E46 M3 SMG or 6speed man ?
Discussion
Hi looking at getting an e46 M3 soon. I don't really know much about them so I've been reading reviews and most say the SMG can be jerky and bring transmission lights on. Most said the 6speed manual is the one to go for. Is this true ? I don't really go by what journalists write all the time so I thought I'd ask owners on here. Any other particular things to look out for bar the obvious (accident damage, poor history etc.) ?
Thanks Calvin
Thanks Calvin
Been debated on by people ever since the cars were new. Suggest a search on here or M3Cutters but ultimately it all boils down to YOU actually going out and driving both and making up your mind as to what YOU prefer.
Everyone is different and has their own preferences, (for me I prefer the one with 3 peddles on the floor)
Everyone is different and has their own preferences, (for me I prefer the one with 3 peddles on the floor)
Edited by NotNormal on Monday 21st October 11:06
Good advice above but I'll throw in my little bit.
On my 3rd M3 E46 now and the first was SMG. For me at any rate just no good around town so sold it and the next one was manual. Much better for what I wanted.
Currently on another 6 speed manual and just back from a week in Scotland on some excellent sweeping and very quiet roads. Proper driving with 3 pedals
If you're going to trackdays, the faster SMG may be your best bet but as the others have said, drive both before making up your mind.
On my 3rd M3 E46 now and the first was SMG. For me at any rate just no good around town so sold it and the next one was manual. Much better for what I wanted.
Currently on another 6 speed manual and just back from a week in Scotland on some excellent sweeping and very quiet roads. Proper driving with 3 pedals
If you're going to trackdays, the faster SMG may be your best bet but as the others have said, drive both before making up your mind.
After trying both, I much prefer the SMG to the manual.
I tend to have the auto-mode dialled right down for town driving (A1 or A2) and it's impeccably behaved.
Flicked into manual out of town, dialled up to S5 and the car takes on a completely different personality, unrecognisable from the drive in manual mode - it becomes a beast.
It's something you really need to test (or at least experience) for yourself. If you do get a spin in an SMG, my only advice would be that it should be with someone who really knows how to use the 'box.
I tend to have the auto-mode dialled right down for town driving (A1 or A2) and it's impeccably behaved.
Flicked into manual out of town, dialled up to S5 and the car takes on a completely different personality, unrecognisable from the drive in manual mode - it becomes a beast.
It's something you really need to test (or at least experience) for yourself. If you do get a spin in an SMG, my only advice would be that it should be with someone who really knows how to use the 'box.
I own both an SMG and a Manual E46 M3 and without doubt I prefer SMG.
Whilst those who prefer Manual will argue that it is more 'involving', it is when you push on in the E46 M3 that SMG really begins to make sense - particularly on a racetrack.
Certainly the Manual gearbox is nice to flick through whilst cruising around but when you up the speeds you begin fighting the car a little more and your concentration is averted somewhat. SMG on the other hand allows you to focus on the road ahead and enables smoother driving at higher speeds IMHO.
SMG is also fine around town or at slow speeds, etc, and your driving style will adapt to suit SMG in no time. Both SMG and Manual cars can be jerky at times - particularly when setting off from cold. I hated SMG on my first experience but it doesn't take long to learn the car and its characteristics.
Try both types but I recommend SMG; especially if you plan on tracking the car.
Whilst those who prefer Manual will argue that it is more 'involving', it is when you push on in the E46 M3 that SMG really begins to make sense - particularly on a racetrack.
Certainly the Manual gearbox is nice to flick through whilst cruising around but when you up the speeds you begin fighting the car a little more and your concentration is averted somewhat. SMG on the other hand allows you to focus on the road ahead and enables smoother driving at higher speeds IMHO.
SMG is also fine around town or at slow speeds, etc, and your driving style will adapt to suit SMG in no time. Both SMG and Manual cars can be jerky at times - particularly when setting off from cold. I hated SMG on my first experience but it doesn't take long to learn the car and its characteristics.
Try both types but I recommend SMG; especially if you plan on tracking the car.
Run several of each and would concur with others on this thread the smg is better. Does live up to its "clunktronic" reputation though but bear in mind this is an archaic single clutcher which nevertheless suits the car. I would drive several cars as the boxes do vary widely, generally the smoother the better.
The 6 speed manal is not a good box IMO, heavy clutch unlike the e39 M5, unsatisfying to use.
Probably worth trying to get hold of a launch start history on smg car, too many can prematurely nuke the transmission and smg little understood box and expensive to fix.
The 6 speed manal is not a good box IMO, heavy clutch unlike the e39 M5, unsatisfying to use.
Probably worth trying to get hold of a launch start history on smg car, too many can prematurely nuke the transmission and smg little understood box and expensive to fix.
SS2. said:
toasty said:
The auto mode is woeful though, stick to the paddles.
For pootling around town and in traffic, it's just fine - lazy, but still perfectly adequate..toasty said:
It does the job and I occasionally use it for warming the engine but I can't last more than a couple of minutes before pulling a paddle.
I agree that driving in sequential is far more involving and enjoyable, but I certainly wouldn't say that the auto-modes are 'woeful' because of this.I have driven both and can assure u they are both great fun.
My old man had new E46 M3 Coupe SMGII used to have and I now have CS Manual. Both give the car a slightly different character. SMGII is great as gear changes are very slick in Manial S4/S5 and u do have launch control. Useful on track because allows u to focus more attention on lines, braking, traction rather than gear changes. SMGII requires less skill. At times I did miss a manual when driving on the road ie when there wasn't a clear road in front of me. When there is a clear road SMGII and Manual are both fun.
Manual is great more involving and takes more skill than SMG IMO. The gearbox doesn't feel as nice as a new Porsche one IMO ie plastic gear knob.
Drive both u won't be disappointed with either but SMG makes the car seem bit more aggressive.
My old man had new E46 M3 Coupe SMGII used to have and I now have CS Manual. Both give the car a slightly different character. SMGII is great as gear changes are very slick in Manial S4/S5 and u do have launch control. Useful on track because allows u to focus more attention on lines, braking, traction rather than gear changes. SMGII requires less skill. At times I did miss a manual when driving on the road ie when there wasn't a clear road in front of me. When there is a clear road SMGII and Manual are both fun.
Manual is great more involving and takes more skill than SMG IMO. The gearbox doesn't feel as nice as a new Porsche one IMO ie plastic gear knob.
Drive both u won't be disappointed with either but SMG makes the car seem bit more aggressive.
SS2. said:
toasty said:
It does the job and I occasionally use it for warming the engine but I can't last more than a couple of minutes before pulling a paddle.
I agree that driving in sequential is far more involving and enjoyable, but I certainly wouldn't say that the auto-modes are 'woeful' because of this.A true auto box should be set and forget, for when you don't want to think about gear changes. The SMG, to me at least, isn't that. You have to be mindful when approaching roundabouts etc incase the box fancies a downchange at the wrong moment.
I chose SMG, but only use auto mode when sitting on the motorway for distances. If I'm feeling lazy I use a sort of semi-auto, I let it do the down-changes but upchange myself.
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