Why the SMG m3 is the best m3

"magman007" (magman007)
06/26/2014 at 13:08 • Filed to: m3, bmw, e46, e46 m3, jesus'swhip, SMG

Yep, I said it. The e46 m3 you really want is the SMG. Blasphemy you say? Maybe. But all of you are missing out on fantastic vehicles because people with no experience with the system love to perpetuate the myth that the transmission murders puppies and gave your grandmother glaucoma. Ok, maybe your grandmother's glaucoma is an overblown reason for her to get legal herbs, but thats beside the point.

The biggest myths surrounding the system are that it is clunky (it isnt if you have half a brain) and that it fails if you look at it wrong (it doesnt).

SO to address #1

The system is clunky- Yes it can be, if you don't understand that it is a manual car, with approx 14 lbs of hydraulic pumps and sensors doing what your left foot would regularly do. If you conceptualize the transmission as such, it becomes very clear what you have to do to drive the vehicle smoothly, and thats simply lift your big toe off the gas between shifts, that is, unless you're moving full tilt and you want to snap your passengers necks off their shoulders. (for this I reccomend turning traction control off, SMG controller to S6, and keep your foot planted)

If you dont finesse the pedals in a manual what happens? Clunky shifts. Same thing with the SMG. just because you can't be bothered to understand something, doesn't mean its bmw's fault.

Also, automatic mode. Why you would use it is beyond me, but it isn't the shining star of the system. That said, it is perfectly acceptable, and a bandaid solution to assuage customer concerns. Truth be told, in traffic I have used automatic mode, and its still more pleasurable than pumping my left leg every 3 seconds to inch 3 feet forward, slipping clutch and such. Secondly, should I ever find my self in a predicament where I cannot drive, anyone can drive the car for me, even those who do not know how to drive stick. This means your wives, girlfriends, girly guy friends, etc can all drive your car (if you allow them to) and enjoy it almost as much as you do.

2) Its a timebomb waiting to grenade your wallet.

It isnt. Can the system fail? of course. Just like the synchros can fail or the clutch can fail, or the rod bearings can fail. Honestly Subframe issues are more prevalent than SMG failures. It is common to get the cog light when over working the car, this is actually due to a faulty sensor location, right next to the header, that is supposed to warn the driver if the SMG pumps are heating up. Sadly, they read the ambient temperature coming off of the header, and trick the system into thinking there is a cause of concern within the pump. this is easily remedied with 1 resistor from radio shack wired inline.

Secondly, it is being found more times than not, that the cause of failure isn't directly related to the SMG pumps. Sure they can fail, but most of the time there is another cause leading to their failure. The cause being failing slave cylinders leading to improper operating pressures for the SMG pumps, causing them to prematurely fail. Check your slave cylinder for leaks and replace as necessary as a preventative measure. Also take note that the SMG fluid resivoir is properly filled, if it is low for any reason, you have a leak in the system, and will need to address said leak before the system ingests air, and burns out your smg pumps.

Should you experience an SMG failure, not all is lost, and you don't necessisarilly need $3k to replace the entire transmission. Because....
it is the same Getrag transmission that is in the manual car. Nothing about this transmission is inherently different, inside the case, everything is the same. As a matter of fact, when some customers do have issues with the SMG, they will opt for a manual conversion. Everything needed for the conversion is already in place on the transmission.

SO, that still doesn't explain why its better. Well I will tell you why its better. Its better because it can do this

and this

and you get shift lights, the benefits of left foot braking, neck snapping acceleration, all in one brutal when it wants to be, refined when you want to be F1 inspired package. it even has a specific BURNOUT MODE! Its big news that the mustang will have it, well bmw has had it for years now, it doesn't line lock like the mustang, but since your left foot is free, you can apply the brakes and murder some michelins.

Set aside your old world way of thinking, and realize that the race car drivers you idolize have been using sequential transmissions for years. Sure you don't get the fantastic straight cut gear whine, and it isn't a true sequential (you can skip gears if you click fast enough) but if you think of it as such, it becomes a hell of a lot cooler.

lastly, if you really want to swing your e dick around, its faster than the manual, every time.

SO go fourth, buy up low mile cheaper smg cars, its worth it. Europe doesn't have an issue with it, and you shouldn't either.

DISCUSSION (59)

E92M3 > magman007
06/26/2014 at 13:23

Amen! I loved mine so much I got a DCT this time. Auto mode actually works great in D3 (only in D3 though). Living in Atlanta I wouldn't have it any other way.

Jonathan Harper > magman007
06/26/2014 at 13:26

Well. Hm.

If you're trying to justify buying an E46 on the cheap, and you know the only way you can get one is with the SMG, then good job. Quite convincing.

BUT...unless you literally have feet made from feathers, these cars are very difficult to drive smoothly. In an E60 I found myself leaning forward in the seat to pre-empt the shift, only to find myself still waiting for the shift 2-3 seconds later. Also, I've read that anything from battery charge level to atmospheric conditions can fucks with the hydraulic pressure, which is not ideal to say the least.

Would I own one? Probably, just because they're dirt cheap.

William Byrd > magman007
06/26/2014 at 13:26

I've been spending some time in a 2004 SMG M3 and I really like it. More coming. Watch this space .

shpuker > magman007
06/26/2014 at 13:40

As someone that worked at a BMW dealership for few summers, I would like to say just how wrong you are.

Very.

While these SMG boxes do have their bright moments (see the late E60's and 335is), the E46 was not it. The SMG in these cars was clunky (yes you could get it smooth but it takes a significant amount of time and effort.) and they broke quite often. It's incredibly easy to burn a clutch up in one of them and they love going into full on grenade mode. Just get the manual, you'll be happy you did/won't want to shoot yourself.

newton > magman007
06/26/2014 at 13:42

Weird, we even used the same image.

Textured Soy Protein > shpuker
06/26/2014 at 13:47

The 335is has the 7-speed DCT, not SMG.

Textured Soy Protein > Jonathan Harper
06/26/2014 at 13:48

I'm not opposed to flappy paddle BMWs, since I have a 135is DCT. The DCT is pretty brilliant.

I'm not so sure I'd say the same about SMG though.

Jonathan Harper > Textured Soy Protein
06/26/2014 at 13:48

DCT is great. I really like it.

Arben72 > Jonathan Harper
06/26/2014 at 13:53

I noticed in the smg e46's I drove regardless of the gear selection speed you chose, unless you shifted at <5500 rpm the shifts were slow. The cars that didn't shift fast after that just needed a simple clutch reset and they were back into beast mode.

newton > shpuker
06/26/2014 at 13:54

Significant time and effort? I leaned to drive mine smoothly the 2nd day. Grenade itself? Talk about a catchall phrase.

Jonathan Harper > Arben72
06/26/2014 at 14:06

that would sometimes work. Most times not though, in my experience at least.

DipodomysDeserti > magman007
06/26/2014 at 14:09

I wouldn't want someone who doesn't know how to drive stick driving my M3 even if it is an automatic.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > shpuker
06/26/2014 at 14:24

I enjoy driving my fathers E46 M3, but I sometimes get angry that can't drive it as well as I think I could drive the stick version. That being said, having the paddles after watching an F1 race is very cool, because... Reasons

magman007 > Jonathan Harper
06/26/2014 at 14:46

I have no experience in an e60 m5 with SMG, maybe its just because I am an experienced SMG driver, but I have never had an issue being smooth in the car, with my first one it took me a few days to normalize.

Not sure how often you drove the m5 for but I would think if it were your DD, you would normalize quite quickly. Getting into the new car was like riding a bike, within a quarter block the owner commented on how well I could drive the smg system. He had never taken the time to learn.

Saracen > magman007
06/26/2014 at 14:51

Reasons SMG M3 are better:

1) You are a leg amputee.

magman007 > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:02

I would also like to know, how many of you have driven a factory 6spd e46 m3? It is atrocious how vague, tall, and long the gear throw is on the "ultimate driving machine" my fathers RX8 had a better gear box for half the price, same with the s2000, hell, the cable fwd system in a first gen mazda 3 felt better.

SSK is an absolute must if you go e46 m3 manual.

Jonathan Harper > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:22

I drove it very frequently along with an SMG M6 of the same vintage, and it didn't take me long to get used to it. But remember my previous situation at CCC, driving many, many different cars with many, many different transmissions on a daily basis so adapting and learning to drive a car smoothly is a skill I've become quite adept at.

I think someone who had never driven an SMG would have a tough time for a week or so, but even then the errant jerk or jolt is inevitable. Even when I thought I had it reigned it I still ended up being confused by what the gearbox was doing at times, which is something that should never happen in a high performance car.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Textured Soy Protein
06/26/2014 at 15:23

From my experience, DCTs are very capable but failed to entertain me after about 10 minutes. Even though I wan't having as much fun as with another pedal, I was still pretty impressed by the shift speed. With plenty of experience with a car and with manual transmissions/performance driving, someone could probably shift about as fast as an SMG. If you sacrifice the excitement/feel of a third pedal, the technology should probably be more capable than SMG, especially considering the fantastic manual transmissions offered in BMWs. An automatic transmission is there to provide comfort to those who are inconvenienced by shifting and (maybe) want more speed. If it doesn't provide either of those, it's just sucking fun and giving nothing in return. I don't think anything matters more than the driving experience, so I will make whatever "silly" sacrifices it takes! (Enter crank start joke here)

(I have no experience with SMG and am talking out of my ass. If anyone wants to lend me their SMG M3, I will be more than happy to do some "testing.")

Jonathan Harper > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:26

I have. All E46s had relatively long throws, and I totally agree an SSK should be high on any stock E46 owner's list.

magman007 > Jonathan Harper
06/26/2014 at 15:31

I can agree with this. I think of it like this. if my smg shift is clunky, it would have been a clunky shift for a manual anyways.

I agree that given you were used to multiple different vehicle types and their various transmissions, that it is unacceptable for the system to be the way it is, that said, its grotesque how poor the box in the vanquish was, comparitively speaking, SMG in the m5 and m6 is a better overall experience than E-gear or most other mfg's single clutch attempts. (so I have heard, no experience such as yourself)

That said, a manual is repeatable, hop in any one and typically you can figure out how to drive it.

Jonathan Harper > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:38

This is true. I've driven E-gear and it's basically just a shift-able automatic. And a vanquish just before it got a 6-speed swap, and I agree that is turrible. Sure, the SMG system isn't as bad as the worst... but that in no way means that it's good.

It's like shitting your pants just a little bit. No matter how much you shit your pants, you've still got poop in your pants, and it's not a good thing.

magman007 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/26/2014 at 15:43

come on down to FL, and I'll let you take her for a spin! Smg brings back some of the vicerality DSG's lack. Because there is a slight delay between shifting, when you're all out it really cracks into gear, when your cruising, your head bobbles just a little, like it would shifting a manual car.

magman007 > Jonathan Harper
06/26/2014 at 15:44

Best reply on oppo ever.

I for one am happy with my poop stained pants thank you very much! #shartlife

Jonathan Harper > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:46

lol :) bring that shitty E46 up here and I'll show you some back roads!

Textured Soy Protein > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/26/2014 at 15:47

To each their own. Some people insist on having a clutch pedal. I'm not one of those people.

I like my DCT because the car does a good job with all the things that aren't clutch pedals but make driving fun: motor, suspension, brakes & tires. And a loud exhaust. So I can enjoy those things, bang off super fast shifts with the paddles when I feel like shifting, or just let the car shift for itself if I don't feel like it.

Now, I'm thinking about getting rid of the car for an older, cheaper roadster. But that's more based on wanting a roof that goes down and to save money in the process, than because of some need on my part to have a clutch pedal.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:48

I wouldn't mind one until you realize you still have to (either) do the routine at hill starts or figure out how to engage the HSA.

... I-I'll go with the manual.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:50

Not really, I thought the RX-8 had a similar, if not same amount of throw per gear. Then again, I spent so much time behind the wheel of a 3rd Gen MR2 that I forgot. :B

PardonMyFlemish16 > magman007
06/26/2014 at 15:57

No thanks. I will just not break my left leg, and I will teach my wife how to drive stick. Problem solved. I shouldn't have to work around a flawed design.

magman007 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
06/26/2014 at 16:03

they're like night and day to me, the rx8 is nice, short, and a little notchy. Pretty much perfect in my mind, the e46 is long, mushy and vague.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > magman007
06/26/2014 at 16:05

Well, they have the same throws though, but that's just me. To be honest, I thought the RX8's gearbox was clunky and not direct.

