Iceman

Here is a nice example on how incorrect BMW NA is with the HP/BHP numbers.
The following pic is a screenshot. Official BMW website...
The new M6... V10 - 507 BHP.
It is 507 HP, not BHP... BMW NA didn't convert the HP number to BHP...

EBMCS03

Oooohhhhh its one of those things... you tricked me... like E39 M5 400DIN PS but 394 SAE HP... wait a minute... now is that something different too??? Different than Brake Horse Power and just Horse Power...

100 DIN PS = 98.63201 SAE HP
DIN PS = SAE HP * 1.0142
SAE HP = DIN PS * 0.9860

Ahhhhhh now I'm confused... forget it... I give up.

Zaphod

I may be a bit different than many of the other forum members responding to this issue. I have had many mannuals, but I am not really a mannual "fanatic" and prior to my current 545i I had a 1998 528i with a great auto transmission and loved it.

I was al ready to get another auto trans and at the very last minute ordered the
SMG -- so my choice was SMG vs. auto, and NOT SMG vs. 6 speed.

For the first two weeks I thought I had made a terrible mistake. Then, after the break-in period, I finally got the hang of it and now I am really glad I went for the SMG. It is an absolute blast! Even my wife is having fun with it! For my taste it is a huge improvement over the traditional mannual. I can drink my morning coffee and still shift seamlessly. I now use the paddles almost exclusively -- the only exception is if I shift in the midst of a very sharp turn (when the paddles get a list lost in the turning of the steering wheel).

EBMCS03

Here's another differnt member too... I too debated between Auto and SMG and didnt take 6 speed into consideration at all... and went with SMG... I hope just like you... also will be glad that I went with SMG.

Hormazd

Don't worry. No changes.
The 545i still has 333HP.
[/quote]

Thanks Iceman, so I was off by 7hp.

Bokke

I vote manual!

It should be all about the driver

soma

Wolverine,
I am also in Cincinnati. Where did you have the CDV replaced??? And how did you reduce clutch travel??

Thanks,
Scott

beewang

All three trannies are very good choice, and thus the selection for the "right" tranny is a very personal one.

To me... its not about stick or not stick.... rather, its ALL about performance. SMG is the best performer. I get the advantage of no power loss to slushbox like the manual tranny. As well as the split second advantage of quicker shift. And since BMW is subsidzing the cost on SMG presently (the SMG units cost BMW about $2K more to build) The choice was clear for me. To date i've pretty much perfected the art of SMG, I can accelerate and decelerate VERY fast w/ the smoothness of a slush box. I Love it!! I have not touched my 3 yrs old M5 (** hint: 6 spd manual with hellave lot more power) since the day my 545 arrived. Yes!! I do think the SMG is that good

Whatever you choose, you just can't go wrong.

Good luck w/ your decision,

beewang

Iceman

The more I read about the satisfaction of SMG owners with their decission, the more I regret that I've not been able to talk my wife into the SMG.

GER_545SMG

Another happy SMG'er here. Still contend it's not for everyone. That said an enthusiast shouldn't be without!


"You can talk about a man's Mom, how fat (not ph) his wife is, but the moment you talk about his transmission choice your ass is whooped!"