[Briteboy[iCE]]

Why does everyone get their panties in a bunch when there's talk of future BMW's being SMG-only (and no manual)? I got SMG on my e46 M3 and would not ever trade it for manual. The latest SMG technology shifts the car faster than any manual driver could. so why would you purposely choose a transmission that you know is slower than SMG??

[Daveop]

I like SMG and am planning on getting it in the new 3 series. WOOHOO

[MTMnet]

Shifting with a clutch and stick just seem more engaging and more fun in my opinion.

Howerver, I would think that the average driver would do better on the track with SMG.

I'm looking forward to a 4 door E90 M3 and with 3 pedals and leather stick shift!

///Mike

[blackpanther]

Originally Posted by MTMnet

Shifting with a clutch and stick just seem more engaging and more fun in my opinion.

Howerver, I would think that the average driver would do better on the track with SMG.

I'm looking forward to a 4 door E90 M3 and with 3 pedals and leather stick shift!

///Mike

Ditto!... and me sitting in it!

[jiggz]

IMO - 2 pedals = no fun for everyday driving. If I was buying the car for tracking, I'd go for SMG, but otherwise....never.

[mad-azn]

Originally Posted by jiggz

IMO - 2 pedals = no fun for everyday driving. If I was buying the car for tracking, I'd go for SMG, but otherwise....never.

I really think true auto enthusiasts love being able to have complete control over the car as manual allows. But SMG is now faster than manual, so I dunno what to get for my next car anymore

[Reckamech]

I believe the resistance to SMG will fade when more people try it and see that it is the future. With the new E90 M3 comming in the future I would be hard pressed not to get the SMG. The shifts will be soooooo quick and not to mention the programable shifting speeds like in the E60 M5. The new M3 is supposed to get a variation of the SMG 3.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by mad-azn

I really think true auto enthusiasts love being able to have complete control over the car as manual allows. But SMG is now faster than manual, so I dunno what to get for my next car anymore

True, the SMG shifts faster than a manual, but is that more important or desirable than having a true manual? I would rate 3 pedals vs. 2 are more critical than the speed in which the tranny shifts. If the manual had long, clumsy throws, then maybe I'd pick the SMG

[Tony]

F1 race cars have two pedals and utilize paddle shifters to shift gears without a clutch. F1 is the most advanced form of motor racing in the world. Not everthing on a race car works on the street but this is an exception. The closer I am to that setup the happier I am. I've been driving manuals for over 15 years. SMG provides quicker, faster shifts, is more fuel efficient, and doesn't wear the clutch as fast as a traditional manual. SMG is one of the main reasons why I will be purchasing a 330i. IMO, the 3 pedal setup is old-fashioned. Kind of reminds me of the “choke” old cars used to have back in the day. Once car manufactures realize that a computer operated clutch is easier on components that a human, I’m sure that we will see more SMG like systems.

[Petey]

Originally Posted by Tony

F1 race cars have two pedals and utilize paddle shifters to shift gears without a clutch. F1 is the most advanced form of motor racing in the world. Not everthing on a race car works on the street but this is an exception. The closer I am to that setup the happier I am. I've been driving manuals for over 15 years. SMG provides quicker, faster shifts, is more fuel efficient, and doesn't wear the clutch as fast as a traditional manual. SMG is one of the main reasons why I will be purchasing a 330i. IMO, the 3 pedal setup is old-fashioned. Kind of reminds me of the “choke” old cars used to have back in the day. Once car manufactures realize that a computer operated clutch is easier on components that a human, I’m sure that we will see more SMG like systems.

Good points Tony. There's definitely something to be said for taking advantage of and benefitting from the latest automotive technology out there. But I feel there's empirical benefits that manual offers which SMG-type transmissions just don't. As the latest Automotive Magazine review of the E90 put it:
"... there's a more sensual pleasure to be gained from matching hand and foot movements, particularly with a short-throw, narrow-gated shifter like this one."

But, to each his own... as long as we all enjoy our cars to the max, that's what matters

[davinet78]

Originally Posted by Briteboy[iCE]

Why does everyone get their panties in a bunch when there's talk of future BMW's being SMG-only (and no manual)? I got SMG on my e46 M3 and would not ever trade it for manual. The latest SMG technology shifts the car faster than any manual driver could. so why would you purposely choose a transmission that you know is slower than SMG??

the clutch sensation and feel of control with a clutch is second to none.

[onesixeight]

Originally Posted by Briteboy[iCE]

Why does everyone get their panties in a bunch when there's talk of future BMW's being SMG-only (and no manual)? I got SMG on my e46 M3 and would not ever trade it for manual. The latest SMG technology shifts the car faster than any manual driver could. so why would you purposely choose a transmission that you know is slower than SMG??

For me, it's that I don't like SMG, I just don't think SMG isn't well suited for everyday driving. Those flappy paddle gearboxes are very jerky in everyday driving and in full automatic mode are often confused and shift very slowly.

For me, there is no feeling in car like banging out a perfect heel-toe downshift in a proper manual gearbox.

[roburado]

Didn't they cancel SMG for the E90?

No SMG thread

[onesixeight]

Originally Posted by roburado

Didn't they cancel SMG for the E90?

No SMG thread

Yes...For U.S. Bound cars...

I think the non-M SMG cars definetly need more refinement...the E46 330 and 645 SMGs I drove are not as well suited to the car as the SMG units in the E46 M3s.

[e90fanatic]

btw...they took out SMG for e90 and e46 (non-M)

[Hula-Hula]

I don't hate SMG... It's the new way. If they use it in F1, you know it's the best way! :rocks:
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Dream 50R

[Armen52]

If you drive Audi's DSG gearbox then drive SMG, you would see why SMG is pretty much obsolete now.

Audi DSG

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by Briteboy[iCE]

Why does everyone get their panties in a bunch when there's talk of future BMW's being SMG-only (and no manual)? I got SMG on my e46 M3 and would not ever trade it for manual. The latest SMG technology shifts the car faster than any manual driver could. so why would you purposely choose a transmission that you know is slower than SMG??

I didn't like it because it was jerky, non-intuitive, and I felt "hampered" by it more than anything else. I actually liked the DSG tranny in the Audi A3, though, and I think that this is the future of the paddle shifting. The Audi tech with this feature is better in my opinion. I liked the DSG so much I almost bought the A3 FOR the transmission, rather than in spite of it.

I agree that faster shifting is better in most cases, but it has to be user friendly, and not make you look and feel like a retard even when you are actually a pretty good driver. (lurching around when shifting, for example).Unfortunately, the SMG does that, or at least it did to me in the e46 M3 I drove, but then again maybe I don't know how to pull a paddle correctly...

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by Armen52

If you drive Audi's DSG gearbox then drive SMG, you would see why SMG is pretty much obsolete now.

Audi DSG

I've driven DSG aswell.. all I can say is WOW, it's awesome too! =)
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volcano vaporizers