Hi Guys,

For anyone who has driven the 530/545 with SMG, how smooth/jerky is the automatic mode compared to Steptronic or another 'regular' automatic transmission? I can imagine times when if I'm tired and don't feel like using the paddles or if the mrs is driving, we'd put the SMG in fully automatic mode. I'd appreciate any experience you guys can share.

Thanks,
Rich

 

Welcome aboard!

I decided to go with auto.
I was told that the smg auto mode shifts very late, so it's hard, not smooth. You can feel the shifts, you get pressed in your seat.
That's what I was told...

 

Welcome to the forum

It is not the best in the world. I tried it out so that I could say I did and I was not impressed. It will shift okay but I think becuase you know your car is Manual and you know when you normally shift gears it makes it harder. Didn't try with the sport shifting though. Not sure if it makes a difference.

 

The SMG will not be as smooth as a steptronic -- that's for sure.

Having said that, you can learn to manually shift the SMG as smooth as most modern-day automatics. It's hard for the automatic mode of the SMG to be as smart as a human so unfortunately, it gets it wrong some of the time.

I've said it a million times: If you're trying to decide between the SMG and the automatic, the decision is usually an easy one -- automatic. The more difficult choice (and more realistic choice) is whether to get the SMG or the traditional manual.

In other words, pretend the SMG doesn't exist. What would you buy? If the answer is automatic, you're done. If the answer is manual, then add the SMG as a choice and decide again.

 

Welcome, Rich. Now you've got to be really tired not to use the paddles. Even so, I would pay heed to what Rudy said. I have driven manuals most of my life. So, SMG was the choice for me. YMMV.

 

YMMV?

 

Click here!

Explanation!

 

Any comments on manual vs steptronic- Im not interested in SMG.

I have read on forum about issues with manual on 530's and have also read steptronic issues concerning downshifts and upshifts being jerky in traffic.

I currently own several cars. My favorite is e46 323 manual, it's the most fun. The whole family agrees. Other cars are Range Rover with BMW4.4 and automatic-the combination works fine, although its a real truck. Other is 500SL which is my wife's car.

I expect to buy a 545 in the near future. Would like a manual, if it's as much fun as the 323. Also, would love to get it with 745 wheels, I like them.

 

rsbartley, the auto with steptronic in the 5 does not behave the same as in the RR. The RR engine is set up very differently than that in the BMW. I find that the auto in the RR is very smooth and in manual it shifts very quickly-- not so in the BMW.

 

I am very happy with SMG. I also agree that if you are looking to use it primarilly in Automatic mode then get a real automatic. With a little practice SMG shifts as smoothly as you want when shifting it for yourself. I find the Automatic mode to shift annoyingly slow (unless at redline ). The real benefit is that my wife can drive it if I've had a few too many. :'(