SMG Transmission on 330Ci

2926 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by cenotaph, Mar 26, 2002

Ack

Discussion Starter · Mar 25, 2002 (Edited)

I just checked out the BMW international website and was looking at the brochure http://www.bmw.com/bmwe/products/automobiles/3er/coupe/index.html (under downloads) and noticed that it is showing the SMG transmission as an option on the 330Ci (end of page 7, bottom right). :yikes: Is this only for the German cars?

I know my dealer had said (and also there have been several posts) that as of March there is a change in the front end. He had no real details and said that they were waiting for the new brochures to come in. I was just wondering if SMG option is something new as of April also or if this is just the German cars . . . I would really like to get my hands on this and I might hold my current order if there is a way to pick up the SMG. I didn't even know this was going to be a option on any 3er except the M3!

The other thing I noticed was the aluminum trim on the steering wheel. This is a nice touch but the optional wood trim doesn't look like it belongs. What do you guys think?

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alee

· #2 · Mar 25, 2002

On the non-M E46, it will be called SSG, not SMG. It is not available in the US. It works the same way as SMG II, but:

a. Is made by a different manufacturer
b. Has 5 forward gears instead of 6
c. Has less "modes" than SMG II
d. Shifts slower than SMG II

If BMW does release it in the US, I doubt it will be before the 2004 model year. BMW NA has typically been very conservative when it comes to bringing items like this to the US. It is very much a marketing move, and I personally think they will decide the average E46 owner probably isn't "ready" for it yet.

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TD330ci

· #3 · Mar 26, 2002

alee said:
On the non-M E46, it will be called SSG, not SMG. It is not available in the US. It works the same way as SMG II, but:

a. Is made by a different manufacturer
b. Has 5 forward gears instead of 6
c. Has less "modes" than SMG II
d. Shifts slower than SMG II

If BMW does release it in the US, I doubt it will be before the 2004 model year. BMW NA has typically been very conservative when it comes to bringing items like this to the US. It is very much a marketing move, and I personally think they will decide the average E46 owner probably isn't "ready" for it yet.

Besides Alee, It would just mean another HUGE retrofit bill for you!!! :yikes: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

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alee

· #4 · Mar 26, 2002

TD330ci said:
Besides Alee, It would just mean another HUGE retrofit bill for you!!! :yikes: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Unfortunately, an SSG retrofit would involve stuff under the hood and going under my car. Considering I don't even change my own oil... I'd end up paying my dealer $20k to do the job for me.

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cenotaph

· #5 · Mar 26, 2002

alee said:
On the non-M E46, it will be called SSG, not SMG.

Not exactly. A while ago this was true, but, IIRC, BMW has started referring to both systems as SMG, or sequential manual gearbox. I vaguely recall an early thread here on the subject.

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