This week on Ignition
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00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:01 What we know about the M5 is that it's big, it's pretty
00:04 heavy, and it's very, very fast.
00:06 What we don't know is how well it
00:08 works with a manual transmission.
00:10 That's what we have here, and that's
00:12 what we're going to find out this week on Ignition.
00:14 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:17 Now let's get acceleration testing out of the way first.
00:26 We can estimate that this car is going
00:27 to be a little bit slower because we
00:29 don't have the fast shifting twin clutch,
00:31 and we don't have launch control.
00:32 But I'm actually happy that we don't have launch control
00:35 because the M5 with that system is cumbersome to use.
00:38 So we have to do this the old fashioned way,
00:40 and that's difficult because this engine is such a power
00:43 house.
00:43 First gear is basically useless with regard to traction.
00:47 You basically want to dump the clutch at about 2,000 RPM,
00:50 go flat on the throttle, and just stick into it.
00:52 When you grab second gear, if you get some wheel spin,
00:54 that's a good sign because it keeps the engine right
00:56 in the meat of its power band.
00:58 Let's see if we can give it a try right now.
01:00 [ENGINE REVVING]
01:03 And there's a little spin at grab second.
01:04 And if you do it right, you'll get 60 in 4.2 seconds
01:09 and a quarter mile in 12 and 1/2 seconds at 116.6 miles an hour.
01:14 [ENGINE REVVING]
01:17 When you buy a manual transmission these days,
01:23 you aren't doing it because it's faster.
01:25 Twin clutch transmissions, the modern ones,
01:27 can't be beat when it comes to shift speed and accuracy.
01:31 Now, you buy a manual these days because you claim
01:33 you're all about the experience.
01:34 You're all about the gratification,
01:36 the near religious experience, let's say,
01:39 of mashing a clutch pedal and moving a lever.
01:41 But here's the thing.
01:45 A car designed to have a twin clutch transmission
01:49 is going to be better with a twin clutch transmission.
01:52 Now, that takes us quite conveniently to the M5.
01:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:59 From behind the wheel, you can almost
02:06 feel the hesitation from the Germans
02:07 to give this car a manual.
02:09 It was always designed to have a twin clutch transmission
02:12 until, rumor goes, the US went uproar about saving
02:15 the manuals or some nonsense.
02:18 So now we have a six-speed manual with a real clutch.
02:22 And how is it?
02:23 Well, it's not bad.
02:24 It feels like any BMW manual you've ever driven.
02:27 That means the throws are somewhat lengthy.
02:30 You have this unique rubbery sensation.
02:32 And I'm actually in the camp that likes BMW manuals
02:35 because once you get used to them,
02:37 you fall into rhythm with the rest of the car.
02:39 Now, the thing about the whole manual, automated manual
02:45 debate is that it's actually a repeat from the last M5,
02:49 the difference being that car didn't
02:51 have a good automated manual.
02:53 This one does.
02:54 So with the previous car, the case for the manual
02:58 was that much stronger.
03:00 But on that debate, I don't think
03:02 there's a sweeping correct answer for all cars
03:06 for which transmission you should have.
03:08 It's very contextual from car to car.
03:11 A Miata, a BRZ, an FR-S wouldn't be better
03:14 with twin clutch transmissions.
03:16 But a manual wouldn't be better in a 458.
03:21 So you might link it to the speed of the car.
03:24 And that makes sense because supercars these days
03:27 are so incredibly fast that they need a twin clutch
03:30 transmission.
03:31 It matches the nature of the powertrain better.
03:34 Using a manual in a modern supercar
03:37 is like controlling a rocket with an abacus.
03:39 It's just clumsy and strange.
03:43 There are exceptions, of course.
03:44 And they are the Corvette and probably the new Viper.
03:47 So perhaps it's not just the speed,
03:49 but it's all the nature, the character of the car.
03:53 Those cars are manly.
03:54 Those cars are rough.
03:56 And you want to muscle them around with a lever.
04:00 Now, how about the M5?
04:01 What does this car call out for?
04:05 Well, it's strange because this car isn't
04:08 any better with the manual.
04:10 I can say that right now.
04:11 But it isn't demonstrably worse.
04:13 Of course, it is slower in a straight line.
04:17 The thing is the manual introduces
04:19 this bit of clumsiness into the powertrain,
04:21 this little bit of sloppiness.
04:23 You have to be really mindful of the clutch pedal.
04:25 You have to be really mindful of where the engine's
04:27 at in the rev range.
04:28 Because this thing, when it gets on power,
04:32 you better make sure the clutch is engaged.
04:34 So what you have is almost this lateral shift in character.
04:40 At the end of the day, which one would you rather have?
04:43 I'm conflicted.
04:44 I'm leaning towards the twin-clutch transmission,
04:46 though, simply because I like the sense of control
04:50 that that transmission gives me.
04:52 This manual gearbox is fun.
04:54 But it's fun in a dumb kind of way, in the sense
04:58 that you're controlling 560 horsepower with a lever.
05:02 And so while I might lean towards a twin-clutch,
05:05 I could see why a purist might want to choose
05:07 the manual transmission.
05:08 But what I don't get is why a purist
05:10 would want a twin-turbocharged, heavy, German luxury sedan.
05:14 [MUSIC PLAYING]
05:17 [ENGINE REVVING]
05:21 [MUSIC PLAYING]
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05:27 [MUSIC PLAYING]
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05:38 [MUSIC PLAYING]
05:42 (upbeat music)