Monday 4th November 2013

BMW 330Ci M Sport SMG: PH Carpool

BMW's SMG gearbox is a love it/hate it device - just as well our owner is in the former camp

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Name: Ed Gutteridge
Car: BMW 330Ci M Sport SMG
Owned since: September 2013
Previously owned: E36 328, two MX-5s and usual hatchback runabouts

'Proper' cylinder count an important factor

Why I bought it:
"Having had the MX-5 bug and got that out of my system I bought a cheap E36 328, which I loved - it was more power to the rears and comfortable with a subtle but satisfying engine note. MOT time came around, and I found that despite looking shiny and clean on the outside it was keeping a dirty rotten secret underneath round the rear suspension mounts. Too much welding and work was required so I cut my losses, sold for parts and began saving up.

"My criteria was still the same in that I wanted something that could be fun and enjoyable when I want to push it but also be a comfortable and effortless cruiser when I need and had to be rear-wheel drive. I went for this newer cleaner 330Ci with the marmite SMG gearbox with the aim of having something to keep me entertained for at least a couple of years and no nasty surprises at MOT time."

What I wish I'd known:
"If the gearbox pump fails (which mine hasn't yet) it can cost a lot to change, same with the clutch as the gearbox computer will need recalibrating. I bought mine having already had a clutch change this year at a cost of just over £1,700 - scary stuff! Other than that not too many surprises having had the E36 328 previously and a very short spell with an E46 318 (not enough cylinders!)."

Tasty spec includes controversial SMG 'box

Things I love:
"The look of it with M Sport kit, the classic six-pot BMW engine note, the Alcantara sports seats, the firm but still comfortable M Sport suspension, the effortless acceleration and of course the SMG gearbox which, as I mentioned above, people either seem to love or hate. I find using the sequential shifter or paddles to be an enjoyable but different experience (takes some getting used to) but not any less engaging on a fast drive than a conventional manual - although I am sure plenty will disagree. I often find myself trying to work out if it shifts as quickly in sport mode as I could in a full manual. It seems pretty quick so I don't think there would be a lot in it, it might even be marginally quicker."

Things I hate:
"Nothing I really hate although I would prefer a slightly louder exhaust note as sometimes it is a bit too subtle when you are really putting your foot down. I might look at an induction kit but I don't want anything too drastic and am aware that some induction kits can reduce power so will need to research carefully. Also on a cold morning for the first couple of minutes in first gear when you come off the throttle at a junction before it has warmed up, it can be a bit jerky as you can't dip the clutch. But this is no issue after a few minutes. Finally mpg scares some people on short stop-start trips (about 21/22) but I knew that before buying and it doesn't bother me too much - I still think it delivers respectable figures considering the engine size and age of the car."

SMG gearbox defines drive; Ed's a fan

Costs:
"I generally service it myself and for anything else use BMW specialists local to me of which thankfully there are a few as I don't fancy main stealer pricing. So far have had the thermostat and serpentine and air-con belts changed at around £180 all in, have fixed an airbag light for £5 well spent on a resistor off of eBay and other than that just been putting fuel in it every week. My average mpg is about 27 which is not including any motorway runs, mainly town based driving and B-road blasts. With a gentle right foot 30mpg is no problem on a long motorway cruise. Insurance is around £600 for me as I am 23 now so got some good no claims discount to apply. Tax is reasonable considering the engine size so all in all so far not too bad! Although as mentioned above if the gearbox starts playing up things can quickly get expensive, and good tyres don't come cheap on 18s..."

Where I've been:
"Nothing too exciting yet, just planting the throttle around some of the B-roads local to me for a bit of fun and an hour or so to Brighton which was pretty effortless to be honest. Got some longer trips coming up to Bristol and Birmingham which should suit the car well, and will take it to Sunday Service sometime soon. I would also like to take it to France for a poke around at some point next year and pay a visit to Monaco and test out some of the driving roads away from the tourist areas."

