E36 Evo SMG vs E36 Evo Manual

[robmarrs]

Looking at adding an e36 m3 to the fleet for some winter fun, road car, possible odd track day.

I have read some horror stories on the SMG on here and the web in general, but is it really that bad?

I have looked at an absolutely mint 100k SMG equipped version with all the right options for me, and a load of manual ones with rust, marks and shoddy interiors for the same money or less.

Any owners give a real opinion on this SMG box and what to look out for.

Cheers

[Dracoro]

Don't you mean E46?

[Y282]

No, they did the e36 evo in smg form too.

Given the age of the cars now id go for a manual.

[robmarrs]

No The E36 has SMG I the E46 has SMG II.

[Dracoro]

Fair enough, you learn something new everyday!!

[Pig Skill]

The E36 SMGI is more crude and less reliable than the later crude and unreliable E46 SMGII

Edited by Pig Skill on Sunday 27th November 13:08

[BlitzE34]

Avoid E36 SMG.

[isleofthorns]

All I can tell you is that upshifts are terrible in the lower gears, bearable in the higher gears. Downshifts take forever in modern terms - not recommended for the track unless you enjoy freewheeling into corners at speed. I would wait for a better manual

[isleofthorns]

All I can tell you is that upshifts are terrible in the lower gears, bearable in the higher gears. Downshifts take forever in modern terms - not recommended for the track unless you enjoy freewheeling into corners at speed. I would wait for a better manual

[robmarrs]

OK

I have now driven the SMG car, and it seems to shift ok when you give it the beans in auto and actually gears down very well if you mash the pedal, but I actually think it worked better in manual shift mode.

I agree that in the lower gears it seems to "lurch" when it changes and is not that fast at all.

Hmmmmm, any more ph'ers with SMG experience would be greatly appreciated, I now have 24hrs to think about it, other than that this SMG the car is absolutely spot on, no dents, dings, scrapes, brand new suspension and an interior that looks like it has done 20k not 100k.

Edited by robmarrs on Sunday 27th November 19:34

[BlitzE34]

When in it breaks its big £££. There unreliable and very expensive to fix.

[M3Charlie]

Avoid at all costs!!!! They are shocking to drive compared to the manual and there is a lot to go wrong with them, I have seen a few frustrated owners convert SMG to manual in the end.

[Y282]

Also the evo e36 in manuel is THE performance bargain car of the moment imho.

[Dids444]

OP: Not sure if this helps but there has been a couple of people on here that have coverted thier M3 from SMG to manual and it's not too bad a job by all accounts.. might help you make a decision on the SMG one you have seen if that would be an option going forwards.

I've never driven an SMG derivative E36 but I used to own an M3 Evo manual and it was an epic car.. I miss it

[Y282]

I still own one. It too, is epic.

[robmarrs]

Y282 said:

I still own one. It too, is epic.

Cosworth Capri eh, Epic old school with a twist!!!!

[Y282]

robmarrs said:

Y282 said:

I still own one. It too, is epic.

Cosworth Capri eh, Epic old school with a twist!!!!

That fecking thing is sat sulking under a load of cardboard boxes in the garage.

I was talking about the evo!

[robmarrs]

Pig Skill said:

The E36 SMGI is more crude and less reliable than the later crude and unreliable E46 SMGII

Edited by Pig Skill on Sunday 27th November 13:08

Do I take it that is worse than crap!

Why is that you can never find the car with all the right bits and provenance when you want one!!!!!!

How much is it to convert SMG to just M then ?????????

[Dids444]

I think we agree that M3's are epic then

OP this is the thread I was on about Here

Taken from above thread

Basic requirements:
6 Speed Gear Box (or 5 Speed) £500 - £700
Gear Selector Rods (if they don’t come with the gearbox)
Master Cylinder £117
Slave Cylinder £60
Gear Knob £47
Gear Gaiter £50
Insert shifter covering £7
Clutch Line from Reservoir, and to Slave Cylinder (Free with Gearbox) but its just flex line and pipe.
Clutch Pedal assembly, will attach to existing mount
(£50 Second hand up to £100 when bought separate new from BMW)
Engine Relay Modification (From the Internet)

Labour 12 – 16 hours depending on if the garage has done one before, but its just the case of removing the SMG Components and fitting the bits that make it a manual. (plus the wiring mod ;0) My garage "R G Lewis Tattenhall" said that was the bit that went the smoothest.

[les3002]

Just to add to the above, if you choose a 5 speed over a 6 speed box you can pick them up for around £50.

I've got a 5 speed on my Evo, not a problem unless you do alot of motorway driving.