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#1
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Drove an '04 645 SMG
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?
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'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 |
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#2
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Yeah, 6spd is a must for me.
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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. |
#3
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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?
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'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 |
#4
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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
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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. |
#5
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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. |
#6
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Manual...so much easier
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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. |
#7
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Quote:
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.
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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 |
#8
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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.
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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. |
#9
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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?
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" 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 |
#10
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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
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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 |
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