I honestly thought I'd be the last person to make a thread with this title. And yes, I know it's been done way too many times before. With that said:

I'm finally looking (seriously) at cars now. Top of my list is the E46 M3 (used obviously). Please, please do not get into the debate about a young kid looking at such a powerful car. That's not what this thread is about.

I'm torn between 6 and SMG. I'm looking at two cars, one has 6 and the other has SMG. I haven't driven an M3 so I obviously can't compare...

I've heard SMG is good, once you get used to it, and both are very good transmissions for a great car. I'm not a purist or anything like that, or an old man who insists on a 6 speed.

On the other hand, I don't want to feel disconnected from the car. I do want to drive it and have fun though. I've never driven a paddle shift anything, but I'm pro () on a 997S stick...if that compares to anything. I know I should drive one of each, but it's hard in the used M3 market to do that...the cars I'm looking at are near L.A.

Opinions?

 

I love manual transmissions. I have one in my Element and my Atom. I don't find them to be even remotely a pain in the butt or anything like that. That being said, the SMG in my M3 was great and the SMG in my M5 is even better. I don't feel disconnected at all. On the contrary, I find them fun to drive because they are different.

 

This is what I want to hear!

Thank you...if only I could drive both back-to-back...

 

Stick + Clutch. Paddles are for girls.

 

LOL. I would have to agree.

 

I own an SMG M3 currently. I wouldnt buy one without (this is my 4th M car.) When BMW does the dual clutch thing, I'll buy one of those too.

 

+1 for that ^^I love driving with a stick shift, unless it isn't the vw dsg or an f430 paddle shift. they too fast to not choose

and congrats on getting a car man! you'll have plenty of fun in the e46

 

Go for 6speed

 

You need to drive both and decide for yourself. I'm in the market for one now and there is no question, 6-speed all the way unless a SMOKIN deal comes up on SMG.

 

Well if I find an amazing 330ci (04+), it will be 6 speed. I'm mainly looking at M3s but I'm a picky ***** about everything...

We'll see how my search goes.

 

Even if you drive them back to back it's hard to get a real picture. I owned a 6 speed and then sold it and was in the market again. I drove a few SMG cars and wasn't really thrilled. As I continued my search I focused on manuals, then a great deal popped up on an SMG car. I pulled the trigger.

On the drive home I was thinking, maybe this was a mistake. After a few thousand miles though, I was sold. A few of my friends with M3s thought it was trash too until I drove them around in it and they saw first hand that with some finesse, it can be shifted as smooth as butter or chirp the 275s at will on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Some have claimed that the SMG gets boring after a while, I never found that in the 10k I had mine.

The bottom line is that you really can't go wrong with either, but if you really want to get a good picture of how they compare you'll have to spend some substantial seat time in the SMG car to get a feel for it.

-Adam

 

Thanks Adam. That's what's hard about my situation. I have no real way of driving an SMG (or stick for that matter) car [that isn't mine] for extended periods of time. I would have to get used to it, and hope that I like it (alot). Many of the M3s I come across are SMG though, that may say something...

-Branden

 

this is slightly off topic but i think it is relevant: those of you who have the SMG's - how is the reliability? i know the new m5's have had a lot of problems but I have not heard of anything similar in the m3's.

I am most likely going to be getting an m3 in the near future and am leaning toward an smg so this is a good thread for me and especially if someone can comment on reliability. thanks.

 

Then somebody better tell F1 about it.

 

With values of '06 M5s dropping, it might be easier than you think.