S2000 to M3 CSL
Discussion
Only had the s2k for few months but already getting the itch again. Really fancy a CSL, my only reservations are the seats and the SMG box.
Go to my folks place in the south of France couple times a year, which is a 9 ish hour drive, are the seats comfortable to do that kind of mileage?
Ive heard (rightly or wrongly) that the SMG box is a bit fragile and jerky, is that right?
Cheers
Gassey
Go to my folks place in the south of France couple times a year, which is a 9 ish hour drive, are the seats comfortable to do that kind of mileage?
Ive heard (rightly or wrongly) that the SMG box is a bit fragile and jerky, is that right?
Cheers
Gassey
Edited by Gassey on Thursday 30th August 21:26
I have spent the whole day in CSL seats and although firm when initially sitting down, they actually remain comfortable far longer than any other seat I have sat in.
The SMG box in the CSL is 'the' best incarnation of SMG that BMW produced, the changes are the quickest, most precise and easily modulated. SMG requires the driver to apply a bit of skill to achieve smooth changes, which is part of its appeal - rather than some dummed down auto-manual, there is reward in getting it right (although its not hard to drive it totally smoothly).
The SMG box in the CSL is 'the' best incarnation of SMG that BMW produced, the changes are the quickest, most precise and easily modulated. SMG requires the driver to apply a bit of skill to achieve smooth changes, which is part of its appeal - rather than some dummed down auto-manual, there is reward in getting it right (although its not hard to drive it totally smoothly).
The only people who ever complain about the SMG on a CSL are the ones which have not driven one. The first incarnation of SMG on the E36's WAS fragile and is an expensive item to repair.
The box suits the car perfectly and can be as smooth or ferocious as you want/need it to be depending on drving style and settings.
As far as the seats are concerned they offer great support and even though they look fairly extreme, in reality they are more comfortable than say the Club Sport seats from a GT3/GT2. In fact, for track use, they are probably too comfortable and lack the support of a race seat from Recaro or Sparco.
The box suits the car perfectly and can be as smooth or ferocious as you want/need it to be depending on drving style and settings.
As far as the seats are concerned they offer great support and even though they look fairly extreme, in reality they are more comfortable than say the Club Sport seats from a GT3/GT2. In fact, for track use, they are probably too comfortable and lack the support of a race seat from Recaro or Sparco.
The SMG system is alot better than their previous incarnation on the E36.
It can be a little jerky, but spending a bit of time getting to grips with it will see you with a huge smile everytime you drive enthusiastically.
Personally, unless you are 2 seater roadster type man, I'd make the switch in a nano-second.
It can be a little jerky, but spending a bit of time getting to grips with it will see you with a huge smile everytime you drive enthusiastically.
Personally, unless you are 2 seater roadster type man, I'd make the switch in a nano-second.
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