Anyone driven a M3 SMG?

Not driven the two to compare, but the M3's system is much more sophisticated in terms of shift speed selection and other functions. Made by Siemens as opposed to Magnetti Marelli who make most other paddle-shift boxes (including the BMW 330)

My daily driver 330Ci has the SMG box and I love it- it has the convenience of an auto without the torque converter 'slop'. Still prefer the manual for fun though...

Have you had a go with the Audi DSG system?

 

I ran an SMG M3 for 12 months and thought it an amazing allrounder. On a give and take road when you're pressing on the paddle change is just brilliant. I was fortunate that I could rely on the GT4 and the 7 for my manual fix though...

If an M3 was to be my only car I would spec. manual however as I still think there is an emotional aspect to real cog swapping that I'd miss! I've had brief drives of an early 360 F1 and would rate the SMG setup as considerably better than that - I guess these systems are evolving all the time.

I think that a well looked after M3 must rate as a great second hand bargain for next year - values have plummeted and there is oversupply.

 

Definately, lots of cars coming up for sale now after 3yr lease/financed etc.. Awesome car for £25K-£30K now & definately buyers market.
I'm need a CSL sooo bad & they are even more of a bargain

 

IMO, the M3 is better than the early 360F1s, not as good as the 355F1 and not in the same realm as the F1 in the Stradale. Once you get used to lifting slightly on the upshifts, the SMG system is pretty smooth though. I'd have one, in a CSL.

 

Can't say how it compares to the Ferrari F1 box but on the BM it is a great option to have. My CSL has the SMG II box and you can adjust how quick the changes are made (5 different settings) and even an automatic mode for the missus !! It is very easy to get used to, had mine a month now and I am finding it difficult going back driving a normal manual car (crunching gears/stalling etc). You can't 'stall' an SMG box as far as I know. The only downsides are its smoothness - not as smooth as a manual change, and it will automatically change down for you when you come to a halt or slow down which I find sometimes when you go for a quick getaway (junction etc) and the car is in mid gear change and just revs away.

Some say it takes away an element of driving skill and it does but then it adds another one once you're used to it and you can extract the full advantage.

Rick

 

I've also found that lifting off slightly when changing up can smooth things. And it's great when it blips on the changes down.

Rick

 

I find that the change on my 355F1 is smoother than the change that was on my M3 CSL, which I got rid of because of the change down into 2nd. The snatch and noise was awful. BMW were also concerned about the snatch, and replaced the gearbox at 1,500 miles. It was going again when I sold it at 3,000 miles. The acceleration was wonderful, especially on kick down on the Motorway. Cruising at 100, kickdown into 4th, incredible induction and exhaust roar, and a puch in the back. I still prefer the 355!

 

sportscars have 12 cylinders in the rear and a gear stick and clutch anything else is a joke

 

thats a joke i've just watched the video lee p took of your car, Its like watching the public information advert for augustus peabody the old age pensioner cyclist. Get a real gearbox, we had time to make a cup of coffee in between your changes.

 

he did say that the 11" gear stick took a whopping 3 days to change gear!

 

My 330Ci SMG has always snatched badly sometimes when changing down into 2nd at junctions/roundabouts, almost like it is in mid-change when you start to accelerate and it feels like it just bangs the gear in and dumps the clutch. I wonder if it is faulty as you say... I'll get it looked at before the warranty runs out.

Other than that, it is great, but the main criticism of all these robot boxes is that the shift speed might be wrong for a given situation, e.g, trundling along smoothly, but then you overtake a lorry and want a fast change which involves changing gearbox mode.

My guess is that they will just get better and better with each new iteration. Whether you like them depends on how key to your feeling of involvement with the car actually feeling the cogs meshing through a gear lever is, and the satisfaction of getting a change right.

When really attacking a twisty section of road in my SMG BMW, being able to keep both hands on the wheel all the time increases my feeling of control and focus.

 

I've had a bash in both and didnt think I would like the M3 SMG having spent a lot of time in a manual, but I was very impressed. I thought the SMG was a better system than the F1 and felt crisper and faster, but both are great systems if you get a little use to them.

In short, I think both are brilliant.