SMG Quick Launch

Thanks for the previous post on the quick launch code for the smg, unbelieveable power! Awesome burnout - I know its not good fir the engine and tranny but held the dsc for 5 seconds, switched on the sport and gunned it!

Wasn't ready for the rpm thrust, so my shift was a bit slow, wnet past the redline in 1st gear while a cloud of white smoke filled my rear mirror, then chirped it into 2nd (still spinning)

At this point the smoke was about 50 ft away in the rear view, was slow again into 3rd (not quite used to the timing of the acceleration).

Huge difference with the dsc fully disengaged, smg quick launch and finally in sport mode. Much more fun then just gunning it in sport mode in my Jag S Type R.

The SMG is fast but you need to watch the tach due to the reserved note of the exhaust.

SMG all the way, and with all of the advise on throttle blipping between shifts, the SMG is very smooth. Whether in Auto or Manual shift, just let off the throttle a bit during shifts, not before the shift but during, then quickly let back on the gas.

If you are an experienced manual driver, you'll get it in a bout 15 minutes, but you need to understand the procedure - my compliments and thanks to all of those who have provided soo much information about the smg tranny.

Excellent...fun, eh? The SMG totally rocks...I will try and get this on all my future cars. BMW has just marketed it very, very poorly IMO.

Correct, just think of it as a real manual and let up a hair on the gas when it shifts...as if you were shifting, and it'll be smooth like butter!

Hey, we need some pics of your wheel burn!!!!

So how tough is it to go from an Auto to a SMG (learning curve wise)?

Here is my story:

When I picked up my car in Munich (ED), I actually hated and regretted getting the SMG. I'm coming from a 530i/5. It shifted like a garbage truck all herky-jerky (non-sport mode) and coming from a manual, I had trouble remembering to put my foot on the brake to shift from D to R and back. I got quite frustrated. My steptronic buddy (2000 540iA) had a much easier transition to the SMG than I did.

Fast forward 8500 miles and I love this transmission. Yes, there is a definate learning curve to getting comfortable with the shifting but once you do, I doubt you'll ever want to go back to a slow-shifting, not shifting when you want it to automatic nor will you want to deal with dipping a clutch again and killing your left leg in stop 'n go traffic. I think this is the best tranny out there!

If you have never driven a manual - I suggest you learn how first before driving the SMG, otherwise you'll be lost and want a quick trade - or if you have experience drving a motorcycle, you'll get it!

If you've been driving a manula for the better part of your drving career - learn how to drive stick.

Originally Posted by Ågent99

Excellent...fun, eh? The SMG totally rocks...I will try and get this on all my future cars. BMW has just marketed it very, very poorly IMO.

Correct, just think of it as a real manual and let up a hair on the gas when it shifts...as if you were shifting, and it'll be smooth like butter!

Hey, we need some pics of your wheel burn!!!!

I'll do that!

However, I've got to say, although I love the smg, my jag s type R blows the doors off the 545i.

The 6 speed zf and the 390 horses is definitely faster than the claimed 5.2 sec 0-60 - it feels more like a 5 flat - the 400 lbs of torque is incredible and the supercharger is unreal. But it doesn't handle quite as well as the 545.

The touchscreen nav and stereo also kicks ass, but my girlfriend calls the jag , a taurus.

Originally Posted by 545smg

....However, I've got to say, although I love the smg, my jag s type R blows the doors off the 545i.....

Well... bring that Type-R over to pick on someone in its own size and we'll see how many doors that Type-R will be blowing off now

To say that the Type-R will blow the doors off of 545 is like me saying my M5 will blow the doors off the 545. What's the point?? The 2 aren't in the same league

cheers,

beewang

First of all, if you actually research and compare vehicles, the 545 has a larger engine displacement than the R.

My R was purchased new for 54,000 fully loaded, whereas the 545 was 67k fully loaded.

And in terms of burnouts, the R will chip em in three gears.

As to your M challenge, try the E55 Comparo - since their similar in price.

As to your 02 M, not discounting your car but -

at .2 seconds - I rather have the R, since your no road and track test driver - so gauranteed to beat you.

Originally Posted by 545smg

First of all, if you actually research and compare vehicles, the 545 has a larger engine displacement than the R.

My R was purchased new for 54,000 fully loaded, whereas the 545 was 67k fully loaded.

And in terms of burnouts, the R will chip em in three gears.

As to your M challenge, try the E55 Comparo - since their similar in price.

As to your 02 M, not discounting your car but -

at .2 seconds - I rather have the R, since your no road and track test driver - so gauranteed to beat you.

All this talk of who can beat who is pointless and it is rarely a true apples to apples comparison anyway. Are we talking 0-60 straight-line? Are we talking winding/twisting roads? Are we all race-car drivers and "know how" to handle our cars? Are we talking $$s/HP or $$s/torque? Are we talking build-quality? Are we talking reliability? Blah, blah, blah....

My point is that different specs of a car are important to different people. Obviously, there is a reason you have both the Jag and the BMW and you appear happy with both. Let's not start a flame war here, please....