Rmart

I am curious about the SMG auto mode.

Do you simply put the car in auto and drive like a regular automatic transmission?

How well does the transmission shift in the auto mode?

How often do you use tha auto mode?


Thanks all.

pughmat

IF you search for SMG, you'll find more information than you ever wanted. However, to quickly answer your question, I've never used it outside of testing to see how it works. To describe the shift, my 2005 530i - shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2ndto 3rd, it shifts like you would shift an unfamiliar 5-speed....pretty rigid, but safe...the rest of the shifts are pretty smooth...

ibseach

You push the gear shift hard to the right. D1 appears on the dsiplay and you are in auto mode.

It is a bit jerky but not terrible. Sort of like letting the clutch out too fast in low speed situations in a manual transmission.

Once you have driven SMG for a while, the whole jerky thing just disappears as you adjust to a new type of transmission.

I never use it as shifting with the paddles is too easy and too much fun. And in heavy traffic when I am crawling along, I seldom get out of first so why bother.

The one or two times my wife has driven it she has used it but that is more because the whole car intimidates her a bit given its cost and seeming complexity.

JDN

SMG does not shift to my liking in Drive mode. It would be fine for some, but not if you like to be in control. I use the paddles as often as possible. My wife has yet to drive the car, but will likely use Drive mode more than the paddles, but, then again, who knows.

Rudy

Use the search term "SMG*" or it won't work...

Iceman

Welcome aboard, Rmart !

Iceman

Welcome aboard, ibseach !

m630

welcome Rmart

and welcome ibseach

subterFUSE

I have the SMG. It is a sport transmission, for sure. It's not designed for the wife taking the kids to school or to soccer.

My only complaint about the SMG is that driving in slow traffic can be rough because of the erratic clutch operation as you slow down to a stop. On a true manual, you can always press the clutch to the floor when you need to brake. On the SMG, you can't control when the clutch disengages.... so the ride gets rough and jerky as you slow down to a near stop.... and the car downshifts automatically.


But, that said..... I love my SMG for normal driving. Very fun.

realtyman

After 14,000 miles, I'm finding that I am using the Automatic mode more. Especially when just cruising on the highway. If I ever need some "get-up-and-go" I'll hit the paddles or just mash the gas. Either way, I get a nice downshift and off I go. I like the auto mode when I'm just cruising along and I don't have to worry about some 4-5 or 5-6 (and 6-5 or 5-4) shifts.