Ulrich Bruhnke on manual for USA-only from Autoweek - Page 2 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

riaz · 4th September 2005, 17:46

I think some of the reaction from the so called "hard core" buyers comes from the negative publicity by journalist on the smg that it does not provide smooth gear changes. In my view this is largely from lack of experience with the gearbox; it took me afew days to get used to the gear changes on my m3 which has the second generation smg and it is as smooth as my previous e 39m5 without the pain of a hard clutch.

hythe · 4th September 2005, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamer_usa

Didn't realize the SMG was an automatic trans.

Technically, it's a semi-automatic (a.k.a. robotised manual) gearbox.

Jim Dolan · 4th September 2005, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by riaz

I think some of the reaction from the so called "hard core" buyers comes from the negative publicity by journalist on the smg that it does not provide smooth gear changes. In my view this is largely from lack of experience with the gearbox; it took me afew days to get used to the gear changes on my m3 which has the second generation smg and it is as smooth as my previous e 39m5 without the pain of a hard clutch.

I agree, I drove a 645 with smg twice and quickly got better on the second time. Add to that, this latest generation of smg for bmw and it can only get better. I think performance cars will all adopt smg eventually and manuals will be less desireable. Shift times will be quicker with smg over manual but you must get heads up display for the information on what gear your in.

BostonRocket · 4th September 2005, 19:23

I wonder how they will manage to extract the same performance numbers out of a gearbox that has one less gear. Certainly, the top speed or the overdrive gear will have to be sacrificed, no?

'Rocket

MEnthusiast · 4th September 2005, 19:50

We'll find out the answer to the question soon enough. In the mean time my own wild guess is they will take 5&6th gears to incorporate the range of 5-6-7 in the SMG car and sacrifice some top speed. I dont think they would design a differential rear end gear set- thats more to design and also more to service. As for performance- I dont know if you can get the same 0-60 without LC and even if you could equal or even better it, Im not sure if the marketing people would want that- SMG is supposed to be the ultimate in performance. The manual is a nice favor for people like me who prefer the interaction of a stick shift.

I think many people here believe if theres no stick shift and clutch pedal then it is not a true manual- and many people drawn to BMW are drawn to the fact that they offer a stick shift for nearly every model- they are one of the few to do that. My dealer told me their first 50 spots for M5s are stick shift- they could not believe the resistance to SMG. I am surprised by this, I thought most would want the SMG.

Jim Dolan · 4th September 2005, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEnthusiast

We'll find out the answer to the question soon enough. In the mean time my own wild guess is they will take 5&6th gears to incorporate the range of 5-6-7 in the SMG car and sacrifice some top speed. I dont think they would design a differential rear end gear set- thats more to design and also more to service. As for performance- I dont know if you can get the same 0-60 without LC and even if you could equal or even better it, Im not sure if the marketing people would want that- SMG is supposed to be the ultimate in performance. The manual is a nice favor for people like me who prefer the interaction of a stick shift.

I think many people here believe if theres no stick shift and clutch pedal then it is not a true manual- and many people drawn to BMW are drawn to the fact that they offer a stick shift for nearly every model- they are one of the few to do that. My dealer told me their first 50 spots for M5s are stick shift- they could not believe the resistance to SMG. I am surprised by this, I thought most would want the SMG.

Jerry one thing that struck me at a stop light no brake and no clutch, cool. I liked that. In my auto touareg foot on brake or neutral selected.

riaz · 4th September 2005, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Dolan

I agree, I drove a 645 with smg twice and quickly got better on the second time. Add to that, this latest generation of smg for bmw and it can only get better. I think performance cars will all adopt smg eventually and manuals will be less desireable. Shift times will be quicker with smg over manual but you must get heads up display for the information on what gear your in.

I think the key to ensuring smooth gear changes with the smg is to keep your foot on the accelerator as you are changing gears rather than easing off;

Jim Dolan · 4th September 2005, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by riaz

I think the key to ensuring smooth gear changes with the smg is to keep your foot on the accelerator as you are changing gears rather than easing off;

Noted!

thebishman · 4th September 2005, 22:54

If SMG III is anything like SMG II, then the key to having a 'smooth' upshift is in fact to LIFT slightly as you engage the next gear.
Bish

SC'dKellenersM5 · 4th September 2005, 22:57

As some one that had both a SMG M3 and of course my m5, i cant tell you how much more easily it was to drive the M3 fast, but it left a void everytime. 6spd, although i think if you are going to track your car, then i would go with the SMG as III is supposedly much smoother in both S and A modes.