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: : : : : : : Al

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: : : : : : : '00 540i/6

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: : : : : : : '99 M Roadster

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: : : : : : : : A while back I asked about steering responsiveness on 540i/6. Someone e-mailed me and said it wan't too bad but that in an emergency maneuver he almost lost it - like the steering was too slow. Anybody else found this to be true?

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: : : : : : : : Also, anybody know of a comprehensive road test on a late model 540i 6spd? I can find 528i man/auto and 540iA but no 6 spd.

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: : : : : : The 540 has good to excellent grip, remarkable for a near 4000 lb car, but it is not as nimble as a lighter car, and it's steering is rather more vague than a 529. However, the engine is a jem, very smooth and with good midrange. But overall response is heavierthan a smaller car as you would expect. It would be serendipity to have R&P, but even the M5 doesn't get that.

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: : : : : : Lew

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: : : : : Thanks for the reply. I believe the M5 does indeed have R&P.

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: : : : OOPS - you are correct - M5 has recirc ball steering. But like the 6spd gearbox, it is redesigned (read: "improved") compared to the 540i.

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: : : 6spd gearbox ?

: a different clutch with more clamping power, i.e. stiffer diaphragm spring and shorter slave cylinder travel. The gear ratios are the same. Are any internal differences you are aware of ?