Arben72 > Jonathan Harper
06/26/2014 at 16:17

There's 4 different reset methods. Change the fluid then do the two paddle shift method. Works 90% of the time. The other method by resetting it by the tcu works the other 10%. Smg is amazing especially after a tune.

Manuél Ferrari > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/26/2014 at 17:06

SMG is fun. The wonkiness makes it more entertaining than a DCT.

You can drive my SMG M3. But you have to fly to So Cal first.

Manuél Ferrari > shpuker
06/26/2014 at 17:10

It doesn't take a lot of time and effort to get smooth in it. I would say no more than an afternoon if you know how to drive stick.

The repairs can be pricey though. Stick is safer for the wallet for sure. I just don't agree that SMG is difficult to learn.

Manuél Ferrari > magman007
06/26/2014 at 17:12

I saw your post before leaving the house today. Hadn't driven the E46 in a few days so I jumped in it and went the long way to work. SMG was fun.

This is my opinion - any transmission gets boring if you use it every day. So if you can afford to have one car that's stick and another that's flappy paddle then do it. Variety is the spice of life!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Manuél Ferrari
06/26/2014 at 18:20

Actually, the comparative harshness and unique characteristics of SMG have always made me think it's kind of neat. It sounds like it produces far more driving feel than an ultramodern DCT. I really don't care about how fast a car is, and I never really cared for really comfortable cars, so the SMG starts to sound like a good alternative. I'm thinking about going on a huge road trip... maybe if I ever go to the opposite coast I'll have to take you up on your offer! The E46 M3 in general sounds damned excellent.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > magman007
06/26/2014 at 18:25

That's a tempting offer! Palm trees and an S54... the feel of the SMG actually sounds pretty nice, much more exciting than some really smooth immeasurably fast auto 'box. I think that based on what owners say, the SMG is nice in practice.

Manuél Ferrari > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/26/2014 at 18:29

Every DCT I've ever driven is boring 95% of the time. DCTs are only fun when you're driving the absolute piss out of a car. That's when you appreciate how good they are and when you get a kick when upshifting.

SMG can be almost as fun as a stick. Your left foot does get bored but it also gets happy when you're in bad traffic. And you still have to think about when to shift and modulate throttle. And you can switch from using the paddles to using the stick to shift.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Manuél Ferrari
06/26/2014 at 19:29

My dad's Miata has the 6AT with paddle shifters. Boy is that thing boring, but it's a relief to have in traffic. I feel that if it wasn't a slush box auto and was in a more powerful, substantial car, it would be acceptable. That's the only "Manu-matic" I've driven a significant amount of time, but the SMG does sound fun and sounds like a good balance. I know for sure I would like an easier transmission in my car. The SMG sounds more satisfying at full throttle than a DCT. Give me as much rawness as possible in a car as long as it's still drivable!

Manuél Ferrari > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/26/2014 at 20:10

Oh man I can't stand slushboxes. Even the good ones are annoying. I drove someone's C63 AMG and hated the transmission. They shift so slowly and upshift even when you don't want them to.

Single clutch computerized manuals are the most fun type of transmission after a stick. You feel like you're in a race car with a sequential box. The only bad thing is that they're more likely to need repair than a DCT.

shpuker > Textured Soy Protein
06/27/2014 at 07:26

This is very accurate. Not sure why I got mixed up.

shpuker > Manuél Ferrari
06/27/2014 at 07:30

Its like driving a manual where you have no clutch control. Sure you can get it to work, but it's difficult to get smooth shifts in various situations (hard accel, traffic, normal, etc.) without making adjustments every time to the shift setting.

shpuker > newton
06/27/2014 at 07:41

Things spark issues out of the blue. Inexplicable, strange, shitty issues. Unfix-able issues. Literally, BMW even says not to attempt to fix them, because you won't be able to. So if anything fails say hello to a solid $7k+ bill.

Interesting short read: http://sandiegobmw.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/smg…

For what is essentially (in function) a dysfunctional DCT, its crap. 2 days isn't bad for figuring out the SMG, we'd have customers that had owned the car for upwards of 6 months that couldn't figure the things out (customers that used to own manual M3's/M5's/330(5)'s).

shpuker > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
06/27/2014 at 07:43

Because racecar

magman007 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/27/2014 at 10:55

If you're ever in the Sarasota area, drop me a line offer is always on the table!

magman007 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
06/27/2014 at 10:56

Manumatics are terrible, i have never driven a good one. I hear the Zf 8spd is pretty freeking good from all of the press it gets, but I will have my doubts. Smg is pretty raw, but its not crap like the aston martin box or some of the others.

