London SMG servicing

[Nightshade]

I've got a BMW E46 M3 SMG which is playing up. Keeps popping into neutral when the car's stationary and warmed up. I've tried the resistor fix but didn't help, so I need to get it looked at at a specialist.

I'm living in Clapham SW London. Anyone know of a good London-based BMW specialist garage that is knowledgeable on SMGs? Ideally I want to find someone who will properly diagnose the problem in case it's just a small part at fault, rather than just say I need a whole new SMG unit!

Thanks.

[Schermerhorn]

Replace the salmon coloured relay. It is a <£20 part. It may just cure your problems.

[Nightshade]

Thanks Schermerhorn but I already tried that

[igiveup]

Not in London, but ETA Motorsport by Brands Hatch.

[Schermerhorn]

Nightshade said:

Thanks Schermerhorn but I already tried that

Hmmm. I understand your frustrations. I have an M6 that badly needs a clutch replacing.

Have you done the old bonnet slam trick? Failing that get it on a diagnostic machine?

[Gruber]

OP - I'm in Battersea and have given up trying to find a proper specialist locally. GSF Motorworks are very good at the standard stuff, but for something like this I'd be heading out of town.

Walkers Autotech are good - I have great confidence in Andy Walker to fix the problem, rather than just replace parts. But he's down in Sussex.

[pidsy]

Technosport at staples corner.

Nw london though.

[longintheleg]

I would make the slightly longer journey and visit CPC in Amersham. Phil is hugely knowledgeable about pretty much every ///M model.

They replaced the clutch position sensor on mine recently.

[CornishRob]

I live in SW London and don't think there is anything really near us.

I use Iridium Engineering down between Winchester and Southampton for my Z4MC. Bit of a mission, but I think its worth it.

I think other places that are apparently good, but still a drive away are CPC, Technosport, ETA, and TWG Automotive.

[davelise]

You could try Richard Barker at Barkers Motor Works- http://www.barkersmotorworks.co.uk/details.html

From memory he used to be the head technician at Barons Hindhead and worked on the SMG system at BMW UK so knows his stuff about that system in particular. It's a short way out in Haslemere, Surrey, but may be worth a call?

[Nightshade]

Thanks so much guys that's really helpful! CPC probably sounds like my best bet, my brother lives in Amersham too.

Yep I've tried slamming my bonnet, I've had to do this a couple of times already when the gear indicator would flick between a few gear numbers, preventing the car from starting. Now you mention it, I wonder if a faulty bonnet sensor could be related to my 'dropping into neutral when stationary' issue.

Failing that, from a bit of reading it could be the gear position sensor, SMG fluid temp sensor or compression spring. Hoping CPC can help diagnose this for me. I'll let you know how I get on with them.

Seems like there's a lot to go wrong on these SMG M3s...

[longintheleg]

Nightshade said:

Thanks so much guys that's really helpful! CPC probably sounds like my best bet, my brother lives in Amersham too.

Yep I've tried slamming my bonnet, I've had to do this a couple of times already when the gear indicator would flick between a few gear numbers, preventing the car from starting. Now you mention it, I wonder if a faulty bonnet sensor could be related to my 'dropping into neutral when stationary' issue.

Failing that, from a bit of reading it could be the gear position sensor, SMG fluid temp sensor or compression spring. Hoping CPC can help diagnose this for me. I'll let you know how I get on with them.

Seems like there's a lot to go wrong on these SMG M3s...

Have you read the DTC's?

[Nightshade]

Sorry what's DTC?

[longintheleg]

Nightshade said:

Sorry what's DTC?

Diagnostic Trouble Codes, better known as fault codes.

[nevm3]

Hi, if still having problems search on m3 cutters Smg and Rich Hewitt, Mtech-Power based in Basingstoke but believe is willing to travel. He's a top man, sorted my SMG problems now works perfectly.