SMG I and SMG II

deep throat · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 01:34 PM

Sorry for this DUMB question:

Regarding SMG transmissions, hasn't the SMG I came only on some late model E36's and was very unreliable and the SMG II was on the E46 M3 since the day it was introduced?

James · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 03:08 PM

SMG 1 was first offered in Europe (and other areas outside the US) in 1997. I think SMG 2 was first offered in the 2002.

deep throat · #3 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 07:13 PM

So in a nutt shell, the E46 only had the SMG II, right?

James · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 10:09 PM

Correct. The new M5 and M6 use the SMG 3 7-speed, and the Z cars were never offered with SMG manual transmissions (although I'm fairly certain you could option SMG paddles on an auto Z).

deep throat · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 02:17 AM

Thanks James

convertibleguy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 03:08 PM

I just picked up an 06 M3 convertible with SMG and the SMG in the M3 is way better than the SMG in my 04 330i convertible. I had one minor problem early on in the 330i but other than that it was reliable. I'd say that you can expect good reliability.

deep throat · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by convertibleguy

I just picked up an 06 M3 convertible with SMG and the SMG in the M3 is way better than the SMG in my 04 330i convertible. I had one minor problem early on in the 330i but other than that it was reliable. I'd say that you can expect good reliability.

It's still an SMGII. Sure such a system would "evolve" throughout its lifespan and on variuos models, but it's basically an SMGII.

Point is, the SMGI was never offered on the E46 range

And congrats on your beautiful new ride, I'm enviuos

convertibleguy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2007, 04:38 PM

The Drivelogic must be the difference between the SMG in E46 330i and E46 M3 because they drive so much differently. The M3 version really shifts more cleanly and obviously more quickly. Thanks for the props, it's really a dream car...

James · #9 (**permalink**) 01-09-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by convertibleguy

The Drivelogic must be the difference between the SMG in E46 330i and E46 M3 because they drive so much differently. The M3 version really shifts more cleanly and obviously more quickly. Thanks for the props, it's really a dream car...

The SMG 330 has an automatic transmission that allows you to hold the car in gears and shift with the paddles. The M3 SMG has a manual transmission with a true clutch that is controlled with hydraulics and electronics.

convertibleguy · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 06:02 AM

That''s not true, the 04 330 SMG is a manual with an electrohydraulic clutch just like the M3 but it doesn't have the variety of settings the M3 has. From a standstill, you could hear the clutch engaging when you shifted into reverse or first. With the 330 SMG, you just had normal or sport mode and neither worked as well as the M3 SMG. The new 07 335 has a true automatic with shift paddles and SMG isn't even offered

AlpinweissM3 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 09:59 PM

Ya I though that the 330 SSG was just an automatic transmision with paddle shifters for the longest time. Come to find out it is just a simpler version of the SMG II found on the M3.

GrieverM3 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 01:06 AM

Ouch u were right ayhamo....SCORE !!

James · #13 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by convertibleguy

That''s not true, the 04 330 SMG is a manual with an electrohydraulic clutch just like the M3 but it doesn't have the variety of settings the M3 has.

Looks like you were right. I found this tidbit from carpages.co.uk:

SSG is an automated manual gearbox with, as its name suggests, its gears selected in sequential pattern, like those on a motorcycle. It is the product of Formula 1 technology and enables the driver to select gears with a flick of the gear lever, via paddles behind the steering wheel, or lets the gearbox select the gears itself in automatic mode. There is no clutch pedal so a car equipped with SSG is a 'two pedal car'.

'C', or 'Cruise' mode, is an automated programme ideal for use in a city environment to take away the stress and strains of urban traffic. But it is not intended as a substitute for the automatic gearbox - the torque converter of which will always offer a higher level of comfort.

Once out of the city, touching either the gear lever or a paddle activates the manual selection mode and, at a stroke, the driver can emulate Juan Pablo Montoya on the back roads !

A 'sport' button behind the gear lever activates faster, more sporting gear changes and offers a 'launch control' programme to enable perfect 0-60 mph times.

The whole system is failsafe (ie the driver cannot change down from fifth to first gear at 70 mph) and it delivers satisfying throttle 'blip' down-changes to remind the driver how it should be done.

An interesting feature that also distinguishes the SMG from the SSG is that the SMG paddles can only change gear by pulling the paddles towards you. The SSG has the option of pushing or pulling either paddle to change gears.

It also appears the SSG is the second generation of the paddle shifters. Sometimes people mistakingly (like me) lump the two systems together. I distinctly remember owners retrofitting the first gen. paddles onto their steptronic automatic transmission vehicles.