Just what the title says.. on the NEW 7-series (with the column-shift six speed auto), has anyone ever swapped in a manual transmission? If not, can it be done? I would assume taking the tranny from another car with the 4.8 V8, such as the 550i? Obviously there would be a lot of custom work, with the iDrive console right where a shifter would be. Can it be done? All input and opinions welcome.

It would be extremely expensive and require major modifications but I don't see why not. At the end of the day a car is an engine, transmission, axles and wheels with something to control each part.