I have driven the E60 M5 for 3.5+ years now and the SMG III is something you get used to very quickly. The shifting program can be tailored to different modes S1 (Slowest shift) to S6 (fastest shift). The tranny is very well matched with the high-revving V10 so long as you keep the revs above 4k, you'll have a hell of a ride (not much for MPG). You can either use the paddles, left for downshift, right for upshift or the shiftknob. I would say the S85 Engine is the last of its generation, since most are going the ways of TURBO.

Its great fun, but its a true gas guzzler, at best combined 13-14 MPG. But the car itself has given me no problems whatsoever, but I would say it is a small risk to get the ///M without factory warranty. Last time i checked, they would not CPO E60/E61 ///Ms.

 

SMG only if you drive it hard

 

I honestly hated the SMG in my E46 M3 b/c of the lag in auto mode. The lag used to annoy the crap out of me which made me drive it in Manual everywhere I went, which is why I ended up trading in for a 6-speed.

 

I always loved turning DSC/TCS off to get that one extra shift time bar

 

Dude, really?

Who the hell drives an M3 in auto mode enough to hate it and trade it for a 6speed?

 

DCT on the E9x is very smooth, feels like an automatic. When i first driven it i could barely feel the shift.

DCT and SMG feels very different.

 

I personally Love SMG