330ci with SMG?

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ThinkingBMW

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I'm new to this forum, so forgive me if this topic has already been covered...

I've been giving serious consideration to buying a '04 330ci with SMG for my wife, who can't drive a manual transmission to save her life. Can those who are familiar with the SMG transmission comment on how it compares with the Steptronic option? Would it be better for someone unfamiliar with stick-shifting to have a steptronic or SGM?
 
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gbf1lm

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well when driving smg urs supposed to able to drive stick, though there is an automatic mode. can she not control the clutch or have shifting judgement ? if its ur wifes car, i think just go steptronic, i doubt shell ever take it out of auto-mode. plus when u drive u can still shift manually, though the decreased performance that comes with auto/torque converter.
 
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ThinkingBMW

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She has BIG issue with the clutch. Since we haven't gotten past that as the issue, I can't comment on whether she "gets" how to shift through the gears on a manual transmission. She's very smart, but doesn't appear to be comfortable with the foot-hand activity reguired to use a manual tranmission.

My impression is that, unless you NEED to learn stick, you will NEVER learn; but maybe there's a decent alternative.
 
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DrWho

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I'd also recommend the normal auto, rather then the SMG box. SMG has come a long way since its first introduction, but IMO, it still has a while to go before it becomes unobtrusive. It's pretty good in a race-track kind of situation where quick gear changes are of the essence, but on the road, especially is stop/start traffic, it becomes jerky and a bit of a chore.

When I got my '04 330Ci the salesman tried to get me into an SMG, but I wouldn't have anything to do with it (got a manual instead).

I think your wife would probably prefer the auto (Steptronic).
 
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What about the "all-wheel" drive?

Thanks for all the info. Since the consensus is for the steptronic, I'm considering an all-wheel drive 330xi. Can anyone comment on how the all-wheel drive compares to the rear-wheel drive?

...Better performance? More things to go wrong?
 
MrElussive

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Actually, if you want a 3-Series with AWD, it has to be the sedan (325xi/330xi). The Coupes and Convertibles are strictly RWD. If you live in an area where you get a lot of snow, a 325xi/330xi is a good idea. If you only have lots of rain to deal with and maybe just a bit of snow, a 330Ci with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) should be just fine. The 325xi/330xi give you all-weather confidence thanks to their AWD systems. Their only downsides are that you lose about half a second in acceleration to 60mph and the cars are raised 0.8" for better ground clearance for the snow (so any rear-wheel drive 3-series will provide better handling at the limit).
 
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ThinkingBMW

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Re: smg

BrianKent said:
are you able to drive an smg with out shifting gears like in the smg II there is the "A" is their anything like that in the smg in the 330ci
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Yes, there's an 'auto' mode for the SMG on the 330ci. I test drove both the 330ci and M3 with SMG and noticed little difference between them in the auto mode (other than the power difference). However, you shouldn't buy a BMW with SMG if all you intend to do is drive it in auto mode. For those who can't work a clutch and understand (or are willing to learn) the basics of shifting gears, then SMG appears to be a good choice. You can start out in auto mode until you feel comfortable and then gradularly learn to use the manual mode at your own pace.
 
MrElussive

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Good point, ThinkingBMW. I have to say though, unless I was planning on taking my M3/330Ci to a racetrack, I wouldn't bother with SMG at all. I like the total control of a manual transmission over SMG/SMG II. The SMG comes in handy when you're racing on a track and you wanna downshift and brake at the same time to enter the turns (where with stick shift you have to constantly push all three pedals at the same time for heel-and-toe downshifting).
 
codex57

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Are there any hills near you? One of the BMW magazines, when testing a z4 smg, smelled burning clutch after their test drive which included starting while on a hill. The non-M3 SMG just seems to have too many disadvantages and not enough advantages. I have manual mode in my Steptronic too. Yeah it doesn't change very fast, but neither does the non-M3 SMG supposedly.
 
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The SMG is an advanced piece of machinery. The clutchless manual will give you better gas mileage since there is no no torque converter. But it's not gonna be a very smooth ride. You should test drive one. BMW has great regular automatics...that are smooth as silk.

