steves545

I am still looking, came across an SMG. I had a 2004 M3 Vert with the SMGII loved it. Has anyone driven the M3 smg,
that has also driven the 545i, or are they the same unit? Also curious how the smg feels in the E60
Thanks

joe@raceprecision

The 545i SMG is not the same as the E46 M3 SMGII. The M3 had the better SMG.

EBMCS03

E46 M3 SMGII unit is much better. it shifts faster and has more settings.

If you owned the M3 SMG you'll think the normal mode of the 545 SMG to be too slow. In sports mode it's fine.

steves545

Thanks, I really loved the M3, after coming from a 2000 M5, I thought I wouldn't like the SMG, but man, its like the best of both worlds, and
then some! Mine had a real cool launch mode, I suspect this doesnt.

joe@raceprecision

There is a launch mode in the 545i/550i SMG. It dumps the clutch at 1500 rpm unlike the M3 which I believe dumps the clutch at 4000 rpm.

steves545

Unfortunately, the Clutch dump was at 1500 rpm in the M3, I think there was a way to tweek it.
Mine was a Dinan S2, that would hav e been great to have it at 4K rpm
I am going to try and attach a pic of my Baby that I should never have sold.

skylolow

As the others said much different the SMG in the M3.

SMG in the 545 or 550 in sport mode is excellent. Shifts quick and smooth if you got the touch. Rest of the settings are ho hum. Auto mode to me is just about worthless for the most part.

I know I love the way my 545 with SMG drives.

AlexFW

Hint: put the Quaife on your 545i and your SMG will upshift faster. Don't ask me why because I don't know, but this is my experience.
I will post clips before/after.

EBMCS03

It does have "Launch Control" its called Acceleration Assist on the non M's and it does dump the clutch at around 4K rpms... but it's not as easily controlled as it is on the M3. On the M3, of course after putting the car in sports, S6, DSC off, etc etc you hold one of two things the downshift (left paddle) or push the central console shifter forward and hold the gas and once you're ready you let go of the paddle / stick and the car will Launch.

On the 545 you just put the car in sports mode, turn off DSC and once ready you hit the gas all the way past kickdown and it'll rev to 4K and dump the clutch.

If you drive in sports mode the non-M SMG is still an excellent system. Yes it doenst have all the bells and whistles as the M SMGs but I know I love the 545 SMG. I would buy it again.

uheenada

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=67260

I created a thread regarding e60 smg tranny a month ago.
Like everyone else said, e60 lacks "drivelogic mode" but that's about the only disadvantage.
Only in S6 in M3 can shift quicker than non M smg. full details are in the thread above.

Hope that helps.