E46 M3-Manual or SMG?
Discussion
DJ, have a look at these for starters - been asked LOADS before (search is your friend 
)
If you've not got time, Vixpy1 pretty much sums it up:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Happy reading.
)If you've not got time, Vixpy1 pretty much sums it up:
Vixpy1 on another thread said:
Drive both and see which you prefer, its a marmite thing.
FWIW, I've got one and I love it.http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Happy reading.
I have a manual , but can't see how I could change gear quicker than smg, plus you don't have to take your hands off the wheel to change gear.
I had a test drive in AUC smg and it was very bad it really put me off buying one, it was not until read up the issues smg on this site that I realized the dealers don't carryout any remedial works until they have a sale.
My choice of manual was based upon the fact that I could not find an SMG in the colour I wanted and after 9 weeks only a manual came available.
However you should be aware that you will read quite a few tales of woe regading expensive failures witn SMG when compared to the rare complaints of the the maunal, I can only recall reading one post complaining of a failed manual.
Given that the residual value of these cars are falling by the month SMG's got to be worth a punt, I wish I had waited for one.
And yes I know it's the same gearbox.
I had a test drive in AUC smg and it was very bad it really put me off buying one, it was not until read up the issues smg on this site that I realized the dealers don't carryout any remedial works until they have a sale.
My choice of manual was based upon the fact that I could not find an SMG in the colour I wanted and after 9 weeks only a manual came available.
However you should be aware that you will read quite a few tales of woe regading expensive failures witn SMG when compared to the rare complaints of the the maunal, I can only recall reading one post complaining of a failed manual.
Given that the residual value of these cars are falling by the month SMG's got to be worth a punt, I wish I had waited for one.
And yes I know it's the same gearbox.
Rags said:
SMG is so good, you cannot get a CSL without it, which proves how good BMW must rate it!
I think its amazing and only bettered by DSG and the system used in the Ferrari F 430!
I don't like the DSG anywhere near as much, too much like an auto and I feel BMW have pandered to the "we want an auto" buying public with the DCT as well. I think its amazing and only bettered by DSG and the system used in the Ferrari F 430!
i have a manual gearbox, cannot fault it! i test drove both the smg and manual but personally i prefered the manual! the process of clutch down then change gear is much more to my liking.
my mate has the smg box and has had trouble with the clutches and box itself!
its down to you but id go for the manual!
shame the csl does come with it tho!
my mate has the smg box and has had trouble with the clutches and box itself!
its down to you but id go for the manual!
shame the csl does come with it tho!
I'm on my second SMG E46 Cab in 3 years and love it. At the fastest setting it's quick enough and software updates seem to have made the change smoother since my last car, an '02 model. It's worth it alone for the throttle blip on downshift. The auto mode isn't for me however. I've just come back to E46 M3 from a mint DB7 vantage and a nice 996 3.6 and prefer the SMG to the manuals in either of them.
Goodluck, cheers, Scott.
Goodluck, cheers, Scott.
)The big thing with SMG is understanding it. Took me a while to 'click' with it, and there was a point where I doubted people when they said they never used auto-mode (on the daily run) but now I'm one of those people!
And with the Gruppe M exhaust that's now on, the auto-blip down-changes are accompanied by pops and bangs... oh yeah...
And with the Gruppe M exhaust that's now on, the auto-blip down-changes are accompanied by pops and bangs... oh yeah...
blackcab said:
smg - drive one and see why
I did, but I didn't see the 'why' you refer to. Could you elaborate? I test-drove both types but didn't like the SMG compared to the manual. (and I'm not one of those folks that are biased against autos, had loads of them and don't 'buy' the whole "real drivers drive manual" and "more of a driver's car" BS) The main thing that put me off was the horror stories of expensive SMG problems, talk of 3k+ bills. Not sure how true/common that is though.
I bought a manual M3 in the end and like it a lot. The only time I regret it is on the m25 at rush hour.
Genuinely interested to hear why the SMG M3 is better though.
Jake. said:
Genuinely interested to hear why the SMG M3 is better though.
It isn't better, it is different and you either like it more or not. Personally the manual M3 just feels like a much faster 3 series, much better handling and rev range but still a faster 3 series.
The SMG feels like an event everytime you go out in it, it feels different, it feels like a track tool everytime you bury that throttle and blip the next gear, you get that massive slam that is nothing short of brutal as you go through the gears. Awesome!
It makes it a quicker car for me, on the twisties I can really concerntrate and enjoy the balance and handling of the car with the SMG more than I can with a manual. For everyday driving the Manual gives more enjoyment, but when pressing on the SMG is far better, for me.
If I couldn't have found another SMG M3 at the right price/age/spec I would have gone with something else.
And I nearly didn't buy the CSL because there was no manual option!
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