E46 M3 SMG- Reliability/ value for money

[Fly537]

I have the chance to get an 04 (facelift) M3 Smg, 88 000km, navy blue for 220k, fsh, 19'' wheels and xenons. I am just wandering about the reliability of the smg2 box? Planned mods, csl airbox, under drive pulleys, exhaust and software. Possibly a small shot of gas??? Car needs to be a useable, will use my bakkie daily- but weekend/ trips the M3, it needs to be drivable and reliable. Can the Smg box handle propose mods? Is 220k a good price for a mint e46 M3?

 

[Diablo Jnr]

From what I have heard, it is a good idea to stay clear of the SMG M3's. They dont seem to be as reliable as the manuals and cost and arm and leg to repair/replace. Best would be to be patient and get a manual.

 

[moranor@axis]

if you mod then you cant have MP and an SMG without MP is a bad idea... way better to get a manual...

 

[Fly537]

It's hard to find another m3 with same km/condition and price. Ok leave out the nos, how is loco-gp drag racing with and smg box.

 

[TheMo]

not sure if its reliable or not but sure is FUN, i have a 330i SMG no problems at all! and its a 2003 model :wave:
I want to get me a M3 next and will definitely be getting it in SMG even if people say its not reliable haha

 

[ANiMOSiTY]

This topic has been covered many times.

Its exactly the same gearbox as the manual - it just has extra hydraulic solenoids that do the gear-changes.
It is just as reliable as a manual. The only common fault is a relay failure which is a R100 fix.

SMG also means that the clutch won't have been abused.

 

[moranor@axis]

It's hard to find another m3 with same km/condition and price. Ok leave out the nos, how is loco-gp drag racing with and smg box.

pm loco and find out
mechanically from what i have read they fine its just when the electronics go spaz you have a problem... for me i will go manual every time because if something breaks you can put better stuff in im not sure you can get any after market parts for the smg...

 

[TheMo]

This topic has been covered many times.

Its exactly the same gearbox as the manual - it just has extra hydraulic solenoids that do the gear-changes.
It is just as reliable as a manual. The only common fault is a relay failure which is a R100 fix.

SMG also means that the clutch won't have been abused.

+1 :thumbsup: Agreed

 

[MikeR]

:dunno: SMG fun when working well....:throwup: bad when the gremlins creep in.
But you decide if u wish to take the chances. :mmm:

 

[M3_FTW]

I owned a 2004 SMG M3 for 4 years. Never had a day's issue with it. I bought it on 50 000 km's and sold it with 205 000 kms.

I loved it but am back in a Manual E90 M3 and loving the manual again.

I wouldnt do the CSL airbox, its a lot of hard work as you have to move from a MAF setup to an Alpha N setup. The software would also be an issue.

 

[" N1KHAR-ZN "]

With the mods on , the SMG can crumble. Manual would be better as you will be able to launch the car at which rev you want to , to get quickest off the line.

 

[Loco]

Dunno about "crumbling"...we've hit 250kW and the SMG box hasn't given me a day's hassle. I do wish I had a manual in Loco though. Can't go wrong with manuals...Cleo and them in Durban are running the times with a manual box.

 

[e23]

As in previous posts...

CSL ///M's like Loco + others are equipped with SMG. @first, I didn't dig the SMG box on my ///M but the more time I spent driving my car, understanding SMG & how to drive it, the more I enjoy the car everytime I drive it. The auto-blip on gearing down always leaves me :excited:

Yes - SMG can be "clunky" etc. & you have to get used to inclines in Auto Mode... It doesn't like speed humps but as I said - the more you drive your SMG ///M, the more u understand how it works

Thus far I've only replaced the "Salmon Relay" which was a simple DIY & cost me +-R150

:thumb:

 

[TheMo]

Loco saw your car in speed and sound lol :thumbsup:

 

[PRAVEEN M]

Dunno about "crumbling"...we've hit 250kW and the SMG box hasn't given me a day's hassle. I do wish I had a manual in Loco though. Can't go wrong with manuals...Cleo and them in Durban are running the times with a manual box.

Cleo and his guys have converted an smg to manual,it was actually simple and the car runs very strong and reliable.

 

[" N1KHAR-ZN "]

I've seen SMG's malfunction as a result of modifications. Nevertheless , auto-blip is wiiiiiiicked .

 

[Hit.M3]

I have 2003 smg, for almost 2 years now, bought it with 65k on the clock now has 88k have had a few problems with the SMG, but was still under MP and got sorted. Its an awesome machine, u can't buy a bigger smile on ur face... I pulled up next to a 2004 m3 manual, and diced robot to robo, I kicked his a$$ so badly... the gear changes are phenominal, the paddle shifts are something out of this world. what a fantastic car, pity it has the thuds with changes, but its a minor price to pay.
I drive this my beast everyday and go to work with a huge :clap: every morning and the same when I come home....:excited: just pray and keep ur fingers crossed u don't get a monday or friday car!