M5 / M6 - what is SMG like for tight parking

[thegreatdogwood]

Not had the chance to have a proper test drive yet but have to do quite a lot of parallel parking.

With a standard auto its easy as just run it back gently with foot on the brake, or with a standard manual you can dip the clutch in those last important inches. How does it work with an SMG as presume the throttle must be quite light to dial in pressure but do you have to use left foot braking as well in tight situations as gather that you don't get any 'creep' in gear with SMG and am wondering how you get in and out of tight spots

[m33ufo]

I've got to park within 50mm of the rear of my garage and don't find it a problem.

[ecain63]

So long as you are not reversing into the space going uphill then its fine. Any uphill reverse can be jumpy as the car doesnt do smooth. Like i said, on a flat road its fine.

[thegreatdogwood]

Thanks guys. Just so I am clear, do you need to left foot brake or if you go careful with the throttle can you move it small distances without risking overshooting into the object behind

[m33ufo]

You need to be precise with your throttle movements. Just needs practice.

[thegreatdogwood]

m33ufo said:

You need to be precise with your throttle movements. Just needs practice.

That's OK then - guess I'd better get some of those driving shoes to squeeze the last few mm out!

Thanks for the quick responses

[m33ufo]

I've got to admit, the first few times I parked the car in my garage, I drove upto about 6 inches of the wall and then gently pushed it in the last 4 lol! It's a double garage so thankfully width isn't a problem but the M5 is surprisingly long!

It's quite controllable on throttle assuming (as has been mentioned), the surface is reasonably flat.

[jm doc]

tight parking on hills can be very tricky, otherwise fine

[Zod]

I park on a steep hill in tight spaces at home. It is fine. Just remember it's a manual not an auto and you'll be fine (that goes for considering what you are doing to the clutch as well as the absence of creep). The handbrake is your friend.

[jm doc]

Zod said:

I park on a steep hill in tight spaces at home. It is fine. Just remember it's a manual not an auto and you'll be fine (that goes for considering what you are doing to the clutch as well as the absence of creep). The handbrake is your friend.

Practice obviously makes perfect then Zod. I did 45k in 3 years in my last E60 and only infrequently parked on hills in a tight space, combination of the 2 can definitely be tricky if not done regularly.

Don't ever let it put you off getting one though!

Edited by jm doc on Tuesday 9th November 15:14

[Zod]

jm doc said:

Zod said:

I park on a steep hill in tight spaces at home. It is fine. Just remember it's a manual not an auto and you'll be fine (that goes for considering what you are doing to the clutch as well as the absence of creep). The handbrake is your friend.

Practice obviously makes perfect then Zod. I did 45k in 3 years in my last E60 and only infrequently parked on hills in a tight space, combination of the 2 can definitely be tricky if not done regularly.

Don't ever let it put you off getting one though!

Edited by jm doc on Tuesday 9th November 15:14

I didn't have a choice but to get used to it. Two previous SMG cars on another steep hill at the previous house formed part of my education. I've had eight years of it.