E46 M3 SMG - Town Driving

[NUEZ]

I am looking at buying an E46 M3 in the coming weeks.

I have done quite a bit of research on this sub forum regarding manual vs. SMG, One of the things I have read has confused me a bit. The consensus seems to be that SMG box is "not very good in traffic". Surely it can be left in auto mode for crawling in traffic? Which would be perfect.

I live in London and one of the reasons that I am tempted by an SMG is that my current car (Z3 M Coupe) has a heavy clutch and can be a pain in the inevitable traffic jams.

Thanks

[Leins]

Auto-mode is rubbish, mainly because this is based on a manual box. Use the paddles in town. And out of town. And everywhere else too

[shim]

Leins said:

Auto-mode is rubbish, mainly because this is a manual box. Use the paddles in town

Especially if you don't wanna wake up your pissed mate in the back seat

[Leins]

^^^

[NUEZ]

shim said:

Especially if you don't wanna wake up your pissed mate in the back seat

A drunken man with SMG induced whip lash is the last thing I want ;-)

[jon-]

People moan about it because it /can/ sometimes be tricky to creep. I guess they expect it to work like a torque converter, when it won't.

Once you get it in your head that actually it's a normal manual gearbox with the computer operating the clutch, and the clutch position is mapped to your throttle position and road speed it's all very simple.

If you want extra smoothness you can snick it into second as soon as you take off and go from idle.

It's much nicer than a true manual in traffic as your left leg can do what it likes.

I still tend to avoid auto mode, but in traffic you find the push/pull of the stick is a more relaxing way of changing gear so you don't need to keep both your hands on the wheel.

[Shaoxter]

jon- said:

People moan about it because it /can/ sometimes be tricky to creep. I guess they expect it to work like a torque converter, when it won't.

Once you get it in your head that actually it's a normal manual gearbox with the computer operating the clutch, and the clutch position is mapped to your throttle position and road speed it's all very simple.

If you want extra smoothness you can snick it into second as soon as you take off and go from idle.

It's much nicer than a true manual in traffic as your left leg can do what it likes.

I still tend to avoid auto mode, but in traffic you find the push/pull of the stick is a more relaxing way of changing gear so you don't need to keep both your hands on the wheel.

Exactly this.
People who complain about SMG are the ones who drive it in auto mode and expect it to behave like an auto. It's still a bit clunky in traffic but no worse than a normal manual.

[outnumbered]

Anyone who thinks SMG is worse in traffic than a manual is an idiot and/or lead-footed. Slow moving traffic jams are also the place where the Auto function makes most sense (although it does take a little practice to get smooth with it).

Edited by outnumbered on Friday 6th June 13:06

[Cheib]

Had an E46 M3 from new for two years and live in Central London.....never drove it in Auto. It's piss easy to drive in manual in traffic.

[NickXX]

Agree with all of the above - have had my e46 M3 for 5 years, and used to have a 330d manual before. The SMG is much better than a manual around town.

[Schermerhorn]

Lift off on upchange and it is smooth.

[Yanto]

Schermerhorn said:

Lift off on upchange and it is smooth.

Don't lift....ever.

[M3CS]

SMG is better more of the time (especially in traffic). The only time I've wished mine was a manual was on B roads in Wales and when the gear selector broke once.

[NUEZ]

Thanks for the feedback - I will open up the search to SMGs now as well.

[deanobeano]

Manual gear change all the way...
Steering wheel paddles, not the gear lever
Never lift off on the throttle on gear changes

Just my 2 penneth worth

[Leins]

Only time I ever use the gear-lever is 1st to 2nd turning at a junction, because I can never remember which paddle to use when the wheel is upside-down

[neutral 3]

Manual M3 can be hard work in traffic as the first to second change isn't the best with a Getrag box, but no way would I change to an SMG.

[bimmer_87]

Its perfectly drivable around town, although not the last word in smoothness, but thats just the character of the car.

Getting a software update for the smg ecu does help a little with the smoothness.

If you're regularly driving it around town, it will adapt to your driving style, wont feel as sharp when you go for a hoon,

But a good hoon will sort that out ;-)

[anonymous-user]

SMG is ace. It does take patience to learn its features though.

All the haters are crap drivers who can't adapt imho.

The ONLY reason I would give a point to a Manual over SMG is the potential failure of the SMG and its associated cost.

Take that away and the system is bloody brilliant and very rewarding when mastered