To SMG or not to SMG?

[oregonbmw]

I know there are a few threads regarding SMG and I have read through all of them but I'm still hungry for more opinoins. I'm doing European delivery on a 330ci and prefer manual over automatic, but occasionally would like to have the convenience of not having to change gears. I have tried to test drive an SMG but the dealership in Eugene does not have any.

Here are a few questions I still have:

Is SMG worth the extra $1500?
Does anybody have one and regrets getting it?
Does everyone learn how to change smoothly after a few weeks?
Do all SMG transmissions make funny noise?
Will SMG II be offered on the 3 series in the near future?
If you were to choose a 330ci, would it be step, SMG or manual? (see poll)

Hope that's not too many questions all at once.
Thanks!

 

[aNoodle]

If it's not SMGII I would forget it. It's gonna be notchy...not as silky smooth as BMW's conventional automatics with a torque converters. But you'll get better gas mileage and can shift quicker than any human. I would say you really need to test one...see if it's something you'd like. It's gonna be notchy. Depends what you're looking for...and how you're going to drive....whether you want to be totally involved

 

[Blue]

I considered a manual 3 series, but after driving my steptronic for the past 6 weeks, I'll stick with the step. Only the thought of operating a clutch & stick in Phx's horrendous rush hour highway traffic kept me from getting a true manual. But now I'm glad I went with steptronic. My normal mode of driving is manual step shift, but when I'm in stop & go traffic, in a parking lot, get a phone call, etc., I can just slap the stick over to auto and forgetaboutit. I'm planning on an M3 in 2-3 years, and I always assumed I'd go manual....but now I'm starting to think about the step there too....

 

[oregonbmw]

I like to have a lot of control when I drive, hence my preference for the manual. However, I do like the thought of just slapping the stick over to auto now and then. Therefore I thought that the SMG would be the perfect solution.

Blue, I have tried the step, and I did enjoy it, very smooth and comfortable, but in manual mode the shifts never really felt like they were fully controlled by me. There was always what seemed like at lease a second delay after I tapped the stick.

I'm disappointed that nobody seems to like the SMG.

 

[Blue]

yeah, you can't beat the pure mechanical feel of working the clutch/gas/stick.

I have absolutely zero experience with the SMG...

 

[bahnstormer]

please buy a stick
smg is for girls

 

[Blue]

how does SMG work?

edit:
I searched....looks like just superfast steptronic? What's the black magic I'm missing?

 

[salvo]

Steptronic is a manual option for an automatic transmission.
SMG is an auto option for a manual transmission.

IMO, 330c is not fast enough for the fancy paddles...lame. the auto is great...smooth. step can be kinda neat, but a waste of time if you think that it will respond like a manual! There is a bit of challenge in driving a manual....i enjoy that...plus, i cant stand A-holes talking on the phone...just fricking drive so you dont hit some one like a Nancy!

 

[Wallie05]

please buy a stick
smg is for girls

Here's some more info on the SMG.

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/config/m3_smg.htm'


Personally, it's not for me. I've already had this debate with some one who feels it's not an automatic. However, I find that any car without a cluth and is capable of being driven in "auto mode" is more automatic than not.

If that's not a problem for you, then get the STEP. I'd like to have either a full auto or full manual (preferred, but traffic is definitely a consideration--Chicagoland is TERRIBLE). None of the in-between business for me, please.

 

[PhatBimmer]

If I were to get a 330i I'd def. go w/ 6 speed manual, I'm planning to get one soon. As for the SMG is for girls . When I get my M3 I'm getting it with the SMGII option. Good luck with your car buying.


Finally another Chi-towner

 

[drkeng]

Friend of friend is a BMW master mechanic. Said he drove a Z4 with SMG and wasn't thrilled. I believe the same unit is on the 330. It doesn't have as many "modes" as in the M3.

I test drove an M3 SMG twice, once for speed, second time for "city driving". Getting going in 1st and shifting 1-2 wasn't so smooth, but there is probably improvement with experience. After 2nd, it's pretty smooth. I tried it with several settings (shift speed). Downshifts are really smooth. I doubt it ever gets real smooth in auto mode. One salesman says he can drive it and passengers think it's an auto; however, I did not go for a ride with him. One thing, when you hit the sport button, the acceleration is even faster.

