Manual or SMG E46 M3

M3_devil

Member
Hi

Another debate. What gearbox is better.

I do 1/4 mile and like to drag as well.

drove a SMG once but could not really decide on it though. Also can a SMG with max setting out launch a manual.

Thanks
 

STREETRACER

Active member
M3_devil said:
Hi

Another debate. What gearbox is better.

I do 1/4 mile and like to drag as well.

drove a SMG once but could not really decide on it though. Also can a SMG with max setting out launch a manual.

Thanks

Only if the Manual driver cant launch! No way! even an M3 CSL can launch with a properly launched manual!

The problem is the launch control decides what revs you have to launch!
And i launch on different RPM's on different tracks, tar temperatures etc..
 

///MOS1TED

Banned
Manual for the win!

Launching the SMG box is not as easy as people think it is but if it is perfected its a monster of the line.

:thumbsup:
 

Nukleuz

Well-known member
Its personal preference.

But I am yet to find an SMG that can out launch a well driven manual.
 

///Marksman

New member
M3_devil said:
I do 1/4 mile and like to drag as well.

Manual

If only the DCT were availible for the E46, that would be a different story alltogether:drool: The howl of that manic I6 without interuption in power is like sex on the beach... with triplets:excited:
 

M3_FTW

New member
Lol @ all you Manual okes.

I have driven plenty Manual E46 M3's and have owned my SMG M3 for 4 years. I wont swap it for a manual EVER. To an average driver the SMG will outlaunch a manual 10 out of 10 times. Road & Track, EVO magazines got better times on the 1/4 mile with the SMG than the manual. It takes a REALLY REALLY good manual driver (like Sherwin) to outlaunch an SMG equipped M3. The only gripe with SMG is the cool down period after the launch.

Oh and streetracer, dont know where you read your stuff man, but you can manipulate the SMG to launch anywhere from 0 rpm to 7000rpm if you so wish. By default it goes to 3800 rpm but you never need to launch that high unless the track is prepared, if its unprepped and you launch @ 3800 rpm you will be sitting on the line spinning the tires.
 

STREETRACER

Active member
@M3_FTW are we seeing you with your M3, clean OEM filter and BMC at the dastek dyno day?
How about we go have a street race there for R1K..? mine is manual so you would have no problem!
 

M3_devil

Member
Ja, I launched with my friend in is old smg, all I can say I was well impressed. But I hate the cool down period issues when at drags. Tell me how long is the cool down period
 

M3_FTW

New member
M3_devil said:
Ja, I launched with my friend in is old smg, all I can say I was well impressed. But I hate the cool down period issues when at drags. Tell me how long is the cool down period

Its not a "time" period as such. You need to drive a certain number of k's before it resets. From my experience it could be anywhere between 2k's and 10k's. All depends on how hot the Gearbox is.
 

STREETRACER

Active member
@M3_FTW are we seeing you with your M3, clean OEM filter and BMC at the dastek dyno day?
How about we go have a street race there for R1K..? mine is manual so you would have no problem!
 

M3_FTW

New member
STREETRACER said:
@M3_FTW are we seeing you with your M3, clean OEM filter and BMC at the dastek dyno day?
How about we go have a street race there for R1K..? mine is manual so you would have no problem!

What is the date ?
 

STREETRACER

Active member
Streetracerhigh.jpg
 

STREETRACER

Active member
M3_FTW said:
Sorry bro, carforums.co.za is having a breakfast run on the 31st, check their forum for details.

Cool, im going to organize a Big show and shine, sound off and illegal to legal drag day at ODI in the next couple of months..
R100 entry will include a braai and beers! will be an awesome event for a get together and some of the fanatics can test their cars against each other!
This will also include Ignition TV and Speed and sound!

Also a Streetracer Gumball 3000 type thing but that only for next year!

If something comes up come make a turn at the dyno day going to be heaps of fun!
 

///Marksman

New member
M3_FTW said:
It takes a REALLY REALLY good manual driver (like Sherwin) to outlaunch an SMG equipped M3.

I rate you're exaggerating just a litle bit, Just a tiny bit.. nothing noticeable.

hey dude, think about it. It makes no difference what anyone else thinks about SMG or Manual, If you have it and your happy...:clap: your hands.

This could go back and forth for years, infact it has if you've followed international & local forums. for eg. you made reference to C & D and R & T.... there are LOTS LOTS more tests out there. you chose those 2 because they were favourable to your argument. Just like someone who would try counter will make reference to the other 50(?) tests.

