[SchutzenKönig]

I just joined this Forum a few days ago and am shopping for an E60 M5 . I wanted to get opinions on the SMG vs the manual 6 spd.
I heard the 6 spd is faster which seems untrue since the SMG switches through the gears faster than most or all people can .
I am leaning toward the manual 6spd because i didn't like the E46 SMG at slow/medium speeds. It was disappointing to me and i wished i had a 6spd at the time.
Does the E60 SMG pretty much feel the same as the E46 SMG ? If so , i will get the 6spd manual E60 M5. Plus the cost of the SMG if it has problems must be higher also.
Also , which is a faster car ? The E60 M5 SMG or the E60 6spd manual M5 ?
I can't test drive the E60 M5 6spd manual since they are harder to find.

What are your opinions???????

 

[ZETECF1]

The "search" button is your friend...

 

[Dexter Morgan]

I just joined this Forum a few days ago and am shopping for an E60 M5 . I wanted to get opinions on the SMG vs the manual 6 spd.
I heard the 6 spd is faster which seems untrue since the SMG switches through the gears faster than most or all people can .
I am leaning toward the manual 6spd because i didn't like the E46 SMG at slow/medium speeds. It was disappointing to me and i wished i had a 6spd at the time.
Does the E60 SMG pretty much feel the same as the E46 SMG ? If so , i will get the 6spd manual E60 M5. Plus the cost of the SMG if it has problems must be higher also.
Also , which is a faster car ? The E60 M5 SMG or the E60 6spd manual M5 ?
I can't test drive the E60 M5 6spd manual since they are harder to find.

What are your opinions???????

I think all you need to know is that the E60 M5 was designed with the SMG in mind.

 

[[email protected]]

I think all you need to know is that the E60 M5 was designed with the SMG in mind.

The SMG system for the M5 is the weak point in the M5 in my opinion due to the modules that are used and usually go bad. The 6spd transmission has less problems from my experience. Go with the 6spd if you want less problems. Do a search and you'll find hundreds of threads on SMG and SMG pump problems. I always see the SMG customers at the shop more than the 6spd customers. The SMG system on the E46 M3 and E60 M5 are disappointing in my opinion and maybe BMW's since the new vehicles are using DCT technology instead of the SMG.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

The SMG system for the M5 is the weak point in the M5 in my opinion due to the modules that are used and usually go bad. The 6spd transmission has less problems from my experience. Go with the 6spd if you want less problems. Do a search and you'll find hundreds of threads on SMG and SMG pump problems. I always see the SMG customers at the shop more than the 6spd customers. The SMG system on the E46 M3 and E60 M5 are disappointing in my opinion and maybe BMW's since the new vehicles are using DCT technology instead of the SMG.

It's more complicated, hence more issues, but the SMG is still a great transmission compared to the 6 speed.

 

[intensemojo]

Nothing compares to P500S with setting S6 with the SMG. Controlled fury that can be managed to shift smoother than a manual tranny.

 

[AFC1]

Welcome to M5board! Here are some threads that may help you out:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...ble-m6board-com/107242-m6-smg-vs-6-speed.html

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60-m5-e61-m5-touring-discussion/61472-smg-vs-6-speed.html

Personally, I love driving manual, but specifically for the M5 I would choose SMG. 7 gears are better for this engine, and I like how SMG has a lot of the "feel" of a 3 pedal car, yet you can shift faster than any human could.


afc1


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[[email protected]]

See what I'm talking about here

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...another-smg-m5-bites-dust-yellow-red-cog.html

 

[STM5]

I was in your shoes last year, trying to decide on the SMG or the 6speed and I end up with a 6speed. I truly think the 6speed is easier to maintain and cheaper to fix. But I have to tell you the SMG is defiantly faster than the 6speed, but I think the 6speed is more fun.:1:
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[Dexter Morgan]

See what I'm talking about here

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...another-smg-m5-bites-dust-yellow-red-cog.html

