View Poll Results: Why did you get SMG?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll
Why did you get SMG, BMW has its reasons why we did?
Members
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: las vegas
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='429114' date='May 28 2007, 02:44 PM
My suspicion is that you are exactly the type of person BMW discontinued the SMG for.
My guess is that no one showed you how to drive it properly, so you thought it was rough and jerky and blamed the transmission. It's too bad, because it's a fantastic transmission when driven the right way.
In the end, it is BMWs own fault for not educating the consumer about SMG, it's benefits and how to use it correctly.
My guess is that no one showed you how to drive it properly, so you thought it was rough and jerky and blamed the transmission. It's too bad, because it's a fantastic transmission when driven the right way.
In the end, it is BMWs own fault for not educating the consumer about SMG, it's benefits and how to use it correctly.
yup i agree when i first bought my 545i smg it was a pain in the ass. not smooth and i brought it back to the dealer and had the floor technician ride it with me.after that i LOVE it! its smooth and according to him he says it changes gears like just barely quicker than manual ^^
Members
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 85
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From: Macungie, PA
My Ride: 2007 530i SMG Jet Black/Beige Sport/Prem/Cold, comfort, split, shades.
...lack of market for SMG is why the BMW NA discontinued it . Various factors were involved in the decision, different type of SMG vs ///M, dealerships had a less than enthusiastic response to its performance, lack of true experience with SMG yadaa, yadda yadda.
IMHO, being a manual transmission guy for 35 years, the SMG is the best, love the flexibility it provides. It takes time to learn, but I would never go back.
IMHO, being a manual transmission guy for 35 years, the SMG is the best, love the flexibility it provides. It takes time to learn, but I would never go back.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by Chappy' post='429365' date='May 29 2007, 10:54 AM
IMHO, being a manual transmission guy for 35 years, the SMG is the best, love the flexibility it provides. It takes time to learn, but I would never go back.
Members
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 148
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From: NM
My Ride: 2008 550i sport SAT
2012 535i Xdrive msport
2007 550i Sport w/SMG (gone)
2000 528i (gone)
1991 535i (gone)
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='429114' date='May 28 2007, 02:44 PM
My suspicion is that you are exactly the type of person BMW discontinued the SMG for.
My guess is that no one showed you how to drive it properly, so you thought it was rough and jerky and blamed the transmission. It's too bad, because it's a fantastic transmission when driven the right way.
In the end, it is BMWs own fault for not educating the consumer about SMG, it's benefits and how to use it correctly.
My guess is that no one showed you how to drive it properly, so you thought it was rough and jerky and blamed the transmission. It's too bad, because it's a fantastic transmission when driven the right way.
In the end, it is BMWs own fault for not educating the consumer about SMG, it's benefits and how to use it correctly.
You may be right, even the dealership couldn't show me the right way to drive smg...even when i asked. bottom line..just wasn't happy with my experience.
Senior Members
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 392
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From: Connecticut, USA
My Ride: 07' 550i sport; Sapphire Black/Auburn; sport package; steptronic; navigation with R.T.T.I.; heads up; cold weather package; Logic-7; BMW MOST ipod kit; Motorola V3 snap-in adapter; rear heated seats and rear shades; anthracite headliner; sirrius sat. radio; M-aero kit; OEM style 166 Wheels with 245/35-19 front and 285/30-19 rear Michelin PS2s.
Just a shot in the dark - I was always a manual driver, but then I had a 740i sport with the steptronic with Dinan software. The transmission was impressive enough that I bought my 550 with a step (although not as responsive as the 740's was). I have driven - E gear, SMG II & III, DSG and duoselect and the SMG II (545/550) is not impressive by comparison. So perhaps instead of continuing to besmudge the concept (which when perfected will no doubt be the way of the future), BMW is cutting its losses and has simply improved the steptronic to the state of the art, while they continue to develop a dual clutch SMG like everyone else is. That way, when they finish the new DSG style box (and rename it to avoid comparsions with inferior SMG), there will have been a gap in time allowing people like me to forget how cumbersome the previous SMG was........
Seriously, Its just a guess but it seems plausible.
DRP
Seriously, Its just a guess but it seems plausible.
DRP
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL USA
My Ride: '05 545i | Orient Blue | Blk Lthr | Sport | 6 Sp MT | Cold | Logic 7 | Sirius | iPod | Rear Heat | PDC | Rear SRS | NAV | HUD | AngeliBright Blue
Up Next: New Radar Detector (Valentine 1 w/remote), SolarGuard 6% on all windows, Italian Euro Plate)
'07 ML 500 | Alpine Blue | Blk Lthr | Pkg II | Lighting Pkg | Multicontour Seats | 6 CDC | iPod (Wife's Ride)
Fond memories of: '03 540ia (the tightest car I ever owned!)
Its funny I would never consider SMG as a possibility... now you guys are peaking my interest to drive an SMG vehicle...
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by bigfddi' post='433686' date='Jun 8 2007, 10:51 PM
Its funny I would never consider SMG as a possibility... now you guys are peaking my interest to drive an SMG vehicle...
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,776
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From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by dashit550' post='433680' date='Jun 8 2007, 07:27 PM
I SOOOOOOOOOOOO regret NOT getting the SMG~~~ STEP is BORING~~~~~
