posted 04-27-2002 03:37 PM            

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Originally posted by george:
Hello everyone
i'm from down under. My concern is don't know which one to order SMG or the manual. It sounds like the SMG is fun to drive but also sounds a little confusing to operate. I've always driven manuals. Or do I just flip a coin heads manual tails SMG. Is there anyone that experienced both M3s. The wait in Australia is 2 years and the cost is 160K the price went up 5K in 3 months. hope you can help.
cheers

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posted 04-28-2002 12:14 AM            

Most of the folks who have ordered SMG, even those who have driven manual transmissions for years, are very happy with it. A few folks have complained that it is either "less involving" than working the clutch pedal manually or is rough compared to a shiftable automatic like Steptronic.

I've had my SMG-equipped M3 for four weeks; it replaced an E36 328iC 5-speed that I bought new five years ago. So far I absolutely love the car, though I'm reserving full judgement until I get through the break-in period and can get into the upper RPM range (where supposedly SMG really shines). Having said that, I believe I would also have loved it with the manual clutch.

In the US SMG is a US$2400 option, which could be a factor, though I've heard that it doesn't cost any extra in Australia. In the US, SMG-equipped cars include Rear Park Distance Control at no extra charge; I would not have ordered PDC if it hadn't been included, but now that I have it I find it surprisingly useful.

posted 04-29-2002 01:24 AM            

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Originally posted by Turbo FREAK:
but what happens if the rom is low and you dont shift from third to second?? does it start to stall like the manual or does it shift down automatically?

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posted 04-29-2002 01:17 PM            

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Originally posted by dglasser:
SMG will downshift automatically to prevent stalling.

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posted 05-01-2002 02:03 AM            

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Originally posted by george:
Thanks for the feed back. Is it true that 1st to 2nd in the 6 speeds is notchy. What color is your car. Yes it is true SMG is a no cost option. 2 year wait is crazy . Thanks for the feed back

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Happy to be of assistance. I have no personal experience with the conventional manual in this car, so I can't comment directly, but I've heard similar things about the 1st to 2nd, esp. when the car is cold.

My car (a convertible) is Titanium Silver with the black top and Imola Red leather seats. You can see a few pictures here: http://forums.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/archives/forum.php?postid=408866

posted 05-01-2002 02:10 AM            

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Originally posted by Turbo FREAK:
I have never driven an M3 to tell you if it is notchy or not but SMG does cost an extra 2400K dollars

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2400K dollars would be a lot for SMG.