts. The thrust from the 4.4-liter V-8 is also
distinct in sound and sensation, offering exhilarating acceleration and an
emphatic -- though not loud -- heavy-metal soundtrack.
Superbly engineered, well equipped, and offering a reasonable
price-to-value relationship, the two stick-shift 5-series cars are unique
offerings in their market. Together, they represent a solid 10.