M3 too costly to insure; 330Ci suitable alternative

What next?
"No plans to sell it any time soon as an M3 or Skyline aren't quite affordable yet thanks to insurance. I would like to try the induction kit for a slight noise increase and am toying with the idea of tinting the rear windows. Will also need new brake discs at some point soon so will possibly get some drilled and grooved discs all round in the next few months. Other than that just plan to keep on driving it and keeping it clean."

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[MNut]

Tinted rear windows?

Please don't.

[timmeh2k]

This is creepy, I've just been looking at 330ci's too for many of the reasons stated. I'm 23 and previously owned MX5s. Think I'll stick to a manual though

[MNut]

You'll be hard pressed to find another 330Ci in SMG, they are quite a rare thing.

I've had SMG in previous M3s, it really is quite good, given then choice I'd have another.

[_Neal_]

MNut said:

You'll be hard pressed to find another 330Ci in SMG, they are quite a rare thing.

I didn't even realise SMG was an option on non-M3s. Was it an option on the non-M E36s too then?

PS - Car in the article looks very nice.

[timmeh2k]

MNut said:

You'll be hard pressed to find another 330Ci in SMG, they are quite a rare thing.

I've had SMG in previous M3s, it really is quite good, given then choice I'd have another.

Yeah you're right only 2 in the classifieds, ones a clubsport and the other has some seriously questionable looking mods....

[mrmr96]

MNut said:

Tinted rear windows?

Please don't.

Nothing wrong with tinting the rear windows - looks nice IMO.

"Fixing" the airbag using a £5 resistor of ebay on the other hand... not so much.

[Bionic Billy Nav]

I have a 330ci as a get to work/track day car they are good cheap little car to run, I've put a stainless Cat back sports exhaust and the common airbox conversion where you put a 3rd cold air feed from the bottom down to the air duct it's a 50mm pipe with conecters sold by Pipercross for £20 off eBay plus a Pipercross panel filter gives it that nice induction kit without spending too much, an alloy front strut brace again off eBay looks nice £30 bargain the M3 also fits but they are a lot dearer, My 330 is quick but Funnily not as quick as my old fully sorted stripped out etc E36 328 but I'll take the comfort of a more std car to get work on the cold mornings now! Lol...

[Bionic Billy Nav]

[Bionic Billy Nav]

[Bionic Billy Nav]

[Bionic Billy Nav]

[Chaz645]

I had a couple of pre facelift 330ci's - one being manual and the other with this gearbox, which im sure is called SSG in the non M cars....?

Was quite good fun but had its problems, also heard of quotes around 5k for a new 'box if it went wrong, scary

[Spuffington]

Had two facelift 330Ci's (both auto) and absolutely loved them. The engine alone was a thing of wonder just for the noise!

Selling my 2005 330Ci coupe was still the silliest thing I've ever done. Should be one of those cars I still have in the garage and cherish forever.

[BlimeyCharlie]

Keep an eye on both front wings on the inside of wheel arches. Clean them out before winter to try and prevent common rust problem.

[blondini]

I'm pretty sure the e46 330 never had the M3 SMG box. It would be an SSG box which was a simplified version of SMG.

[will261058]

Thats lovely. As stated watch the wheel arches. Get the liners out and give it a good clean and refit. If you do that fairly regularly it will stay lovely

[will261058]

For what its worth, I like tinted rear windows too and think it suits this car.

[MinnieDriver]

mrmr96 said:

Nothing wrong with tinting the rear windows - looks nice IMO.

"Fixing" the airbag using a £5 resistor of ebay on the other hand... not so much.

I assume this is just the passenger occupancy sensor, they're a common problem. It stops the airbag going off on the passenger side if no-one is in that seat. The cheap fix just bypasses the faulty sensor mat in the seat.

Alot cheaper than a new seat, just means the passenger airbag will always go off in an accident.

[anything fast]

On idle these actually sound beefier and nicer than an M3. Great value now, but avoid modified ones, most have been done badly and are thrashed.. i know I have test driven quite a few. A FSH is a must! and be careful of Cat D and C cars there are loads of them out there.

[MattBuzzing]

Here's my one it's a 6 speed manual individual spec "coloured gold". Bought it from a fellow PHer.