Who gives a shit at the end of the day. You're still happy with your decision right?
 

M3_FTW

New member
DiVinci said:
M3_FTW said:
It takes a REALLY REALLY good manual driver (like Sherwin) to outlaunch an SMG equipped M3.

I rate you're exaggerating just a litle bit, Just a tiny bit.. nothing noticeable.

hey dude, think about it. It makes no difference what anyone else thinks about SMG or Manual, If you have it and your happy...:clap: your hands.

This could go back and forth for years, infact it has if you've followed international & local forums. for eg. you made reference to C & D and R & T.... there are LOTS LOTS more tests out there. you chose those 2 because they were favourable to your argument. Just like someone who would try counter will make reference to the other 50(?) tests.

Who gives a shit at the end of the day. You're still happy with your decision right?
I am totally happy with my decision. A lot of people read on some forums how SMG is crap and they take that as gospel. Which is BS.

I used R&T and C&D due to them being the biggest in the US, and EVO the biggest in Europe. I can also include a number of smaller publications that had the same findings if you want.
 

///Marksman

New member
M3_FTW said:
I am totally happy with my decision. A lot of people read on some forums how SMG is crap and they take that as gospel. Which is BS.

I used R&T and C&D due to them being the biggest in the US, and EVO the biggest in Europe. I can also include a number of smaller publications that had the same findings if you want.

That's the truth, i too was one of those who had little expectations until i was fortunate to have nice decent run in one. And boy it awesome, it really is. I would imgaine an SMG equipped car to gel really well with a more aggressive FD ratio too. 4.1 perhaps, it'll run through the revs eagerly with minimal power interuption

my 3 concerns are the accumulator, hydraulic unit & relay. This makes the decision between either MT or SMG a bit tricky because of the budget and lack of m/plan. but i'd be happy with both, because they are strong in different areas

On your second point, that's not necessary, i guess there was a bit of biasm with my direction..lol:thumbsup:

btw. have you had any issues with smg software and/or updates?
 

M3_FTW

New member
DiVinci said:
M3_FTW said:
I am totally happy with my decision. A lot of people read on some forums how SMG is crap and they take that as gospel. Which is BS.

I used R&T and C&D due to them being the biggest in the US, and EVO the biggest in Europe. I can also include a number of smaller publications that had the same findings if you want.

That's the truth, i too was one of those who had little expectations until i was fortunate to have nice decent run in one. And boy it awesome, it really is. I would imgaine an SMG equipped car to gel really well with a more aggressive FD ratio too. 4.1 perhaps, it'll run through the revs eagerly with minimal power interuption

my 3 concerns are the accumulator, hydraulic unit & relay. This makes the decision between either MT or SMG a bit tricky because of the budget and lack of m/plan. but i'd be happy with both, because they are strong in different areas

On your second point, that's not necessary, i guess there was a bit of biasm with my direction..lol:thumbsup:

btw. have you had any issues with smg software and/or updates?
There is already minimal power interruption in S6 mode. When in S6 it just bangs into each gear, quicker than your average manual driver could do. All the issues you mentioned are non events. I havent had any issues with the SMG on my car whatsoever. Bar a tiny leak out of the resevoir that took BMW 4 different attempts to find (they broke it in the 1st place).

Sure if things go wrong they can get expensive but all the items are serviceable, so you dont need to purchase new units.

No issues on the software/update side of things either.
 

e23

Member
I too was quite nervous when I bought my e46 SMG ///M. Many peeps told me not 2 touch the SMG version with a 10ft pole due to high replacement costs, jerkiness blah blah

The 1st ///M SMG I drove in Dbn , I fell in love with it. I agree with all of M3_FTW's points & owning & driving the SMG is another experience :thumbsup:

On the flipside I had a few near-calls :shocked: where I started up & saw the famous yellow "SMG" cog lightup on the dashboard. :dunno::thinking:2 say that I almost soiled myself is an understatement...After disconnecting the terminals, etc. all was well :pimp:

Another pt. 2 consider is that e46 CSL is based on the same SMG gearbox. Some peeps swear by it..some at it. It boils down to personal choice. Also remember that the SMG makes use of the same gearbox as the manual version...so there's no such thing as SMG's have a different gearbox

Stop-start driving, crusing, heavy traffic is a breeze. What she doesn't like is speed humps on an incline , roll back on an incline etc. With a bit of "know-how" , you can easily work around these by using the steering pedals on an incline

Every time I start my ///M I'm always like :)
 
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