BMW M3 SMG

[nickyboyc]

Does anyone know what the actual difference is between SMG I and SMG II? Also when did the M3 start being produced with the SMG II gearbox?

Many Thanks

Nick

[Smartie]

wasn't SMG 1 on the E36 and SMG 2 on the E46?

I think SMG 1 is a bit of a "beta" version and somewhat unreliable?

>> Edited by Smartie on Thursday 18th May 14:04

[DoctorD]

All E46 model M3s were fitted with the SMGII system, and of course the latest M5/M6 uses SMGIII. SMGI was fitted to some E36 M3s (i.e. pre-2001) but was BMW's first attempt and truly horrid.

[hobbit 4.2]

I have an E36 M3 evo with SMG I and it's been a real pleasure to own, you can drive it like an auto ( changes smoother if you feather the throttle ) if you're just running home from work, or select gears with the stick (tap forwards/backwards) and drive like a M3 should be driven. The system is often compared unfavourably to SMG II and it's not quite as good (8/10ths), but it is still a very nice car to drive and changes very quickly. I prefer it to the porsche tiptronic system and other switchable autos as the clutch feels like a clutch and is much more positive than a torque convertor.

I think people tend to judge it on 1/2 hour test drives, IMHO it takes a while to get used to it and get the best out of it. Over the period of ownership you get to appreciate it more and more. Reliability on my car has been great, and it can prevent over reving the engine on down changes with is common on the manual cars.

[DoctorD]

My apologies Andrew, SMGI has rather a negative reputation and it's easy to find fault when compared to SMGII.

[Andrew D]

Whilst the experience of driving with the two M3 SMG transmissions might seem similar, there are pretty fundamental differences between the two. They are both proper manual transmissions minus the clutch pedal, and both use a hydraulic system to control gear and clutch movements, but thats about where the similarity ends. The key difference between the two is the fact that SMGII incorporates "Drivelogic", which is essentially computer control of the whole transmission. This allows adaptation and tuning of the shift and clutch speed, launch control, and a whole host of other goodies which result in a far more competent gearbox.

Whereas SMGI was a simple input-output system (push the stick, it changes gear), SMGII has a rudamentary microprocessor "intelligence".

SMG is also offered on the Z4, although this is a kind of halfway house. It's based principally on the Z4 manual box, but it uses the SMGII hydraulic and control systems, but without the Drivelogic functionality.

I've heard that the SSG offered on the 3-Series is an older generation, and is apparently pretty inept.