Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > Other BMWs
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-14-2008, 09:50 AM
X5Jay's Avatar
Pre-fookin'-mia-memba!
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: I'm Back!
Posts: 3,775
X5Jay is on a distinguished road
Drove an '04 645 SMG

One of the sales managers at my local BMW dealer is a friend of mine and he knows that I'm looking to get a new vehicle. He called me last week to tell me about a jet black/beige '04 645 - SMG with 29K on the clock. I never drove an SMG so I thought I'd give it a try.

Well, I drove the car for maybe 20 miles or so - mix of highway and around town. Overall I really liked the car - looked super and was pretty loaded, although I didn't like the fact that the sunroof only tilted and didn't open.

The SMG transmission was really interesting. I was expecting something similar to a steptronic and really never did understand the difference (not sure if I really understand the difference now, either). I'm not sure if something was wrong with the car or if it was my lack of experience, but it was quite a challenge to smoothly drive the car in manual mode. It really felt like a true manual without a clutch - it would even roll back a bit on inclines when starting off, just like a real manual. I felt like I had to get on and off the gas at just the right time to make it smooth and this was something that was clearly going to take me a bit of time to master. Also, the drive-line felt a bit clunky - like it needed u-joints. It wasn't terrible, but it was noticeable. My dealer friend told me that while this car may have been a bit more loose than a new SMG, this is how they are and it's normal. I didn't think I could deal with that daily - not in a BMW. If it was a manual 6-speed, that car may be in my garage right now as I thought the price he gave me was great...

All in all it was a cool ride and the tranny was certainly interesting, but it just felt too unrefined to me and I didn't want something that I'd have to concentrate so much on to drive it smoothly.

Those of you w/SMG experience, was this car a clunker or is this really how they are?
__________________
'08 335i Coupe - Barbera Red / Saddle Leather / Light Poplar Wood / 6spd Manual
Options: Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Comfort Access, Active Steering (awesome!), Power Rear Shade, IPod Adapter, Navigation w/IDrive
Mods: M6 Wheels, Split Armrest, M-Steering Wheel, Euro Light Switch w/Rear Fog Lights, Short Shift Knob w/Matching E-Brake Handle, Clear Reflectors, CDV, Clear Bra

Retired:'04 X5 4.4i
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 01-14-2008, 09:53 AM
Wagner's Avatar
..make it happn' capn'
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 17,747
Wagner is on a distinguished road


Yeah, 6spd is a must for me.
__________________

An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-14-2008, 10:05 AM
X5Jay's Avatar
Pre-fookin'-mia-memba!
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: I'm Back!
Posts: 3,775
X5Jay is on a distinguished road
The car I drove looked exactly like yours, Wag (at least from the outside), same wheels too - I thought of you the second I saw it. I forget though - is yours jet black or black sapphire? In any case, I'm sure you're lovin' it with that 6-spd. If it was a manual, we'd-a-been twins!

BTW - do you feel any clunkiness in yours with the manual?
__________________
'08 335i Coupe - Barbera Red / Saddle Leather / Light Poplar Wood / 6spd Manual
Options: Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Comfort Access, Active Steering (awesome!), Power Rear Shade, IPod Adapter, Navigation w/IDrive
Mods: M6 Wheels, Split Armrest, M-Steering Wheel, Euro Light Switch w/Rear Fog Lights, Short Shift Knob w/Matching E-Brake Handle, Clear Reflectors, CDV, Clear Bra

Retired:'04 X5 4.4i
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-14-2008, 10:07 AM
Wagner's Avatar
..make it happn' capn'
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 17,747
Wagner is on a distinguished road
No clunkiness. Mine is Black Sapphire with black interior (Premium/Sports/Cold pkgs).

My 545 had a 'clunky' feel to the transmission but the 645 doesn't, though I do believe the share the same trans
__________________

An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-14-2008, 10:36 AM
AzNMpower32's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: WNC
Posts: 6,010
AzNMpower32 is on a distinguished road
Personally, I'd be wary of getting a used car with SMG. Too many potential parts to go wrong.

Back in 2004, before BMW invented all the brake functions like Start off Assistant, Comfort Stop, etc... you had to manually engage the Start Off Assistant on SMG. I'm not sure what it is on the non-M cars, but in the M3 you held the - paddle for a few seconds, and then accelerated. The brakes would hold the vehicle for 2s before letting off to prevent rolling back.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-14-2008, 10:43 AM
Wagner's Avatar
..make it happn' capn'
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 17,747
Wagner is on a distinguished road
Manual...so much easier
__________________

An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-14-2008, 03:30 PM
08WhtX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 391
08WhtX5 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wagner
Manual...so much easier
I disagree. The SMG is a manual without the clutch.

I too thought I would never want a sports car without a manual until I drove the M3 with SMG.

I knew instantly I wanted it.It does take some time to learn the proper technique but after a few hours you become comfortable and can shift it as smooth as an automatic.

I also like the fact that you can put it in Drive and its almost like an automatic.
__________________
2008 BMW X5 4.8i (E70)
Alpine White, Burl Walnut, Nevada Black, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package,
Premium Package, Technology Package,
Rear Climate Package, iPod adapter
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-14-2008, 04:10 PM
Wagner's Avatar
..make it happn' capn'
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 17,747
Wagner is on a distinguished road
Sorry man, we disagree on that. I've been in the E46 M with a manual and smg, far preferred the feel of the manual. If I ever decided to get a 'performance German ride' with a non-manual, it would be an Audi...the crew that defined clutchless manual.
__________________

An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-14-2008, 05:41 PM
toohotdoc's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NorthWest
Posts: 731
toohotdoc is on a distinguished road
SMG is made for performance, it shifts faster than manual and in 1/4 its faster to have a smg eventho that might not be your purpose, but thats why SMG is a option. Also, SMG and Steptronic or totally different, the SMG shifts way faster, even when compared to the new 335i which is a updated steptronice. I would take the SMG but for a daily driver i also would be lost in the choice.

Hey X5JAY, how does the 645 dive in Auto?
__________________
" Despite its supercar attributes, the M5 still doubles as a soberly practical, spacious saloon - only with the ability to scare four passengers in comfort all the way to the local coronary unit". Top Gear
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-14-2008, 05:51 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 1,246
mrkbbd is on a distinguished road
I think the 6series has SMG I not II, thats in the e46 m3, so it should have a similar shift time to the new steptronics
__________________
2006 BMW X5 4.8is Lemans Blue/Beige/Dark Maple
-Nav, Comfort Seats, Heated Steering Wheel,
Rear Airbags, AUX Input
2009 BMW M3 Space Grey/Black/Carbon
-all options
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:13 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.