To SMG or not to SMG?

Which one would you get?

  • 330ci Step

    Votes: 15 17.4%

  • 330ci SMG

    Votes: 19 22.1%

  • 330ci 6-speed

    Votes: 52 60.5%
  • Total voters
    86
Blue

Blue

Member
#21
Messages
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Location
Scottsdale, AZ
#21
not touchy Salvo, just stating fact. Morons weave all over the roads while on the phone out here too. I just don't like to be lumped in with the unwashed masses...
 
O

oregonbmw

New Member
#22
Messages
22
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0
Location
Oregon
#22
Guys, could we please discuss the SMG and not cell phone usage. It would be nice to hear from anyone who has recently purchased a 330ci with SMG.
 
PhatBimmer

PhatBimmer

2
#23
Messages
681
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0
Location
Chicago, IL
#23
thats something about bmwboard.com. You post something and at tops you'll get like 3 answers correct, rest is someone just ragging or complaining about something [paranoid].

Its like when they asked Bush questions on TV

News: Mr. President do you like burgers?

Bush: Well you see the thing is that most people don't understand the situation in Iraq and make me the bad guy
[?|]
---------------------------------------------------
If its any help last I checked BMW does not supply 330i's w/ SMGII, then again I could be wrong but I highly doubt it.
[headbang]
 
aNoodle

aNoodle

1000 Post Club
#24
Messages
1,137
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0
Location
Athens, GA
#24
PhatBimmer said:
thats something about bmwboard.com. You post something and at tops you'll get like 3 answers correct, rest is someone just ragging or complaining about something [paranoid].

Its like when they asked Bush questions on TV

News: Mr. President do you like burgers?

Bush: Well you see the thing is that most people don't understand the situation in Iraq and make me the bad guy
[?|]
Click to expand...

LOL. Well what does that have to do with SMGII?!?
 
O

oregonbmw

New Member
#30
Messages
22
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0
Location
Oregon
#30
So I finally got to test drive a 330i SMG. I loved it. Automatic mode is useless, but the manual mode was fabulous. I had no problem making the shifts smooth at both low and high revs. I have made up my mind. I'm getting a 330Ci with SMG. Picking it up in Munich on July 7th.

Thanks for your feedback!

By the way, 330's come with SMG I.
 
R

Roadhawk

2
#31
Messages
68
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0
Location
Herndon Virginia
#31
Congrats OregonBMW - I know you'll enjoy the car. (you'll be picking yours up exactly 12 days before me!) But for me its manual all the way. I've only had (still have) 2 automatics - one is the Mustang - and thats OK - its my cruiser - still would love to have had the stick...and the Millenia - which has a nifty hold/shift function - which I frequently would use - but its not the same and I always was wishing that the car was available in a manual. I know that SMG is different - but I enjoy the whole action of the clutch/shift/acceleration interplay - its one of the great joys of driving IMO. I do occasionally have back problems where shifting because difficult/painful...so I could one day see giving it up - but very grudgingly...
 
flashinthepan

flashinthepan

Active Member
#33
Messages
802
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0
Location
Oregon
#33
To SMG or not to SMG?
Click to expand...
I am in Oregon too !!

I tried the SMG in an M3 at Rassmussen BMW, personally I did not like the feel, and I have since rec'd my manual-foot clutch 6-speed, imo far more fun !. But guys that have SMG's love them & I think its all a personal choice, just like color etc...

Good Luck !! & congrats early ....[drinking]
 
U

undien717

Member
#35
Messages
129
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0
Location
Southern CA
#35
Blue said:
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....
Click to expand...
They don't offer Step for the E46 M3. Only Manual or SMG- [headbang]
 
U

undien717

Member
#36
Messages
129
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0
Location
Southern CA
#36
Blue said:
how does SMG work?

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

Steptronic is still essentially an automatic transmission. The main difference between a sequential manual gearbox and steptronic is that it doesn't have the power robbing torque converter that an automatic transmission have. This makes SMG and MT equipped cars faster than their AT counterparts. There are many advantages of a SMG, which is explained in this link:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/sequential-gearbox.htm

Although you'd get better track times w/ a SMG, it's more fun driving with a manual transmission IMO.
 
aNoodle

aNoodle

1000 Post Club
#37
Messages
1,137
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0
Location
Athens, GA
#37
undien717 said:
Steptronic is still essentially an automatic transmission. The main difference between a sequential manual gearbox and steptronic is that it doesn't have the power robbing torque converter that an automatic transmission have. This makes SMG and MT equipped cars faster than their AT counterparts. There are many advantages of a SMG, which is explained in this link:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/sequential-gearbox.htm

Although you'd get better track times w/ a SMG, it's more fun driving with a manual transmission IMO.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the SMG is good stuff. I can't wait to hear more people's thoughts of driving with them. Each transmission offers its plusses and minuses. I'm curious long term what sort of maintenance is required for the SMG. Obviously auto's eventual go (valve housings and the gears) and manuals need new clutches. What is the life of the auto clutch on the SMG, can it be repaired or is it complicated like an auto? Is it an expensive repair.
 
O

oregonbmw

New Member
#40
Messages
22
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0
Location
Oregon
#40
Guys, thanks for all your input. I just returned from Europe where I had an incredible trip. Loved my new 330ci with SMG. It's as smooth and as fast as you want it to be. Can't wait to get it back here in Eugene. Just wish they would increase the speed limit by 20 - 30 mph here in Oregon. Can't have it all I guess. Oh, and for anybody who is considering the SMG. Get it, you'll love it!
 
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