BMW gives AWD drivers one transmission choice.....Automatic
I really miss driving a 6 speed but I don't have a choice where I live now. We get 500-800"(no typo) of snow October to June here in the Wasatch Mountains in Utah and I refuse to drive a Suburu all winter just to drive a manual trans 550i RWD a few months a year.
It's too bad BMW forces you and me into a AUTO in any xDrive.