hello fellaz, im new on this board and im looking to get advice on a 2004 blk on blk 545i smg 60k miles selling for 30k is this a good buy? is the smg worth the risk overtime? any advise would help.

 

I have the same car. Car runs pefect and the smg is the next best thing after manual. I like it. Driving manuals all my life, smg is something fun and diferent which allows you to control your car as in the manual. Price sounds good. Good luck.

 

I can't speak for the price but I can say that SMG is awesome once you drive the car for a month or so. Unfortunately, it's hard to speculate about the long-term reliability of the E60 SMG since they are only about 3 1/2 years old...

 

I have the same car and love it! I shifted (sorry) from a 540 6-speed and love the SMG. It took a few weeks to get used to but has a great feel -- and my girlfriend can drive the car :^). I'm at 45k, just had a complete runthrough with the local dealer after moving to FL, and everything is performing in topnotch fashion. Sounds like a good price and best of luck ....

 

2005+ would be a better choice if you are actually buying it, especially out of warranty. Any first year body style change has more problems.

 

I hope SMG isnt that un reliable... yes the technology sounds scary but if you think about it... its really a manual transmission and those usually last for 100,000+ miles... the only thing that can really go bad is the hydraulic pumps that engages and disengages the clutch... kinda like a automatic no? it has something there to change the gears... So I'm just hoping it'll be strong. *shrugs*

2.5 years... mines as good as new *knock on wood 545 times*

 

AimHigher



I would suggest that you arrange a BMW tech to give it a once over. No dealership would do it, but depending on where you are, there are any number of BMW certified folks out there that can do the job.

Don't be too concerned over MY2004 vs 2005, many have zero problems with their 04s.

Bottom line.....if/when you do decie to pull the trigger....HAVE A BLAST!!!

 

Your getting a lot of car for $30K given the 545iSMG you are refering to is in excellent shape. You may also consider Certified Pre-Owned for not much more$$ if you are questioning the history and furture reliability. They come with a warranty.

 

Sequential Manual Gearbox

Got it and love it. Fast and furious its a mean machine!!! Used to have a 540i 6 speed manual but the SMG is just amazing technology. Driving it I'm not sure how I can ever go back to regular six speed manual.

Good Luck!!!

 

I haven't posted since I bought my 04 545i SMG in February. I've logged 5,000 miles on it and enjoy every minute behind the wheel. I get into my non-SMG 3-series and driving is just plain boring.

It took me a little while to get used to the shifting. I do it as a game to see if I can smoothly shift. I have to say, I'm not rev'ing the engine up near redline. I shift like an old lady, mosting at 3-3500RPM. But when I do break out of the old lady habits, the car shifts perfects and hauls ass...

Get the car. You won't regret it.