Whats the M3 SMG II Gearbox like
09 August 2006, 08:41 PM
#1
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Whats the M3 SMG II Gearbox like
Looking at getting a new car for the missus, she wants a convertable so i fancy an 04ish M3. I wanted a manual originally but have heard that the SMG is a proper manual box and not and auto so was wondering what its like to drive. I do love auto boxes but from a drivers point of view it has to be a manual. The SMG might just do it both 
So whats it like????
If i had my way, it would be a 535D but you know what these women are like
Scott
So whats it like????
If i had my way, it would be a 535D but you know what these women are like
Scott
09 August 2006, 10:52 PM
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Definately worth getting a test drive in both and seeing what you like. Takes a while getting used to the smg box, but it's great fun to use and also has the advantage of the auto mode if your feeling lazy.
09 August 2006, 11:10 PM
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It has no clutch therefore its an auto as far as I'm concerned. Sure it might not be a traditional autobox in terms of its design but its an auto in terms of the way you drive it. I don't know why they don't give you a clutch pedal with a hydrolic actuator or better yet some fly-by-wire system so that you can go fully manual if you want. For me the most important thing about a manual car is not the flapping about to change gear its the finer control that you can get from the clutch and working in and around the biting point. All auto's and all flappy paddles that I know of don't allow this.
10 August 2006, 08:56 AM
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Get over to bm3w.co.uk and do a search. There's been lots of debate there about the merits of SMG vx Manual.
I'm in the
club. I think it's its the dogs bollox and don't see why you wouldn't choose it on the M3, it works well, it gives you as much control as you could want and I've found no downsides in the last 18 months with mine.
I'm in the
club. I think it's its the dogs bollox and don't see why you wouldn't choose it on the M3, it works well, it gives you as much control as you could want and I've found no downsides in the last 18 months with mine.
10 August 2006, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Scooby400
SMG 1 is ****e.
SMG 2 is very highly rated.
I'll be getting a black convertible with kiwi leather before the year is up. Lovely combo.
SMG 2 is very highly rated.
I'll be getting a black convertible with kiwi leather before the year is up. Lovely combo.
Looks like i will have to try and get a test drive of an SMG then. As far as i'm concerned its a clutchless manual so should be ok!
Thanks
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10 August 2006, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by RB5SCOTT
Nah, silver grey with Imola leather
Thanks
Thanks
If you're buying that new you could consider estoril blue with champagne. There are a couple on autotrader at the moment if you do a nationwide search. She'll deffo like it I'm sure so check you like it before you put the suggestion forward!!
10 August 2006, 03:09 PM
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I like it. It changes gear quickly (or slowly if you want) and lets you drive the car at a good pace. Auto is great for driving in traffic/town. It does have an inherent design flaw though that means that when drivng it in very hot weather in traffic or hard on a track the SMG hydraulic pump will fail as it gets too hot.
10 August 2006, 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Nat21
in very hot weather in traffic or hard on a track the SMG hydraulic pump will fail as it gets too hot.
There's a similar problem on the e36 M3's which can be overcome using a braided hose, which will not expand under extreme heat.
10 August 2006, 04:11 PM
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Not sure,i'd have thought BMW would have fixed the hose issue if it was known about? The SMG pump is right under the intake manifold and the lines run all the way to the back of the gearbox...The biggest problem is that there is very little airflow to cool the pump down...The Pump bolted on to the engine mount which is directly bolted on to the block so it gets hot, and even hotter in hot weather. It has no active cooling which doesn't help. Lots of SMG E46 M3s have had the problem in the high temps in some US states in the last month or so (110+ F) and at one track session i've read about all the SMG M3s running suffered it.
Last edited by Nat; 10 August 2006 at 04:17 PM.
10 August 2006, 08:38 PM
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Manual is much better IMO. Ive driven both on all day test drives. I found the SMG 2 is to jerky even when you have the rev limit set really low and sport mode off. Its just an automatic really with the choice to change gear when you want instead of when the car thinks, and after so long you cant be arsed changing gear on it anyway so just drive it like a auto. The manual was much better and smoother whether you drive it easy or hard.
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