[Cyrano]

Greets people,

does anybody know if the SMG that is being currently installed in the new 330Ci is different from the "classic" one, the one that had problems with sports driving?

I read somewhere that the new SMG is actually a heir of the M3 SMG II, can anybody confirm this?

Thanks!

Daniel

 

[FSelekler]

That is correct Cyrano, "SSG" in the current 3 series is a derivation or detuned version of the E46 M3's SMG II; and it is not the SMG I that was used in the E36 M3.

 

[Cyrano]

That is correct Cyrano, "SSG" in the current 3 series is a derivation or detuned version of the E46 M3's SMG II; and it is not the SMG I that was used in the E36 M3.

Hmm I'm not sure I understand "detuned"... meaning "toned down"?

That's my problem, you see... I've heard SSG for 330Ci is not very responsive when it comes to sports driving... do you know if they solved the flaws of the first SMG?

Thanks!

Daniel

 

[alee]

Hmm I'm not sure I understand "detuned"... meaning "toned down"?

It's less aggressive, has slower shifting speeds, and has less "modes" than SMG II. Oh, and only 5 forward gears (vs. 6 in the SMG II).

So it's toned down. It's easy to see how SMG II can be faster than a traditional manual shifting car (even when the manual is driven by a pro).

I'm not completely convinced that SSG will be faster than a manual. I could be wrong though.

 

[fuz]

It would at least be more convient than a regular manual in traffic, and is more foolproof in downshifting at high revs. It does automatic toe and heel...

Haven't really heard much since I'm in the US and not Europe.

 

[Kaz]

Aside from the mechanical tranny difference (the trannies themselves are more or less the same as the normal ones), the 2 systems, IIRC, have totally different electro/hydraulics from each other. SMGII is from Siemens, and SSG is from Magneti Marelli, who supplies Alfa's Selespeed and its Ferrari 'F1' cousin.

Given that it's said that S1 on SMGII shifts faster than the fastest that Ferrari's system can manage, I think that says a lot.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks for all the updates guys, I'll rethink the decision of ordering the 330Ci with SMG before I can talk to the dealer and test it myself.

I'm looking for responsivity in all driving conditions, so if SMG is optimized only for traffic, I'll go for manual.

Thanks again!

Daniel

 

[Imola Ed]

Given that it's said that S1 on SMGII shifts faster than the fastest that Ferrari's system can manage, I think that says a lot.

You mean S6, right? S1 is the slowest setting. S6 is sport mode and is only accessible with DSC off.