m3 smg11,a buyers dilema
Discussion
Ive been wanting a e46 m3 for what seems like a lifetime and with my life settled and money not tight anymore ive been hunting for a nice,well looked after car for weekend fun.I need an auto due to kneecap damage from a motorcycle accident a few years ago which leaves my left knee sore using a manual after an hour or so.
Ive heard some horror stories but want some honest opinions on this....
thanks
Ive heard some horror stories but want some honest opinions on this....
thanks
The biggest issue with the SMGII is if the hydraulic pump goes.
Replacement for a new pump will be around £1500-2000, so if you're worried about this keep a suitably sized 'war chest', you could buy a BMW Insured warranty for the car as an alternative which even in it's basis form would cover this (iirc) and the drive train.
The box itself is the same as the one found in 3 pedal M3's, so no real issues there.
Replacement for a new pump will be around £1500-2000, so if you're worried about this keep a suitably sized 'war chest', you could buy a BMW Insured warranty for the car as an alternative which even in it's basis form would cover this (iirc) and the drive train.
The box itself is the same as the one found in 3 pedal M3's, so no real issues there.
Is the pump not a bit like the old vanos concerns in so far as yes there can be problems but most of the bad press came from the earlier E36 units.
I'm also sure I've heard that just like the vanos there is now someone rebuilding the SMG pumps for a fraction of what BMW charge for a new unit.
I'm also sure I've heard that just like the vanos there is now someone rebuilding the SMG pumps for a fraction of what BMW charge for a new unit.
Bit late in replying and maybe the wrong page but Im having starting problems with my smg.
I've had the smg checked at west3 my local specialist and it's all good, which makes sense as when it did start it drove and changed gear fine.
The yellow smg light and engine management light have been on and gear display shows 0, but doesn't start.
Last year I had problems with it dropping out of gear so changed the old salmon relay and it was back to normal but that's not helped this time, or the new bosch battery.
It used to start before if it was left for an hour or two than it got worse and became hours and now it just won't start at all, after days of been parked up.
Reading other forums It looks Like the starter motor which was next on the diagnostic at the specialist, but at £70 an hour +VAT I couldn't leave it there longer for the motor to be checked.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Aaron
I've had the smg checked at west3 my local specialist and it's all good, which makes sense as when it did start it drove and changed gear fine.
The yellow smg light and engine management light have been on and gear display shows 0, but doesn't start.
Last year I had problems with it dropping out of gear so changed the old salmon relay and it was back to normal but that's not helped this time, or the new bosch battery.
It used to start before if it was left for an hour or two than it got worse and became hours and now it just won't start at all, after days of been parked up.
Reading other forums It looks Like the starter motor which was next on the diagnostic at the specialist, but at £70 an hour +VAT I couldn't leave it there longer for the motor to be checked.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Aaron
I think it depends on how well the car has been looked after, and what the expectations are of the gear box. I think you have to remember its not designed to be an "auto box" so will never be as smooth as an auto, but if you learn its characteristics you'll have lots of fun with it.
I have just taken one in as a part exchange and as a 1 owner FSH car it drives super smooth!
G
I have just taken one in as a part exchange and as a 1 owner FSH car it drives super smooth!
G
Eastern boy said:
I think it depends on how well the car has been looked after, and what the expectations are of the gear box. I think you have to remember its not designed to be an "auto box" so will never be as smooth as an auto, but if you learn its characteristics you'll have lots of fun with it.
I have just taken one in as a part exchange and as a 1 owner FSH car it drives super smooth!
G
I'm thinking of getting another as a weekend toy for a bit. Is this going to go through as an AUC? What's the spec?I have just taken one in as a part exchange and as a 1 owner FSH car it drives super smooth!
G
aaraein said:
Bit late in replying and maybe the wrong page but Im having starting problems with my smg.
I've had the smg checked at west3 my local specialist and it's all good, which makes sense as when it did start it drove and changed gear fine.
The yellow smg light and engine management light have been on and gear display shows 0, but doesn't start.
Last year I had problems with it dropping out of gear so changed the old salmon relay and it was back to normal but that's not helped this time, or the new bosch battery.
It used to start before if it was left for an hour or two than it got worse and became hours and now it just won't start at all, after days of been parked up.
Reading other forums It looks Like the starter motor which was next on the diagnostic at the specialist, but at £70 an hour +VAT I couldn't leave it there longer for the motor to be checked.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Aaron
I assume you've checked the door/boot/bonnet sensors are functioning properly? If not worth checking...I've had the smg checked at west3 my local specialist and it's all good, which makes sense as when it did start it drove and changed gear fine.
The yellow smg light and engine management light have been on and gear display shows 0, but doesn't start.
Last year I had problems with it dropping out of gear so changed the old salmon relay and it was back to normal but that's not helped this time, or the new bosch battery.
It used to start before if it was left for an hour or two than it got worse and became hours and now it just won't start at all, after days of been parked up.
Reading other forums It looks Like the starter motor which was next on the diagnostic at the specialist, but at £70 an hour +VAT I couldn't leave it there longer for the motor to be checked.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Aaron
I had an SMGII car for 2 years and had no problems with the gearbox at all. Fantastic when driving hard with real character (downshift throttle blips) but a bit clunky in town driving and parking.
I think you're still able to start the car if the doors/bonnet/boot are open (or they're closed and one of the sensors is knackered), but you cannot put it into gear. So if it starts with doors etc. shut but won't go into gear, switch off, open and close the bonnet and try again. Hope that makes sense. Fingers crossed it's just a sensor.
andye30m3 said:
It's a while since I sold my CSL but seam to remember the gear number would flash if something like the door or boot or bonnet wasn't shut properly
Correct.The gear number will also flash all the time if the front bonnet catches are very dirty or wet following an engine clean.
Get some carb cleaner & a very thin brush & give the catches & springs on the bonnet a good clean, it normally sorts this out.
Don't drown the catches in loads of WD40 or grease etc as this stops the catches making a clean contact.
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