SMG and BMW

I miss my 325xi · 08-16-2005, 10:41 PM

So first off, can someone explain to me what exactly is SMG. From what I gather it's an automatic, that has 3 modes of drive. tap, auto and something like steptronic?

And concerning the new M3 (E90); what would be the pros of getting it with SMG as opposed to a manual. I'm seriously considering the next M3 as my next purchase and I just wanted to see the difference between the two.

P.S...I'm not quite good at a manual yet, so if there is strong opposition to an SMG transmission, that means I have to learn how to drive a manual real soon.

blueStreak · 08-16-2005, 10:47 PM

Currently, you can forget SMG in the e90 because they pulled that from the options. Quick and dirty about SMG: it's a manual transmission with a clutch. It's just that the clutch isn't operated by you, which is why some may get confused and think it is an automatic. But it is completely devoid of a torque converter.

visor · 08-17-2005, 01:28 AM

BMW cancelled the SMG on the e90 for North America, most likely I think is because they're working on the SSG transmission, ie. dual clutch much like Audi's DSG. The beauty of dual clutch is that there is no hang time where the clutch is disconnected from the engine, even for a split second. Hence, there is no jerking, and the shifts are much smoother than the SMG, which many people were complaining about because they expected it to drive like an auto when they were too lazy to shift for themselves.

E90Fleet · 08-17-2005, 03:28 AM

Only the USA isnt getting SMG, the rest of the world will

As said its a manual gearbox fitted to a computer oprated clutch and gear selector

It has 2 buttons on the steering wheel, press oone an you go up a gear, press the other and you go down a gear

It has a crude auto mode, but it really isnt nice

A lot of people find the SMG too jerky, so I would suggest you test drive a caar with SMG first, but not a //M car, since their SMG is more sophisticated

I miss my 325xi · 08-17-2005, 04:27 AM

Ah, yes I am aware of the clunking problem. Maserati got an awful review for their system..

Perhaps the SSG system is anticipated for the new M3 or projected 335i turbo?

08-16-2005, 10:41 PM	#1
I miss my 325xi Private 29 Rep 76 Posts Drives: '02 325xi(retired) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	SMG and BMW So first off, can someone explain to me what exactly is SMG. From what I gather it's an automatic, that has 3 modes of drive. tap, auto and something like steptronic? And concerning the new M3 (E90); what would be the pros of getting it with SMG as opposed to a manual. I'm seriously considering the next M3 as my next purchase and I just wanted to see the difference between the two. P.S...I'm not quite good at a manual yet, so if there is strong opposition to an SMG transmission, that means I have to learn how to drive a manual real soon. __________________ 2002 325xi/Steel Blue/Steptronic/Myrtle Trim/Beige
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08-16-2005, 10:47 PM	#2
blueStreak Private First Class 1 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 550i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Currently, you can forget SMG in the e90 because they pulled that from the options. Quick and dirty about SMG: it's a manual transmission with a clutch. It's just that the clutch isn't operated by you, which is why some may get confused and think it is an automatic. But it is completely devoid of a torque converter.
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08-17-2005, 01:28 AM	#3
visor BMW, can I have some LSD please? 88 Rep 1,591 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	BMW cancelled the SMG on the e90 for North America, most likely I think is because they're working on the SSG transmission, ie. dual clutch much like Audi's DSG. The beauty of dual clutch is that there is no hang time where the clutch is disconnected from the engine, even for a split second. Hence, there is no jerking, and the shifts are much smoother than the SMG, which many people were complaining about because they expected it to drive like an auto when they were too lazy to shift for themselves.
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08-17-2005, 03:28 AM	#4
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Only the USA isnt getting SMG, the rest of the world will As said its a manual gearbox fitted to a computer oprated clutch and gear selector It has 2 buttons on the steering wheel, press oone an you go up a gear, press the other and you go down a gear It has a crude auto mode, but it really isnt nice A lot of people find the SMG too jerky, so I would suggest you test drive a caar with SMG first, but not a //M car, since their SMG is more sophisticated
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08-17-2005, 04:27 AM	#5
I miss my 325xi Private 29 Rep 76 Posts Drives: '02 325xi(retired) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Ah, yes I am aware of the clunking problem. Maserati got an awful review for their system.. Perhaps the SSG system is anticipated for the new M3 or projected 335i turbo? __________________ 2002 325xi/Steel Blue/Steptronic/Myrtle Trim/Beige
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