still doing "homework" on the M5
06-11-2009, 04:59 AM
#11
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 11,432
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
When the 6MT was originally released, you couldn't fully disengage traction control so that's why it was a bit slower than the SMG in the 0-60 sprint but that was later corrected with a software upgrade; so that article is old news. 
That said, I love my SMG.
That said, I love my SMG.
06-11-2009, 09:10 AM
#12
Members
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Look at it this way, the car is made by Germans, but you CANNOT by a 6mt in europe at all, because it is not even an option. SMG is standard. Some clever German had the idea that Americans wouldn;t know how to use an SMG?! I think the point is the car was designed to run with 7speed SMG period. Anything else is a substitute. Guess it's a matter of preference at the end of the day. I wouldn't want a 6mt anyway.
06-11-2009, 09:42 AM
#13
Members
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bronx, NY
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 E60 M5 Alpine White/ Indy Red 6spd
While I agree that the car was designed for the SMG and it is a wonderful system I still prefer the 6 speed and I got it for 2 reasons. One The SMG paddle shifting feels too "Sony Playstation" video game for me. I don't wanna feeling like I am playing a video game when driving. And two I don't have to worry about the RCOD (Red Cog Of Death) especially when the car has higher mileage :-)
06-11-2009, 09:53 AM
#14
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by lawguy' post='907634' date='Jun 11 2009, 06:47 AM
DrLev - why dont you have the M5 anymore?
LOVE your 550i pic. Its hard to justify thinking about am M5, when the 550i is such a great car in its own right!
LOVE your 550i pic. Its hard to justify thinking about am M5, when the 550i is such a great car in its own right!
I love my 550. It is an outstanding car. But it is no M5. It just does not compare in power. That's the biggest difference in my book.
06-11-2009, 10:07 AM
#15
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 11,432
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
Originally Posted by Stormster' post='907890' date='Jun 11 2009, 10:10 AM
Some clever German had the idea that Americans wouldn;t know how to use an SMG?!
06-11-2009, 10:48 AM
#16
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by EuroCarFan' post='907950' date='Jun 11 2009, 02:07 PM
No, BMW came out with the 6MT because the US market was asking for it.
06-11-2009, 10:50 AM
#17
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by BMWM5NYC' post='907922' date='Jun 11 2009, 01:42 PM
While I agree that the car was designed for the SMG and it is a wonderful system I still prefer the 6 speed and I got it for 2 reasons. One The SMG paddle shifting feels too "Sony Playstation" video game for me. I don't wanna feeling like I am playing a video game when driving. And two I don't have to worry about the RCOD (Red Cog Of Death) especially when the car has higher mileage :-)
You must have bought because I, who lease my cars, don't give a hoot what happens to my car when it has tons of miles (and another owner/leasee).
06-11-2009, 12:57 PM
#18
Members
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bronx, NY
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 E60 M5 Alpine White/ Indy Red 6spd
Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='907992' date='Jun 11 2009, 02:50 PM
Your car looks terrific and if you prefer the MT to the SMG, that's all that counts.
You must have bought because I, who lease my cars, don't give a hoot what happens to my car when it has tons of miles (and another owner/leasee).
You must have bought because I, who lease my cars, don't give a hoot what happens to my car when it has tons of miles (and another owner/leasee).
06-11-2009, 03:53 PM
#19
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by BMWM5NYC' post='908149' date='Jun 11 2009, 04:57 PM
Yeah I bought the car and hope to have it for a looooooong time
06-29-2009, 08:36 PM
#20
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors
Wow, so many people with opinions, so few actually answering the OP's question...
On 6 speed manual cars built after 09/2007 the traction control can be completely disabled.
On 6 speed manual cars build PRIOR to 09/2007, the dealer will do a no-charge software update so that you can completely disable the traction control.
With the traction control disabled, both cars will run very similar 0-60 and quarter mile runs. However, the SMG will do it more consistently. In addition, if you are taking it to the track, the SMG will also allow you to get more consistent and probably faster times.
Yes, the M5 was made with the SMG only.
Yes, the M5 came out with the 6 speed manual for North America only.
Yes, the 6 speed manual is the same trans that was in the e39 M5.
All that said - go drive them both and pick the one you like better. I LOVED the 6 speed manual - I like the involvement and love having a true manual transmission car again and I would NOT be driving a M5 if it only came with SMG... so there, thank you BMW for caving into our crazy American desires...
On 6 speed manual cars built after 09/2007 the traction control can be completely disabled.
On 6 speed manual cars build PRIOR to 09/2007, the dealer will do a no-charge software update so that you can completely disable the traction control.
With the traction control disabled, both cars will run very similar 0-60 and quarter mile runs. However, the SMG will do it more consistently. In addition, if you are taking it to the track, the SMG will also allow you to get more consistent and probably faster times.
Yes, the M5 was made with the SMG only.
Yes, the M5 came out with the 6 speed manual for North America only.
Yes, the 6 speed manual is the same trans that was in the e39 M5.
All that said - go drive them both and pick the one you like better. I LOVED the 6 speed manual - I like the involvement and love having a true manual transmission car again and I would NOT be driving a M5 if it only came with SMG... so there, thank you BMW for caving into our crazy American desires...