E46 SMG questions

[MikeM3Power]

Hey

Made a thread few weeks ago about a 330ci purchase, well now i think i've changed to getting an E46 M3 but the idea of the SMG is appealing to me.

I've always fancied the paddle shift, i know they can be problematic but i know they shouldnt be touch on the E36 which i found out at the expense of my wallet.

So E46 M3 SMG, sell it to me

What should i look for? Is there a year to avoid? Do i need to make sure the SMG pump is done? How is the full auto mode?

Thanks guys.

Currently actually looking at a crisp E36 M3 estoril blue convertible 98 but like the refinement of a E46 M3.

(posted this on the general bmw forum but thought id hit up here instead)

[outnumbered]

Full auto mode is useless unless pottering about or in heavy traffic.

There's more to go wrong on an SMG car than a manual, but SMG II isn't inherently unreliable. For me it was what made my E46 M3 a bit more special, and I'd never have considered a manual car.

[MikeM3Power]

Heavy traffic? LOL, i commute to knightsbridge every bloody morning and what with the works along embankment and the traffic on knightsbridge itself im sure i'll find a use for the full auto mode

Is it smoother than the E36 SMG I full auto mode which was terrible and jerky.

I was so put off with the SMG I but heard of many accounts that SMG II is a complete different animal.

Edited by MikeM3Power on Saturday 26th June 16:05

[Yanto]

Am no expert on this, but on CSL it was standard so am stuck with it ! I never use full auto but one of the guys on a recent track day has to due to disability. He highly rates it and if adapted to driving style can be very effective. SMG in manual is good fun.

Re: reliability, you will always hear some horror stories (similar to the Porsche / RMS stories) but I think it is pretty solid in the main. Suggest you get a car with a BMW warranty for peace of mind.

[Wills2]

SMGII is great but not for everyone, don't expect it to be smooth like the DSG/DCT boxes or a full auto (torque converter) its a manual box with a hydraulic actuated clutch, it has some real feel about it and you can mess shifts up (make them jerky) I liked that about it as it required a little bit of skill/understanding to drive smoothly in traffic.

Full bore shifts are thumpingly good and fierce, it swaps cogs at 80ms and that's fast.


But don't listen to me go and try one....

[MikeM3Power]

Hey

Do you reccommend taking out BMW warranty? How much is it and isnt it expensive or did you mean try and get a car that already has one?

I know the SMG II wont be as smooth or the DSG etc, the paddle shift im looking forward to learning about how to use it properly when i do get it.

Just wanted to know if the full auto mode is okay though, as when im driving in central london i really cant be bothered to change manually lol.

Also is it true stay away from the first lot of SMG IIs, like 2000/01?

[Yanto]

MikeM3Power said:

Hey

Do you reccommend taking out BMW warranty? How much is it and isnt it expensive or did you mean try and get a car that already has one?

I know the SMG II wont be as smooth or the DSG etc, the paddle shift im looking forward to learning about how to use it properly when i do get it.

Just wanted to know if the full auto mode is okay though, as when im driving in central london i really cant be bothered to change manually lol.

Also is it true stay away from the first lot of SMG IIs, like 2000/01?

I believe that there are SMG improvements to post 53 plate cars (someone more knowledgeable than I can confirm)....

Re: Warranty, I would lean towards a car that had one (they are not a rare car so you should have choice, though appreciate as the car dates, fewer owners will have continued it). It can be addded once lapsed providing the car has been serviced within manufacturers guidelines. I am sure that this needs to be dealer (mine is), though I have heard that some people have been able to maintain warranty with servicing from recognised specialists (e.g. Munich Legends). More info here: http://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Warranty is not cheap and prices jump after 60K miles..I pay c. £850 pa at 50K miles but that is comprehensive (parts) and peace of mind. It also includes a very good breakdown / recovery service across Europe. So if you have AA/RAC, you can take whatever you pay off the £850 for starters...I have had a failed alternator (common problem across E46 M3 / CSL) this year which would've come in at ~£500 fitted so its almost paid for itself...

