Anyone thinking of a BMW 335i or holding out for a new M3?

Congrats! The new M5 is monster car for the money.

 

Did you buy the 7-speed SMG or try the new 6-speed stick?

 

Congrats, killer car. Have you seen a frosty blue they have for the 5-series that looks like grigio alloy? I saw a 5 in Brookline in it. My recommendation if you're spec'ing the car out.

 

I don't know how EASILY they will hit 400HP. They are dynoing almost 300 at the wheels. I understand they already have some overheating issues. I think they could hit 330 rwhp pretty easily, but anything more I think will be expensive and potential unreliable.

I drove the 335i and the M3 back to back, it was the 335i was easily the better car. Much more fun. Didn't have to rev the crap out of it for it to go fast.

I would imagine the new M3 will be a monster.

 

Mike- I had a paddle car in a new 355 GTS and did not like the transmission- it was rough, and made driving the car uninvolving. By contrast, the SMGII in the M3 is far smoother, can be adjusted in a number of different ways in seconds with a button, and once you get the hang of banging on it, you'll be amazed at how you can dig in, time your upshifts or downshifts to perfection, let the car 'blip' for you, and focus on the driving and braking. I cannot stand autoboxes, and like the SMG. I'm not a Schumacher wanna-be, I can tell you that while my preference in cars is invariably a stick, the SMG is wonderful, particularly for commuting.

 

I don't know what the latest generation of software/hardware does, but the auto function basically sucks. No need to use it, though. It takes so little effort to blip a paddle for a shift that you'll be much happier doing it yourself- remember, I drive mine on the commute into NYC from the Northern suburbs- as brutal a commute as any- bumper to bumper crawling across the GW bridge- reputedly the busiest bridge in the world, then down a big sweeper, dodging slo-pokes in SUVs, and onto the West Side Hi-way, where the speed ranges from 0 to well over 80mph. Coming home is always worse- and that's after a day in the city- i never, ever had the need to go into auto. If you are crawling, leave it in first or second, no need to feather a foot clutch- put your foot on the brake when you need to and the car will disengage, and smoothly reengage. Yes, you will need to upshift and downshift at speeds beyond that, but, it really is almost unconscious.

Hills, no problem. In fact, if you pull on the downshift paddle while on the hill, before you accelerate, you won't drift backwards. Even without doing that, it is far easier to manage on a hill than a regular manual. (I learned to drive stick in an old Fiat 124 Sport in Pittsburgh, which is extremely hilly, and during the winter, quite trecherous to drive. So, I am not inexperienced at stick on hill problems).
In snow, I think the car is sort of ****ty- classic rear wheel drive squirreliness. Once you set the SMG to your liking and get used to it (the settings on mine determine how 'fast' the shift occurs- too fast and the car snaps into gear, too slow and it is not only boggy, but lethargic to drive- I leave mine on a setting of 4/5 (6- if you believe in launch control). The problem in snow isn't the tranny, it is the car itself. You need snow tires if you are going to drive it in the winter.

And, yes, I think I have seen some 'hints' on SMG usage somewhere, but, part of the fun is exploring it, and developing your technique, keeping in mind that there are some adjustments you can keep trying, at different experience intervals, as you get the hang of it.
I would hazard to guess that if you demo'd the car in 'auto' you would refuse to buy one with this type of transmission.
Btw, I still enjoy a conventional manual transmission, but the SMG is something I have learned to love on its own merit, not as a replacement, but as a separate, and quite enjoyable experience. It is also quite kick-ass if you are driving hard, for thrills.

Here's a link to a U-tube video that contains various SMGII demos: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Emxu5HFllM&mode=related&search=

 

Congrats on the M5 Mike.

I actually just got back from speaking with a CA today about the 335. He made me a respectable offer and was anything but a pushy salesman. I plan on going back to him by the end of November to order.

I will be ordering:
Alpine White (great choice Mike)
Black Leather, although Saddle Brown is still in the running.
Aluminum
ZPP
ZSP
and of course Comfort Access

 

My two cents.

I drove the M3 SMG and it was HORRIBLE. I would never choose that transmission. Leaving it in full auto mode it was so bad I thought there was something wrong with it. The only thing I liked about it was rev-matching downshifts. I think it would be great for track driving, but I'd say skip it or at least try to drive one with it first.

I have been for a ride in an M5 on a racetrack and the SMG worked well there, but I never got to see how it was in full-auto. My thought is that if it was so great, why are owners or potential owners demanding 6-speed manuals?

Second, my wife wants to get one. How close are you guys getting to MSRP? When we looked a few months ago they were not budging on the price.

 

you want deal? I can get you one.

 

I don't know if I can add much to what you've said, but I can certainly attest to the first part of your statement. I drove an M3 with an SMG and absolutely hated it. The shifts seemed really rough (not in auto mode) and the experience was quite uninspiring for me. I don't know what would happen with more seat time because I couldn't get out of that car fast enough. Maybe I'm just selling myself short, but I have no desire for an SMG vehicle in my garage.

 

Aren't you a lot attendent? How in the hell can you get him a deal?

BTW, Mike, sincere congrats on the car. All that hard work with your business is paying off!

 

No problem, go find a used M5 on a lot some where. They exist, and you CAN drive them.

 

Not anymore..

 

you mentioned before that you like indianapolis red. Well we have one with black interior for $81k. It was the owner of the dealership's demo car.

 

haha. This car wasn't beaten on. It has 8k on it.

 

I wasn't impressed with SMG until spending some time with it. Now I own an 03M3 Conv. with SMG and would never, I repeat NEVER consider owning a car with a conventional 6-speed unless it was purely a toy and never a daily driver and I've owned some good ones (s2000, nsx, both with great gearboxes). If you're buying a car to live with day in and day out you're making the right call with SMG. My .02 cents.

 

I disagree. In fact, there's a thread on the M5boards just for guys who wish they hadn't traded in their old M5s for their E60s. You should check it out.