URGENT ADVICE Z4 SMG
URGENT ADVICE Z4 SMG
Author
Discussion

rnd

Original Poster:

388 posts

296 months

Saturday 17th July 2010
quotequote all
Hi all, am about to go and look at a 2003 z4 2.5 Se SMG.
Can anyone tell me if the smg boxes are reliable or any thing else to look for
Never bought a BMW before.
Going to look at it tonight so any help you be great
Thanks in advance

mitchk

109 posts

228 months

Saturday 17th July 2010
quotequote all
go here and search for SMG -

www.z4-forum.com

never tried it myself but have heard enough about it to give it a wide birth.

If the car is not from a BMW dealer and has no warranty I would personaly leave, but have a test first - you might like it

would have thought it would be a good bartering point though as most people would go for the manual


Vee

3,109 posts

264 months

Saturday 17th July 2010
quotequote all
Might be a bit too late but SMG and SSG are 2 different things.
SSG is a load of unreliable rubbish which is generally best avoided, particularly out of warranty.

Beware of sellers passing SSG off as SMG.

rnd

Original Poster:

388 posts

296 months

Saturday 17th July 2010
quotequote all
No not to late as I cant see it until tomorow but went on to the site recomended and am not so sure no about the box.
Any other views about the box guys?

mitchk

109 posts

228 months

Saturday 17th July 2010
quotequote all
where you buying it from and does it have warranty ?

rnd

Original Poster:

388 posts

296 months

Sunday 18th July 2010
quotequote all
No private
Thanks

rnd

Original Poster:

388 posts

296 months

Sunday 18th July 2010
quotequote all
Just bought it so hope it is ok 2003 with only 35k with full service history so it should be fresh enough. Has had the gearbox pump and wiring replaced under warantee so will be chating to you guys alot more just have to get the TVR out of my system now

Sortie 10

744 posts

282 months

Wednesday 21st July 2010
quotequote all
My car appears to be similar to yours - 2003 but slightly higher miles. I have run the car for just over 5 years now. SMG in the first 18 months of my ownership was very flaky, with intermittent faults - some potentially catastrophic (box of neutrals in the middle of a busy junction in the Geneva rush hour!). All was resolved by a (free) software upgrade by my local dealer.

You will find that the SMG fitted to the Z4 is not as fast as that fitted to M-cars, but accept it for what it is and you will enjoy it.
Z4 SMG's are very much "marmite" - some people just cannot get it. I love blasting along French D roads changing gear without taking my hands off the wheel, then when I hit a town I knock Sport mode off, tap the gear lever to the right for automatic. I tried a manual Z4, but found the gear change poorer than that on my MX-5 (admittedly one of the most tactile, positive boxes) and was pleased to be offered a high spec SMG at a very good price (because the "market" did not trust/understand/was ignorant of the 'box).

Initially a 3 year plan, the Z4 is now a keeper - in no small way because of SMG.

Remember that the Z4 is not a TVR as a driving experience, inconsistent materials & build quality may make you recall your previous steed though, you will find it as enjoyable as the Tiv - but in a different way.

rnd

Original Poster:

388 posts

296 months

Thursday 22nd July 2010
quotequote all
Hi Sorti, You are so right in what you say. I am enjoying the driving experence already and have had the raw power from the TVR now for 10 years and it is time to settle back and relax. Have nearly got used to the box but I am sure it will take a while for example left it in yesterday to get oil and filter changed, went to drive it out of the workshop and could not get first. Sat there looking stupid keeping trying it with no joy. Forgot to put my foot on the brake before selecting first. LESSON LEARNT

Mattt

16,664 posts

248 months

Thursday 22nd July 2010
quotequote all
Vee said:
Might be a bit too late but SMG and SSG are 2 different things.
SSG is a load of unreliable rubbish which is generally best avoided, particularly out of warranty.

Beware of sellers passing SSG off as SMG.
The Z4 is only fitted with a 'SMG' system.

Vee

3,109 posts

264 months

Thursday 22nd July 2010
quotequote all
Mattt said:
Vee said:
Might be a bit too late but SMG and SSG are 2 different things.
SSG is a load of unreliable rubbish which is generally best avoided, particularly out of warranty.

Beware of sellers passing SSG off as SMG.
The Z4 is only fitted with a 'SMG' system.
Sorry, didn't know that. Thought that SMG was on M cars and the 6 cyl ones had SSG.
No issues to worry about then !

Mattt

16,664 posts

248 months

Thursday 22nd July 2010
quotequote all
Well, it's debatable as to what the system is - but it is called SMG, and has it written on the gear knob.