To SMG or not to SMG, that is the question...
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 85
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From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: On order for November Delivery - 550 !!!! - Currently own 1999 E39 540, sport pkg, premium sound pkg, black on black. Previous owner of 2000 M Coupe, 1996 328is, 1984 633csi, 1982 528e, and wifed owned 1999 528 touring and 2002 525 touring. Looking at buying 545 or 550 in fall of 2005.
Ok, so I finally test drove an SMG car today (645). I can't find a dealer in LA that has a 545 with SMG. I actually liked it a lot, it's a lot smoother than the Maserati SMG I drove several months ago, and was tremendously fun. It reminded me of the control I had with my M Coupe, without the throbbing left leg from constant clutch work in LA traffic. Just wondering what the consensus is here.
Any SMG owners regret not getting the steptronic? Any Steptronic owners try the SMG and decide against it?
Thanks in advance for your insight here, my 540 lease is up in the fall and so I will order a 550 in a few months, just trying to pick a tranny. So far, I'm leaning in the direction of the SMG. I love this forum by the way.
Any SMG owners regret not getting the steptronic? Any Steptronic owners try the SMG and decide against it?
Thanks in advance for your insight here, my 540 lease is up in the fall and so I will order a 550 in a few months, just trying to pick a tranny. So far, I'm leaning in the direction of the SMG. I love this forum by the way.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
SMG all the way buddy! If you like it already, you'll only love it more after owning one for some time!
If you haven't already done so, you might want to read the SMG FAQ and the links contained in it. Many of us have discussed the SMG choice here in depth.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=2106
Good luck and welcome!
If you haven't already done so, you might want to read the SMG FAQ and the links contained in it. Many of us have discussed the SMG choice here in depth.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=2106
Good luck and welcome!
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: White Plains, NY
My Ride: 2008 550, Carbon Black Metallic, Natural Brown Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades, etc.
Retired - 2004 545 SMG, Black Sapphire Metallic, Auburn Dakota Leather, Cold Weather and Sports Packages, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades
I had an E39 with the Step for 3 years. Now I have the SMG. I have no regrets at all. If I were to get a new E60 today, I would get the SMG again.
The downshifts are simply addictive.
The downshifts are simply addictive.
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
My Ride: 2005 545i SMG. Titanium Grey with Grey interior and Anthracite wood.
I love my SMG. Interestingly, at today's Orange County meet, 5 of the 6 cars were SMG's. Even though one was an m3. I was very supprized.
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,776
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From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
No regrets... SMG is a lot of fun. I confirmed it today once again. I still prefer SMG over automatic and maybe even over manual now. 
I like the left foot action but I just cannot get perfect downshifts EVERYTIME like the SMG!
I like the left foot action but I just cannot get perfect downshifts EVERYTIME like the SMG!
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,926
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From: Singapore
My Ride: 530iA Silver Grey , black interior. Premium Package, Navigation System, Head-up Display, Radio Satellite, Adaptive Xenon Headlights. AC Schnitzer Front Lip, H&R springs, Rear red reflector, All season Floor mat,
I'm a steptronic owner and actually i regret for not getting the SMG.. 
So if you really like it, go for it ! you will never regret..
So if you really like it, go for it ! you will never regret..
Senior Members
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 282
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
Originally Posted by ManyBMWS' date='Mar 13 2005, 09:58 PM
Ok, so I? finally? test drove an SMG car today (645). I can't find a dealer in LA that has a 545 with SMG.? I actually liked it a lot, it's a lot smoother than the Maserati SMG I drove several months ago, and was tremendously fun.? It reminded me of the control I had with my M Coupe, without the throbbing left leg from constant clutch work in LA traffic.? Just wondering what the consensus is here.
Any SMG owners regret not getting the steptronic? Any Steptronic owners try the SMG and decide against it?
Thanks in advance for your insight here, my 540 lease is up in the fall and so I will order a 550 in a few months, just trying to pick a tranny. So far, I'm leaning in the direction of the SMG. I love this forum by the way.
Any SMG owners regret not getting the steptronic? Any Steptronic owners try the SMG and decide against it?
Thanks in advance for your insight here, my 540 lease is up in the fall and so I will order a 550 in a few months, just trying to pick a tranny. So far, I'm leaning in the direction of the SMG. I love this forum by the way.
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Another happy SMG owner here. Would definitely get it again without hesitation. Do a search. LOTS of info and debate on the subject.
The one thing I would say is don't think of SMG as a compromise that will keep the missus happy while you do your thing (assuming she's a docile driver). It behaves just like a manual and in automatic mode will cause some jerkiness since you can't anticipate shifts.
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
I got SMG and love it.
I drove a Steptronic on a loaner car last week..... and could not STAND it. Absolutely horrible experience for me. I felt like I had no control over the car, without being able to decide on shift points. It was like I was missing half of the experience. I tried the manual mode, but it wasn't the same.
Get SMG. You'll thank us all later.
I drove a Steptronic on a loaner car last week..... and could not STAND it. Absolutely horrible experience for me. I felt like I had no control over the car, without being able to decide on shift points. It was like I was missing half of the experience. I tried the manual mode, but it wasn't the same.
Get SMG. You'll thank us all later.