Manual vs SMGII

[derin100]

Ok...As of this morning I'm leaning more heavily in the M3 direction...actually with the encouragement of my wife! So here are a couple more question relating specifically to the M3:

1)I've read about SMGII but never driven a car with this.There don't seem to be a huge number of cars with this gearbox option up for sale at the moment...is that generally because there aren't that many? Why's that?...Is it 'no good'...is there something I should know about this?
I mean on paper it seems to make pretty good sense to me? I can't change gear in 0.08 secs and double declutch at the sametime etc etc

Is it worth waiting for a car to come up with this.

2) I've sold the idea of a new/modern car to myself on the grounds of safety ( yeah I know "so why don't I buy a barge of a Volvo!?" ) But seriously...How many airbags does the M3 have as standard?

3) How much better is the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi? Is it worth factoring this into the equation? As I've found a car which is a potential candidate but it doesn't have this.

LOL...I feel I may have bought (yet) another BMW by the end of next week! If I don't sell my E30 M3 before I'll be back up to '5 BMW' situation I was in about three years ago and that actually wasn't that funny: http://thee32register.co.uk/gallery/index.cgi?mode=image&album=/Members%5fCars/Derin&image=Pict0001.jpg

Still, when you consider they reckon washing a car burns off 300 calories...and I could use losing a few pounds...

Thanks again

[raks]

SMG II is supposed to be really good IIRC
HK system is actually that much better than standard

all IMHO though

[ScoobyZoom]

1) SMG II everytime...

2) 6 airbags up front

3) HK is the mutts nutts

questions answered

>> Edited by ScoobyZoom on Sunday 13th June 12:56

[derin100]

Excellent! many thanks for the prompt, succinct answers...the search will have to continue then as the potential car I've seen has neither SMG nor HK !

As an aside (and Scooby you may be well placed to answer this kind of question):
I've never bought a car from a maindealer...so how amenable are they to haggling? The only times I've previously been into dealerships there's been an air of (dare I say it?)snootiness giving me the impression that they might feel they're above negotiation?
Any tips for getting a better deal at a maindealer on a £30K car greatly appreciated! What should I aim for? Money off? Warranty extensions? I dunno...

P.S one of my firends just emailed me and sugested I consider the 330d and presents a very convincing case for it! Apparently, timed at only 3secs slower than the M3 around the 14km circuit of the Nurburgring?!... Surely I shouldn't take this suggestion seriously?...should I ?!? Please tell me I shouldn't !!!

[raks]

probably chip'd ??

[jumjum]

M3 Nürburgring Runde 8.22 min

BMW 3 series 330d
Test in ams 08/2004
Gewicht 1787 kg
0 - 80 km/h 5,8 s
0 - 100 km/h 8,0 s
0 - 120 km/h 11,3 s
0 - 130 km/h - s
0 - 140 km/h 16,0 s
0 - 160 km/h 21,7 s

M3 coupe
Test in ams 1/2003
Gewicht 1570 kg
0 - 80 km/h 3,5 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,8 s
0 - 120 km/h 6,5 s
0 - 140 km/h 8,5 s
0 - 160 km/h 10,9 s
0 - 180 km/h 13,7 s
0 - 200 km/h 16,8 s


The m3 (343bhp) is more than 10 seconds quicker to 100mph than a 330d (204bhp)

It's lighter and got quite a bit more grip from oit's wider track and better suspension and tyres.

Whilst the 330d is a very good car, it wouldn't see which way the M3 went round the ring or on a blat round the lanes.

[Bweemer]

derin100 said:

3) How much better is the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi? Is it worth factoring this into the equation? As I've found a car which is a potential candidate but it doesn't have this.

Had SMG II with HK.

SMG II is great - takes a bit of time to get used to it but once you've mastered it & it's learnt your driving it's very addictive. You'll be changing gear just for fun. The auto mode is good for traffic jams.

HK is superior to the std system but is weak for the money. Mine, like many, had the dreaded HK hiss - faint speaker hissing that once you notice it will drive you nuts.

Happy hunting

[Zod]

I've had both manual and SMG II E46 M3s and I have loved both. SMG is fantastic, but you will need to take a long test first to make sure you get on with it.

[Bweemer]

Zod said:

I've had both manual and SMG II E46 M3s and I have loved both. SMG is fantastic, but you will need to take a long test first to make sure you get on with it.

Didn't I just say that Charlie ?

[derin100]

Thanks all for that great help...I think I'll arrange to try out both. I've only driven an E46 M3 once and that was only a short blast quite a while ago and not one with SMGII. I live in the country so I'm never actually stuck in traffic jams...it's just SMG just sounds so good on paper.

E30 M3 is gonna have to gofirst anyway!
Thanks again and I'll let you know how I get on!

Cheers

[Zod]

Bweemer said:

Zod said: I've had both manual and SMG II E46 M3s and I have loved both. SMG is fantastic, but you will need to take a long test first to make sure you get on with it. Didn't I just say that Charlie ?

Ahem, just backing you up! (now I have to guess who you are from bm3w!)

[Zod]

Reasons to love SMG:

single carriageway A-Road, stuck in queue, spot opportunity, two clicks on left paddle while planting right foot and change back up during the overtake. Fantastic!

On track, approaching hairpin corner at seriously scary speed, squeeze brake pedal as hard as you can and click down all the to second or third just as you enter the bend. No chance of fluffing the change.

[bweemer]

SMG II is however best when attached to a CSL

[mondeoman]

Gotta say I'm not that impressed with the HK system - I'd prefer to get one without and then install an Alpine system instead......

SMG - never driven the BM version, but on a Maserati the only real downside was moving off from standstill and driving in slow traffic, where it was very jerky. If BM SMG can do that well, then I'd probably pip for SMG rather than manual, as changes on the move are flawless every time.

[atgsambo]

I would say the Harman Kardon stystem is fantastic

My father has it in his M3 and to be honest i cant fault it

Soon to have another Harman Kardon system in the family in our new mini cooper Convertible

[bweemer]

atgsambo said:

I would say the Harman Kardon stystem is fantastic My father has it in his M3 and to be honest i cant fault it Soon to have another Harman Kardon system in the family in our new mini cooper Convertible

It depends what you're comparing it to I suppose. I believe the Audi Bose system is better, and even BMW do a far superior DSP system in the E39 M5.