Good point.

I'll be interested in your cost for installation, too. Looks like it should not need a dealer installation although that would likely be the safest to insure no rattles.

 

Nothing beats cruising at 60 mph - then rifling off 3 fast clicks and you're thrown back as you hit 100 in a blink. This is just sp much fun and it lets you cocentrate on the road more - I have HUD as well so its a marriage!

 

Actually, don't laugh, but I didn'trealize that the SMG paddle extended down the length of the steering whees. At first I was only using my thumbs on the portion of the paddles that extended above the wheel.

IWhen you turn the wheel you have plenty of space and paddle to use to complete your gear change --- no issues at all.

 

Ok, as I stated, I only had experience with SMG on an M3. It sounds like the new 5 set up is much better. If you can use either paddle to go up or down that changes things.

...and when we got our 530, SMG was just a rumor. We were way too early in the game for it.

 

I have had, throughout my life, four manual cars, four automatic cars, five motorcycles including a current Ninga 1000R, and one current SMG car. I used to race both a 300ZX Turbo and a Honda CB900F at Bridehampton Race Track, which was a 3 mile road course near where I live. So I can drive anything.
The SMG is clearly the most fun out of the cars.

 

Hijacking thread....can you disclose the defects with your car that led to the Lemon Law suit. And what state?

 

I voted for the 6 speed but would probably try the SMG for a longer time because you can keep both hands on the wheel when blowing through the corners. I've been practicing with my steptronic and it's pretty okay except I used to dry so much manual that it doesn't feel comfortable yet.

With the SMG you can also drive in automatic mode and that gives a lot more flexibility.

Why is the 6-speed more expensive than the SMG?

 

could you explain this a little bit more. I'm confused on how the SMG works?

 

You can either shift with the stick (traditional) or with the paddles. That was the way I interpreted the statement. However, nothing forces you to go back and forth other than when changing directions from forward to reverse -- small deal, indeed.

 

4 trips to the dealer totalling 53 days in service. Electrical fire. Major transmission problems. No A/C. Continually dead I-drive. ABS failure. Pass seat airbag failure. Seat movement failures. DSC failure. BMW assist failure. Consistent electrical problems. and the list goes on, and the problems continue...
I'd rather not disclose the state, but we do have a prominent lemon law attorney who has filed suit and we do have a court date. We're not vehicle hypochondriacs... we really do have a lemon. It is unfortunate, because BMW has been absolutely terrible to deal with, and I really do love the car, but have been scared away by rotten dealer service, attitude, and treatment, and the complete unwillingness of BMW Customer Service to help at all (or even be nice!).