M3 E36 SMG

[deckitout]

I am looking to get an M3 E36 Evo for track day use.

I have been told to get a manual as opposed to SMG, is this sound advice or are the SMG gearboxes okay and reliable


Thanks

[Vixpy1]

E36 SMG box was well.. (sorry John) not very good, and not very reliable...

Get a manual

[E36GUY]

x2 /\/\/\

Get a manual for a track car. Deffo.

[schnell]

x3

This has also been done to death, died, then done to death some more though

[M3John]

Vixpy1 said:

E36 SMG box was well.. (sorry John) not very good, and not very reliable...

Get a manual

Don't worry mate i'll let you off this time

[Neil.D]

Utterly unreliable. They cost thousands to repair and need to be often. Woeful.

[Bennym]

Manuel defiantly kid, I have owned both SMG and Manuel, Manuel really is twice the car the take of in both car’s is completely different the Manuel would leave any SMG a sitting duck

[M3John]

Bennym said:

Manuel defiantly kid, I have owned both SMG and Manuel, Manuel really is twice the car the take of in both car’s is completely different the Manuel would leave any SMG a sitting duck

I'm not so sure about that. I find that SMG can turn an average driver into a competent one. I took my e36 SMG ///M3 to the Nordschleife twice this year and on my 4th lap and 4th ever lap of a race circuit I shot a 9:30. Quite pleased with that . I put a fair amount of this down to the SMG strutting it's stuff on track and I wouldn't want to try and beat that time in an equal spec `regular manual` e36 ///M3. (although I'm aware a ///M3 will probably go quicker round there)

Yes, compared to newer ///M variants it is, if we're all honest here bad, but I wouldn't be quite so quick to jump on the `I Hate SMG` band wagon.

[E36GUY]

M3John said:

some stuff...

9.30


pitiful



Love to try your SMG just for interest sometime John cos I'd like to have a factually based opinion! Litlle swapsies next tunnel run?

Edited by E36GUY on Thursday 8th November 23:06

[Cactussed]

I tried both and opted for the smg, but that was due to living in London and consequent traffic. Its simply unbeatable. I haven't driven an E46 SMG but I find mine more than quick enough on changes when I am hustling along and much less hassle when I am in traffic / bored / tired etc etc.

Not everyone's cup of tea I expect, but (same rule as applies to everything really) until you spend half an hour driving one, you'd be a little silly, I think, to dismiss out of hand.

[M3John]

E36GUY said:

M3John said:

some stuff...

9.30


pitiful



Love to try your SMG just for interest sometime John cos I'd like to have a factually based opinion! Litlle swapsies next tunnel run?

Edited by E36GUY on Thursday 8th November 23:06

Always welcome to give it a go mate just to help clear things up for you.

[Cactussed]

can you drive a stick shift, John?

[M3John]

Cactussed said:

can you drive a stick shift, John?

Only just


Andrew, on a seperate note, can you give me a call please mate. All will be revealed when you do.

Cheers.

[taffyracer]

Dump the SMG it was crap on the road, will be twice as bad on track, the 3.0 5 speed box is the one that you need