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Steptronic and SMG

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Old 03-04-2006, 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='249818' date='Mar 4 2006, 03:06 PM
Maybe not as obvious as it seems. EPA ratings for both are about the same and, based on tests from members on this forum, seems to be turning in slightly better acceleration times than the SMG. Not a lot in it either way but there's nothing inefficient about the step.
You're kidding right? If all things were equal, gearing on the transmission and final drive you think the auto transmission is more efficient? Can you explain that one and help me understand? Acceleration times might be close or the same but the gearing isn't. So you can't compare in that way.

Here's some background information...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission
Old 03-04-2006, 11:14 AM
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i know its time for some dicissions to be made
i will ask my dealer to test drive a car with smg so i can see the differences in the real world
anyway i ll let u know my decission and thanx all of you for all ur help
the forum rocks
Old 03-04-2006, 11:18 AM
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i didnt mean that smg is more efficient than step.
what i meant was that a smaller displacement car is more fuel efficient than a 530 in a city that u need more than 30 min to travel a distance of 2 km
Old 03-04-2006, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by ImolaRedM' post='249819' date='Mar 4 2006, 12:10 PM
You're kidding right? If all things were equal, gearing on the transmission and final drive you think the auto transmission is more efficient? Can you explain that one and help me understand? Acceleration times might be close or the same but the gearing isn't. So you can't compare in that way.

Here's some background information...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission
Not at all. Look at the final drive numbers. There's been a lot of discussion here about this. Depends how you define efficient of course, but the better gearing on the step on 6th helps economy and tests here are showing the best times on the steptronic. Definitely not as black and white as your initial post implied!
Old 03-04-2006, 11:24 AM
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I have the SMG and would get it again. Rudy is correct in that if you are expecting a "Steptronic" type smooth shifting, then just get the Step. If you want to race around while keeping both hands on the wheel, have faster shifts and the ability to do a burnout get the SMG.
Old 03-04-2006, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='249826' date='Mar 4 2006, 12:24 PM
I have the SMG and would get it again. Rudy is correct in that if you are expecting a "Steptronic" type smooth shifting, then just get the Step. If you want to race around while keeping both hands on the wheel, have faster shifts and the ability to do a burnout get the SMG.
I'm actually thinking about the SMG next time. But how did you guys with SMG get a test drive in an SMG equipped car? None of the dealers here keep them, order only.
Old 03-04-2006, 12:12 PM
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Keep in mind SMG's D mode doesn't feel like an automatic. It still feels like a manual (car doesn't move foward when you take foot off brake, car rolls up/down hills, when you initially step on the throttle its disengaging the clutch so you're not completely in gear and revving/accelerating away like an automatic).

BTW, before I ordered mine, I was only able to test drive an M3 SMG because most dealers in the US don't have E60 SMGs in stock.
Old 03-04-2006, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ImolaRedM' post='249819' date='Mar 4 2006, 03:10 PM
You're kidding right? If all things were equal, gearing on the transmission and final drive you think the auto transmission is more efficient? Can you explain that one and help me understand? Acceleration times might be close or the same but the gearing isn't. So you can't compare in that way.

Here's some background information...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission
Check out the discussions of gearing related to both performance and economy on the straight-line thread I linked above. What you want to know is pretty much covered there.
Old 03-04-2006, 12:31 PM
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In case you didn't read it yet, here's the link to our SMG FAQ thread. My recommendation is that anyone who's considering an SMG should read the entire thread and any/all links that it contains. After that, you should be able to narrow down your choices...

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


As far as how we test drove SMG cars before buying, many of us didn't test one at all. I had driven an SMG M3 prior to my order but clearly there's a difference between the two.
Old 03-04-2006, 05:02 PM
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I had a steptronic 545 and traded to an SMG 550. Although the SMG is not perfect, it better controls the great engine than the steptronic. It does have a D (autoshift) mode incase you are on phone, etc...It's a great compromise for me (loves a stick) and my wife (can't drive a stick). Of course, she's not offered the wheel too much....


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