Question for manual owners living in big cities
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From: Dallas, TX USA
Originally Posted by SD330i' post='305823' date='Jul 1 2006, 11:45 AM
I like to be more engaged then in the auto, however I would like to use the auto feature on the SMG while in heavy traffic. If people say the stick is not really an issue then maybe I would consider it. Sales person says the SMG is really a crapy transmission.
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From: San Diego, CA
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I have SMG. I'm pretty sure that I'm unique among the SMG owners in that I drive 80% of the time in AUTO mode. I'm super lazy to shift the gears. I use MANUAL mode only when needed i.e. onramps to highways, downshift to pass slow pokes in the left lane, and of course my favorite pasttime - engaging in spirited drives against Mercedes, Lexus, and Infiniti.
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From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
I have a regular stick on a 530xi. I'm in traffic around Northern Virginia every day. Not a problem - I love it. Sure, there are times I wish the traffic wasn't stop and go. If you could get the xi with SMG, I might have considered that. I haven't driven an SMG, but unless all you do is stop and go traffic, I want the fun and control that an auto can't give you. On the other hand, my wife's opinion is why do you want a luxury car with a manual. Go for a stick or SMG!
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Near Toronto
My Ride: 06 530Xi w/ M-Sport Package
07 335i Cabriolet w/ M-Sport body kit
I don't really see the point of matching a manual transmission to a big engine that has a very flat torque curve. You won't be shifting much anyways - you have torque everywhere.
On the other hand a small engine that doesn't come to life until high rev would be great to have with a manual trans. I still have a early 91 B3 Passat with a 2.0L 16V 134HP engine and a close ratio manual. Not much power to speak of but I tend to have a lot of fun revving it high and shifting very often.
On the other hand a small engine that doesn't come to life until high rev would be great to have with a manual trans. I still have a early 91 B3 Passat with a 2.0L 16V 134HP engine and a close ratio manual. Not much power to speak of but I tend to have a lot of fun revving it high and shifting very often.
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From: Seattle, WA Metro Area
Originally Posted by twh' post='305875' date='Jul 1 2006, 04:09 PM
I have a regular stick on a 530xi. I'm in traffic around Northern Virginia every day. Not a problem - I love it. Sure, there are times I wish the traffic wasn't stop and go. If you could get the xi with SMG, I might have considered that.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: la jolla, ca
I would test drive both manual and SMG and see what suits you best. I see your in San Diego like me so there are a handful of dealers to choose from (Brecht, Harloff, BMW of SD, Cunningham). Personally I don't think San Diego's traffic is even a worry except in certain areas at rush hour. Compared to Los Angeles, it's a walk in the park. Either choice will be much more fun than automatic and give you more control 
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From: New York, NY
My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
I'm in Manhattan NYC....
I prefer manual over SMG when I'm stuck in traffic. In bumper to bumper situations, I prefer manual because I can control precisely when the clutch engages/disengages so its smoother than SMG.
On the other hard, I'll get tired more quickly by driving manual in traffic than SMG. So its a toss-up in traffic.
When there's no traffic -
I prefer SMG when I'm attacking windy roads, so I can concentrate on the proper line.
I prefer manual when cruising on the highway. Its less intense than windy roads so less pressure, but still more involving.
Hope this makes sense. There's really no "better", only "different".
I prefer manual over SMG when I'm stuck in traffic. In bumper to bumper situations, I prefer manual because I can control precisely when the clutch engages/disengages so its smoother than SMG.
On the other hard, I'll get tired more quickly by driving manual in traffic than SMG. So its a toss-up in traffic.
When there's no traffic -
I prefer SMG when I'm attacking windy roads, so I can concentrate on the proper line.
I prefer manual when cruising on the highway. Its less intense than windy roads so less pressure, but still more involving.
Hope this makes sense. There's really no "better", only "different".
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Hollywood, FL
My Ride: '06 550i 6 Speed MT, Navigation, PDC, Cold Weather Pkg, Logic7, Prem Pkg, Sport Pkg, Active Steering, Comfort Seats, Comfort Access, HUD, Alpine White on Black Dakota & a Big Grin ;-) <---- On the vessel from Germany...
********
'05 545i 6 Speed MT, Navigation, PDC, Cold Weather Pkg, Logic7, Prem Pkg, Sport Pkg, UUC EVOIII SSK, Silver Gray on Black Dakota..... (Buy back by BMW NA)
SMG (and not wanting to stop any other day at the gas station...) is the reason i'm driving a 550i and not an M5.
I test drove an M5 and being a manual tranny driver all of my life I personally think the SMG is horrible.
Just my 2 cents...
I test drove an M5 and being a manual tranny driver all of my life I personally think the SMG is horrible.
Just my 2 cents...
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From: Austin TX
My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Originally Posted by SD330i' post='305814' date='Jul 1 2006, 11:20 AM
Anyone live in SOCAL or other big cities that own a manual? Just curious how the stick is in traffic. My sales rep is trying to talk me out of SMG so I am not sure what I should do.
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