A question on the SMG

Zshazz · 08-26-2006, 06:45 PM

I am currently contemplating one of these new M3s (although, I won't be buying one until near the time for the '09 model) ... the only thing that I have a question with is with the SMG transmission. I kind-of don't want to walk into the dealership getting a test drive a year before I want to buy. I may try to do a test drive later on, but I just wanted to see what everyone thought of the SMG transmissions.

I enjoy manually shifting and, unlike most people I know, I have no problems with shifting during even rush-hour traffic. However, sometimes I like to have one hand free for various reasons (eg. for a drink), so a semi-automatic seems ideal for me... except I don't like the current automatic transmissions at all. SMG seems to be a bit different (with the fact that the shifts sound like they would be faster and stronger than an automatic).

So can anyone give me an idea of what to expect? The main thing I am annoyed with on the automatics (at least, my '02 330xi) is the fact that it has a significant lag-time from the time I shift it to the time it actually shifts. Does the SMG have that problem? Speed wise, is it closer to delivering the 0-60 times of a manual than the regular automatics do? Any other note-worthy opinions?

djParis · 08-27-2006, 10:06 AM

The smg gearbox is actually a manual transmission with the clutch controlled by a computer. It is in no way automatic like. Even when you have it in automatic mode it still feels like you are banging out the gears yourself (except even faster). My cousin has a 04 M3 with smg and I fell in love with it, and I am a die hard manual driver too.

MPassion · 08-28-2006, 05:19 PM

I think that SMG offers the best of both worlds!

For comfort use the automatic 'D' mode and manual (flippers or handle) for 'agressive'

driving (depending on the mode).
Anyway, shifting will be carried out faster than human can do manually.
I drive Z4-3.0 and hopefully in the near future, BMW will lounche an Z4M with SMG. Pleaease...

YYimports · 08-28-2006, 10:10 PM

Any solid info on if the new M3 will come with SMG III or ZSG (new dual-clutch system)??

res_ipsa · 08-30-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lost8found

Any solid info on if the new M3 will come with SMG III or ZSG (new dual-clutch system)??

Woo dual clutch tranny would be awesome! What's improvement of SMG III over SMG II?

sfhondapilot · 09-01-2006, 05:27 PM

The SMGII (currently on the e46 M3) is head and shoulders better than the steptronics. The shift times on the SMG are excellent, probably better than what most people can achieve on a MT. The SMG's weakness, at least in the SMGII version, has been the 1800 rpm limit on launch control, which has a negative impact off the line.

somchai · 09-04-2006, 11:25 AM

SMG better than manual gearbox on track but for daily use manual gearbox is better than SMG because you're the drive logic.You can do everything that the drive logic can do such launch control,faster release clutch

BMWDavid · 09-04-2006, 03:17 PM

80 millisecond shifts

Vickyy · 09-12-2006, 03:59 AM

yea i had the assumption that SMG was just an auto as well... but after driving my friends smg ///M ...feels like a manual to me... and wow......fell in love with it rite after.. very fun.. dont have to worry about stalling and easier for ppl who can't drive stick

08-26-2006, 06:45 PM	#1
Zshazz Private First Class 4 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North Carolina, USA iTrader: (0)	A question on the SMG I am currently contemplating one of these new M3s (although, I won't be buying one until near the time for the '09 model) ... the only thing that I have a question with is with the SMG transmission. I kind-of don't want to walk into the dealership getting a test drive a year before I want to buy. I may try to do a test drive later on, but I just wanted to see what everyone thought of the SMG transmissions. I enjoy manually shifting and, unlike most people I know, I have no problems with shifting during even rush-hour traffic. However, sometimes I like to have one hand free for various reasons (eg. for a drink), so a semi-automatic seems ideal for me... except I don't like the current automatic transmissions at all. SMG seems to be a bit different (with the fact that the shifts sound like they would be faster and stronger than an automatic). So can anyone give me an idea of what to expect? The main thing I am annoyed with on the automatics (at least, my '02 330xi) is the fact that it has a significant lag-time from the time I shift it to the time it actually shifts. Does the SMG have that problem? Speed wise, is it closer to delivering the 0-60 times of a manual than the regular automatics do? Any other note-worthy opinions?
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08-27-2006, 10:06 AM	#2
djParis Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 997.2 C4S Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	The smg gearbox is actually a manual transmission with the clutch controlled by a computer. It is in no way automatic like. Even when you have it in automatic mode it still feels like you are banging out the gears yourself (except even faster). My cousin has a 04 M3 with smg and I fell in love with it, and I am a die hard manual driver too.
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08-28-2006, 05:19 PM	#3
MPassion Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Z4_3.0_Tuned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	I think that SMG offers the best of both worlds! For comfort use the automatic 'D' mode and manual (flippers or handle) for 'agressive' driving (depending on the mode). Anyway, shifting will be carried out faster than human can do manually. I drive Z4-3.0 and hopefully in the near future, BMW will lounche an Z4M with SMG. Pleaease...
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08-28-2006, 10:10 PM	#4
YYimports First Lieutenant 54 Rep 306 Posts Drives: TitanSilver E90 Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Any solid info on if the new M3 will come with SMG III or ZSG (new dual-clutch system)??
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09-01-2006, 05:27 PM	#6
sfhondapilot New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: e46 M3Cic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NoCal iTrader: (0)	The SMGII (currently on the e46 M3) is head and shoulders better than the steptronics. The shift times on the SMG are excellent, probably better than what most people can achieve on a MT. The SMG's weakness, at least in the SMGII version, has been the 1800 rpm limit on launch control, which has a negative impact off the line.
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09-04-2006, 11:25 AM	#7
somchai Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 330I E46 Join Date: May 2005 Location: THAILAND iTrader: (0)	SMG better than manual gearbox on track but for daily use manual gearbox is better than SMG because you're the drive logic.You can do everything that the drive logic can do such launch control,faster release clutch
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09-04-2006, 03:17 PM	#8
BMWDavid 433 Rep 860 Posts Drives: MSport F30 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: BMW Secret Test Facilities iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 Sedan [0.00] 2005(sold but not f ... [10.00] 2006 X3 [0.00] 1984 633csi [0.00]	80 millisecond shifts
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09-12-2006, 03:59 AM	#9
Vickyy Colonel 69 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: 2006 AW 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: walnut, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	yea i had the assumption that SMG was just an auto as well... but after driving my friends smg ///M ...feels like a manual to me... and wow......fell in love with it rite after.. very fun.. dont have to worry about stalling and easier for ppl who can't drive stick __________________ E90 06 325. AW. BEIGE. CF WRAP. SMG KNOB. BLACKLINES. MTECH. HARTGE JAPAN REP LIP. ACS CF ROOF SPOILER. CSL TRUNK. KWV2. LE37.
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