I have a feeling your wife will find the SMG too notchy and will not appreciate the sporting advantages of the SMG over the automatic. The electronically controled clutch on the SMG can switch gears faster than any human being...but the software than regulates the engine rev has to be programmed just right to anticipate the next gear, etc., anticipate a downshift based on where your foot is on the accelerator, speed of the car, etc. I understand it takes some getting used to. It won't be as silken as the regular automatic with a torque converter.

If she's not even into a manual transmission, I doubt she'll be into the SMG...even with its new programming.
 
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ThinkingBMW

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This is a relatively old thread that was revived by BrianKent. I've since ordered an M3 with SMG II. It's still an open question as to how well my wife will adabt to the SMG, but she's aware of the differences between SMG and automatics and definately into learning how to use the SMG in manual mode. However, the auto mode should allow her to learn at her own pace.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the manual transmission, but have researched SMG enough to feel comfortable that I'll learn the techniques necessary to make the best of this new technology. My wife is another story and, since it will be mainly her car, it's certainly a big gamble. However, she can't work a clutch (I've *really* tried to teach her), but really wants a "sports car;" so an M3 with SMG seemed like the best answer.

I'll be checking in from time to time with reports on her (and my) progress with the SMG.

By the way, this is the best BMW forum I've visited. Much more "respectful" than many of the others and has a great spirit of community.
 
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ThinkingBMW

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We received the car on Tuesday. The car is my wife's daily driver, so I haven't had much time behind the wheel.[:(]

I can provide some first impressions on SMGII, though...

The good:

* Amazingly fast downshifts. There is no way I could ever downshift so smoothly. Really great downshifts going into turns.

* Being able to up/downshift from the steering wheel with a flick of my fingers is very efficient.

The not-so-good:

* As reported by others, some upshifts at slower speeds can be a little "clumsy feeling" or "notchy." Nothing really bad, but I think I could do better with a manual in some situations. I haven't played around with lifting off the throttle during the shift, so I'll update this thread with progress reports in the future.
 
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deutsch100

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ThinkingBMW said:
This is a relatively old thread that was revived by BrianKent. I've since ordered an M3 with SMG II. It's still an open question as to how well my wife will adabt to the SMG, but she's aware of the differences between SMG and automatics and definately into learning how to use the SMG in manual mode. However, the auto mode should allow her to learn at her own pace.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the manual transmission, but have researched SMG enough to feel comfortable that I'll learn the techniques necessary to make the best of this new technology. My wife is another story and, since it will be mainly her car, it's certainly a big gamble. However, she can't work a clutch (I've *really* tried to teach her), but really wants a "sports car;" so an M3 with SMG seemed like the best answer.

I'll be checking in from time to time with reports on her (and my) progress with the SMG.

By the way, this is the best BMW forum I've visited. Much more "respectful" than many of the others and has a great spirit of community.
Click to expand...
Just wanted to agree with you in regards to our Forum. This is the best BMW Forum-- Hands Down!!!! The people on here rock, they are respectful, helpful, fun, knowledgeable and cool. Danke!!! [cheers]
 
MrElussive

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ThinkingBMW said:
We received the car on Tuesday. The car is my wife's daily driver, so I haven't had much time behind the wheel.[:(]

I can provide some first impressions on SMGII, though...

The good:

* Amazingly fast downshifts. There is no way I could ever downshift so smoothly. Really great downshifts going into turns.

* Being able to up/downshift from the steering wheel with a flick of my fingers is very efficient.

The not-so-good:

* As reported by others, some upshifts at slower speeds can be a little "clumsy feeling" or "notchy." Nothing really bad, but I think I could do better with a manual in some situations. I haven't played around with lifting off the throttle during the shift, so I'll update this thread with progress reports in the future.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's quite possible that if you manipulate the throttle during shifts, you could make things smoother. I remember when I drove my friend's dad's M3 Convertible with SMG, the upshifts were really clumsy and in auto mode, it was really lazy to upshift and downshift. The manual paddle shifting was great, and I'm sure the transmission is much better if it was in a more aggressive DriveLogic mode. How does it feel not to have a clutch?
 
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