E46 SMG gearbox, any good?
Discussion
Not bad, you learn to use it in town. Which isnt very difficult, it has its annoyances every so often, but hardly an issue.
It is however ace fun when on a joy ride, they work very well and are super quick at changing. Suits the car very well!
Drive one and see, I have driven both. E90 and e46. Dct and smg. I enjoy both equally and have no preference.
It is however ace fun when on a joy ride, they work very well and are super quick at changing. Suits the car very well!
Drive one and see, I have driven both. E90 and e46. Dct and smg. I enjoy both equally and have no preference.
Cemesis said:
The mistake people make with the SMG is believing its an auto.
In my view, it makes the car.
Agreed, loads of people say "Oh, its an Automatic" when they look inside my M5. There then follows a 5 minute lecture about why it doesn't have a clutch pedal. lolIn my view, it makes the car.
My mate has an M3 E9? Its a V8........Anyway, as I've stated elsewhere, its a lovely car to drive, shifts extremely quickly and smoothly. To my mind, the DCT leaves you somewhat disconnected from the car. Its very very fast and gets from 0 - 140MPH in a heartbeat with only a brief change in engine tone on gear changes but you just dont feel part of the process. With the SMG, you get a thump in the back every time you change up. Awesome.
Edited by Cambell on Saturday 13th July 07:57
Its what happens when you bolt a high performance engine and drivetrain to what is basically a small family car. The stresses of the LSD subframe can cause tearing of the rear floor pan.
I have a couple of mates that had it repaired, 1 at BMW under warranty and 1 at an independant due to the modifications done to his car. BMW will only do this work under warranty if the car is unmodified and less than 10 years old. I also have another couple of friends with E46 M3s and they have had the cars checked by BMW and all is well but they are both a bit newer.
I have a couple of mates that had it repaired, 1 at BMW under warranty and 1 at an independant due to the modifications done to his car. BMW will only do this work under warranty if the car is unmodified and less than 10 years old. I also have another couple of friends with E46 M3s and they have had the cars checked by BMW and all is well but they are both a bit newer.
WeirdNeville said:
Rear subframe that carries the diff.
There have been instances of it tearing free from the car, but apparently it's a failure much amplified by the internet and isn't actually that common.
It is very common, and those that haven't had it done, either don't know it's gone or will very soonThere have been instances of it tearing free from the car, but apparently it's a failure much amplified by the internet and isn't actually that common.
Cambell said:
Its what happens when you bolt a high performance engine and drivetrain to what is basically a small family car. The stresses of the LSD subframe can cause tearing of the rear floor pan.
I have a couple of mates that had it repaired, 1 at BMW under warranty and 1 at an independant due to the modifications done to his car. BMW will only do this work under warranty if the car is unmodified and less than 10 years old. I also have another couple of friends with E46 M3s and they have had the cars checked by BMW and all is well but they are both a bit newer.
Not strictly true about BMWI have a couple of mates that had it repaired, 1 at BMW under warranty and 1 at an independant due to the modifications done to his car. BMW will only do this work under warranty if the car is unmodified and less than 10 years old. I also have another couple of friends with E46 M3s and they have had the cars checked by BMW and all is well but they are both a bit newer.
They apparently have a 10 year good will window BUT if the car is registered 2004+ it is covered by a 12 year bodywork warranty
WeirdNeville said:
Rear subframe that carries the diff.
There have been instances of it tearing free from the car, but apparently it's a failure much amplified by the internet and isn't actually that common.
Mine had a crack.There have been instances of it tearing free from the car, but apparently it's a failure much amplified by the internet and isn't actually that common.
Was replaced by BMW as a goodwill gesture. I can assume you it IS common.
Mine is a 2002 and was within the 10 year window.
My car is a higher mileage car with mostly motorway miles and had a crack, at 96k at the time. Plenty had/have cracks at much lower miles.
Didn't like SMG, the common line is" it's ok when you get used to it" which roughly translates to" you learn to drive around its inadequacies. It’s great on track and once up to speed, but ponderous and slow round town if left in auto mode. It works as it should when you operate the paddles selecting gears up and down when asked, without delay unlike the fast merc’s.
The other issue was reliability for me, I don’t think I’d have another SMG car.
The other issue was reliability for me, I don’t think I’d have another SMG car.
Cambell said:
I prefer the SMG, the DCT has "no feel", I felt disconnected with the car. You'd be as well buying a smooth auto. Yes, I've driven both..
Cemesis said:
The mistake people make with the SMG is believing its an auto. The box is actually very sophisticated and quite simply, changes faster the higher up the rev range you are. So changes up at 8k are VERY fast.
In my view, it makes the car.
These. Both spot on.In my view, it makes the car.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff