STARSKI

Hey everyone! This is my first posting on this board! Anyways, I'm looking into buying a 545i with either a full auto or a SMG. I currently own a Dodge Magnum RT and I'm sick of it! I live in San Francisco so a full manual would really be too much of a pain for me to drive every day in the traffic (yes i have gotten lazy since I got this Magnum). I test drove a 545i with the sports package but that was one of the only options on it and liked it. I have barely seen any 545i's with the SMG for sale though. I also read that the M3 SMG is much different, is this true? Because it's much easier to find an M3 to test drive than the 545 with SMG. I'm still thinking of maybe getting an M3 too, but i kind of am more into medium body cars than the small M3 style. I'm not buying brand new so a 550 is pretty much out of my budget. The only real options I care about coming with it are any of the handling options and navigation. Anyways thanks for listening and any help is definitely appreciated! I should add that my girlfriend has a 01 CLK 55 which is fun to drive, my best friend has a CLS 55 which definitely fun and he previously had a e500 all of which i have driven. I'm just looking for something that is newer and fun to drive but not a total PITA to drive for a daily driver! Thanks..

-Starski

EBMCS03

Ya the M3 SMG and 545 SMG is different. M3s SMG has more function and will feel different. I have never driven one so I can tell you how it compares. I've driven a Z4 SMG and that was much rougher than the 545s SMG. Once you learn how to drive the SMG on the E60 its the best transmission you can get... unless you get the new 2008 Sports Auto.

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STARSKI

Thanks for the advice

EBMCS03

Ok I did some quick search... and here's some OLD OLD threads on SMG. still a good read.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...amp;#entry20667

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=9257

If you search around there's been a lot of debate and comparisions between SMG and other trannies... but to summarize it... basically everyone who have SMG and bothered to try to learn how to drive it properly on this board loves it.


Here's a good thread.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=34491

Another guy that was debating between SMG or not and ended up with SMG... I personally know Hollywoodtrash and the last time I spoke with him he still loves his SMG.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=25030

ro11dice

Here's a suggestion: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=449437

Contact EuroCarFan. It's not an SMG and no longer a 545. It's a Dinan5 He's in the South Bay.

marc545i

I have the Step tranny but wish I would've gotten the SMG. From what I hear, SMG is like iDrive. Once you learn how to use it, it's great.

info@trinityautosport

+1. tony, eurocarfan, is a great guy too and offers his dinan5 at a fair price. other than that, ebmcs03 said it all about the smg if that is what youre really after.

btw, welcome and enjoy the forums.

jet190rs

i test drove a M3 SMG right before ordering my car. IIRC, the m3 smg did feel a bit different. in its faster settings, the m3 shifts more ferociously than the e60 smg in sport mode. the e60 smg is smoother/lazier/more isolated overall. the differences seemed pretty subtle at the time though. oh and the paddles are set up differently on the 2 cars.

i guess if you test drive the m3 and like smg in its slower to medium speed settings, then you should be fine with the e60 smg. that's what happened to me.

EuroCarFan

Starski,

Welcome to the forum and let me know if you want any more details on my car. It's funny that you said your bestfriend has a CLS55 and used to have an E500. One of my bestfriend also has a CLS55 and used to have an E500 and a CLK430 before that.

Anyway, let me know if you're interested.

Tony

bmw4life

three different types of SMG

SMG I: Includes shift paddles on the steering wheel where you can upshift or downshift on each side of the steering wheel. Non-adjustable gear changing. Older z4 and 3 series had SMG, but shifted relatively slower to the revised version of SMG I, which is on the 545/550's. SMG I also down shift rev matches. Launch Control can be performed.

SMG II: Includes shift paddles on each side of the steering wheel, yet it is slightly different. Right paddle is for upshift and left paddle is for down shift. Like F1 cars. 6spd version only, mostly on e46 M3's. Includes controls of harshness settings and it shifts faster than SMG I. Jerks way more than a manual. Launch control is easier to perform on this transmission. Down shift rev match needs to be performed by the driver with giving gas on the accelerator. More of a race-like feel to it.

SMG III: Revised to SMG II. it is the 7speed version of it. Its also different. Its only available currently with the M5. However, there are reported reviews that there is a traction module located within the transmission which restricts the car from its full potential, thus BMW, releasing the 7speed manual tranny version in America. BTW, its' manual tranny is not available anywhere else, I think. America was its' first release.

If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me or add to this.