E36 SMG....should i ?
Discussion
Yes.
I like my SMG, but don't think of it as a switchable automatic - it's essentially the same manual gearbox and clutch as the manual M3, but without a clutch pedal.
I never drive mine in auto mode, as it's too difficult to guage when the changes are going to occurr, which makes the changes too jerky, but in manual (S) mode, the gearchanges are fine as long as you use the box properly. I wrote an article on the proper use of semi-automatic gearchanges a while ago...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As for reliability, I've done 30,000 miles in mine in the last 2 years, and it's just gone over 100,000 miles without any gearbox issues. I always make sure the car is fully warmed up before stratching it's legs, which may help, but I've found it fine so far.
It's nowhere near as sophisticated a piece of kit as the E46 SMG2, but I'm more than happy with it.
I like my SMG, but don't think of it as a switchable automatic - it's essentially the same manual gearbox and clutch as the manual M3, but without a clutch pedal.
I never drive mine in auto mode, as it's too difficult to guage when the changes are going to occurr, which makes the changes too jerky, but in manual (S) mode, the gearchanges are fine as long as you use the box properly. I wrote an article on the proper use of semi-automatic gearchanges a while ago...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As for reliability, I've done 30,000 miles in mine in the last 2 years, and it's just gone over 100,000 miles without any gearbox issues. I always make sure the car is fully warmed up before stratching it's legs, which may help, but I've found it fine so far.
It's nowhere near as sophisticated a piece of kit as the E46 SMG2, but I'm more than happy with it.
R_U_LOCAL said:
Yes.
I like my SMG, but don't think of it as a switchable automatic - it's essentially the same manual gearbox and clutch as the manual M3, but without a clutch pedal.
I never drive mine in auto mode, as it's too difficult to guage when the changes are going to occurr, which makes the changes too jerky, but in manual (S) mode, the gearchanges are fine as long as you use the box properly. I wrote an article on the proper use of semi-automatic gearchanges a while ago...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As for reliability, I've done 30,000 miles in mine in the last 2 years, and it's just gone over 100,000 miles without any gearbox issues. I always make sure the car is fully warmed up before stratching it's legs, which may help, but I've found it fine so far.
It's nowhere near as sophisticated a piece of kit as the E46 SMG2, but I'm more than happy with it.
The only point of note would be that you are one of very few people who actually knows how to drive properly.I like my SMG, but don't think of it as a switchable automatic - it's essentially the same manual gearbox and clutch as the manual M3, but without a clutch pedal.
I never drive mine in auto mode, as it's too difficult to guage when the changes are going to occurr, which makes the changes too jerky, but in manual (S) mode, the gearchanges are fine as long as you use the box properly. I wrote an article on the proper use of semi-automatic gearchanges a while ago...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As for reliability, I've done 30,000 miles in mine in the last 2 years, and it's just gone over 100,000 miles without any gearbox issues. I always make sure the car is fully warmed up before stratching it's legs, which may help, but I've found it fine so far.
It's nowhere near as sophisticated a piece of kit as the E46 SMG2, but I'm more than happy with it.
I think the popularity or otherwise of the SMG in both models is an indication of how it performs.
I don't think they do seem particularly unreliable (this is based on anedoctal not hard evidence or personal experience) so I would drive one 1st before dismissing it. They are undeniably expensive to fix if the box goes though but then again so is the Evo's 6 speeder (new box really) and with this one you've got a 2year warranty so it's got to be worth a punt.
Edited by naetype on Tuesday 11th December 19:38
jimmydee2007 said:
never considered a SMG before but if the car has just had the smg replaced by bmw with a 2 year warrenty should this be enough to stop me worrying?
any thoughts?
What do you want to know? I've been up hill and down dale with mine and it's a real love/hate relationship. I love it but i'm so bloody sure that it hates me any thoughts?
Vixpy1 said:
M3john will disagree with me, but the SMG 1 was a bit pants really
i wouldn't be so sure now mate 
E36GUY said:
M3John is your man with experience. Sure he'll be along in a minute.
Experiance yes good and bad ! Sorry i've been away for a few days but feel free to ask what you will.jimmydee2007, when you say that the SMG has been replaced, what part of the system are you on about as there is a number of componentes that make up the SMG configuration.
jimmydee2007 said:
The whole lot was replaced, including the pump, the realy unit to the pump , an actuator and a RMFD unit fitted to the total cost of just over 4 grand!
Well if these have then you have a 2 year BMW warrentee (sp?) on parts so it shouldn't be an issue. What you'd want to look for is how much of the warrentee is left. Mine has been at times, shal we say, tempremental. Not good advertising i know for SMG in e36 guise. I'm my own worst enemy for this though as i'm a great one for keeping things as they were first intended to be. I could have got rid of the SMG yonks ago but decided to perservier with it because when it's working (no jokes please Charley
) i feel that it offers me the best of both worlds - living in the center of London. I wouldn't totally write off the option of getting one, just make sure that it's a goodun'. Drop me a PM with your number mate and i'll give you a call.
