I have been reading these postings for a while. New to join though. Cheers to all of you. Great info.

Looking to buy a new 5er. What are the pros and cons regarding SMG. Is it more fun than steptronic. I dont like manual, too much freeway stop and go. Thanks.

 

Welcome Restless!

You need to spend some time reading the following thread and the links it contains. I'm sure that you'll get answers to most, if not all, of your questions...

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=2106

 

Many have responded that the SMG is a replacement for manual not automatic, so if you don't like manuals maybe steptronic is for you. I have steptronic on my 540 and it is a great transmission. I, however, prefer manual and thankfully don't have to contend with a lot of stop and go rush hour traffic. It will be manual for me instead of SMG. The SMG proponents on this post may disagree with this, but in doing my research on this forum the problems that seem to be apparent with SMG have me leaning back to the manual, for now anyway.

 

I decided to go with the steptronic because I have always had manuals and was just getting tired of them, the steptronic drove just great.

I did drive the SMG a number of times and it was lots of fun ... but the automatic mode was poor IMO ...

Also, wanted to purchase a car that mechanically would last a long time, not sure SMG is built to last a decade without lots of $$$

 

SMG is the future! Get the SMG if you can. The Steptronic is good, but it is a slushbox and your performance will suffer. The SMG also wins on the "fun factor".

I will ALWAYS buy the SMG transmission over manual or Auto. If available.

beewang

 

Yeah man, go SMG (no compromise for auto and the old lady though). The downshifts and level of control are awesome.

 

Yeah man, go SMG (no compromise for auto and the old lady though). The downshifts and level of control are awesome.
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True, but many times you may be the only person you are willing/trust to drive your car (no valet, no car wash, no friend after you had 1 to many adult pop's, etc)

 

welcome aboard, restless ! test drive both and make the final decision. but imho, if you don't like stick, then go with steptronic .

 

Welcome restles!

Personally i would go for SMG.. i like it the moment when i test drove one..