Does anyone have a rough % of cars with SMG issues vs those without? Coming to this board you'd think it was north of 50% but I'd be willing to bet it's probably much, much lower - especially post-recalls and early build date 06's. Like someone said, you don't come on the board to say how great your car is running.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

I was in your shoes last year, trying to decide on the SMG or the 6speed and I end up with a 6speed. I truly think the 6speed is easier to maintain and cheaper to fix. But I have to tell you the SMG is defiantly faster than the 6speed, but I think the 6speed is more fun.:1:
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I don't know that SMG at high RPM when you lift the throttle to shift - I am amazed at how quickly it moves up a gear. You can't bang a modern 6 speed into gear like you could the old M-21 or M-22 top loaders.

 

[S2000]

I have 2006 M5 SMG , now at 47k miles, no issue and love it.
The clutch is jerky at stop/go traffic below 25mph but at highway driving and track driving , it is awesome.

 

[[email protected]]

Does anyone have a rough % of cars with SMG issues vs those without? Coming to this board you'd think it was north of 50% but I'd be willing to bet it's probably much, much lower - especially post-recalls and early build date 06's. Like someone said, you don't come on the board to say how great your car is running.

Do a search and see I bet you'll find out that it is north of 50% and especially since there was the recall for the early production cars.We can agree to disagree on this. And just fyi people come on the board for all kind of reasons and not just to ask for help with an SMG problem. The board was made for enthusiast to celebrate their cars, get help, ideas, and to create comradery between BMW owners. Many people are happy with an SMG until it gives problems.

 

[PilotMike]

Car

What car are you driving now?
If its not a manual BMW, then you will probably like the SMG.

Personally, I hate my SMG in day to day traffic 60 mile commute.

 

[Michael_s]

I've had both and there are pro's and con's to both. For me, it's clear this car was made around the SMG. The 6 speed was not planned until us American's *****ed and BMW caved. I think the M3 is more suited to the 6 speed with 3 pedals but at the end of the day we all have a V10 under the hood...... But, some days, when there is a lot of traffic, which is not the SMG's strong suit, I wish I had a 6 speed. Other times when I'm on the highway, RPM's around 6K and I nail it and shift close to the redline, SMG all the way.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

What car are you driving now?
If its not a manual BMW, then you will probably like the SMG.

Personally, I hate my SMG in day to day traffic 60 mile commute.

I have a 60 mile round trip commute each day. SMG isn't the greatest in traffic, but the trade off is when you can open her up, and of course knowing you're in a ///M - makes up for a lot. I also feather and baby the car in traffic, so it's managable.

 

[SchutzenKönig]

Thanks for all the info guys

 

[06ggm5]

SMG Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MRichmond]

There is no doubt the SMG is faster than the 6-speed. Recall the Car & Driver tests a while back which showed a huge (several seconds) difference in 0-150 acceleration, and smaller differences in 0-60 and 1/4-mile.

There is no doubt the SMG is a more complicated system than the 6-speed and, if it breaks, will cost more to fix if no warranty is available.

There is no doubt that the frequency of SMG problems has declined dramatically after the first year or so. The vast majority of the early cars, including mine, that underwent the SMG pump recall have been flawless since then.

There is no doubt that the car was designed to work with the SMG.

There is no doubt that the SMG-III is a significant improvement over the SMG-II in the e46.

There is no doubt that the SMG is far, far superior on track.

Now for the subjective part -- the SMG is a huge part of making this car feel somewhat exotic.

 

[furram5]

I have also owned both 6speed and SMG and both cars are great cant really go wrong with either. I had one of the first group of 06 SMG's to hit the US and to tell you I had zero issues and the car was great. Then in 08 my wife wanted the 6 speed and after owning the SMG which I loved I was a bit disappointed with the 6 speed choice initially but now its been 2 years with the 6 speed and I really enjoyed the car. But I agree with the others this car was built with the SMG in mind. I always recommend a good extended warranty with both the 6 speed or SMG.