Just wanted some advice on which year to get with smg. Im thinking of picking one up in a cabrio with a smg ....but have no idea which year to look for.........thanks

 

i just picked up an 04 cab with the smg tranny. anything above and 03.5 has the updated tail lights and a few minor upgrades. here's a list of the changes by model year.

http://m3.madrussian.net/modelchanges.shtml

 

2002 is the best year.

 

get a 2005/2006 car with competition package. the quicker steering ratio is worth it alone.

 

Why do you want SMG?

 

^^^+1

 

if you must have SMG, get a 2006 or 2005

 

2004 + , If You get 05 & 06 you'll still get some factory warranty depending on the mileage. Competition package is based on the CSL M3. AW/RED most desirable combo.

 

thanks guys i think ill start looking at manual instead of smg since thats what most people recommend.......and im also hearing bad stuff about the smg..and how much slower are the vert compared to the coupe......thanks

 

Go drive them both. I personally hate the clunkyness (for lack of a better word) of the SMG. If you have driven a 430 or other paddle shifted cars, the SMG is at the bottom of the list IMO. The M series cars are best in manual.

 

thanks luis i think ill go test drivde a few today.......

 

The SMG can be a pain with some slower driving situations. I used to work for the dealer and the SMG would "buck" (for lack of a better term?) when driving really slow. Pain in the ***, there is nothing that can fix it, and it just looks like you can't drive a stick.

Go with the manual, you won't be disappointed.

 

my m3 smg is from 07.2002 and i have no problem with the gearbox.

 

Don't be so quick to knock SMG unless you have lived with one. An occasional drive or even a test drive won't reveal the system's strenghts or weaknesses. It takes several weeks to get used to the tranny. It is definitely a compromise. Make sure you understand the pros and cons of the system by talking to people who own M3s with the SMG via this forum or m3forum.net.

My opinion: After owning several cars with manual transmissions, I took the plunge and bought an SMG. After several years of ownership, I don't regret the decision one bit. Sure, relative to a manual, the SMG can be frustrating at times during the commute. But, once you begin driving aggresively on the road or the track, the system really out shines the 6MT.

Regarding which model year M3 you should buy, like others have said, 2003.5+ will give you a car with the LED lights and an engine that didn't need to be recalled for the bearing rod. And since you want a vert, the competition package (aka ZCP package) is out of the question.

 

People discredited SMG way too fast. The SMG system was never changed throughout production of the E46 so just find a car you like.