BMW on WikiPedia

[Interceptor]

I was amazed by the amount of information WikiPedia provides about BMW - take a look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E34

It even has a link to Bruno's site

[Tcdoe]

Hmm, the site says "Only 5% of total production 535i's were 5-speeds." That can't possibly be right? Sure, there are a lot of automatics out there (especially in the US), but 95%?

[Interceptor]

Hmm, the site says "Only 5% of total production 535i's were 5-speeds." That can't possibly be right? Sure, there are a lot of automatics out there (especially in the US), but 95%?

I really do not know. Here were I live 95% of the cars are manual

[uscharalph]

I was amazed by the amount of information WikiPedia provides about BMW - take a look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E34

It even has a link to Bruno's site

Thanks for the tip!

[Gayle]

I have heard there were only 600 535s build with manuals for US in 1990. I think they are rare in 535 and much more common in 525s.

[Tcdoe]

Ok, that sounds about right for US. From what I've seen here in Europe, it seems about 50/50, maybe even more manuals..

[Interceptor]

Ok, that sounds about right for US. From what I've seen here in Europe, it seems about 50/50, maybe even more manuals..

Some evil people would say that most of europeans are smart enough to learn how to drive a manual

I don't know why, but for some reason automatic gearboxes are a lot more popular over the pond than in Europe.

[emw525E34]

Except in France and Italy where cars are predominantly manual. Hopefully, the new wave of CVTs are coming in a few more years. Autos are nice for lazy cruises while manual just begs for spirited driving every time. One of the joys of owning BMW, I guess.

[genphreak]

IN the US (adn Australia) people care less about economy and actually prefer Automatics. Maybe its McDonalds' fault for creating a culture of lazy people that like one hand free to eat burgers crawing in traffic

I heard once that in Germany for reasons of pollution one had to have a doctor's cerificate to buy an auto. I don't believe it, but perhaps someone can say why I might have heard it... I can;t imagine how 5% were manual, but then again I've got an auto and it isn't so much choice that led me to it...