5-speed e39 540iT, Do they exist??

[tfritz]

Been looking around a little and every e39 540 touring I have seen is an automatic. Did they make this car with a manual transmission?

Thanks!

[N2MYE30]

Im pretty sure they do but hard to find. Its kinda like finding an e46 sport touring in a 5spd.

[tfritz]

Surely a 5-speed swap would be somewhat straight forward? As they make more of the standard e39 540's with a 5-speed correct?

[MikeDE]

I believe they were 6-spds....

Surely a 5-speed swap would be somewhat straight forward? As they make more of the standard e39 540's with a 5-speed correct?

And I doubt the at-mt swap would be so easy considering the complexity of the E39 electronics, and steptronic trans.

[tfritz]

Even better! I was just wondering about a manual tranny, not necessarily a 5-speed..

[firefirefire90]

And I doubt the at-mt swap would be so easy considering the complexity of the E39 electronics, and steptronic trans.

complexity? You're funny. Manual swaps are as easy on they are on the E46.

[KenC]

Your dash will be lit up like a Xmas tree if you swap a manual in.

[100sFakeSupreme]

a manual on a non M e39 is actually "kinda" rare.

528i rare 540i kinda-not really considering lil bro clone m5.

most came auto w/ ither 3 on the tree or tipsy-tronic.

but on a touring ha GL finding it factory every sled ive seen b4 had autos.

anything can be swapped tho w/ cha ching $$$

[giantkeeper]

And I doubt the at-mt swap would be so easy considering the complexity of the E39 electronics, and steptronic trans.

Truth, you have to program the DME otherwise it will be looking for signal from the transmission computer.

[priapism]

I don't think they were sold with manuals (in the US).

[MikeDE]

complexity? You're funny. Manual swaps are as easy on they are on the E46.

Hahahaha....was that sarcastic??

Your dash will be lit up like a Xmas tree if you swap a manual in.

^This....and I have no idea if E39's even came with 6-spds in the US. They do over here:

http://www.autoscout24.de/Details.aspx?id=wkzgdg1hwmgo

http://www.autoscout24.de/Details.aspx?id=wkuhfjxf3pik

[Wh33lhop]

540iTs never came in stick in the US. Sedan 540i 6 speeds are actually rather plentiful though.

[ZM Blue Devil]

not in the US, do what I did, install e46 m3 paddle shifter.

[KenC]

not in the US, do what I did, install e46 m3 paddle shifter.

Details?

[Vivek]

not in the US, do what I did, install e46 m3 paddle shifter.

SMG? That's a manual transmission...