Orange, transparent crystals of [BMIm](2)[Mn(CO)(3)(GeI3)(3)] (BMIm: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) are obtained by reacting GeI4, [Mn(CO)(6)][AlCl4], and Ph3GeH in the ionic liquid [BMIm][NTf2]. [Mn(CO)(6)][AlCl4] and triphenylgermane turn out to be essential as reactive carbonyl precursors and for the reduction of GeI4. According to X-ray structure analysis based on single crystals, the title compound exhibits a novel {MnGe3} cluster unit with Mn-Ge single bonds and surprisingly short distances (236-241 pm). Although sensitive to oxygen/moisture, the carbonyl compound is stable up to a temperature of 150 degrees C. Mass spectrometry (MS) shows [Mn(CO)(3)(GeI3)(2)](-), [Mn(CO)(3)(GeI3)I](-), and [GeI3](-) as decomposition fragments in the gas phase. In addition to crystal structure analysis and MS, the title compound is characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), thermogravimetry (TG), optical spectroscopy (UV-visible), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.