my530i

Any opinion will be welcome.

Thanks

SueBMW

SMG is hard to use when you are going around a corner and need to shift. You have to keep switching between shifting in the traditional place and shifting on the steering wheel.

juan2mini

Sue BMW:
Welcome to the forum, there are folks here who have solved some of the same problems you are having. Good luck
Six-speed for me, I have always driven a manual, it suits my driving style. I like being in the right gear for the road conditions. Also I'm an old dog, don't know about learning any new tricks.

my530i

SueBMW,

I thought that during cornering, you can have both hands on the steering wheel and shift when exiting the corner. This will make you more confident while cornering. Don't you think?

JDN

If you want a manual maxed out with convenience and ease of use, go for the SMG. This is the first manual (of many) that I have owned that takes the stress out of speed shifting, up and especially down the gears. It also frees both hands depending on what you need or want to be doing with the other hand.

If you want 1-2 mpg better economy, go for the manual, and maybe a faster 0-60, but school is still out on the latter.

545 6speed

6 speed all the way!!

The only people who get SMG are the ones who cannot drive a stick, or share their cars with the wife!!!!!!!!!

LOL.... no flaming the newbie now!!!

GP550iSport

I would definetely go six speed over SMG. There is less hastle using a six speed.

I had to get an automatic for my wife, so she can drive it to.

JDN

After having experience with both, I would disagree with your statement. <_<

GP550iSport

Your right, forgot about sitting in traffic. That is a real hastle. Just got so used to driving automatic that I forgot what it is like to drive a stick. I always have been traditional stick shift guy.

Rudy

I agree with JDN (as usual) about SMG being less of a hassle and I respectfully disagree with SueBMW -- I'm not exactly sure why she's claiming any problems with shifting while turning. You always have the choice of using the gear shift lever, just like a 6-speed. With Active Steering, the paddles are rarely, if ever, out of reach so it's at least as easy as a 6-speed but often times it's actually easier since you don't have to take your hands off the wheel.

I've voiced my pro-SMG stance so much on the boards that I'm sure many are sick of seeing it posted. For those that are interested, here's a link to get you started. There is plenty of information in that thread alone but if you want to read more, you can find a little more here.

If you want to see how I really feel and don't want to sift through the above thread, just click here, here, here, and here!