Discussion
Okay, this is probably a can of worms I don't want to open, but...
I was wondering if you could provide me with more details on the SMG gearbox on the M3.
Does it operate like a normal automatic gearbox (stick it in D and go) with a paddle shift override, or do you always have to change with the paddles?
I understand there is no torque converter, so performance should be similar to a manual no?
and the worrying bit - what are the pro's and con's against the manual?
I was wondering if you could provide me with more details on the SMG gearbox on the M3.
Does it operate like a normal automatic gearbox (stick it in D and go) with a paddle shift override, or do you always have to change with the paddles?
I understand there is no torque converter, so performance should be similar to a manual no?
and the worrying bit - what are the pro's and con's against the manual?
you dont have to change manually all the time you can put it in an auto mode which will change up and down for you. the auto has 5 settings for the gearchanges ie 1 is slow and 5 is sporty. if you put it in manual mode then you have to change gear using the paddles on the rear of the wheel or by knocking the gear lever forwards or backwards. this manual mode has 6 settings no. 6 turns off the traction control and is basically pretty savage. i nearly always use the paddles to manually change gear occasionally i use the auto box when in traffic as it is easier but the paddles are great when you can get used to them.
i have had both manual and smg gearboxes and if i had to pick one id pick the manual but only because smg is less involving on a daily basis. when you get the right conditions and you can go for it the smg is brilliant and makes you feel like a f1 driver. and as you dont take your hands off the wheel you find yourself pushing a bit harder because it gives a bit more confidence.sometimes the smg is slow and jerky when crawling around town but the noise when down shifting is mental and i find myself blipping it past every scooby/evo etc.
i have had both manual and smg gearboxes and if i had to pick one id pick the manual but only because smg is less involving on a daily basis. when you get the right conditions and you can go for it the smg is brilliant and makes you feel like a f1 driver. and as you dont take your hands off the wheel you find yourself pushing a bit harder because it gives a bit more confidence.sometimes the smg is slow and jerky when crawling around town but the noise when down shifting is mental and i find myself blipping it past every scooby/evo etc.
This topic has been done to death (and beyond) over on www.bm3w.co.uk (great place for M-car information).
I have SMG and love it. The auto mode is basically useless except for in very slow moving traffic, but changing gear manually with the paddles is simple. It needs just a bit of skill/sympathy to make it work really smoothly, and that's part of the fun. I can't imagine going back to a car with a clutch, to be honest.
outnumbered said:
I have SMG and love it. The auto mode is basically useless except for in very slow moving traffic, but changing gear manually with the paddles is simple. It needs just a bit of skill/sympathy to make it work really smoothly, and that's part of the fun. I can't imagine going back to a car with a clutch, to be honest.
Wot he said.
vixpy1 said:
outnumbered said:
I have SMG and love it. The auto mode is basically useless except for in very slow moving traffic, but changing gear manually with the paddles is simple. It needs just a bit of skill/sympathy to make it work really smoothly, and that's part of the fun. I can't imagine going back to a car with a clutch, to be honest.
Wot he said.
Exactly what they both said and after taking roung the Nurburgring last weekend i've fallen in love with the car again ! On the track the SMG is simply amazing.
M3John said:
vixpy1 said:
outnumbered said:
I have SMG and love it. The auto mode is basically useless except for in very slow moving traffic, but changing gear manually with the paddles is simple. It needs just a bit of skill/sympathy to make it work really smoothly, and that's part of the fun. I can't imagine going back to a car with a clutch, to be honest.
Wot he said.
Exactly what they both said and after taking roung the Nurburgring last weekend i've fallen in love with the car again ! On the track the SMG is simply amazing.
You're all bloody hethens!
You wouldn't get me handing over a clutch pedal that quickly.
Polarbert said:
M3John said:
vixpy1 said:
outnumbered said:
I have SMG and love it. The auto mode is basically useless except for in very slow moving traffic, but changing gear manually with the paddles is simple. It needs just a bit of skill/sympathy to make it work really smoothly, and that's part of the fun. I can't imagine going back to a car with a clutch, to be honest.
Wot he said.
Exactly what they both said and after taking roung the Nurburgring last weekend i've fallen in love with the car again ! On the track the SMG is simply amazing.
You're all bloody hethens!
You wouldn't get me handing over a clutch pedal that quickly.
Around the circuit we would mate, trust me !
Polarbert said:
M3John said:
vixpy1 said:
outnumbered said:
I have SMG and love it. The auto mode is basically useless except for in very slow moving traffic, but changing gear manually with the paddles is simple. It needs just a bit of skill/sympathy to make it work really smoothly, and that's part of the fun. I can't imagine going back to a car with a clutch, to be honest.
Wot he said.
Exactly what they both said and after taking roung the Nurburgring last weekend i've fallen in love with the car again ! On the track the SMG is simply amazing.
You're all bloody hethens!
You wouldn't get me handing over a clutch pedal that quickly.
I think people who have french cars should be banned from posting on the M Power forum
M3John said:
spants said:
i liked it but had a complete failure of the system (smg1) which the warranty covered. Otherwise it would have been 3.5k to fix.
Latest smgs are meant to be good though
Latest smgs are meant to be good though
What were your symptions mate as i've recently had SMG problems.
Cheers.
basically the gearchange stopped on the roundabout at lakeside,,,, no advance warning
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