Ziering545I

I may be getting one for a good deal as a lease take over but I have not driven one. I wasnt to crazy about the steptronic one bit I like SMG and the M3 and M5 versions alot.

Just like to hear some feedback on the shifts and performance. Anyone here know shift times in milisec?

subterFUSE

It is just a steptronic with paddle shifters. It is not an SMG like the M3 or M5.

Gene

why not head down to your local bmw dealership and test drive one for yourself...opinions or not, it always comes down to how you feel and like it....good luck with the possible purchase/acquisition...

lee1224

I really love the 2008 550i sport w/paddles. I got rid of my 07 550 sport w/smg because personnaly for me, i hated the SMG (with only one setting). To me the 08 was a different car, much better. just my .02

Ziering545I

My local dealers dont have 550Sports in stock nobody is buying these cars witht he fuel and economy these days.

I truly love the M5 its just amazing but the fuel cost and very high lease I am having second thoughts. I have a Mercedes E63 now and Porsche 911 Cabrio, I hate the AMG and I am working on getting out of the lease the car just stinks in all areas.


I know my friends brother has a BMW 335 Coupe and it has the Sport Auto and its a nice drive, I have driven it several times and I was impressed. I wonder how the 550 Sport Auto compares.

Ziering545I

I had a 2004 545 auto it was cool but it fell apart the 2007 550 i drove last summer was much different i hear the 2008 was even better. I would suspect the car should have all the kinks worked out by now.

One thing on the 550 Sport i drove last June it had active steering and it felt overassisted compared to my 2004 545 i wonder if they changed the system at all.

I dont think I would want active steering. The car that is avail for a lease assumbption is a 2008 loaded and its from a buisness contact i have the guy wants the M5 now

rsyed

the 3 series does not have a sport automatic as it still uses the old tranny mechanism. The new tranny uses an electronic shifter plus there is an electronic control unit sitting below it that has added features such faster times when changing gears... you will not regret the decision. The old tranny is not even near to what the new tranny, specially the SAT offers...

Ziering545I

I thought the 335 had a sport auto thanks for confirming this. I guess the torque and size of the 335 makes it very zippy.

I live in NYC and drive the tri state daily the M5 is sick but I wont be able to use it often and I cant justify the 7mpg i would get with a 1600 month payment its just silly. My AMG now sucks and I ealize what a waste it is for where I drive. Gas is going up and all the manufactures know it which is why Hybrids are now in full steam from many manufactures.

I know lots of M5 guys who dont use them as daily drivers for this reason.

poleposition

The SAT is superb. You wont be disappointed. It gives you the convenience of a full automatic transmission with the option of total control similar to SMG but way more refined. Perfect for daily driving. I dont know the stats as far as milliseconds but does it really matter? It's unnoticeably fast gear changes. Blips the throttle on downshifts and is really lots of fun. Hope this helps. Dont see how it would though. You would really need to drive one to be certain if its for you. I think you'll have a hard time finding someone who owns one that doesnt like it. Do a search. Rudy posted a great review on this specific topic sometime ago.

Ziering545I

poleposition please contact me lets meet up