Razz

Back again after a while of being MIA. The heartbreak of departing from my E60 550i was too much for me to come back to the forums. After departing with my Steptronic I am now starting to research what I REALLY want, which as of now is a LCI E60 ///M5 with a 6 speed MT. I have not driven either the MT or the SMG yet but, I did just recently drive an E46 ///M3 with the SMG and I was not a fan, I tried letting off of the throttle when shifting and that helped but, I hated not having control of the clutch, and gear changes were slow and brutal. My only reservation with the MT is that I have seen members say that after about 10-15 minutes of hard, track driving, the MT over heats and lowers the redline of that beautiful V10 anywhere from 4,500-6,000 rpm. I don't plan on having "The Beast" be my daily driver and want it to be ready to go fast. Could anyone direct me to a thread where this may have been resolved, or is this an ongoing issue with ///M5 MT's? Also, couldn’t an oil cooler installed to the MT resolve this issue? I bet there’s a performance shop out there capable of this (hint, hint!) I mean how hard could it be?

On a side note for kicks and giggles, is the SMG any more economical than the MT even by a MPG at hwy speed because of that 7th gear? Like I said, kicks and giggles, I'm not that concerned about MPG with an F1 inspired V10 engine, but I am curious.

ColdList

Huh? the SMG shifts was SLOW? I am a big fan of manulas but I currenlty have an SMG. I also miss not having control of the clutch. My complaint with the SMG is that it can be jerky. But as for speeds of shifts: Put it in M mode, turn off DSC, switch shift speed to 6 and hold on. I have owned two SMG cards now and several manuals. There is NO WAY ON EARTH that anyone can shit a manual faster than an SMG. That is it's primary purpose and it performs very well at that. It does have quirks but you decide which you want, smooth or a little jerky with fraction of a second shifts.

Bill109

I vote for MT. iv'e never driven an SMG but it just seems odd. shifting without a clutch pedal?
Alot of people comment on how smooth and fast the smg shifts are but when your foot reaches for the clutch as you "shift" a smg.. thats enough for me to stay, "stick with a MT". Im' not a big help but since its a weekend driver i think you will enjoy that clutch pedal.
Heck, go test drive them both, that will make your day lol

umichchris

i own an SMG....ummm its pretty damn awesome on the freeway or in spirited driving....nothing like it when ur flying down the road.

however, in city driving...esp at low speeds, it sucks ass. the only way to have the best of both worlds is the new DCT trans that BMW has in the E9x Ms and the new F10/F13 Ms.

if i had to do it all over again id still do SMG over MT bc in slow traffic an MT would be just as much of a pain...

BADiNfLuEnCe

In the driving sense... Smg is similar to having tiptronic to me... At the end of the day smg quick shifts are usefull for the track.. How much m5 owners go to the track...6spd mt lets you enjoy your car and have FULL CONTROL.... 6spd mt and 3.92 diff are my plans

Mizzark

depending on what you need a 6mt over smg.. this might make you change your mind.

1600

Engine was designed around the SMG, but it has to be your individual preference. I like the SMG very much. Smooth as silk around the city or highway.

Tj Hunter

I LOVE the SMGIII in the E6x M5's, and for the most part everyone is right in saying that the SMG is "faster" then the 6MT, though from 50-280 KPH, the 6MT can be faster due to longer gear ratios of the 6MT and not having to shift as much. It seems like it all comes down to preference.