E46 330i Gearbox Question

[VWAUDI]

What auto gearboxes did the E46 330i come with?

I have seen the regular auto and what appears to be called SSG. I have read that SSG is a "detuned" version of SMG, is this true and if so, can the SSG have the SMG software installed?

What are the differences between the E46 auto gearboxes? What are the general reviews on each like?

Thanks

[cslwannabe]

SMG was only fitted to M cars I believe - essentially an automated manual gearbox, so not like a conventional auto.

The gearbox on E46 era cars was a conventional auto. I believe the more recently introduced BMW DCT gearboxes are similar to the VW DSG (twin clutch), Porsche PDK gearboxes.

HTH

[Jobbo]

The semi-auto SSG was also offered; it's not the same as SMG so you can't just remap it. Worth avoiding by all accounts, though I've never tried it.

[FrankHovis]

I've got the SSG on mine and its absolutely fine. There is a full auto mode on it, but it feels really lazy so never use it. In normal mode, the paddles are really nice to use. You can also change with the stick of course. Sport mode just seems to speed the changes up a bit. It doesn't change as fast as an smg, but perfectly ok for 'normal' driving. I love mine. Also better on fuel than the auto I believe; I'm averaging 32mpg.

[Fox-]

SSG *is* SMG. The E46 M3 has SMG2, the non M cars have SSG, which as far as I know is a rebranded version of the SMG1 system from the E36 M3 and very closely related to the Alfa Romeo system from a similar era. It is NOT an automatic gearbox - it is an automated manual gearbox and has a clutch. The only automatic gearboxes offered in the E46 330i were the ZF 5/6HP19.

Some people like it but generally speaking it's troublesome, annoying, jerky and generally worth avoiding in favour of a regular manual box.

SMG2 in the M3 is a different kettle of fish.

Edited by Fox- on Friday 24th February 19:55

[VWAUDI]

Thank you all for some clear replies. There is a lot of conflicting information on the web when I've looked before.

From what I've read a lot of people don't rate the SMG1 system - meant to be quite slow and clunky.

[BJT]

I have a 330i Auto M Sport Touring, just the normal auto box without paddles etc. no complaints unless you count missing a manual box. It works well, has a good kick down etc.
Great car for barging around with the dog.