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SMG or STEP on my E60 on my E60 Replacement?

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Old 06-30-2005, 04:24 AM
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I already had the Steptronic and its not bad and quite smooth

I wonder If the SMG for the remainder of my lease will give me pure hell or joy.


I have never driven one so I do not know how to proceed.


Suggestions?
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Old 06-30-2005, 05:11 AM
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Usually, if you're trying to choose between an automatic and an SMG, the choice should most likely be automatic. The SMG is a manual -- the harder choice is between the SMG and the 6-speed (not a hard choice for me though...)
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Old 06-30-2005, 06:27 AM
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I would base that decision on where u live. If your daily commute consists of only downtown (slow traffic, lots of stop and go), I would get the SMG because there will be many cases where you are tired and will want to just leave the car in auto mode and not play around with your left foot all the time which could get tiring. However, if you live where I live, where commuting means the highway and winding roads, I would think that the 6 speed would be a better choice.
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Old 06-30-2005, 07:05 AM
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Buying the SMG because of the auto mode is a big mistake...
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Old 06-30-2005, 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' date='Jun 30 2005, 08:05 AM
Buying the SMG because of the auto mode is a big mistake...
[snapback]144608[/snapback]
Based on my limited experience (drove 2 545i's w/ SMG for 30 minutes each) I totally agree. The shifting in auto mode is not smooth like a torque converter auto. I tried feathering the accelerator at shift points, and it was smoother, but too much effort.

Ziering545I, I'd suggest driving a SMG before deciding to get one since you're coming from a step.
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Old 06-30-2005, 08:02 AM
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I cant drive a regular 6 speed my left ankle is weak from being broken and fractured 2 times


So Auto or SMG only


I would like to drive a SMG but delaers dont have any, any suggestions?


I saw on bmw-ci.com

there is a SMG Paddle conversion fore the Steptronic

I would totally love that option if it was possible but it looks like it will void my warranty using a E46 airbag and parts no?
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Old 06-30-2005, 08:47 AM
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Even if you put a conversion kit so that your car have paddle shifters will not make your car an SMG. SMG is totally different from a step. SMG is fun when you shift but there are also times in slow traffic when u do not want to be bothered by shifting and hence the auto mode. I agree that the auto mode is still nowhere near a steptronic in terms of smoothness...so u make the choice
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Old 06-30-2005, 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by stream' date='Jun 30 2005, 09:20 AM
[quote name='Rudy' date='Jun 30 2005, 08:05 AM']Buying the SMG because of the auto mode is a big mistake...
[snapback]144608[/snapback]
Based on my limited experience (drove 2 545i's w/ SMG for 30 minutes each) I totally agree. The shifting in auto mode is not smooth like a torque converter auto. I tried feathering the accelerator at shift points, and it was smoother, but too much effort.

Ziering545I, I'd suggest driving a SMG before deciding to get one since you're coming from a step.
[snapback]144611[/snapback]
[/quote]

Stream,
What dealer did you had a test drive with those 545 w/ SMG?
Thanks
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Old 06-30-2005, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by my530i' date='Jun 30 2005, 11:17 AM
[quote name='stream' date='Jun 30 2005, 09:20 AM'][quote name='Rudy' date='Jun 30 2005, 08:05 AM']Buying the SMG because of the auto mode is a big mistake...
[snapback]144608[/snapback]
Based on my limited experience (drove 2 545i's w/ SMG for 30 minutes each) I totally agree. The shifting in auto mode is not smooth like a torque converter auto. I tried feathering the accelerator at shift points, and it was smoother, but too much effort.

Ziering545I, I'd suggest driving a SMG before deciding to get one since you're coming from a step.
[snapback]144611[/snapback]
[/quote]

Stream,
What dealer did you had a test drive with those 545 w/ SMG?
Thanks
[snapback]144688[/snapback]
[/quote]

Peter Pan & Stevens Creek.
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Old 06-30-2005, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='Jun 30 2005, 12:47 PM
SMG is fun when you shift but there are also times in slow traffic when u do not want to be bothered by shifting and hence the auto mode.
[snapback]144646[/snapback]
I really don't understand what the big deal is about shifting the SMG in traffic. If your hands are on the steering wheel, all you have to do is flick the paddle. If the traffic is truly stop-and-go, you probably aren't shifting out of first anyway. Shifting a traditional manual in stop-and-go traffic can get old because of the constant workout of the left foot but I don't get why people always seem to briing up the SMG shifting in traffic.

Clearly, in stop and go traffic, the auto mode of the SMG isn't the way to go...
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