Steptronic and SMG
#21
Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
My Ride: 535d (4/05) M Sport, Carbon black, Black dakota leather, Sport seats, Xenon, Navi prof, Hi-fi pack, AS, BT, PDC, Sunroof
IMHO a car as big and luxurious as the E60 needs to have the step tranny. You cant compare its smoothness with the jerky SMG. M5 is another matter, you dont buy it to drive smoothly.
#22
Get the Step.
The E60 SMG is a poorly executed attempt at an automated-hydraulic activated clutch system. (SMG II and SMG III, however, are different stories.)
Plus, long term, the SMG will hurt your resale value.
The E60 SMG is a poorly executed attempt at an automated-hydraulic activated clutch system. (SMG II and SMG III, however, are different stories.)
Plus, long term, the SMG will hurt your resale value.
#23
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
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
IMHO a car as big and luxurious as the E60 needs to have the step tranny. You cant compare its smoothness with the jerky SMG. M5 is another matter, you dont buy it to drive smoothly.
The SMG is not jerky. An inexperienced driver on an SMG is jerky.
Can you drive a standard manual transmission? If so, then you know that when you were first learning.... it might have been jerky. Hell, you might have even stalled out a few times. But, as you get experience.... you learn how to finesse it.
The SMG is NOT an automatic transmission. It is a true manual, with an automatic clutch. So you can't expect to just drive it like an automatic.
The trick to smooth SMG shifting is learning how to apply the throttle before and after shifts.... similar to a manual tranny. You don't just hold the gas pedal down and shift, although you can do this if you want. But if you want a smooth shift, you must release some of the throttle before you shift. The trick is to accelerate in a particular gear, and then when you are ready to shift.... let off the throttle just a tad, and then shift. Wait for the next gear to engage, and then re-apply throttle to accelerate in the next gear. Once you master the timing, your SMG will shift smooth as silk.
Plus, long term, the SMG will hurt your resale value.
So.... that is a good deal considering my SMG was a no-cost option. It's like I put $1000 back into my pocket the day I got my car.
#25
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 1
From: Greece, Patras
My Ride: 530i M-sports package, carbon black,Beige leather dakota, Steptronic, active steering, anti-theft alarm, sunblinds for rear window and back seat window, interior and exterior mirror with anti-dazzel function, poplar brown dark, comfort seats, PDC, extended lights package, Hi-Fi loudspeakers, Innovation Package (contains Xenon, Headlight washers, adaptive headlights, Comfort access), automatic air-conditioning, professional radio, individual high gloss satine chrome,Sunroof
i agree with subterfuse
i know some time is needed to learn how to operate smg properly and since all my previous cars have been manual ones i think i will not find it that difficult
now, if the smg is jerky or not we have to leave it up to the members that have smg to decide that
i know some time is needed to learn how to operate smg properly and since all my previous cars have been manual ones i think i will not find it that difficult
now, if the smg is jerky or not we have to leave it up to the members that have smg to decide that
#26
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by swajames' post='249832' date='Mar 4 2006, 03:30 PM
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.
#27
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by 530i_msport' post='250133' date='Mar 5 2006, 11:06 AM
i agree with subterfuse
i know some time is needed to learn how to operate smg properly and since all my previous cars have been manual ones i think i will not find it that difficult
now, if the smg is jerky or not we have to leave it up to the members that have smg to decide that
i know some time is needed to learn how to operate smg properly and since all my previous cars have been manual ones i think i will not find it that difficult
now, if the smg is jerky or not we have to leave it up to the members that have smg to decide that
#28
Members
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: nyc,usa
My Ride: 04 545 jet black/beige, smg sport,premium,sunshades,logic7,cwp,nav,pdc,bluetooth,16.0,light tint all around,Pirelli PZeroNero
Originally Posted by 530i_msport' post='250133' date='Mar 5 2006, 11:06 AM
i agree with subterfuse
i know some time is needed to learn how to operate smg properly and since all my previous cars have been manual ones i think i will not find it that difficult
now, if the smg is jerky or not we have to leave it up to the members that have smg to decide that
i know some time is needed to learn how to operate smg properly and since all my previous cars have been manual ones i think i will not find it that difficult
now, if the smg is jerky or not we have to leave it up to the members that have smg to decide that
#29
Members
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Germany
My Ride: carbon black/black dakota, M package with M aero kit, M suspension and 18" 135 M style wheels -
steptronic, adaptive bi-xenon, active steering, moonroof, comfort seats, comfort access, nav pro, logic7, CD, HUD, PDC and some ...
Just to answer Your question, it?s YES, a SMG will drive You around in some sort of D mode, shifting gears without Yours doing anything. BUT it?s not the same thing as a steptronic. I have test-driven a 550i SMG before ordering my car, and I?d say get the steptronic! The SMG shifts gears late, reaching high rpm?s, and it shifts with noticeable grip of the clutch., just like somebody else is driving Your car. If You?re not feeling like being Schumacher, it?s definitely not an option for a smooth ride.
#30
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by oyster' post='250188' date='Mar 5 2006, 01:34 PM
Just to answer Your question, it?s YES, a SMG will drive You around in some sort of D mode, shifting gears without Yours doing anything. BUT it?s not the same thing as a steptronic. I have test-driven a 550i SMG before ordering my car, and I?d say get the steptronic! The SMG shifts gears late, reaching high rpm?s, and it shifts with noticeable grip of the clutch., just like somebody else is driving Your car. If You?re not feeling like being Schumacher, it?s definitely not an option for a smooth ride.