Opinions on E46 SSG vs Auto?
Discussion
Hi all, I could do with some advice here. I've seen an E46 330Ci with the SSG box. I want the car to be a commuter daily to save putting miles on the WRX STi, so the manual I would usually choose doesn't make so much sense here IMO. I mostly drive up and down the A1 with only a few miles of anything else at either end.
I would use the 330 sometimes for long distance journeys elsewhere besides work if it made more sense.
I've read a few things on here now about the box and it seems that most people don't rate it, but there are a few that do. I understand it's a similar system to the E36 M3 Evo SMG1 and that concerns me as that's a box that's notorious for having issues.
Can anybody offer up any advice/real world experience? I've found a car at £1800 with just 100k on it that has this box (asking price was north of £2k). I don't expect perfection at the bottom of the market, but I don't want to buy trouble.
Because of the intended use, I really think it counts the manual out and my choice is between the regular auto and the SSG.
I would use the 330 sometimes for long distance journeys elsewhere besides work if it made more sense.
I've read a few things on here now about the box and it seems that most people don't rate it, but there are a few that do. I understand it's a similar system to the E36 M3 Evo SMG1 and that concerns me as that's a box that's notorious for having issues.
Can anybody offer up any advice/real world experience? I've found a car at £1800 with just 100k on it that has this box (asking price was north of £2k). I don't expect perfection at the bottom of the market, but I don't want to buy trouble.
Because of the intended use, I really think it counts the manual out and my choice is between the regular auto and the SSG.
They are quite problematic, when they have issues, they give fault codes and limp modes, and it's pretty hard to diagnose the problems as the SSG controller just saying the equivalent of "something's wrong", and then it is manually taking things apart to check.
They share a lot of characteristics (and issues) with the E46 M3 SMG, but they are different systems.
The precharge/hydraulic pump can go faulty, although sometimes it's a simple as an infamous salmon coloured relay which is an easy fix.
There's a few position sensors that can play up on various parts, and these often lead to the codes saying along the lines of "gear change didn't happen as expected" but no further information as to why.
The slave cylinder can also leak, or have position sensor problems, and it's not the same as the M3 SMG version, so they are either new from BMW at a considerable cost, or very rare used.
The same type of position sensor is one of the common issues on the V10 M5 and M6, with it not being 100% sure of where the clutch is.
They also wear through clutches probably about twice as fast as a manual, so whereas a manual might need the clutch changed once if it reaches high miles, an SSG/SMG would probably need a new one around 80-100k.
You might see the adverts mentioning a clutch change, when your average manual will probably have it last the lifetime.
I'd regard them as an interesting novelty, but I feel the novelty will wear off fairly soon, and you're left with a car with the sword of Damocles hanging over it's head.
They share a lot of characteristics (and issues) with the E46 M3 SMG, but they are different systems.
The precharge/hydraulic pump can go faulty, although sometimes it's a simple as an infamous salmon coloured relay which is an easy fix.
There's a few position sensors that can play up on various parts, and these often lead to the codes saying along the lines of "gear change didn't happen as expected" but no further information as to why.
The slave cylinder can also leak, or have position sensor problems, and it's not the same as the M3 SMG version, so they are either new from BMW at a considerable cost, or very rare used.
The same type of position sensor is one of the common issues on the V10 M5 and M6, with it not being 100% sure of where the clutch is.
They also wear through clutches probably about twice as fast as a manual, so whereas a manual might need the clutch changed once if it reaches high miles, an SSG/SMG would probably need a new one around 80-100k.
You might see the adverts mentioning a clutch change, when your average manual will probably have it last the lifetime.
I'd regard them as an interesting novelty, but I feel the novelty will wear off fairly soon, and you're left with a car with the sword of Damocles hanging over it's head.
I have had my 330ci SSG for 5 years now and 40k miles (87k to 127k) and touch wood no problems. I suspect it must of had work done early in its life.
It's agricultural compared to modern systems but it does give a satisfactory thump in sport (and super sport) mode. Launch control is fun as well!
It's agricultural compared to modern systems but it does give a satisfactory thump in sport (and super sport) mode. Launch control is fun as well!
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