Still searching for my e60 and i came across a beauty that almost fits my ideal description to the T...BUT its SMG and I've been driving automatic for most of the time Ive had my license. Majority on here are proponents for SMG and after reading up on it seems like something I would definitely love driving. Just wondering if anyone on here has made this switch and how easy or difficult the adjustment was.

 

Only get it if you are going to actually shift. If you're going to let the SMG shift in "automatic" mode, move on and find a car that has a Steptronic. I love my SMG. There is a learning curve in driving the car. It will probably take about a month's worth of driving to really get use to it. I've had my car for alost six months and enjoy every minute behind the wheel. I now get into my 330ci with a steptronic and find myself bored to tears. I want to shift!

 

Do you know how to drive a manual? If so, then ctsang1234's advice is accurate. If you've never driven a manual, your learning curve might be a bit steeper, in my opinion. Also, I've always said that SMG isn't a substitute for an automatic, it's a substitute for a manual. In other words, if you're normally an automatic buyer and would not normally consider a manual, then you might not be happy with the SMG...

 

or if you like changing gears in racing video games like gran turismo or project gotham, then you should get the hang of smg.

 

yes i can drive manual im just a little hesitant because Ive never driven it on a daily basis...from what I understand and read from articles on here SMG gets rid of some of the cons of driving true manual transmission, i.e. eliminating the foot clutch while offering all the pros of the system

wish it was that simple...

 

Hi,

would like to share my experience and opinion. The last time that i drove a stick was almost 20 years ago. About a year ago, i traded my auto 2000 528i for a 2007 550i sport smg without test driving one. Sadly to say i never got past the "learning period" for the smg before deciding that it wasn't for me. I traded my 07 550 for a 08 550 which i picked up a couple of weeks ago. I never really appreciated the possibilities of the smg due to the "jerkyness" of the car when the car down shifted/upshifted in lower gears. My advice before you sign on the dotted line, find a way to test drive a smg. I only expressing my experience and opinion so that no one else make an expensive decision not knowing fully what they are getting into it. As for the SMG, many members here really love and enjoy the tranny, then there are one like me that should test drove one before diving in. Hope this helps

Lee

 

SMG elimates the foot clutch, but it does not eliminate the thinking of when to shift into the next gear. If you want to drive on a daily basis without thinking, get the steptronic.

One thing that I love about the SMG is the downshifting. Push the paddle and the car smoothly downshifts.

Lee1224 - When you experienced the "jerkyness", were you in Automatic mode, or were you actually shifting? If your shifting manually, the car downshifts like magic.

 

The "thinking" part really only occurs when you're first learning to drive a manual (SMG or traditional manual).

In other words, once you get used to driving a manual car, you really don't ever have to actually think about shifting, it just comes naturally just like using the brake or the gas...