SMG vs Streptronic
12-05-2009, 07:00 AM
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All,
I am contemplating buying the 2007 530i but am not sure about streptronic vs. SMG. Me and my wife have both driven an automatic for the past 10 years or so though I wanted to buy a manual this time (my first car was manual and I loved it). My wife was skeptical so we have narrowed down to an SMG vs. Streptronic.
Will my wife be able to adjust to the SMG quite easily? I drive mostly in heavy traffic (Atlanta area) for work, which will be a better option for me? Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?
Any feedback will be appreciated.
cheers,
flea
I am contemplating buying the 2007 530i but am not sure about streptronic vs. SMG. Me and my wife have both driven an automatic for the past 10 years or so though I wanted to buy a manual this time (my first car was manual and I loved it). My wife was skeptical so we have narrowed down to an SMG vs. Streptronic.
Will my wife be able to adjust to the SMG quite easily? I drive mostly in heavy traffic (Atlanta area) for work, which will be a better option for me? Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?
Any feedback will be appreciated.
cheers,
flea
12-05-2009, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by flea' post='1068240' date='Dec 5 2009, 12:00 PM
All,
I am contemplating buying the 2007 530i but am not sure about streptronic vs. SMG. Me and my wife have both driven an automatic for the past 10 years or so though I wanted to buy a manual this time (my first car was manual and I loved it). My wife was skeptical so we have narrowed down to an SMG vs. Streptronic.
Will my wife be able to adjust to the SMG quite easily? I drive mostly in heavy traffic (Atlanta area) for work, which will be a better option for me? Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?
Any feedback will be appreciated.
cheers,
flea
I am contemplating buying the 2007 530i but am not sure about streptronic vs. SMG. Me and my wife have both driven an automatic for the past 10 years or so though I wanted to buy a manual this time (my first car was manual and I loved it). My wife was skeptical so we have narrowed down to an SMG vs. Streptronic.
Will my wife be able to adjust to the SMG quite easily? I drive mostly in heavy traffic (Atlanta area) for work, which will be a better option for me? Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?
Any feedback will be appreciated.
cheers,
flea
Welcome! You and your wife will definitely enjoy the SMG! I've had steptronic tranny and it's plain boring! With the SMG you can switch between manual and auto mode. I would suggest to test drive both tranny to get a feel for it. Good luck, and welcome to the forum again.
your friendly neighborhood!
-radz
12-05-2009, 05:15 PM
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Could you please elaborate on your statement "Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?"
I currently drive an SMG E60 and love it. One factor, though not THE deciding factor, was the fact that it could be switched back to auto mode so my girlfriend could drive if necessary since she still isn't familiar with driving stick shift.
In terms of adjusting to the SMG shifting, it takes some time but once I got the hang of it I didn't realize what I was missing till then.
Ultimately drive both to get a first hand feel as someone had mentioned. It's the only way you can figure out what YOU like.
I currently drive an SMG E60 and love it. One factor, though not THE deciding factor, was the fact that it could be switched back to auto mode so my girlfriend could drive if necessary since she still isn't familiar with driving stick shift.
In terms of adjusting to the SMG shifting, it takes some time but once I got the hang of it I didn't realize what I was missing till then.
Ultimately drive both to get a first hand feel as someone had mentioned. It's the only way you can figure out what YOU like.
12-06-2009, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by redEYEjedi' post='1068461' date='Dec 5 2009, 06:15 PM
Could you please elaborate on your statement "Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?"
I currently drive an SMG E60 and love it. One factor, though not THE deciding factor, was the fact that it could be switched back to auto mode so my girlfriend could drive if necessary since she still isn't familiar with driving stick shift.
In terms of adjusting to the SMG shifting, it takes some time but once I got the hang of it I didn't realize what I was missing till then.
Ultimately drive both to get a first hand feel as someone had mentioned. It's the only way you can figure out what YOU like.
I currently drive an SMG E60 and love it. One factor, though not THE deciding factor, was the fact that it could be switched back to auto mode so my girlfriend could drive if necessary since she still isn't familiar with driving stick shift.
In terms of adjusting to the SMG shifting, it takes some time but once I got the hang of it I didn't realize what I was missing till then.
Ultimately drive both to get a first hand feel as someone had mentioned. It's the only way you can figure out what YOU like.
12-06-2009, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by fivefeezy' post='1068783' date='Dec 6 2009, 01:52 PM
I have an SMG myself and i would highly recommend it. It was fine in LA traffic and now i live in SF and it's still great thru 99% city driving. Only problem is when i am in traffic (bumper to bumper) on a hill, my clutch will overheat fairly fast. Anyone else run into this problem with SMG tranny's?
You should put some distance between you and the car in front of you and avoid those slipping as much as possible.
12-07-2009, 11:11 AM
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My Ride: 07 550i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather, Steptronic, Sport, Premium, Nav, Sat. Radio, Logic 7, Comfort Access, Rear Sunshade.
As you can see, the SMG is a complex transmission that does take some time to get used to. If your wife has never driven a manual transmission and she will be driving the car quite often, I would recommend the Steptronic. The Auto Mode on the SMG is very different from a torque converter automatic tranny.
12-08-2009, 11:17 AM
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1991 535i (gone)
Originally Posted by flea' post='1068240' date='Dec 5 2009, 11:00 AM
All,
I am contemplating buying the 2007 530i but am not sure about streptronic vs. SMG. Me and my wife have both driven an automatic for the past 10 years or so though I wanted to buy a manual this time (my first car was manual and I loved it). My wife was skeptical so we have narrowed down to an SMG vs. Streptronic.
Will my wife be able to adjust to the SMG quite easily? I drive mostly in heavy traffic (Atlanta area) for work, which will be a better option for me? Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?
Any feedback will be appreciated.
cheers,
flea
I am contemplating buying the 2007 530i but am not sure about streptronic vs. SMG. Me and my wife have both driven an automatic for the past 10 years or so though I wanted to buy a manual this time (my first car was manual and I loved it). My wife was skeptical so we have narrowed down to an SMG vs. Streptronic.
Will my wife be able to adjust to the SMG quite easily? I drive mostly in heavy traffic (Atlanta area) for work, which will be a better option for me? Also I had read somewhere that it is not advisable to drive an SMG in auto mode for regular driving is that true?
Any feedback will be appreciated.
cheers,
flea