Yup as far as I know the manual only came in the US of A, buuuuuut it should also be noted that the manual came with a the rev limiter reduced to something like 7k rpm and the DTC or DSC whatever it is called on the e60 also can't be turned off.
That's a fail - normal manual gearbox on these cars would be so much nicer I reckon. DCT is no doubt a step forward from SMG, don't like the jerky rough feel of it!! Manual gearbox I can change gear quickly enough and smoothly!
I would think it is. But apart from the gearbox (and clutch) issues, apparently the active diff tends to suffer hugely as well with overheating etc. I think the M5 has the later SMG technology compared to say my father in law's '03 Z4... Not sure about the E46 M3.
No I gathered that. Not sure, but I reckon it is technically a manual gearbox like the M3 - the Z4 is also practically a normal manual gearbox with solenoids/servos and a conventional but computer controlled clutch...