Need info on SMG - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

VanCooper · 25th July 2001, 07:17

Maybe some of you guys can help me (and my mother). My mother currently has a 2001 X5 4.4i and she wants to trade it in for a new M3 but she doesn't drive automatic so she wants to know when is the SMG going to be available here in North America? And also if she could order Lemans blue as a special order? Thanks in advance!

William

2000 M5 black/black sportive
2001 X5 4.4i topaz/grey

Mr. Grinch · 25th July 2001, 09:55

The current estimate for SMG in USA is November production, which would be December deliver. I'm guessing the same time frame for Canada, so I'm hoping for a November allocation.

VanCooper · 26th July 2001, 11:35

Thanks for the SMG info Mr. Grinch. But will the special order color be available? Thanks in advance

Mr. Grinch · 26th July 2001, 22:01

Regarding Lemans Blue, I suggest asking around on the other E46 M3 forums, like www.bimmer.org.

The most frequent response is that Lemans Blue is an M5-only color, and therefore not available for M3, even if Individual is an option.

Nobody knows yet if Individual is an option or not either. Guys in the USA have a notoriously bad time trying to get any Individual options. Apparently there has been some luck in Canada however.

There is one guy who claims to have gotten Lemans Blue for his E46 M3 in USA, says he has close connections with his dealer. But he's never posted photos of it so we have no proof.

With the current color choices, I'll be going with Alpine White. It stands out, but doesn't hold your eye like Lemans. However it's a lot lower maintenance as it hides dust, scratches, chips, dings, touch ups much better. I intend to keep the car 10 years minimum. But if I had to choose based on looks alone, it would be Chrome Shadow followed by Lemans Blue.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

VanCooper · 26th July 2001, 22:36

Thank you again Mr. Grinch! I'll keep you up to date with whatever information I get on special order color!

P.S. Have you seen that Velvet blue M5 in the owner's gallery?
That would be my mother's second choice after Topaz blue

mjc · 18th August 2001, 21:16

Jet --

Call around several dealers and see if you can special order that color on your car. When we ordered our 540, we specifically asked for anthracite, which was a 7-series only color at the time, and was able to get it. One dealer said they were unable to, however, another said they could and delivered.

lebouf · 21st August 2001, 18:35

Car&Driver have an article that confirms SMG-II to the US, reportedly november production:
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...bmwshifter.xml

Furthermore, if you're looking for info on SMG-II you should look at:
http://www.leo.nutz.de/bmw/leo/smg2review.htm
and
http://www.leo.nutz.de/m3faq.php3

Hope this helps,
Johannes

KRM · 22nd August 2001, 21:10

Johannes, thanks for the informative links especially the latter two!