[geettee]

Have found that SMG II is not suitable for HPDE track days.
Even on its fastest setting, SMG II change gears too slowly to have a smooth down or up shift. And when it does shift it is abrupt and upsets the rear to front balance which can be dangerous when getting ready to enter a corner.

Anyone know if there is a software fix for the slow shifts?

 

[heztheone]

well the SMG II IS faster then a manual, up-shifting and down-shifting...
sorry i can't point you to a place for a software upgrade (as i'm not in the US ) but i googled and yes you can upgrade your software at the dealership or an indy
good luck !

 

[Pinecone]

I find the SMG II to be great on the track.

You need to do a slightly lift as you shift to smooth it out. But then again, you should not be shifting unless the car is pretty much in a straight line anyway.

But if you want it to shift slower, select a lower setting than S5.

BTW I instruct in various HPDE events.

 

[remington]

SMGII shifts faster than a non-SMG, and that it was designed specifically for track use and has been shown in the hands of skilled drivers to produce faster lap times. Get some track days with training under your belt, that will shave many seconds off your lap times. Tuning your ride is best left until after you've tuned your skills.

 

[heztheone]

i don't think he's having troubles tracking, he's having troubles with the shifting speed of his SMG :dunno:

 

[Pinecone]

It shifts faster than he can.

I don't think he understands that you can't just pull the paddle and point the car. You need to learn to drive SMG.

And if the balance of the car is upset, you are shifting at the wrong place. It seems that with SMG people feel that they can shift in the middle of turn for some reason.

 

[mwhiteknight]

May be your smg need service. Change smg fluid and test it again. Btw how many miles the car have

 

[geettee]

The car has 54000 miles. Had the SMG fluid changed two years ago and hydraulic pump replaced cry 18 months ago. The venue was at the new and challenging The Ridge Motorsports Park http://www.ridgemotorsportspark.com/

The instructor tried to get the SMG to shift smoothly but no luck. Anyone who had not driven on the track before had an instructor regardless of skill level (intermediate in my case). The shifts were made before turn-in, track out, and on straightaways. Having drove manuals before it felt like I am able to shift smoother and faster than the SMG.

BTW the track event was organized by the Puget Sound BMW CCA.
I do appreciate the input from everyone.

 

[geettee]

I should add the M3 is a 2006 and the SMG fluid was replaced with Red Line.

 

[mwhiteknight]

my SMG is 05 and I can change gear as slow and smooth as butter or as hard and fast as a hammer. If your shift slow and not smooth then it is not working properly. I would change it to factory fluid, do a SMG reset and try again.

 

[Pinecone]

As I have mentioned, you have to learn to do a slight lift to get a smooth shift, especially in S5/6. Just keeping your foot on the floor will give a very abrupt shift. And if you can beat the car in S5/6, something is wrong with the system.

As fro fluid, are you talking about the tranny fluid or the actual SMG hydraulic fluid? The SMG hydraulic system should have the factory hydraulic fluid, IMO.

I no longer use RedLine fluids in any of my cars. I use BMW LTF2 fluid in my trannies. But Royal Purple or Mobil 1 are also good choices.

 

[geettee]

Duplicate message deleted.

 

[geettee]

mwhiteknight: I'll do a SMG reset and see what happens.

Pinecone, I'm not sure what you mean by "S5/6". I'll work on your suggestion about doing a slight lift when shifting.
Red Line replaced the tranny fluid. The hydraulic has the BMW fluid.

 

[Pinecone]

There is a little switch down behind the shifter. That sets the SMG performance level.

S1 - S5 normally, and S6 only if DSC is turned off.

The level is indcated by the bars in the display (like cell phone signal bars). There will be some number colored in, and some outlined. If all are fully colored you are in S5 or S6 (depending on DSC on or off). Both S5 and S6 shift at 80 ms when at full throttle.

If you have no idea about this, you are likely in S1 - S3, which will shift much slower.

 

[geettee]

Thanks Pinecone. We were changing between S4 and 5 trying to get it to shift smoother. DSC was not allowed to be turned off.
Will be going to a different track - PIR (portland international raceway) in 3 weeks and will see how it goes. Thanks you to everyone.

 

[MJS]

DSC was not allowed to be turned off.

Seriously? DSC is more of a hazard when on than off at the track. I've never driven with DSC on at a track event.

 

[Pinecone]

It depends on the people running the event. Some prefer beginners to have DSC on. I prefer it off.

SMG in S4 or S5 will NOT shift gently. YOU have to make it shift smoothly by using the throttle, just like you would with a manual. Would you shift a manual with your foot flat on the floor?

 

[AlroyJetson]

Pinecone your posts are really informative. Keep at it!

 

[Pinecone]

Thanks

 

[macming]

Have found that SMG II is not suitable for HPDE track days.
Even on its fastest setting, SMG II change gears too slowly to have a smooth down or up shift. And when it does shift it is abrupt and upsets the rear to front balance which can be dangerous when getting ready to enter a corner.

Anyone know if there is a software fix for the slow shifts?

Are you driving the car in AUTO mode? The SMG and the PDK system in the 2013 Boxster upsets the balance of the car near the limit in AUTO mode.

My SMG is great for track use. The shifts points are triggered by me, while slightly lifting the throttle. As a result, my shifts are typically seamless and when I'm not at the absolute limit, I can eve shift in the middle of a corner.

I typically only shift while trail braking or just before, I find that I'm a lot easier on the tranny/clutch. There was never any clutch burning smell in car, where as my friends with manuals always have a burning smell in their cabin.