posted 05-05-2001 01:23 PM            

The only prices I have seen are rumors and/or european prices. Based on this, I think it's probably going to be around $2500 to $3500 option.

The Sequesntial M Gearbox (SMG) has an electronically actuated clutch with paddles on the steering wheel to switch gears (also has the traditional stickshift). What it does not have is the clutch on the floor since it is done by the gearbox. The benefit is that you have a real "manual" gearbox without the need to heel/toe...double clutch, etc. It's similar to the F1 system in the Ferrari. I have read, however, that the SMG II is almost twice as fast as the Ferrari in gearshifts.

Here is an article from the "BMW Magazine" (1/2001). "BMW Magazine" is the publication sent out to BMW owners.

If you have more info, please post them here!

posted 05-15-2001 06:03 PM            

quote:

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This high-tech feature manages instantaneous gear changes via shift levers on the streering wheel.

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posted 06-08-2001 12:58 PM            

I've just finalised options for an M3 Convertible being built in the first week of September and have opted for the SMGII gearbox as an option. The price here is £2400 (about $3800).

The other optional extras I've gone for are the Harmon-Kardon Stereo, 19" wheels, Sat. Nav with TV Monitor. The car itself is very well specced for the UK market already, but I wont tell you what I'm paying as it's way more than what it costs in the states.

If you want some more info on the SMG box then follow the link below and the SMG option will lead you to a very helpful Flash section.
http://www.bmw.com/bmwe/products/special/

posted 06-24-2001 05:10 PM            

And a reccomendation to What_Speed_Trap?, dump the Harman Kardon stereo. I took to delivery of my M3 a month ago. It's a convertible, with 19" wheels, and Sat. Nav. and a T.V. monitor, integrated Motorolla phone, and rear parking sensor. If I were you I'd take the Sat. Nav. and T.V. monitor, and phone, but forget the Harmon Kardon and spend the money getting a custom stereo system from a proffesional shop. The stereo is good, but not wow. Don't be expecting to blow your ears off with the Harmon Kardon. Especially with the top down. You'll lose most of the sound in the air. Other than that the car is real sweet. Driving under 120km/h with the top up you'll never feel it's a convertible. I had a guy ride my car and didn't notice it was a convertible until I told him. Getting a hardtop would be agood idea, but I'm gonna wait to see what Hamman comes up with. I hear they're making one for the M3. I think it sould be worth the wait.
Thanks

posted 06-27-2001 12:16 AM            

My dealer did confirm that it will be coming to the US.

posted 07-22-2001 10:00 AM            

Can anyone tell me how the SMGII will perform compared to the 6-speed manual? One thing I never quite understood about these pseudo-manual transmissions is how one would launch the car from a stop? There's no more clutch to maintain the car at a certain RPM before launching right?

posted 07-24-2001 02:11 PM            

For the F1, there are two paddles, the right one shifts up, the left one down. Pulling both back places it in neutral. To start from a stop, pull the right lever to put the car in 1st gear (you can also start out in 2nd, too). Press down on the gas, the computer engages the clutch, and you're off. You have to modulate the gas just as you would with a normal clutch. It does have an odd feeling, like someone else is operating the clutch while you are operating the gas. It's very hard to start out smoothly. Once underway, and once the tranny is warmed up, the shifts are smooth. In sport mode, and when you shift over 7000 RPM, the shifts are very quick (200ms). Downshifts are double clutched. It's quite awesome! I can't wait to see how BMW improved upon it. The Ferrari system has a long way to go before it's smooth enough to replace a torque converter.
I've tried putting the F1 in automatic mode, but it annoys the hell out of me, so I almost never use it...

posted 09-07-2001 08:52 AM              

I need to know before I put my '02 order in soon.

posted 10-01-2001 08:47 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frank:
I read in a press release that the SMG II will be available for the E46 M3 in fall of 2001 as a 2002 model.

The only prices I have seen are rumors and/or european prices. Based on this, I think it's probably going to be around $2500 to $3500 option.

