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530iSP SMG and Grey interior questions
I am planning on ordering a 530iSP SMG and have the following questions/concerns (I'm leasing the car):
1. How easy is Grey to maintain. Ideally, I would like to get Beige, but consider Grey to be between Black and Beige in terms of ease of marking. Is this correct? All my cars have been black interior, and I am looking for something different.
2. Does anyone who has a 530i SMG regret buying it over the step (manual is not an option for us)? I plan to rest drive SMG prior to purchase, but wanted to know of any long term ownership experiences. Especially along the lines of long term consistent performance, if your perception changes after owning it - things that the test drive won't show. My previous car was a 2000 323ci (manual), and my current car is a 2003 325i (step). Yes, I did get married between 2000 and 2003. I will be driving the car 95% of the car (in manual mode), and my wife 5% of the time (in auto mode). My wife used to drive manual, and hates it. She won't go back to a manual, since she says it affects her concentration to operate the clutch, monitor revs etc.
TIA,
Chris.
| | Reply » 530iSP SMG and Grey interior questions |
Quote: I am planning on ordering a 530iSP SMG and have the following questions/concerns (I'm leasing the car):
1. How easy is Grey to maintain. Ideally, I would like to get Beige, but consider Grey to be between Black and Beige in terms of ease of marking. Is this correct? All my cars have been black interior, and I am looking for something different.
2. Does anyone who has a 530i SMG regret buying it over the step (manual is not an option for us)? I plan to rest drive SMG prior to purchase, but wanted to know of any long term ownership experiences. Especially along the lines of long term consistent performance, if your perception changes after owning it - things that the test drive won't show. My previous car was a 2000 323ci (manual), and my current car is a 2003 325i (step). Yes, I did get married between 2000 and 2003. I will be driving the car 95% of the car (in manual mode), and my wife 5% of the time (in auto mode). My wife used to drive manual, and hates it. She won't go back to a manual, since she says it affects her concentration to operate the clutch, monitor revs etc.
TIA,
Chris. | Chris,
From what I've read here the SMG in no way should be thought of as an automatic tranny.
I'm reading that it's still a manual, with quicker shifting............. I didn't care for it..... for several reasons that shouldn't concern you since you are leasing:
- Smaller resale group than Step.
- Unknown dependability factor 50,000 miles down the road.
Aside from that... I just didn't like the way it shifted. I'm hearing it takes more than a test drive to fall in love with it apparently.
| | Reply » 530iSP SMG and Grey interior questions |
If you can't drive a manual, and think that SMG is a manual replacement, do NOT order it.
If you can't drive a manual, but want to learn to do so, the SMG manual mode can give you the benefit of manual without you having to work the foot clutch. Step is just a fancy slushie automatic. It will not rev match, nor will it allow instantaneous downshifting of say, 2 gears along with the glorious rev matching sound.
As far as resale goes, whatever. Who's driving the car? You or some guy a few years down the line? Just like M3's without sunroof can command a premium because of its focused market, so can any bimmer with SMG.
| | Reply » 530iSP SMG and Grey interior questions |
Quote: | How easy is Grey to maintain. Ideally, I would like to get Beige, but consider Grey to be between Black and Beige in terms of ease of marking. Is this correct? All my cars have been black interior, and I am looking for something different. | From the posts that I have read, it sees like quite a few feel that the Beige and Grey both are hard to keep clean. If you are looking for something different, consider the Auburn interior. We love ours.
| | Reply » 530iSP SMG and Grey interior questions |
1. How easy is Grey to maintain? does not matter, you are renting/leasing, who cares 
2. Does anyone who has a 530i SMG regret buying it over the step? The current SMG is an interim solution until BMW comes out with the double clutch technology. For now, it is what is is, a harsh SMG wanna be. You will shift quicker than a manual but pay the price in a less comfortable drive. Some will flame me for more commnets, and most likely come back with some comment about "practice". However, you are leasing so it is not that big a deal. If you don't like it get something different next time.
Quote: I am planning on ordering a 530iSP SMG and have the following questions/concerns (I'm leasing the car):
1. How easy is Grey to maintain. Ideally, I would like to get Beige, but consider Grey to be between Black and Beige in terms of ease of marking. Is this correct? All my cars have been black interior, and I am looking for something different.
2. Does anyone who has a 530i SMG regret buying it over the step (manual is not an option for us)? I plan to rest drive SMG prior to purchase, but wanted to know of any long term ownership experiences. Especially along the lines of long term consistent performance, if your perception changes after owning it - things that the test drive won't show. My previous car was a 2000 323ci (manual), and my current car is a 2003 325i (step). Yes, I did get married between 2000 and 2003. I will be driving the car 95% of the car (in manual mode), and my wife 5% of the time (in auto mode). My wife used to drive manual, and hates it. She won't go back to a manual, since she says it affects her concentration to operate the clutch, monitor revs etc.
TIA,
Chris. |
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530iSP SMG and Grey interior questions