BMW S65 V10 Specs Released (Plus M5 Goodies)

[Jon325i]

I guess my "issue" with SMG II is that it removes one more connection from the car to the driver. First it was e-gas....the throttle by wire set up. That removed one direct connection from the driver. Now the gearbox. All these disconnects erode the "one-ness" you get when driving a car on your favorite back road. The more isolated the driver/occupant becomes, the less involved one feels in what the car is doing. And for some drivers that's perfectly fine......others (like some of us here) disagree.

Granted SMG II does some wonderful things, but enhancing its connection with the driver is not one of them. I learned to drive in a stick shift car.....and every car I have owned has had a manual transmission. I like having that control of gear changes while accelerating/decelerating. I'm definately old school when it comes to cars. There are very few offerings in today's new car market that actually "wows" me.

Jon

[BS87]

Mmmmmmmm S65 swap... V10E30......




*wakes up*

[mspiegle]

@Jon325i

Don't forget the steering. Does this M5 use that new indirect steering column?

[Jon325i]

@Jon325i

Don't forget the steering. Does this M5 use that new indirect steering column?

Good call.....I overlooked that one.

Jon

[m42technic]

I have, it works well for an auto but its still not the same

One of the things you guys dont realize is that SMG isnt an "auto." Its an actual manual transmission that is hydraulically shifted. On the E46 M3, the same transmission is used in the SMG cars as the regular 6-speeds. The SMG unit is just added on.

[Rob]

I know that, and I still think it sucks. Functionally, it is a glorified auto.

[Beej '86 325es]

I know that, and I still think it sucks. Functionally, it is a glorified auto.

I drove a new M3 with the SMG for about an hour, didn't even bother using the auto part of it, and the manual shifting just took all the fun out of shifting.

[bimmerphile]

I know that, and I still think it sucks. Functionally, it is a glorified auto.

I drove a new M3 with the SMG for about an hour, didn't even bother using the auto part of it, and the manual shifting just took all the fun out of shifting.

Give it a solid week and it will grow on you.


I like it. A lot in fact. However, I will say that I won't own an SMG car without having a full-manual nearby (though this probably won't be an issue for a while).

[Rob]

the more important question, would you own a SMG equipped car, out of warranty? I sure as shit wouldnt.

[m42technic]

Before too long, BMW will phase out conventional automatic transmissions. SMG will be the successor to them.




And yes, the new M5 will use active steering...

[Insert Rob's rant about active steering here]

;)

[Rob]

I hooked a force feedback wheel to my computer. that doesn't make my gateway a sports car
:P

[Charlie]

I hooked a force feedback wheel to my computer. that doesn't make my gateway a sports car
:P

I want my next car to have a steering ratio of 1/2 turn lock to lock, and sequential paddles that break after 2 weeks of usage.

-Charlie

[Bill 84 318i]

I hooked a force feedback wheel to my computer. that doesn't make my gateway a sports car
:P

I want my next car to have a steering ratio of 1/2 turn lock to lock, and sequential paddles that break after 2 weeks of usage.

-Charlie

:rofl:

[Rob]

haha true. anyone catch that magazine article about the 996 that had a 1:1 steering rack installed? could be fun

[Werksmini]

Lane changes on the highway would have a whole new meaning.

I see where your coming from by complaining about what direction automobiles are going (ie: less driver based). Well buy older cars. They havent been making true drivers cars for a while, well the big players that is.