The Sequesntial M Gearbox (SMG) has an electronically actuated clutch with paddles on the steering wheel to switch gears (also has the traditional stickshift). What it does not have is the clutch on the floor since it is done by the gearbox. The benefit is that you have a real "manual" gearbox without the need to heel/toe...double clutch, etc. It's similar to the F1 system in the Ferrari. I have read, however, that the SMG II is almost twice as fast as the Ferrari in gearshifts.

Here is an article from the "BMW Magazine" (1/2001). "BMW Magazine" is the publication sent out to BMW owners.

If you have more info, please post them here!

[This message has been edited by Frank (edited 05-05-2001).]

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posted 10-03-2001 06:57 PM            

Message Title: BMW response re: SMG II
Posted by: AKSteve on 2001-10-03 at 15:30:29
(posted from: Host: 181-203-237-24-cable.anchorageak.net IP: 24.237.203.181)

Message:

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC. I work with Tom
Salkowsky who has shared your inquiry with me. There are
some slight
differences between European and US versions of SMG.

There is a feature in Europe called the Launch control
function, or S6, which allows the driver to perform race style
starts. We
looked at the requirements for maintenance that come with this
feature, as
well as the restrictions on how often you can use it, and decided
that it
was not an appropriate feature for the U.S. market. We know
that some
customers will be disappointed, but after having tested the
system here in
the U.S. we were convinced that customers would be more
disappointed in the
long run with it than without it.

In terms of all the other functions, they are identical.
However, we have renamed one function "gradient assist". To
make it clearer
as to what it does, BMW NA calls it "hill start assist." This
function
allows the driver, on a steep incline, to apply the brake pedal and
pull
back one of the paddles, which will allow the car to NOT roll
backwards.
Then, once the driver releases the paddle, he has a few
seconds to move his
foot from the brake to the gas pedal and begin to move forward.

The SMG gearbox brings a very high level of technology to
our M owners. It also enables those who cannot drive an M3
with a clutch
pedal to order a MY 2002 M3 with SMG and experience the F1
style shifting
and the "automated" shelf shifting mode.

posted 10-08-2001 04:49 PM            

What all of want to know is will the S5 mode here in the USA be equivelent to the S6 mode in Europe with out Launch Control.

posted 11-24-2001 01:10 PM              

quote:

---

Originally posted by FrankRizzo:
It is ABSOLUTELY NOT true that the lists are unbelievable. I decided about a month ago that I wanted one (a 2002 M3 with SMG), and e-mailed every dealer in the US. I found a dealer, (no I won't tell you who), who had a VERY SHORT list. By his estimates, I'll have it in December, or January. So, If you live somewhere other than the west coast, and want an M3, call around! (Just a quick note about what's going on in case you ARE just now starting to make the rounds like I did.. There are SEVERAL dealers who have a small to non-existant list. But don't get your hopes up. The reason they have no list is that they are charging over MSRP. From $3K-$15K over list. Avoid these dealers like to plague, and maybe they'll get the hint).

---

Frank mentioned about emailing every BMW Dealer in US but is there somewhere I can get a email addresses of them. Any Help??

Thanks

posted 12-16-2001 07:04 PM              

quote:

---

Originally posted by arowanaly:
How much is a reasonable price to pay when buying a 2002 BMW M3 with the auto trans? Should it cost around 60K before tax? For you M3 owners, what is a reasonable amount to deposit and how long is the wait for a M3 to be delivered? Thanks and Good Luck with your cars.

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Now that I got my whine about SMG vs. automatic out of the way...

This is pretty market-specific, and I assuming you're talking about the U.S., but here's one piece of anecdotal evidence: I ordered my SMG-equipped M3 yesterday. I'm paying MSRP and was told to expect it in early April or possibly late March.

If you're willing to travel or pay someone a little for their slot (see the eBay auctions), you might get it sooner.

posted 12-18-2001 11:27 AM            

A must read!