I hope this isnt a repost.. but the 5 series gets a touched up exterior and two turbos this summer for its 2008 model.. oh yeah, and euro style clear corner lenses (NO MORE AMBER CORNERS!). heres the link to the bmwusa story:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Vehicles/futurevehicles/new5/default?source=NEW5FVTOPNAV

The new numbers bring back memories of BMW's good ole days.. 528i (E39) 535i (E34)

Here's another link to the new 5

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2070109.007/country/gcf/BMW/new-bmw-5-series-facelift-revealed

I really like the way it looks. I've always like the E60, well the outside of it anyway.

This is mildly perturbing:

"No matter how powerful it gets, the 5 Series knows its own strength, and exactly how to apply it. With standard 6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission, you’re always in optimum gear. In fact, shifting couldn’t be more effortless with a new ergonomic electric shift lever. And the optional sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters, offered on our 535i and 550i models*, lets you take even more power into your own hands."

Does everyone else read this to mean a conventional manual is unavailable, except on the M5?

yeah I already posted this but ehh.

i love mine!

Does everyone else read this to mean a conventional manual is unavailable, except on the M5?

Most likely.

I really like this facelift a lot. It looks a lot better than the original e60, even though the changes are small. The clears are really necessary being the light clusters are so stretched.

also, the m5 has a standard 7-speed SMG.

edit: the configurer for the 528i shows a manual transmission as standard, steptronic as optional.