If I could change the SMG, I'd like to see it work more like the M-cars. Those cars shift much faster and have many more "modes" to adjust the shift speed.

On our cars, you have two choices on speed, normal and sport. Once you get used to them it's no problem at all, I just wish I had more choices.

The only other thing I can think of is the auto mode. I think it was a mistake for BMW to include the automatic mode since too many people expect it to be like a steptronic. They need to either improve it significantly or take the mode away...

 

Interesting that you think the auto mode should be removed. That's one of the aspects that appeals to me in that it may allow wife to drive and may be useful in stop/go situations. How does the smoothness in SMG compare with manual? Do you find that you can shift just as clean with SMG? Does it requie learning a few tricks?

 

Interesting that you think the auto mode should be removed. That's one of the aspects that appeals to me in that it may allow wife to drive and may be useful in stop/go situations. How does the smoothness in SMG compare with manual? Do you find that you can shift just as clean with SMG? Does it requie learning a few tricks?
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With practice, you will learn to shift the SMG as smooth or smoother than a traditional manual. It becomes second nature once your brain is reprogrammed to the new way of doing things.

The auto mode is no more useful in stop/go situations than the manual mode. Stop/go sucks when your foot has to keep operating a clutch. With SMG, you're just using the gas pedal and usually, in traffic, you're staying in first gear and just using the gas (gently) to move.

As far as the wife goes, I thought the same thing but my wife (who can drive a stick) is too freaked out to drive my car (which is okay with me!) If, in an emergency, she needs to drive it, she could. Keep in mind that just like manual mode, auto mode is not too smooth unless you practice a bunch. I doubt my wife will ever get that practice...

 

Interesting that you think the auto mode should be removed. That's one of the aspects that appeals to me in that it may allow wife to drive and may be useful in stop/go situations. How does the smoothness in SMG compare with manual? Do you find that you can shift just as clean with SMG? Does it requie learning a few tricks?
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With practice, you will learn to shift the SMG as smooth or smoother than a traditional manual. It becomes second nature once your brain is reprogrammed to the new way of doing things.

The auto mode is no more useful in stop/go situations than the manual mode. Stop/go sucks when your foot has to keep operating a clutch. With SMG, you're just using the gas pedal and usually, in traffic, you're staying in first gear and just using the gas (gently) to move.

As far as the wife goes, I thought the same thing but my wife (who can drive a stick) is too freaked out to drive my car (which is okay with me!) If, in an emergency, she needs to drive it, she could. Keep in mind that just like manual mode, auto mode is not too smooth unless you practice a bunch. I doubt my wife will ever get that practice...
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Rudy, thanks. You make a convincing case to go with SMG and to give time to get the most out of it.

 

I agree for the most part with what Rudy said. What I would change? I would like auto mode to be smoother like Audi's DSG but oh wells. Doesnt matter I hardly use auto mode now but I do like the option to be there even if it is less smooth than manual mode. and yes there is a learning curve with SMG and once you get it you can drive it as smooth or even smoother than a triditional manual. Yes there are times that I can shift better and smoother than SMG in a 6 speed but can I do it as consisitant and as well ALL the time, probably not. Traffic isnt a problem even in manual mode, like Rudy said you'll be in first most of the time and maybe second one flick of the fingers is nothing to be concerned about to change from 1 to 2 and you dont need to downshift if your in traffic anyways let the car do that part.

 

First of all, I love my SMG. Got it without driving any SMG. Driven traditional 6 speed manuals for 10 years prior. Don't regret it one bit. Will get it again.

I agree that there should be more modes, like the M.
I also think that there should be a better way to modulate the clutch off the line.
Launch assist is pretty useless unless the tires have lots of tread and there is a smooth surface, otherwise it is "smoke-the-right-rear-tire-into-oblivion" and also you really don't know when the car is going to launch. It's not paddle controlled like the M's.

Yes, people are getting confused with the Auto mode of the SMG but I disagree with your overall opinion of the auto mode however. I like it and actually use it probably 35-40% of the time. Yes, it's not as smooth as an automatic but I find that it is useful. Bear in mind that I Always use the Sport mode no matter which way I am driving the car. Sport mode helps the Auto function quite a bit better and smoother oddly enough. If I'm just crusing along on the highway often I'll throw it into auto mode. A stab of the throttle at 60 mph and it promptly throws it down a few gears and off I go... or I can use the paddles - depends on my mood.

Also, the car will still "blip" the throttle to match the shifts when downshifting even in Auto (more agressively in Sport mode than not, but not as agressively as I'd do it myself).

Just like SMG, the Auto mode takes some practice to get used to how it behaves. Try it - you might like it (as long as the Sport button is on )

 

I just thought of a couple minor things BMW could do (via software) for us SMG owners. (I mentioned both of these some time ago but forgot about them until now.)

First, it would be nice if the mode was retained between drives. In other words, if I put it in sport mode, let it stay in sport mode even if the car has been turned off.

Second, there should be a way to tell the car you want to start in second gear until further notice. Right now, you can tell the car to start in second but once you come to a stop, you're starting in first again unless you tell it to start in second again. In snowy weather or in stop and go traffic, this feature would help trememdously.

realtyman, I hear what you're saying about auto mode but you hit on exactly why I seldom use it -- when you were talking about the downshifts, you said the car blips the throttle on downshifts "but not as agressively as I'd do it myself." In my experiences, even in sport mode, auto mode isn't agressive enough and since shifting myself is effortless and second nature, I find no reason to use auto mode.

 

Well, the whole issue may be moot right now. I just found out that SMG is no longer available in '06 550i (see my other topic about this info). That means I'll have to go with a manual. I think I envy current owners with SMG. At least until BMW comes out with a replacement.

Seems like there is development in the transmisison dept. at German companies right now. Not sure we've seen or heard the last word on transmissions. Who knows, I wouldn't put it past BMW to come up with something that meets the needs of all drivers wanting both auto/lux operation and performance/involvement. We'll see.

 

SMG has got to be the choice - Best of both worlds Never driven SMG E60 but have driven Audi TT 3.2. Superb. I had a manual 528i and found it difficult to get a smooth gearchange even with new clutch. I heard this is a general problem with large engined manual cars.

 

Ya I know they're working on a nice and smooth DSG like double clutch system... I'll be envy then...