Manual or Auto (paddle) gearbox?

I'm looking at a few 08 M5's and came across a manual gearbox one. What are your thoughts on the differences? My understanding is that the M5 gear switches are so quick on the auto paddles that I am scared that I won't get the most fun out of the car. I do understand that this statement would normally be a reversed but the M5 is not your eveyday car is it?

Stay away from Manual gearbox.

I owned an 08 w/ manual gearbox for 3 years. Loved it. Never had a single problem with it in 31K miles. Was great on the track too. I found the SMG to be awful - so I waited for the 6-Spd. Just my opinion ... tried to like the SMG, but I much preferred the manual.

I think it comes down to personal preference. In the UK there is no option to have a manual but I am personally a huge fan of the SMG box. I think its a love it or hate it thing but I love the way you can drive in full auto when your not in the mood and then have the manual option when you want to go for a blast. Please note SMG is nothing like a normal auto box.

SMG - I love it - most of the time it's in "auto" but it's the "paddles" on those kinds of roads..(MT, never again..)

smg is worse design of all time, wat too many issues

Originally Posted by Kurikurd85

smg is worse design of all time, wat too many issues

do you have a vehicle that uses the SMG "design" ?

Yes i do 2006 m5

I Love My 6 Speed. SMG is too "Sony Playstation" for me.

Manual please. If your not in the mood to change gears your lazy. . Manual transmissions will always be superior in any way compared to automatics, or "smgs". If you buy the manual it proves your a true driver and enthusiast.

I like AND enjoy the SMG on my 06 M5, If I had a complaint....it would be how much it sucks in "D"....I NEVER drive it in auto as it's shifting is just not "intuitive" like a normal auto is. I don't miss a true manual at all when driving it.

I'm debating on getting an 06 M5..

Originally Posted by BMWz3FTW

Manual please. If your not in the mood to change gears your lazy. . Manual transmissions will always be superior in any way compared to automatics, or "smgs". If you buy the manual it proves your a true driver and enthusiast.

Whilst I generally agree with you (and my '07 M Roadster and '72 2002tii are both manuals), the S85 V10 was designed for the 7 speed SMG transmission. The 6 speed manual was a factory modification for the US market only, due to demand from American consumers. It is NOT optimised for the V10, and in the early production of the manuals you couldn't even turn off the traction control. For this particular car, I'd go for the SMG simply because that's how BMW designed it.

Brings back memories of my father's '84 745i which was a turbocharged 3.5 litre from the 735i. It only came in automatic because BMW found that the torque converter allowed boost to remain "on" during shifts. The handful of manual transmission prototypes were slower from 0-100 KPH and in the standing kilometer, so they never put it into production.

Originally Posted by fahrhaus

Whilst I generally agree with you (and my '07 M Roadster and '72 2002tii are both manuals), the S85 V10 was designed for the 7 speed SMG transmission. The 6 speed manual was a factory modification for the US market only, due to demand from American consumers. It is NOT optimised for the V10, and in the early production of the manuals you couldn't even turn off the traction control. For this particular car, I'd go for the SMG simply because that's how BMW designed it.

Brings back memories of my father's '84 745i which was a turbocharged 3.5 litre from the 735i. It only came in automatic because BMW found that the torque converter allowed boost to remain "on" during shifts. The handful of manual transmission prototypes were slower from 0-100 KPH and in the standing kilometer, so they never put it into production.

I've never thought of it that way. But that really did change what I think about the smg. Still I'd take a manual. It gives me something to think about

I had the same dilemma a few month ago when I was shopping for a used e60 M5. What ultimately convinced me was the fact the 6 speed was not designed for the e60 but simply carried over from the e39 only for US which I drove for the past 6 years.
I also test drove both and from the get go I loved the SMG although I never use the fully automatic mode (D1-D7). With the available settings, I am able to drive it just like a manual transmission. You up shift and down shift as you normally would in a 6 speed.
SMG doesn't much anything in common with the automatic or semi-manual transmissions found in other cars on the market.
Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference but I love the SMG and I'm happy with my choice.

I have SMG on my current car - trading it in for a manual. Nothing like the feel of the clutch and shifter. Sure, the SMG is faster on the track, but that's only 0.001% of the time

Originally Posted by alfonso12

Stay away from Manual gearbox.

Please elaborate.

Its known that the 6peed is US only and it is based on a 550i 6speed box. I never heard anyone say that box was terrible, but perhaps I wasnt listening.

It personal preferance
SMG
+ The car was designed for this box, it'll be quicker of the line and easier to drive faster on the track
- Jerky shifts, pretty much a consensus that its awful when used in D so you'er having to shift manually anyway. An SMG/DCT box is not a manual to me, its an obedient quick shifting automatic, the experience and interaction with the car is totally diffent. It is also not hard to find numerous complaints and posts of catastropic failure of the box and pump with repairs in 5 figures.

Manual
+ You get to enjoy 'driving' the car even when you're driving slow. I like to use the clutch to smooth throttle transition in decelaration and coasting to a stop, you cant do that in an auto or SMG.
+ Havent found any posts, yet, of failed manual boxes, though the clutch will prob need replacing before the SMGs does. I see posts of clutch replacement in the 70-80k miles range.
- Apparently not optimized for the V10, not sure what that means though, I test drove one on Saturday and was really surpised at how light and fluid the clutch and shift action were. I expected heavy and bulky. The ratios did seem a bit long though in city driving but thats also a characteristic of the engine not been very punchy at low revs. Perhaps the ratios arent perfect for the track, I may try a club day on the track but I am not pushing it to the hilt, its a daily driver so I dont know if I'll notice this.
- Early models cant turn off traction control, I had read this but wasnt on my radar, though I'd like the option, wonder if it can be reprogrammed on an early model?

Picking up an 08 M5 manual with 31,000 miles on Friday.

Update: Found this post - appears it may be possible with a software update to disable traction as with later models.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2200921AAdKUU6