What's the deal with SMG?
02-27-2005, 06:53 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by FikseGTS' date='Feb 27 2005, 07:27 PM
driving experience in automatic mode???? no....? it's not smooth when driving it like an automatic....? unless the 5 series has a different setup than the M3.....
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My comments earlier about smooth shifting was regarding manual mode. There are many people who think manual mode isn't smooth enough but most of the time, the person forming that opinion hasn't had enough "stick time" with one...
02-27-2005, 06:58 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by 550i' date='Feb 27 2005, 06:13 PM
I'm looking to buy a 550i once they come out or even a used 545i if I could ever find the right one I want.? What I want to know though is how come there are no SMG's??? I look on Ebay and there's 13 545i's for sale currently and 27 completed.? None have SMG.? I searched on cars.com, which is huge, and it listed 111 used 545i's for sale.? 2 of them had SMG.
Also, when I went to a dealer about a month back to inquire about a 545i he told me they didn't have any SMG and that they were extremely hard to find.? He said I'd have to order one.? He then proceeded to talk down about the SMG saying how hard and jolting it shifted and that it wasn't very fun or comfortably to drive.? I think he was saying this in hopes of talking me into buying a manual or auto but still....? I searched the new car inventory of several dealers in my area (northern cal) and only found one dealer that had an SMG 545i.
Are people just not liking the SMG or what's the deal???
I will say that the two that were on sale on cars.com that had SMG with 7k miles or so were about $5k more expensive than other comparable 545i's.
Also, when I went to a dealer about a month back to inquire about a 545i he told me they didn't have any SMG and that they were extremely hard to find.? He said I'd have to order one.? He then proceeded to talk down about the SMG saying how hard and jolting it shifted and that it wasn't very fun or comfortably to drive.? I think he was saying this in hopes of talking me into buying a manual or auto but still....? I searched the new car inventory of several dealers in my area (northern cal) and only found one dealer that had an SMG 545i.
Are people just not liking the SMG or what's the deal???
I will say that the two that were on sale on cars.com that had SMG with 7k miles or so were about $5k more expensive than other comparable 545i's.
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02-27-2005, 07:19 PM
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As an owner of an smg and having driven the m3 smg, there is quite a bit of difference between the two in terms of 'automatic' mode. on teh 545 it is quite smooth, but it is still a manual transmission, not a 'steptronic' type smoothness. You cant compare.
I hardly ever drive in 'automatic'. may be once a month. I'd never get anything else...smg all the way. You will have to pry mine from my cold dead hands.
I hardly ever drive in 'automatic'. may be once a month. I'd never get anything else...smg all the way. You will have to pry mine from my cold dead hands.
02-28-2005, 08:30 AM
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My Ride: MY05 545i Jet Black with Auburn interior. SMG, Logic7, Sport Package, Comfort Seats, Navigation.
I find that the non-sport mode easier to drive smoothly than the sport mode. In auto mode, the sport setting tends to hold the gear longer. But in the normal auto setting, the gear change takes really long. Either way, the auto mode is not desireable because it behaves like a really confused automatic. It's also true, that people who come from stick-shift cars will have easier time learning, or adapting to SMG because you tend not to forget that you will have to shift gears. My auto-driving friends who drove my car often forget to change gear. They condemn SMG not because of its unique shifting nature, but solely on DIY merit.
Therefore, my conclusion regarding whether or not getting the SMG is; Try to drive your current automatic car in manual setting (many cars have it now) for a period of time. See for yourself if you want the hassle because you may hate SMG if you hate to shift yourself.
Therefore, my conclusion regarding whether or not getting the SMG is; Try to drive your current automatic car in manual setting (many cars have it now) for a period of time. See for yourself if you want the hassle because you may hate SMG if you hate to shift yourself.
02-28-2005, 11:57 AM
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
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Unless you operate the accelerator pedal the right way, the SMG makes rough shifts.
But if you learn to feather it, just like a real manual... you can get silky smooth results.
But if you learn to feather it, just like a real manual... you can get silky smooth results.
02-28-2005, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by speedracerF4i' date='Feb 28 2005, 11:30 AM
....Therefore, my conclusion regarding whether or not getting the SMG is; Try to drive your current automatic car in manual setting (many cars have it now) for a period of time.? See for yourself if you want the hassle because you may hate SMG if you hate to shift yourself.
.....
.....
I mean... really fellas... if you can't learn to drive the SMG smoothly (be it manual or Auto mode) , you really shouldn't be drivign a BMW
beewang
02-28-2005, 12:27 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i SMG. Titanium Grey with Grey interior and Anthracite wood.
Originally Posted by beewang' date='Feb 28 2005, 03:19 PM
[quote name='speedracerF4i' date='Feb 28 2005, 11:30 AM']....Therefore, my conclusion regarding whether or not getting the SMG is; Try to drive your current automatic car in manual setting (many cars have it now) for a period of time.? See for yourself if you want the hassle because you may hate SMG if you hate to shift yourself.
.....
.....
I mean... really fellas... if you can't learn to drive the SMG smoothly (be it manual or Auto mode) , you really shouldn't be drivign a BMW
beewang
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[/quote]Dito
you won't regret it! 
02-28-2005, 12:30 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i SMG. Titanium Grey with Grey interior and Anthracite wood.
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' date='Feb 28 2005, 02:57 PM
Unless you operate the accelerator pedal the right way, the SMG makes rough shifts.
But if you learn to feather it, just like a real manual...? you can get silky smooth results.
But if you learn to feather it, just like a real manual...? you can get silky smooth results.
[snapback]95344[/snapback]
My parent drive by lifting off the pedal and it confuses the electronics to think you want to slow down. Staying on the gas in a smoth transition make for a smoother shift for me.