550 SMG vs. M5 SMG

[Quinn]

It's amazing how much information is not available from my salesguy. I just ordered the 550i with SMG and my salesguy had zero info for me. As it turns out, I believe the following to be true. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

The 550 and 650 share the same SMG system which does include an automated clutch, however, the M cars have a dedicated hydrolic system for this purpose whearas the 550 and 650 versions use the car's oil pressure to make the shifts.

Since most dealerships do not have a 550 with SMG, so I can't drive one. Everything I've read says great things about the 550 and 650's SMG. Anyone out there have first hand knowledge for me???

Thanks.

 

[CosmosBlack]

As I've said in your other thread, I've driven the 530i SMG and I liked it.
So I assume they must have at least improved it since then.
I believe you should be fine if your main objective in the first place was to get a car with an automatic option, yet gives you a chance to play around sometimes.

 

[wolverine]

It's amazing how much information is not available from my salesguy. I just ordered the 550i with SMG and my salesguy had zero info for me. As it turns out, I believe the following to be true. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

The 550 and 650 share the same SMG system which does include an automated clutch, however, the M cars have a dedicated hydrolic system for this purpose whearas the 550 and 650 versions use the car's oil pressure to make the shifts.

Since most dealerships do not have a 550 with SMG, so I can't drive one. Everything I've read says great things about the 550 and 650's SMG. Anyone out there have first hand knowledge for me???

Thanks.

With almost 25,000 miles on my M5, I can give you a good reading on SMG. I also put almost 20,000 miles on my 545 6sp. If you're looking for an 'automatic' car that you can play with as a manual, that's not what SMG is. An SMG car needs to be driven like a manual, and the automatic mode is absolutely worthless. It's good if you need to let someone else drive it who's not familiar with SMG, or if you're eating. But it is NOT an automatic transmission - not even close. It's very rough and jerky, stays in the wrong gear way too long, and will drive you nuts in about 60 seconds, after which you'll switch back to manual mode.

Honestly I would go for either the auto if you want a very smooth car, or the 6sp if you really want a traditional manual. The automatic on the 5 series is fantastic, and quicker than the manual because of the lower gear ratios. The manual is good, but not great. The SMG if for you if you like technology, and really like blipping through the gears. I would never buy the car without test driving a car with the tranny you want. There is a huge difference between the three. Find a dealer with a used 545 SMG and test drive it.