SMG vs. 6 spd stick

Matt,

I'm about to spec one myself and have had the same thoughts. My sales lady told me a few weeks ago that BMW sent out a bulletin saying that they should not allow their customers to believe that SMG was equivalent to an automatic. It requires the same thought process a manual transmission does, even though it is computer controlled. I've seen various owners posts saying essentially the same thing. SMG does have the automatic mode, but it still is not really an automatic transmission. Hopefully one of the guys with recent experience will add to your thread.

I'm still planning on SMG for my order btw. Good luck!

Matt,

I traded a 95 325is (manual) I had for a 98 A4 (Tip). While I don't regret the A4 ownership experience, I do regret getting it with Tip... Back in 98, that was news (at least in terms of Audi), and I thought I could get used to it... Yeah, right... :tsk:

If you think you'll miss the manual tranny, trust me, you will...

30 days with SMG

It is a different transmission. It does have a clutch, does not have a clutch pedal. Wheather you are in auto or sequential mode you can aid shifting to save your clutch. A slight lift when up or down shifting will ease that drivetrain clunk you get with power shifting. Unlike an auto, it won't hold you on a hill.

The auto mode 3 is very nice in city traffic, and sequential 5 or 6 is great when really pounding some country curvy road. You will never be able to downshift as quick or as smoothly as this box does.

And for those "certain" times, as a bonus, you have Lauch Control.

Only had mine for 30 days, but I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at how soon they need a clutch when they try to hot rod this car as an automatic.

I got to test drive an SMG equipped M3 the other day:

1. Amazing technology
2. Still rather have a 6-speed
3. For a glorified "step" there's no auto mode.
4. Fun to drive but to me it's more of a novelty
5. Using "Launch Mode" 4 to 6 times will void your warranty

That given, give me a 6-speed anyday.

Clem said:

I got to test drive an SMG equipped M3 the other day:

3. For a glorified "step" there's no auto mode.

Click to expand...

There is an Auto mode...

Clem said:

I got to test drive an SMG equipped M3 the other day:

1. Amazing technology
2. Still rather have a 6-speed
3. For a glorified "step" there's no auto mode.
4. Fun to drive but to me it's more of a novelty
5. Using "Launch Mode" 4 to 6 times will void your warranty

That given, give me a 6-speed anyday.

Click to expand...

Uh oh. I suspect that those hood stripes will be the Next Big Thing in 3XXCi/i "performance" mods.

launch control and the warranty...

is it true that launch control slips the clutch a bit, too?

is this why CLem suggests that using it 4-6 times will void the warranty?

the clutch being a wear and tear item, i.e. not truly covered under warranty?

Clem, Launce Control

If, launch control is set at 3800 RPM in Eu, and only 1800 in states why would 5 or 6 launches void warrenty on clutch.

Since L.C. is an undocumented feature of SMG how could BMW tell someone they have voided an unknown warrenty feature? Too many bmws are sold to lawyers in this country to have that scenario fly.

I have a feeling that the LC warrenty voidance stories are just street stories, but would like to see a STB or memo of anykind from BMWUSA to that effect.

Has anyone actually seen any real evidence?

As far as I know, there is NO pre-set limit on launches, either here or worldwide. There were rumors that 30 launches would void the warranty in the UK, but that was proven to be false.

Since clutch replacement is hardly ever covered by warranty anyway, it's no surprise that using launch control could be expensive.

Re: Clem, Launce Control

pj1234 said:

If, launch control is set at 3800 RPM in Eu, and only 1800 in states why would 5 or 6 launches void warrenty on clutch.

Since L.C. is an undocumented feature of SMG how could BMW tell someone they have voided an unknown warrenty feature? Too many bmws are sold to lawyers in this country to have that scenario fly.

I have a feeling that the LC warrenty voidance stories are just street stories, but would like to see a STB or memo of anykind from BMWUSA to that effect.

Has anyone actually seen any real evidence?

Click to expand...

No real evidence, but I was told by salesmen and service reps that it would.