go with manual or SMG???

[miaomiao]

I am getting the 650i november delievery. What kind of transmission do you guys preferr between SMG and manual? Please give some advices..

[BayAreaBMWFan]

Drive them both and try. If you are going to share the car even occasionally with someone who can not drive a stick, the SMG becomes the no brainer choice. If a car with a non-auto mode is fine, it is a toss up. Do you like the control of the manual with clutching or prefer the clutch free operation of the SMG.

I personally swear by the SMG. With a little bit of training it can give the fast shifts, which can be hard to match by the regular stick driver (racing types excepted). And the auto mode and auto down shifting in the manual mode (if the engine RPMs fall below a threshold) is great when you are a bit distracted (talking on a phone). The manual is much less forgiving in those situations.

[Tim Kay]

Keep in mind, the SMG is a manual transmission. It simply presses the clutch for you. This car is not a track car nor do I think it should be. For mountain roads it's wonderfully balanced but still not a race car.

You get the best of three worlds, sport mode allows quick shifts and quick throttle response, no different than if you press the clutch youself (often better). Regular mode "cruises". Or you can put it in auto shift, for drinking coffee, talking on I-Drive speaker, setting Nav. All at the same time, I love it. I can't thind of any pros in the manual trans that outweigh the SMG. My .02

But take the advice from above and drive both.

[gbelton]

Hello My Friends:

If you like manual driving go for SMG. "Just Remeber, it's not an automatic"

If you prefer the comforts of relaxed driving go for automatic.

There is no question what differences (Pro & Con) are offered when you select SMG but to the previous forum comments, you need to drive it and then you will know.

I hate being so simple in this response but it is what it is my friend.

Either you want an SMG or you don't.
Either you want a 645 coupe or you don't.

-GMAN

[grahambishop]

I drove both the SMG and the manual and I wound up getting the manual. You shuold drive all three and select the one you like the best. I don't think there is much difference in maintenance amongst them, so it all boils down to your preference