M3J.
its actually got practically the full 2 years left but what also is ticking away in my mind is will i have trouble with the resale of it?
I totally understand people opting for the SMG if they live in the centre of London as it probably makes sense.
After scrolling through lot's of the old threads there is certainly alot more people saying no than yes but if someone has owned one and not had any major issues with them then they will obviously give them the thumbs up, guess its just luck of the draw sometimes.
I totally understand people opting for the SMG if they live in the centre of London as it probably makes sense.
After scrolling through lot's of the old threads there is certainly alot more people saying no than yes but if someone has owned one and not had any major issues with them then they will obviously give them the thumbs up, guess its just luck of the draw sometimes.
jimmydee2007 said:
its actually got practically the full 2 years left but what also is ticking away in my mind is will i have trouble with the resale of it?
I totally understand people opting for the SMG if they live in the centre of London as it probably makes sense.
After scrolling through lot's of the old threads there is certainly alot more people saying no than yes but if someone has owned one and not had any major issues with them then they will obviously give them the thumbs up, guess its just luck of the draw sometimes.
Well with practically 2 years left you've nothing to worry about i'd say as you could just give it back to BMW if anything occours. If your buying the car and have the re-sale side of things in your head then i hate to say it but i think your buying the car for the wrong reasons.I totally understand people opting for the SMG if they live in the centre of London as it probably makes sense.
After scrolling through lot's of the old threads there is certainly alot more people saying no than yes but if someone has owned one and not had any major issues with them then they will obviously give them the thumbs up, guess its just luck of the draw sometimes.
They do get bad press from people, we must remember that this is the pioneer of this system and compared to newer SMG systems it is not as good.
What i find from it that it can turn a normal driver (like myself) into a fairly compitent one. When working and one is in tune with how to use it correctly, its an amazing piece of kit !! Me having owned mine now for 4 years or so would hold my hands up as previously mentioned and say that it can be tempremental. What you mention last above pretty much sums it up i think as there are plenty of folk around these parts who have seen my car and i'm sure would vouch as for why i keep perserveering with it (check my profile
) The car is amazingly clean for a daily driver and i intend to keep it how it was ment to be.If it's the right car you've been after and has a clean bill of health, take it for a test drive (lengthy one) - get used to the SMG and have a speciast look over it (can highly reccomend Highams Park Motor Co 0208-523-3443) as it still may be worth snapping up as nice examples of these will be a future classic !
M3J.
I've had a 99 E36 coupe for 2.5 years and the car has now done 80,000kms without any problems. Overall the system is not perfect and it is a system/car that you have to learn to drive, it will not adapt to you. Having said that I quite like it and think that many of the detractors are simply echoing the early press reports and have excasperated the early problems, a bit like the VANOS issues that plague the E36, I would also suggest that many of the detractors have never driven an E36 SMG car or most certainly never mastered it which is more reflective of them rather than the car. Yes the systems can give problems and can be expensive to fix mostly because BMW sell few individual components only complete units.
80% of my driving is in economy auto mode and I have learnt when to expect the gear changes and you can really smooth the changes out whilst still keeping up a bit of pace. The changes in auto mode aren't quick but not frustratingly slow either in normal city driving. The best change is made by backing off during the change and lightly reapplying the throttle once the next gear is engaged. You really can make the system as smooth or as jerky as you like.
However the system can be a good bit of fun in manual mode when pressing on as it really punches hard when changing gears and autoblips on the down changes but I must say that you do feel slightly disconnected from the car on the downchanges.
Would I buy another SMG E36?, probably. The system does have its flaws which you learn to live with and drive around but is still an entertaining drive on the right road. I would strongly suggest that you take one for a long drive and don't let your inital stuff-ups put you off and you will stuff up a few changes making it jerky.
Good luck with it, definately give it open consideration.
80% of my driving is in economy auto mode and I have learnt when to expect the gear changes and you can really smooth the changes out whilst still keeping up a bit of pace. The changes in auto mode aren't quick but not frustratingly slow either in normal city driving. The best change is made by backing off during the change and lightly reapplying the throttle once the next gear is engaged. You really can make the system as smooth or as jerky as you like.
However the system can be a good bit of fun in manual mode when pressing on as it really punches hard when changing gears and autoblips on the down changes but I must say that you do feel slightly disconnected from the car on the downchanges.
Would I buy another SMG E36?, probably. The system does have its flaws which you learn to live with and drive around but is still an entertaining drive on the right road. I would strongly suggest that you take one for a long drive and don't let your inital stuff-ups put you off and you will stuff up a few changes making it jerky.
Good luck with it, definately give it open consideration.
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