Regular 6 speed M5?

[MikeE30325i]

doesn't the ferrari have some form of SMG too?

yeah, isnt it like paddle shifters or something? you shift when you want to? or am i confused?

[Jean]

I was just kidding! Ferrari has something way cooler than any m5, rotary dial on the steering wheel that you use to dial in how much driving aids you want depending on condition.

Look on the right side of the steering wheel - http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/04/f43005_inter3.jpg

Anyway, back on topic I would probably take SMG/DSG or whatever the latest term is for a manual that can be driven as an auto if it comes to a BIG LUXURY sedan for those times when you just don't want to shift in traffic or you are going somewhere with you SO etc. I would of course take a manual in a sports coupe , but a sedan SMG it is imho.

[trent]

you guys who are knocking SMG probably haven't driven SMG. It is fucking sweet.

[WillisE30]

Im just pointing out that this M5 is like nothing the other generations ever were... It's a supercar in every sense,

You're breaking my balls here, do you realize that when the e28 M5 came it it was the fastest, and quickest production sedan in the world. It's acceleration numbers rivaled or bested many super cars of the day and it had handling to match.
The same is true for each other iteration of the 5. Never has it been anything but a full blown wolf in sheep's clothing. Granted as each generation ages it becomes less impressive when compared to newer cars, but for their eras each respective car was a force to be reckoned with.

I'm sure someone will figure out how to disengage the traction control system...

I'm not so sure, new BMW software and computer systems are EXTREMELY complicated, the cost of doing this would more likely than not make it economically inviable. By that I mean, how many 6spd M5s will BMW likely sell, realistically less than 5000. If you consider the development time involved with that and the price you'd have to charge to recoup costs, since not all of the owners will want your software you won't sell many it would be EXPENSIVE. Not saying it won't happen, I just don't see it as likely.

[bmwm3n528]

you guys who are knocking SMG probably haven't driven SMG. It is fucking sweet.

QFT. People don't understand there's a learning curve though. You can be smooth with it, it just takes time.

[e30evolution]

you guys who are knocking SMG probably haven't driven SMG. It is fucking sweet.

I was going to say the same thing

[euroshark]

I wasnt knocking SMG, I'm just ignorantly stating that I'd prefer a manual... And I think that for everyday driving, based on what I have read about SMG being clunky in low speed in town situations, the 6 speed traditional tranny would suit my tastes.

[bmwm3n528]

I wasnt knocking SMG, I'm just ignorantly stating that I'd prefer a manual... And I think that for everyday driving, based on what I have read about SMG being clunky in low speed in town situations, the 6 speed traditional tranny would suit my tastes.

Hearsayyyy

Well, if you drive an SMG car like it's a Manual transmissioned car, it reacts a lot more smoothly. One problem is, people treat it like it's Tiptronic/Steptronic and don't let off the gas between shifts and it's clunky.

Like I said, with some time, you can be smooth.

[E30 Wagen]

why? we are talking about a sports family-sedan here, not a pure bred race car.

True. LIke trent said, I've never driven an SMG before, so I'm not going to say that I wouldn't like it (I probably would like driving an SMG). I just really enjoy the clutch/shifting action. And it's just kinda weird to have an SMG setup in a big 4 door sedan.

OT: BMW cars keep getting too big. I hate it. A new 3 series is bigger than an e34. what gives?

[DarkWing6]

QFT. People don't understand there's a learning curve though. You can be smooth with it, it just takes time.

Yup yup. My boss at work has SMG on his e46 comp pkg m3. He hated it for the 1st week or so and thought he had maken the biggest mistake of his life. He went to the dealer and spent the afternoon with one of the techs learning to drive it. He says he will never own a daily without it.

[Nick]

How is it unusual to have SMG in a 4-door sedan? The e39 M5 had it before the e60 ever came out.

It's essentially a more advanced 'manual' type transmission that trades out the slave/master cylinder setup for an electronically controlled servo. It may not be quite as refined as it will be in a few years, but it can be driven smoothly.

Also keep in mind that there are multiple 'modes' to SMG (e.g. Sport 1 thru 6 on the new M6)...and the more rapidly the shifts come, the more rough it will feel.

[James Crivellone]

SMG can be very smooth depending on driving.. I got pretty damn good with it when I drove an 02 M3.

The shifting is pretty damn cool, all automated, and the revmatches are much faster.


That being said, its nothing I'd enjoy in a car..while it was awesome in a technology sense, and performed very well (can't imagine the SMGIII in the M5) its not something I would want, I get much more satisfaction working harder with a regular manual...even if I'm slower in the end.


my

[bimmer]

How is it unusual to have SMG in a 4-door sedan? The e39 M5 had it before the e60 ever came out.

It's essentially a more advanced 'manual' type transmission that trades out the slave/master cylinder setup for an electronically controlled servo. It may not be quite as refined as it will be in a few years, but it can be driven smoothly.

Also keep in mind that there are multiple 'modes' to SMG (e.g. Sport 1 thru 6 on the new M6)...and the more rapidly the shifts come, the more rough it will feel.

The E39 M5 never had SMG. Only the 6 speed manual.

Also when you guys are talking about the S85 motor you have to remember that it makes most of it´s power high in the revs - has a
rather narrow power band. That is why the 7 speed box and this
engine are such a match - it makes it possible to keep the engine
in it´s power band most of the time.

Although I am not a big fan of SMG I think I would not ever take the
E60 M5 with a stick.

This engine and a manual transmission is not a good match IMHO.

[killa325i]

you guys who are knocking SMG probably haven't driven SMG. It is fucking sweet.

+1 i drove a e46 M3 smg and it was f'n awsome

[killa325i]

How is it unusual to have SMG in a 4-door sedan? The e39 M5 had it before the e60 ever came out.

It's essentially a more advanced 'manual' type transmission that trades out the slave/master cylinder setup for an electronically controlled servo. It may not be quite as refined as it will be in a few years, but it can be driven smoothly.

Also keep in mind that there are multiple 'modes' to SMG (e.g. Sport 1 thru 6 on the new M6)...and the more rapidly the shifts come, the more rough it will feel.

if i'm not mistaken the e39 M5 was 6spd only