Comparing the M5's SMG with M3's DCT
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From: Bucharest, Romania
Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='804496' date='Mar 1 2009, 04:03 PM
I don't have significant personal experience driving the two just some rides with pro drivers in an M5 & M6. Most do say the SMG III is only blindingly fast in S5 or S6 whereas the DCT is quick in the actual shift in any setting. Also with SMG III, you need a slight throttle lift for the smoothest shifts. I don't know about the DCT.
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From: Luxembourg
Hi,
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14,646
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From: NY
My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Originally Posted by Filip535D' post='805675' date='Mar 2 2009, 06:01 PM
Hi,
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 933
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From: Long Island NY
My Ride: Alpine White 530i Mtech
Originally Posted by Filip535D' post='805675' date='Mar 2 2009, 06:01 PM
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14,646
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From: NY
My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Originally Posted by Anthony517' post='805922' date='Mar 2 2009, 11:35 PM
So if your in the M5 and your in 7th do you have to go down the gears one by one or if your in 6th and you want to go to 3rd can you just click it 3 times real quick and then your in 3rd?
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From: NYC & LI
no doubt, when downshifting to 2nd at any speed over 60mph is the BEST feeling (and sound) in the world!!!!! SMG is the best for the beast, we'll have to see if DCT can eventually handle the power of a beast of an engine to be a viable alternative 
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: USA
My Ride: ///M5
Originally Posted by Filip535D' post='805675' date='Mar 2 2009, 03:01 PM
Hi,
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Chicago, IL
My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors
You didn't ask but...
I went from a 550 auto to a M5 stick - and the main thought that keeps coming to me is, how incredible the 550 would have been with a stick (especially the short throw one in the LCI 550). I love the stick in the M5 and rumor has it, it is a better choice for city driving (apparently the SMG can be a little clunky around town). I miss the torque however in the 550 but I don't miss the auto sometimes being in the wrong gear.
I went from a 550 auto to a M5 stick - and the main thought that keeps coming to me is, how incredible the 550 would have been with a stick (especially the short throw one in the LCI 550). I love the stick in the M5 and rumor has it, it is a better choice for city driving (apparently the SMG can be a little clunky around town). I miss the torque however in the 550 but I don't miss the auto sometimes being in the wrong gear.
Thread Starter
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From: Louisville, KY
My Ride: 2007 Mercedes Benz e63 AMG
Originally Posted by doug_999' post='810083' date='Mar 7 2009, 12:37 PM
You didn't ask but...
I went from a 550 auto to a M5 stick - and the main thought that keeps coming to me is, how incredible the 550 would have been with a stick (especially the short throw one in the LCI 550). I love the stick in the M5 and rumor has it, it is a better choice for city driving (apparently the SMG can be a little clunky around town). I miss the torque however in the 550 but I don't miss the auto sometimes being in the wrong gear.
I went from a 550 auto to a M5 stick - and the main thought that keeps coming to me is, how incredible the 550 would have been with a stick (especially the short throw one in the LCI 550). I love the stick in the M5 and rumor has it, it is a better choice for city driving (apparently the SMG can be a little clunky around town). I miss the torque however in the 550 but I don't miss the auto sometimes being in the wrong gear.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 21
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Originally Posted by Filip535D' post='805675' date='Mar 2 2009, 04:01 PM
Hi,
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
My wife has a M3 DCT and i have a M5 SMG.
The difference
M5 - 1 clutch - 1 transmission with 7 gears
M3 - 2 clutches - 2 transmissions with Left ( 1-3-5-7) and right ( 2-4-6)
When you shift in the M5, the gear has to be taken like with a manual transmission, 1 by 1.
With the M3 , every next gear is waiting to come in , so when you are driving in Second gear and you pull the paddle, the next gear immediatly is there without any delay, it's like with a scooter with a vario, the kick and sensation is much less with the M3 then with the M5. This because you don't have the bang that shakes your head by shifting ( hope this is understandable).
The only good difference for me is , when you do a kickdown in 7th gear with the M3 , you give 1 pull on the paddle and the gearbox is going to the best gear immediatly. With the M5 you have to pull several times to go 3 gears down.
I hope this gives an idea of the difference.
Greetings
Filip
I've driven M5 many times. in my experience, when in the M mode and the 7th gear, pressing the downshift paddle usually chooses the best gear too. I've seen it shifting down from 7 to 5 and from 7 to 4 by pressing it once.