I have an SMG , and I just love it ,.. The funny thing is that I never even try the auto mode, maybe a few seconds the very first day, but really I just think about it as a pure manual transmission, without the clutch, and faster and more efficient downshifts, and faster and more aggressive upshifts, with the added benefit of having stick and paddles to change gear, so you can actually be more efficient in tracking. It might not be as efficient as modern transmissions that are seamless smooth etc ,, but the truth is that I absolutely prefer this transmission, it is just a super manual without a clutch. I don't have that raw manual feeling with the newer transmissions, boring.... so I would consider a manual if I ever get a newer model.. SMG is just a manual on steroids, and never to be driven in auto NEVER.
It does seem all the SMG owner really do enjoy them. And it's funny, most owners I speak to away they don't use auto mode at all! You are spot on! It must be treated as a manual box without a clutch to appreciate it, not an auto. Modern auto gearboxes are almost too good sometimes, too smooth etc, I do like how aggressive the SMG feels in comparison. Thank you for watching/commenting. - Drew
@@brandonhunter2760 sorry, I meant it should be treated as a manual without a clutch pedal, as in lift off the accelerator when changing gears etc. - Drew
Being an F82 owner. My car has the DCT. I also did the MHD stage 21 upgrade with catless and everything. 570hp/850nm of torque. I live in an area that has many remote small country roads still able to hit 250 in any modern car. This M4 will be my death, M5 handling would save me but I don't want a boat. A friend had an e46 330i while I had my 435i but I previously owned an E90 330i. The E46 was the most fun. Then the E90. The F36 was the best all around.
As SMG is essentially a manual with a hydro unit on top to do the magic, it should be treated as a manual. It can be jerky, same as a manual if you don’t know what to do, but get the RPM’s right and it is great, same as a manual. One statement to bear in mind - you have to flash the TCU and ECU for CSL shift pattern - that’s essential for getting correct downshifts, smoother & faster upshifts etc. At slower speeds mainly people complain on jerky behavior for 1-2-3rd gear changes in both ways. One of options to solve that is to simply drop right from 3-2-1st gear into neutral when you’re coasting to a stop and then pop the 1st once you get going even if you’re still coasting at slow speeds. The hydro unit will know itself if the revs are matched to engage the clutch or stay disconnected. That eliminates a lot of frustration) To be honest, SMG is a fantastic piece of gear and engineering thought that just didn’t get enough explanation. It’s not that it is better than a manual or the other way, but rather a great alternative option and fantastic mechanism with its own features that needed to be explained, but sadly were not.
I have to say, that was very well put. One of the main things I took away from that experience (with the help of the vast knowledge of the owner) is that there are certain techniques needed to make it a "smooth" experience. And I admit, when Mike drove it, it was a much nicer experience! I agree that even with manuals, technique is needed in order to not make it jerky. We do now emphasise to people, don't let the SMG put you off before driving one. Thank you very much for your input, and thanks for watching. - Drew
@@accelerateyoutube a nice video all around! On SMG I would even encourage to get WITH SMG since it’s cheaper and spend “excess” of the funds to get a manual conversion kit right away. If the SMG is doomed - you can swap. If it’s not - enjoy it while it lasts. It’s a win win situation unless you’re a collector and need factory manual, but that’s another story and another budget
@@Rocking70s - Amen sir...... Also if you change the hydraulic oil in the PUMP ( which is overlooked by many ) and the relay you will get many years of use out of a SMGII......
Yeh, SMG is a manual box with a robot clutch. Had mine a year now. Never use the auto function, use stick in town and paddles out on the roads. Nothing jerky at all if you know what you’re doing!