On that point - remember that these were relatively expensive cars new and parts / servicing etc reflect this (and they are getting on a bit !) Depending on your budget, I would feel less inclined to go for a higher mileage younger car and get one thats been looked after older / lower mileage, post 53 year and with BMW warranty. Also, the later cars fall into a higher road tax bracket I believe.

Auto is OK for LN traffic, but as said, I dont use it as a daily hack....its a weekend toy and from East LN, I head in the opposite direction to Embankment for a tear up

[MikeM3Power]

Im from East LN too mate actually.

I hear what your saying about the BMW warranty, doesnt seem that many have it and i'd have to take it out myself but i think thats about 1.2k!

So youd say try get low mileage as possible then?

And what are these changes to the SMG from 03 onwards? Would an 02 SMG be okay?

[Wills2]

If you want a BMW warranty then you'll have to get an AUC simple, then service at the main dealer to then be able to extend it every year...BMW had a deal recently where they gave you 2 years warranty on every used car (not sure it still on) but don't think you can buy an 02 without warranty or FBMWSH and then get BMW to put one on it.

How much do you want to spend...Here is a facelift with CSL's and SMG for under 16k and warranty!

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Edited by Wills2 on Monday 28th June 10:22

[Cheburator mk2]

MikeM3Power said:

Im from East LN too mate actually.

I hear what your saying about the BMW warranty, doesnt seem that many have it and i'd have to take it out myself but i think thats about 1.2k!

So youd say try get low mileage as possible then?

And what are these changes to the SMG from 03 onwards? Would an 02 SMG be okay?

My brother and I bought a 70k 2001 LHD M3 SMG as a birthday present for my dad who lives in Europe. Car had FBMWSH and I got to drive it in London for a while until I was able to find the spare time to drive across the continent and deliver it.

Full auto mode in the softest setting is brilliant around Central London. Ok, it is not super smooth as the steptronic on my 540iA or the Auto in my brother's Lorinser 500SL, but for a manual box with a hydraulically actuated clutch it is hard to beat. Remember, the SMG will start in 2nd when set to the softest, thus it is very smooth. The only short-coming of this mode is that you need to manually blip it to 1st if you are on a steep hill to prevent the ECU from getting confused.

Overall I did around 1000 miles in the UK and then another 2000 across Europe. I was so impressed with the SMG that even now I am seriously contemplating consolidatio within my fleet via selling the 540iA and the Z4M to get either a CSL or track modded "normal" M3...

[MikeM3Power]

Cheburator mk2 said:

MikeM3Power said:

Im from East LN too mate actually.

I hear what your saying about the BMW warranty, doesnt seem that many have it and i'd have to take it out myself but i think thats about 1.2k!

So youd say try get low mileage as possible then?

And what are these changes to the SMG from 03 onwards? Would an 02 SMG be okay?

My brother and I bought a 70k 2001 LHD M3 SMG as a birthday present for my dad who lives in Europe. Car had FBMWSH and I got to drive it in London for a while until I was able to find the spare time to drive across the continent and deliver it.

Full auto mode in the softest setting is brilliant around Central London. Ok, it is not super smooth as the steptronic on my 540iA or the Auto in my brother's Lorinser 500SL, but for a manual box with a hydraulically actuated clutch it is hard to beat. Remember, the SMG will start in 2nd when set to the softest, thus it is very smooth. The only short-coming of this mode is that you need to manually blip it to 1st if you are on a steep hill to prevent the ECU from getting confused.

Overall I did around 1000 miles in the UK and then another 2000 across Europe. I was so impressed with the SMG that even now I am seriously contemplating consolidatio within my fleet via selling the 540iA and the Z4M to get either a CSL or track modded "normal" M3...

Thats so good to hear mate, you hear so many horror stories about the SMG II so glad on the whole its positive.
What are the modes like? Sports, soft etc? What do they do?

[Cheburator mk2]

MikeM3Power said:

Thats so good to hear mate, you hear so many horror stories about the SMG II so glad on the whole its positive.
What are the modes like? Sports, soft etc? What do they do?

