Looking to purchase a e46 m3 or a e9x m3 or m5/m6 depending on what i find

currently driving a 645ci and 996

how is SMG? i've driven it on the e46 m3 and m6 and was quite jerky, but i've heard that with the update on software? its not as jerky

inputs please

thanks

 

There were a couple software updates on the E46 SMGII. But the jerkiness isn't as big of an issue once you "learn" how to drive an SMG car.

Lots of little tricks, like staying on the gas when shifting, and using a light foot on the gas when at a stop.

They are somewhat clunky, but you either love it or hate it. They are pretty bullet proof aside from the occasional pump failure, and normal clutch wear and tear.

Replace the salmon colored SMG relay on the E46 cars, and make sure the software is up to date. That's about it.

 

The salmon relay should've been done at the dealership as it was part of a tsb. You can always check records at the dealership for that info.

As for the smg, you have to drive it like a manual. If you try to drive it like an auto, its going to drive like absolute garbage. No tq converter, remember that. Its a manual, through and through, so drive it that way and you wont experience the jerkiness.
And yes, there have been updates. I think the most recent smg update was about a year ago,... maybe a year and half.

Otherwise, the smg system is great. Its wonderful on the track b/c it allows you to really concentrate on your driving, keeping your hands on the wheel, utilizing the paddles to shift.

I have no complaints w/ mine. I have 80k on it right now.

 

I couldn't agree more with the above posts. I always joke with my friends and say that SMG is like Texas Hold'em. It takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master.

Drive it like you're driving a regular manual car. If you drive as though you're actually revmatching the car, it will be smooth as can be. Otherwise it can definitely be jerky.

 

I have about 4k on my e46M SMG.

I have to say it's pretty fun. The main thing I like about it, is that it's raw.

I personally like the gut-wrenching shifts that you can "feel"

If you don't like this, get DCT. I hear it's alot smoother as well as faster.

 

Actually its pretty cool. It depends on what you like. You need to drive it like a manual. It is very F1 rough style and you do need to get used to it. If you buy it thinking its like an automatic you will be disappointed. But if you buy it looking for a raw shifting experience you will like it. Personally I liked it. I owned my e46 M3 from new. It was a 2004 and I put about 24,000 miles on it before I sold it to buy my wifes wedding ring!...JK shes worth it. But it was a great car...very fun to drive. PM if you have more questions on it.

 

any inputs for the new e9x m3 or the m5/m6 ?

thanks for all the info guys!

 

you can't compare those cars to an e46M.

Totally different machines.

 

in my OP i've said i've driven a e46 m3
but i want to know about the newer e9x m3 and the m5/m6 smg so i can get a rough comparision

 

The newer m3 is pretty cool. It's alot more technilogically advanced ove the e46.
It's got DCT, which like I said is smoother and faster, but like many have said, the M cars are losing soul with every generation they bring out, unfortunately.

I personally will be getting an e90M later this year, hopefully without all the gizmos and gadgets.. And it will most likely be my last M car, (now that their coming in FI)

Can't comment on m5/m6, but from reading around the m5 is one hell of a car for being so large.

 

I've had my M6 SMG for 2 years now, absolutely love it.

DCT is an upgrade over SMG, but SMG offers a certain rawness that sits between complete automation (DCT/Automatics) and a manual transmission.

 

My bad on the earlier post. I read SMG and commented on that.
SMGII in E46 M3 Very jerky and raw
SMGIII in M5/M6 still jerky and raw but smoother
Both of the above use a single automated clutch with servos

DCT or Double Clutch Transmission is very smooth and can be raw when chosen to be or selected. It has two clutches, essentially two transmissions mated into one. Each gear is preselected up or down for instantaneous shifts. But it is miles ahead of SMG for smoothness.

Ferrari has done the same F1 transmissions were single clutch Sequential Manual Transmissions, They now use Double clutch transmissions as most cars are headed toward. Like the California and the new 458 Italia. Im not comparing Ferrari to BMW just saying the technology, but many other car manufacturers are headed this route. BMW was one of the first though to put such a sweet option in their cars. The SMG or sequential manual gearbox was one of very few cars this side of a ferrari or lamborghini that it came available on. Super cool stuff. Now double clutch is taking over the market!

 

It might take a while to get used to it. But you'll eventually learn how to drive it smooth and learn some tricks like dropping the clutch as if you were in a 3 pedal car.

 

Why not just get a manual?

 

I don't get comments like this, op obviously doesn't want manual.. Why bring in this silly question?

Besides, dct is quicker anyway