SMG or Full Manual?
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
My Ride: BMW 1997 M3/4 Cosmos Black
Hello. I'm new to the board. I'm very interested in the new E60 550i Sport.
I see the SMG can be ordered as a no-cost option. This is very tempting.
I've been reading recent Roundel articles. The authors' views of SMG have been negative, and both articles suggest ordering the conventional 6-speed manual.
What are SMG's limitations?
How does SMG's reliability and durability compare with a conventional 6-speed manual?
I see the SMG can be ordered as a no-cost option. This is very tempting.
I've been reading recent Roundel articles. The authors' views of SMG have been negative, and both articles suggest ordering the conventional 6-speed manual.
What are SMG's limitations?
How does SMG's reliability and durability compare with a conventional 6-speed manual?
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana, USA
My Ride: 2010 750Li M sport
This is a very difficult decision for me too. I really like shifting and the slightly out of touch feeling of the SMG makes me hesitate from getting it. Several posts have centered on problems with the SMG electronics. This is my main concern. I don't want a car that locks up and can't be driven. Reliability of the manual has to be better than the SMG. Don't shot me JDN, Rudy and other SMG proponents. The matched reved downshifts of the SMG are very tempting and sounds really cool. It is a lot easier to drink coffee and drive the SMG I am sure. 
There were some posts of the manuals lack of throttle response on matched rev downshifts. Are there any 550 manual owners that can respond to throttle response? Has it been improved over the 545?
I am pricing cars now with several dealers and so far am specing out a manual, but in my mind still considering the SMG.
There were some posts of the manuals lack of throttle response on matched rev downshifts. Are there any 550 manual owners that can respond to throttle response? Has it been improved over the 545?
I am pricing cars now with several dealers and so far am specing out a manual, but in my mind still considering the SMG.
Members
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA, USA
My Ride: 2001 Z3 3.0, Sports Package, Winter Package, 5-SpeedHard Top
[built: pick up in Munich on 5.17.06]
ED 2007 550i 6-speed (sapphire black/black dakota leather): sports package; active stearing, hud/nav, logic 7, cold weather package, rear heated seats, rear folding seat, power shades, comfort access, sat radio
Originally Posted by markt540i' date='Oct 5 2005, 12:16 PM
Are there any 550 manual owners that can respond to throttle response? Has it been improved over the 545?
[snapback]179913[/snapback]
this was the reason that I had to put off my ED 550 -- which I'll now be picking up on May 8th.FWIW, I too am still on the fence on the 6-speed vs. SMG decision. (All I knew was that I didn't want an automatic, thus my passing on the first run of 550s.) I'm leaning in the SMG direction...
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: Winter Park, FL
My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
SMG rules. 
That is all.
That is all.
Contributors
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 0
From: Central Massachusetts
My Ride: Now Driving a Freakin' Prius!
Was...
2004 545i | SMG | White/Black | Sport | NAV | Logic 7 | PDC | Fold-down Seats | Adaptive Headlights | Cold Weather Pkg | Clear-again Bra | Mud Flaps | Bluetooth | Coat Hangar | Aux Input | All Weather Mats | 18"X8.5" BBS RK w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin's (winter) | New steering rack @ 1.2K & 17K miles| Software V.19.1 | B&B Exhaust (vrrrroooooommm!) <---Click.
32K miles of "spirited" driving. No SMG issues to date. 
Members
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
It is likely the 3rd model year of SMGs will be more or less problem-free. I have 8600 miles on my 2005 545i and the SMG has been perfect and a lot of fun.
As others posted, search on this topic and read to your heart's content. THERE IS a learning curve with the SMG but once you get the hang of it, I bet you will want this tranny on all future cars.
Also, try a search on "SMG Launch". That is fun to do.
I like putting the SMG in sport mode, put it in D1, and from a dead stop just floor it and keep it floored. You will be
by the neck-snapping and quick shifts of the car.
As others posted, search on this topic and read to your heart's content. THERE IS a learning curve with the SMG but once you get the hang of it, I bet you will want this tranny on all future cars.
Also, try a search on "SMG Launch". That is fun to do.
I like putting the SMG in sport mode, put it in D1, and from a dead stop just floor it and keep it floored. You will be
by the neck-snapping and quick shifts of the car.