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      02-09-2009, 01:29 AM   #1
littleyellowm3
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How is the 2006 M5 SMG to live with on a daily basis?

Hello

I am considering purchasing a 2006 M5.

Give me the nitty gritty. Is the SMG really as bad as I am hearing from some? How is it in stop and go traffic? Does it really jerk a lot?

Or is it something that is pretty easy to live with once you know how its going to act?

Thanks!
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      02-09-2009, 10:13 PM   #2
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Well I just got back from a test drive, and I answered my own question.

Although sometimes awkward, I can easily live with it!
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      02-10-2009, 08:49 PM   #3
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Get an M3 sedan 6 speed. The M5 SMG is just too big, too thirsty, and too herky jerky. My last car was a 550 sport. M3 will run circles around the M5.
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      02-13-2009, 10:49 AM   #4
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I can't remember the last time a thread made me join a forum...

The SMG is fine to live with day-to-day if you remember what it is. If you expect the smoothness of an auto when you're commuting, you'll be disappointed. It certainly works better than the F1 box in a Ferrari or Maserati but it is behind the DSG in either the GT-R or M3 in terms of mundane driving.

And...um, the M3 will not, "run circles" around an M5. That's a bit like your little brother thinking he'll beat you in one-on-one.
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      02-13-2009, 02:44 PM   #5
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I haven't driven an SMG car. But if it's like the Maserati you mention, learning to modulate the throttle during shifts will help.
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      02-15-2009, 02:40 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rennwagen View Post
I can't remember the last time a thread made me join a forum...

The SMG is fine to live with day-to-day if you remember what it is. If you expect the smoothness of an auto when you're commuting, you'll be disappointed. It certainly works better than the F1 box in a Ferrari or Maserati but it is behind the DSG in either the GT-R or M3 in terms of mundane driving.

And...um, the M3 will not, "run circles" around an M5. That's a bit like your little brother thinking he'll beat you in one-on-one.
That's funny, this thread had the same effect on me.

I have been driving my SMG M5 daily for the last 9 months and have put about 20k miles on it since then. I am so used to the way that SMG operates that when I leave it in auto mode, for instance if I have passengers along who are not looking for a thrill ride, my throttle control is such that it is no less smooth than a regular automatic. It's all a matter of getting used to it. There is no reason for the car to EVER feel herky-jerky unless the driver doesn't know how to drive it properly.

An M3 will run circles around an M5? What a riot. Right. You obviously have never driven an M5. I've had an M3 and three different M5s, and driven countless others of each model. While I would never contest that the two cars are built for different purposes, and as such one is more capable at certain types of maneuvers or in certain settings, there is no situation where either car of the same model year will "run circles around" the other.

That is, unless we're talking straight line acceleration, because you had better get a good look at me when you're next to me, because you're never going to see anything but my taillights after I hit it.
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      02-15-2009, 08:41 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NTI V10 View Post
I am so used to the way that SMG operates that when I leave it in auto mode, for instance if I have passengers along who are not looking for a thrill ride, my throttle control is such that it is no less smooth than a regular automatic. It's all a matter of getting used to it. There is no reason for the car to EVER feel herky-jerky unless the driver doesn't know how to drive it properly.
So it is like the Maserati.

The problem in both cases is that, when there's no clutch, most people expect to not have to modulate the throttle during shifts. And don't. And then blame the transmission.
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      02-15-2009, 09:26 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewM3driver View Post
Get an M3 sedan 6 speed.


yes i agree.

infact i have one for sale!
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      02-16-2009, 09:17 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkaresh View Post
So it is like the Maserati.

The problem in both cases is that, when there's no clutch, most people expect to not have to modulate the throttle during shifts. And don't. And then blame the transmission.
Exactly. You just can't drive it like an automatic, but somewhere in between the two. That's because, hmm, it's not an automatic or a manual, but somewhere between the two!
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      02-17-2009, 07:09 PM   #10
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The M5 SMG is fairly easy to live with on a daily basis.

I should start out saying that I have only used the auto setting once in the 6 months I've owned this car. But for commuting, I usually leave it in the P400, S4 setting. You still have 400hp, so its still faster that most of the other cars on the road, but the throttle response is very gentle and allows for a comfortable drive. In stop and go traffic, the P500 Sport has such an aggressive throttle response, it feels as if you will run over the car in front of you.

But when the road clears, the P500 Sport setting with either S5 or S6 makes it feel like you are in a race car. It's really like having 2 cars in one.
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      02-17-2009, 09:10 PM   #11
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where are you in the mid west? i have a M6 thats for sale as well
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      02-19-2009, 04:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thread killer View Post
where are you in the mid west? i have a M6 thats for sale as well
I am in Toledo. I would love an M6, but I really need a 4 door. I have a 335 coupe, and it is just getting to be too small for me. I carry people and music equipment around on a daily basis. The full back seat and 2 extra doors are a must have.
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      02-19-2009, 06:37 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philritter21 View Post
I am in Toledo. I would love an M6, but I really need a 4 door. I have a 335 coupe, and it is just getting to be too small for me. I carry people and music equipment around on a daily basis. The full back seat and 2 extra doors are a must have.
Toledo, OH?!?!?

Im in Cleveland! In April me and a few buddies are going to Nelsons Ledges, you are welcome to come!
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      02-19-2009, 09:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philritter21 View Post
I am in Toledo. I would love an M6, but I really need a 4 door. I have a 335 coupe, and it is just getting to be too small for me. I carry people and music equipment around on a daily basis. The full back seat and 2 extra doors are a must have.
In Europe they offer (or at least used to offer) the M5 in Touring form...
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