Question for SMG owners

[Paul_M3]

Hi guys,

I currently have an E36 M3 Evo, and I am now ready to upgrade to an E46.

I have the age old problem of which transmission to go for.

Now I know there have been numerous SMG or Manual threads over various forums, including this one, but please forgive me for asking a similar question as this is important to me.

So, the question for SMG owners. (and please be honest even if you always defend SMG to the death. PM me if you'd rather not admit it in public)

After you'd got used to it, have there been ANY times when you wished you bought a Manual?
(Especially drivers who used to love throttle blipping, trying to heel and toe, etc.)

I like the idea of SMG, and trying something different, I'm just worried I'll regret it after the novelty wears off. (And I've never spent this sort of money on a car before)
I've spent so much time searching the net the last week or so, and everyone seems to say it takes a little while to get used to it and fully enjoy it. Therefore I won't know if it's for me or not simply from the test drive.

Thanks for any replies, and sorry to bring up a repetitive topic.

[M3ROB]

Hi Paul,
I had the same dilemma as you,after searching and test driving various cars I finally picked up my 03 SMGII in November.After I handed over the cash I was still questioning my own judgement but here I am six months later and still the novelty hasn't worn off,granted the weather has been S***E most of the winter but cant wait for the summer cos it does put a big smile on your face!!
I dont regret buying one at all now...

[mat205125]

Paul_M3 said:

After you'd got used to it, have there been ANY times when you wished you bought a Manual?

Only had my E46 a week and it's SMG.

I have to conclude that i really like it, however am still to get on with manoveoring (sp?) and anything slow really .... More than worth it when pressing on though. All the manual blips can still be done with the SMG, and twisty B roads are now a pedal dancing BTCC hands-on-the-wheel riot

[john_p]

Paul_M3 said:

After you'd got used to it, have there been ANY times when you wished you bought a Manual?

In four years of ownership, no.

Once you got used to it, it was amazing. Heel and toe worked just fine.

[AngryApples]

Paul,

I'm in the stage just between you and Matt, having put down my deposit on an 04' SMG and expecting delivery Thursday

Thanks for this thread as the comments here have re affirmed to me I've made the right decision and cant wait to get playing with that box (oo er' missus!)

[mat205125]

AngryApples said:

Paul,

I'm in the stage just between you and Matt, having put down my deposit on an 04' SMG and expecting delivery Thursday

Thanks for this thread as the comments here have re affirmed to me I've made the right decision and cant wait to get playing with that box (oo er' missus!)

Black one? Look forward to some pictures.

[AngryApples]

mat205125 said:

AngryApples said:

Paul,

I'm in the stage just between you and Matt, having put down my deposit on an 04' SMG and expecting delivery Thursday

Thanks for this thread as the comments here have re affirmed to me I've made the right decision and cant wait to get playing with that box (oo er' missus!)

Black one? Look forward to some pictures.

But of course sir!

Matt - didnt manage to get you on PM - are you going to the South West meet in 2 weeks?

[mat205125]

AngryApples said:

Matt - didnt manage to get you on PM - are you going to the South West meet in 2 weeks?

Don't have anything on that week I don't think, so may well pop along. Will have a look on the "meets" section to get the details.

[Pork]

Paul_M3 said:

After you'd got used to it, have there been ANY times when you wished you bought a Manual?

Only once. I was in Wales, 4 up in the car, baking hot day, parked on an inclinde that felt like it was 1:2. Had to do several bits of crawling up the hill and didnt like not having the clutch pedal.

Other than that, always pleased I have the SMG. Had a manual previously and would definately chose SMG next time too.

Edited by Pork on Sunday 5th April 11:46

[skeeterm5]

I have an e60 m5 with SMG and had the opportunity to drive a 6 speed manual e60 m5 in the USA recently. Having now driven both i can honestly say that i wouldnt want to go back to a manual, the smg just suits the car so much more.

But you do need to appreciate that there are drawbacks with the smg:

1 - parking in tight spaces is a bit of a pain where a clutch pedal would be useful
2 - crawling in traffic can be a bit jerky
3 - if you slow for a junction in say 2nd (and almost but not quite stop)spot a gap and try to pull out sometimes the smg decides to change to 1st and leaves you momentarily with no drive which can take you by surprise......
4 - the full manual is pretty dumb and not great (it isnt an auto)

Having said all of that, you can get smooth changes with practice and you can also hold the car on its clutch on hills.

On the move the smg is just so much better than a manual and dont forget the auto throttle blips on downshifts

S

[M3John]

My car was SMG and now it's a regular manual. Was good as SMG (when it worked) and on the circuit it was fantastic ! BUT now i've converted it to a manual i'm definatly not looking back

[rjm8282]

Hi Mate,

I bought a M3 SMGII yesterday, and its great. I admit gears first to second are jerky at first but its just getting us to changing gears. As long as you lift off the accelerator when changing up gears you won't have a jerk. I would say after about two weeks of driving it you should have it down to a tee!
Once you have got over that, it is a fantastic gearbox. Always predicting what your trying to do.

SMGII - Paddle shift, Gear selector on screen, a nice looking gear stick, launch control, option of auto (Admittedly I do not use it) and faster gear changes than a human could possibly do.

Thats my verdict mate, although I am not saying manual is rubbish because its not. There both as good as each other, you just have to decide how you want to drive it, F1 Style or rally!!!!

Hope this helps

[AngryApples]

M3John said:

My car was SMG and now it's a regular manual. Was good as SMG (when it worked) and on the circuit it was fantastic ! BUT now i've converted it to a manual i'm definatly not looking back

John,

was that on a E36 though?

Led to believe theres a world of difference between the SMG I and II?

[///M3]

The E46 SMG is very good and intuitive to use but don't forget it rolls back on a hill regardless of incline!

[gareth h]

Not if you use the foot you used to use for the clutch on the brake!

[skeeterm5]

You can hold the car at the biting point of the clutch or, press the footbrake and it holds the car stationery for a couple of seconds before any roll back occurs (at least you can on the M5).

S

[AngryApples]

skeeterm5 said:

You can hold the car at the biting point of the clutch or, press the footbrake and it holds the car stationery for a couple of seconds before any roll back occurs (at least you can on the M5).

S

Yep, also on M3 - "hill assist" I believe engaged by holding left paddle more than 0.5 seconds when foot is on the brake?

[thehos]

AngryApples said:

skeeterm5 said:

You can hold the car at the biting point of the clutch or, press the footbrake and it holds the car stationery for a couple of seconds before any roll back occurs (at least you can on the M5).

S

Yep, also on M3 - "hill assist" I believe engaged by holding left paddle more than 0.5 seconds when foot is on the brake?

correct, it increases the revs, but only for a short time, its meant to be enough time for your right foot to swap from brake to the loud pedal.

[Vixpy1]

///M3 said:

The E46 SMG is very good and intuitive to use but don't forget it rolls back on a hill regardless of incline!

Amazingly, BMW fitted a Handbrake to mine

[///M3]

Vixpy1 said:

///M3 said:

The E46 SMG is very good and intuitive to use but don't forget it rolls back on a hill regardless of incline!

Amazingly, BMW fitted a Handbrake to mine

Lol yes I've got to remind myself to use the handbrake on hills because SMG is not like Tiptronic in the 911