They are not labeled as such, but you have 5 basic settings for both manual and auto shifts, with 1 being really lazy. To give you an idea, in 1 auto, the car will change up at 1750rpm and just ride the reasonable torque provided by the Vanos. Then if you switch the DSC off and press the sports button you get access to mode 6, which is quite an experience

[srooks]

I've owned an SMG M3 for the last 7 years .. for me the SMG box is one of the main features that sold the car. I love the clunk it gives on full-bore shift ups, being able to click-click down through the box as you approach a roundabout. The rev matching blips are also great. It makes it a bit special.
I often use the 'auto' feature in heavy traffic on the slowest shift speed. It's so much better than having a manual clutch.
So, I give it a big thumbs up. I couldn't think of owning another performance car without it...

S

[MikeM3Power]

I was going to consider a manual based on the poor time i had with the SMG I but like i said its nice see it given so much praise.

Need to test drive one really, im stuck between a M3 and 330ci sport. 330ci sport is winning as its only slightly more affordable

[Cheburator mk2]

MikeM3Power said:

I was going to consider a manual based on the poor time i had with the SMG I but like i said its nice see it given so much praise.

Need to test drive one really, im stuck between a M3 and 330ci sport. 330ci sport is winning as its only slightly more affordable

Don't do it. I repeat - do not do it. In another 3 yrs time the 330Ci will be just another old 3-series BMW. The M3 will still be a product of BMW M GmBH...

[MikeM3Power]

Cheburator mk2 said:

MikeM3Power said:

I was going to consider a manual based on the poor time i had with the SMG I but like i said its nice see it given so much praise.

Need to test drive one really, im stuck between a M3 and 330ci sport. 330ci sport is winning as its only slightly more affordable

Don't do it. I repeat - do not do it. In another 3 yrs time the 330Ci will be just another old 3-series BMW. The M3 will still be a product of BMW M GmBH...

LOL, i understand what your saying. Got emailed back for equiry i made about a pheonix yellow M3 coupe 81k, FBMSH, 1 owner, SMG etc for 12k

Seriously considering it so i can stop driving my ricer LOL. No TV/Sat navy though

[Cheburator mk2]

MikeM3Power said:

LOL, i understand what your saying. Got emailed back for equiry i made about a pheonix yellow M3 coupe 81k, FBMSH, 1 owner, SMG etc for 12k

Seriously considering it so i can stop driving my ricer LOL. No TV/Sat navy though

The BMW SatNav is absolute rubbish. You will not be able to do a full postcode search... My dad's car was even worse as it had the BMW DVD-ROM based nav package. Phoenix yellow is great. Go for it, you will not be disappointed.

[MikeM3Power]

Hey

Whats the BMW DVD-ROM based nav like?
So the BMW tv/nav unit is a pile of crap then?

How about this?
http://www.car-vision.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath...

I was thinking pheonix yellow was a bit much but ive always liked it though.

[trfm3]

I have just bought an m3 on an 04 plate with an smg gearbox which i am finding very hard to get on with .....the full blown hardcore mode in the sport setting using the paddles and shift is biblically good as you would expect, but trying to find a setting to drive around town with in auto mode seems impossible. One bar on the gear change fader and it takes about three seconds to change gear with gentle gear change....on bars 2 and 3, still 3 seconds to change gear - just slightly more aggressively. Does anyone know if this is normal? or can I take it somewhere in London to address this problem?

[Paul_M3]

trfm3 said:

I have just bought an m3 on an 04 plate with an smg gearbox which i am finding very hard to get on with .....the full blown hardcore mode in the sport setting using the paddles and shift is biblically good as you would expect, but trying to find a setting to drive around town with in auto mode seems impossible. One bar on the gear change fader and it takes about three seconds to change gear with gentle gear change....on bars 2 and 3, still 3 seconds to change gear - just slightly more aggressively. Does anyone know if this is normal? or can I take it somewhere in London to address this problem?

I just don't use Auto, I don't like how it works.

Pulling paddles isn't exactly difficult, so I use them all the time.
(and I leave it in S5 all the time, it's still smooth if you lift off slightly as you change gear)