Think lexus lfa gearbox with less ridiculous v10.

magman007 > Manuél Ferrari
06/27/2014 at 10:57

Its such a shame too, because the c63 amg makes such a fantastic sound, its sad its hampered by a (really good for what it is) manumatic.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > shpuker
06/27/2014 at 12:53

Because Racecar

Manuél Ferrari > magman007
06/27/2014 at 14:37

I know! I wish there was a stick option for that car.

Manuél Ferrari > shpuker
06/27/2014 at 14:43

Don't get me wrong, it's not as smooth as a stick. And I'm not even advocating that people buy it instead of the stick. I'm just saying that it doesn't take very long to get good at driving SMG as smoothly as SMG can be driven. You just have to shift manually, modulate throttle a bit, and remember not to upshift too early. I don't find that I have to adjust the shift setting at all for day to day driving. I just leave it in the second to quickest setting.

Stick is by far the most fun and the best if you're not stuck in terrible traffic a lot. I'm glad my Porsche has the stick. It's just fun to switch to SMG sometimes. It downshifts for you in stop and go traffic and it's kind of fun to accelerate hard and get violent upshifts.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Saracen
06/30/2014 at 13:35

2) Your left foot is gangrenous.

codemonkey > Jonathan Harper
04/12/2016 at 19:27

is it better to try to get a regular manual 6 speed than smg? Im new to e46 and looking to buy one.

Jonathan Harper > codemonkey
04/12/2016 at 20:37

I would say yes.

suryamp > magman007
10/18/2016 at 21:14

Lets be completely honest, the S2000 gearbox is the best gearbox designed in history right now. The germans can’t compete unless they go dual clutch.

magman007 > suryamp
10/19/2016 at 10:24

Agree, to a point. Its by far one of the best manuals in its price point, the RX8's box was great too. Porsche is about the only german MFG that can do a good feeling manual, and those are going by way of the DoDo. In retrospect, I really liked my e36 m3's gearbox as well, I don’t know what happened between generations, but the e46 m3 box sucked for feel. The E90 generation m3 is a massive improvement over the e46 box. Oddly enough, the transmission in the e46 m3 is shared with a lot of other vehicles, e39 M5, e39 540i, supras included, and I rarely see complaints regarding the supra’s box for feel.

ClockEater > magman007
10/24/2016 at 14:59

You realize you are giving up 30-40 horsepower (eyeballing these power curve) by short shifting the car, right? I’m glad you figured out how to properly use SMG and all, but you are missing the point of the S54 (and all M3s) -power is made through gearing and high RPM.

Perhaps you would be better off with a different car. Some people just are scared to rev.

ClockEater > magman007
10/24/2016 at 15:05

No it’s no it’s not; you either never owned an RX-8, have no idea what you’re talking about (or a combination of both)

I owned this car and it had the absolute worst gearbox ever. You could not shifted at high rpm’s in first second or third gear without grinding the synchro’s. it’s a common problem and they never fixxed it.

magman007 > ClockEater
10/25/2016 at 12:38

Not my video btw. I red line at least once daily.

Edit: Also recently did the TTFS smg tune, made a world of difference and nicely updated SMG to some semblance of modern.

magman007 > ClockEater
10/25/2016 at 12:41

Never had an issue with ours, I enjoyed the gear box immensely. Ours was a launch car too, and just made it over 103k mi before my father traded it in. Never had to replace the renesis, and the only real trouble it ever gave was a LF wheel bearing, catalytic converters needed replacing around 85k, and some dead coil packs.

SoppingClam > Textured Soy Protein
04/18/2018 at 12:54

I hardly use the flappy paddles. Prefer using the gear stick on the smg especially when cornering. Push up or down. Simple. Oh and just take foot off accelerator to minimise clutch wear like a manual car. Most Simple and efficient trans ever. I own both a manual e46 and smg and I am going to sell the manual. Use the cash to buy a manual old beater to trash around and spending $ on the m3. Most reviews are on the crappy US spec e46 m3 & pre mid 2003 update. Here in Aus and EU we get the better car and know how to use the smg. RANT!! RAHHHH