SMG tranny??
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 546
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From: Midwest USA
My Ride: 2009 DINAN 135 convertible
Originally Posted by baadaaboo' post='500037' date='Nov 28 2007, 10:39 AM
They paid your first 2 payments, it is funny people buy this kind of gimmick.
Please explain. I did the same deal. My thought was: (1) Buy an Audi S4, get a traditional bank loan of 8.5% (the current used car rate) and make all the payments from day one, or (2) Buy a CPO 545 for same price, get 2.9% financing, and get the first 2 months payments paid by BMW.
Option 2 saves me about $4500 over the term of the loan vs. option 1.
You call it a Gimmick. I call that a good deal. The reason I don't see it as a gimmick, is that BMW is the one subsidizing the interest and the payments, not the local dealer. Thus, it isn't like the dealer is raising the car prices to recoup the money (which I would call a true gimmick).
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,298
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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 is awesome.
But it does take a while to learn how to drive it. A test drive won't be much good because of this.
But it does take a while to learn how to drive it. A test drive won't be much good because of this.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,096
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From: Italy, Milano
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='500063' date='Nov 28 2007, 05:38 PM
SMG is awesome.
But it does take a while to learn how to drive it. A test drive won't be much good because of this.
But it does take a while to learn how to drive it. A test drive won't be much good because of this.
+1
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,447
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From: NJ (EXIT 4), SUMMERS IN GREECE
My Ride: 2006 550 SMG
Originally Posted by WindycityBMW' post='500035' date='Nov 28 2007, 10:28 AM
It depends on your driving style and where you do most of your driving. I test drove three 2008 M5's with SMG and really tried hard to like it but ended going with a 2008 550i with sport auto. I drive a lot in the city traffic and it isn't ideal for that. I think it is a good product but it just wasn't right for me.
You absolutely have to test drive it before you pull the trigger.
You absolutely have to test drive it before you pull the trigger.
Members
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14
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From: Canada
My Ride: 2004 545 SMG + Sports Black with Truffle brown interior
If you like to drive and I mean truly drive go with the SMG. It takes what is good about MT and gets rid of that pesky clutch. I have always been a firm believer that a MT engages you in the drive but considering that you could never constantly shift the car as well as the car does with the SMG it makes it a pleasure to drive even in Traffic.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,074
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From: New York, NY
My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
Originally Posted by katheikia' post='500115' date='Nov 28 2007, 01:10 PM
Wow you gave up an M5 because of the SMG tranny??? I would take it with bicycle pedals!!!
Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,167
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From: Southern California
My Ride: 2006 550i SMG
Originally Posted by papajohn' post='500117' date='Nov 28 2007, 01:12 PM
the SMG it makes it a pleasure to drive even in Traffic.
Members
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 16
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From: Phoenix, AZ
SMG is great. Back in May of this year I upgraded from 1999 528i to 2004 545i with steptronic. The new one was a great car until 2 months later when it was totalled in an accident (stupid woman driver) :thumbsdown: . Replaced with 2004 545i with SMG. As others have stated, a bit hard to get used to at first, but now - a couple of months later - I love it and would not go back.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: BROOKLYN I MISS IT. STATENISLAND NOW...
LOVE IT... ITS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICE BREAD!!!!! BUT YOU SHOULD DEF TEST DRIVE ONE FIRST... I CAME OUT OF A 6SPEED MAN... SMG IS THE BEST TRAN ON THE MARKET.... 
ONLY TRUE DRIVERS APPLY IT DEF TAKES TIME TO GET USE TO... BUT ONCE YOU GOT ITS A WRAP.. I LEAVE THE SPORT ON ALL TIMES THE TRANY WITH OUT IT ON FEELS LIKE MY GRANDFATHERS SHIFTIN THE GEARS FOR ME... BUT ONCE THAT LITTLE BUTTON IS PRESSED EVERYTHING CHANGES.. EVERYTHING STEARING HANDILIN ACCELERATION THE FEEL OF THE CAR IS UNREAL.... GOT TO LOVE IT!!!!!
ONLY TRUE DRIVERS APPLY IT DEF TAKES TIME TO GET USE TO... BUT ONCE YOU GOT ITS A WRAP.. I LEAVE THE SPORT ON ALL TIMES THE TRANY WITH OUT IT ON FEELS LIKE MY GRANDFATHERS SHIFTIN THE GEARS FOR ME... BUT ONCE THAT LITTLE BUTTON IS PRESSED EVERYTHING CHANGES.. EVERYTHING STEARING HANDILIN ACCELERATION THE FEEL OF THE CAR IS UNREAL.... GOT TO LOVE IT!!!!!