The "problem" is that the M3 always wants to be driven fast and hard. When you really floor a 330 from a stop, the 1-2 shift isn't perfectly smooth either (or in any car with decent power, for that matter). When you try to take off in the M3 in a "civil" manner, it feels "heavy". This was the deciding point for me, as I was considering an '03 M3 with 4K miles. I am going with the 330 w/ Steptronic, as my commute is about 2/3 city and 1/3 highway. It will be an improvement from the 323. If this was my fun car for weekends and occasional use, I'd definitely get the M3 with SMG.

I'm wondering if SMG 3 (?if/when?) will be like the Audi system with two clutches (DSG-Direct Shift Gearbox); the system anticipates which gear you'll need/choose next. To quote Road & Track (May 2004 Audi TT vs BMW Z 4): "DSG preselects the next gear......as you flip the paddle....the clutch of the engaged gear opens as the clutch of the next preselected gear closes. It all happens under load, and with utter smoothness--quite the opposite of SMG......loud thunk...and an abruptness that can only partially be smoothed out with some throttle lift." Again, this is not the same system as in the M3. They seem to conclude that the DSG is better than SMG in automatic mode, but SMG is better in manual mode. "(DSG) upshifts at redline, preventing you from holding on to a gear when you really want to."

One thing with Steptronic that I didn't know initially. When you flip the stick left, an "S" light comes in next to "D". This "sport automatic mode" is supposed to change the automatic shifting so shifts will be at higher rpm's. I don't know what it does when decelerating. Only when you flick it to up/downshift does it engage the manumatic mode.

To those who say only a clutch is manual, let's not forget that F1 cars apparently use a similar transmission.

I recently read in another post a good point: People expect an M3 to ride like a 330, but the car is more like a Ferrari with 4 comfy seats.

 

[Zeratul]

Wait, hold on. So your saying that the 330Ci SMG dosen't have 5 automatic programs and 6 manual programs?- That only the M3 does? That really sucks, i was planning on getting a 2004 330Ci with SMG, and now i cant even go to S6!

 

[oregonbmw]

That is correct. As far as I know SMG I which is installed on the 330 series has only one automatic and one manual program.

I think you guys have convinced me to go with a manual. I'll still try to go to Portland to test drive a SMG and see how I like it.

 

[Zeratul]

SMGII dosent come in the new 2004 330Ci? SMGII only comes in an M3? Are you sure about this?

 

[oregonbmw]

I just checked bmwusa.com and here is what is listed under optional equipment:

6-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) with Automated,Manual and Sport programs and Dynamic Driving Control (Sport button)

Now from reading earlier posts, it seems that SMG I came without DDC. So maybe I'm wrong and it is the SMG II that is installed on the 2004 330Ci.

Can anybody confirm this one way or the other?

 

[Zeratul]

I think SMG I is obsolete and BMW dosent use it anymore, they instead install SMGII on the new BMWS. But i could be wrong.

 

[Blue]

Here's some more info on the SMG.

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/config/m3_smg.htm'


Personally, it's not for me. I've already had this debate with some one who feels it's not an automatic. However, I find that any car without a cluth and is capable of being driven in "auto mode" is more automatic than not.

If that's not a problem for you, then get the STEP. I'd like to have either a full auto or full manual (preferred, but traffic is definitely a consideration--Chicagoland is TERRIBLE). None of the in-between business for me, please.

Have to agree with Wallie - no clutch & no need to shift does not spell manual in my book either.

Oh, and Salvo, some of us CAN drive and do business on a cell phone at the same time. The culpability when Nancy drives through the plate glass windows at the local Walmart or Starbuck's does not lie with the cell phone. Rather, it may have something to do with the fact that Nancy is a moron with her head up her ass.

 

[salvo]

Oh, and Salvo, some of us CAN drive and do business on a cell phone at the same time. The culpability when Nancy drives through the plate glass windows at the local Walmart or Starbuck's does not lie with the cell phone. Rather, it may have something to do with the fact that Nancy is a moron with her head up her ass.

touchy...touchy...unfortunately majority of drivers have their head up their ass AND cell phones surely cause an increase in traffic accidents...thus moron + cell phone + driving = accidents...anyways.

 

[Zeratul]

hey guys, can u please answer my question... Does SMGII come in the new 2004 330Ci? or only the M3?

 

[salvo]

only M3...he started it... kidding