Most owners I speak to say they don't use the auto mode, and they say as long as you treat it as a manual without a clutch as opposed to an auto, you will enjoy it. I certainly didn't have enough time with it to appreciate the SMG and be able to drive it smoothly. Thank you for watching! - Drew
I have an E46 M3 SMG and I absolutely love the gear box, would chose it over a manual. id does take a while to get used to it, but once you do, its just an amazing gearbox
We have had a lot of SMG owners say the same. I don't think we had enough time to appreciate the SMG, they seem to need some time to get used to. Thank you for watching! - Drew
I went to buy a manual M3 but the garage I bought my car from said have you actually driven an SMG or have you just been reading forums? It was the later so he said drive both and make your own mind up, I went for the SMG. I've had the pump go in my ownership which wasn't cheap but I still don't regret the decision. The SMG is pure drama and adds to the experience imo. Also I never used to drive it in auto mode but recently started to use it. I put it in a slow setting and only use it for when I want to cruise about and not rinse fuel. Changes the whole character of the car and its easier to drive nice and slow for when you're not on it
I completely understand derstand what you're saying about the SMG adding to the drama. And it does feel race car like. A lot of owners say they don't use auto mode. I would say after driving both manual and SMG, anyone looking to buy an M3, drive both. Because different people having different driving styles. Thank you for watching! - Drew
I've been racking up gears since I was 16 years of age here in California. I'm 43 now, and I just recently picked up a 2004 E46 SMG and it is the right choice for me, personally. I'm totally spent when I get home from work from the hour and sometimes an hour and half of traffic with my 6 speed R56 Cooper S. I love 6 speed, slamming, skipping, nailing the perfect rev match on the downshift, I do it all the time. So which transmission is better? They're both equally good. This is my opinion. The SMG exist and I believe it is now right choice for the conditions I operate in daily.
Owned and driven both, They both have good and bad points. SMG is pretty good when used right. Makes driving easier in SMG. Manual offers more driver involvement!
You are right. Everybody says the SMGs are great once you get used to them. Unfortunately we didn't have as long as we hoped to get acquainted with the system. Thank you for watching! - Drew
Love the shift lights. AND, did you know it’s got launch control. Dsc off, the extra top shift setting, push lever forwards and full gas, let go of stick and boom!
Looking back at a video I missed Kenny and Drew👍 I do love an E46 M3 their going up and up in price these days desirable cars!!! I would love to have one. The brake system up front is common to get upgraded well none that they are not the best from factory! An awesome video lads thanks John👍🏴
It’s an Eisenmann race exhaust. Just purely the rear section, rest of exhaust is stock as it came from the factory. I did have a supersprint X pipe aswell but ditched that as I was getting a bit of drone, the eisenmann alone transforms the sound… quiet enough at low revs, absolutely screams above 5k 👍👍👍
SMG was the technology they had at the time. It was awesome in the early 2000’s. Maybe a bit harsh, but its like if you went to back and used your first iPhone. It probably works, just not that enjoyable to use today. Even Ferrari’s automated manual of the time was garbage and not desirable today.
SMG is great. I’ve had one about 12 years now on factory software and still love it. The cost to own one has decreased as many aftermarket companies make part replacements now.
I have an 01 coupe which had an SMG, was great, had Frank Smith software (modified CSL). SMG suits the car better, have since manual converted it with an RTD shifter, would prefer SMG :/
You need more time behind the SMG to make it work right. Honestly, I'd rather drive my smg then my "proper" gearbox car. But I won't fix the SMG when it finally shits the bed because they're complicated and too expensive. But again, driven for a while and correctly it's the better gearbox. I get better times and that's what matters when it matters. Doesn't matter how you feel about it.
I do realise that the SMG, like most things, needs practice to appreciate fully. I imagine I hated walking when I first started as a child, but the more I practiced the better it got! This is why the advice I give to everyone who is looking for an E46 M3 is "drive them both, and spend as much time as you can with SMG before making your mind up". When Mike took me for a drive, the difference was night and day because obviously he had more experience. So I do agree with you, the SMG is great in its own right, and doesn't deserve all the hate it gets. Thank you for watching/commenting. - Drew
change the hydraulic oil in the PUMP ( which is overlooked by many ) and change the relay....... And you will save on the expense..... The BMW SMGII transmission 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....
I’ll preface this by saying I’ll always be a 3 pedal guy. I got my SMG M3 in a trade for my FBO 335i. I think that most of the criticism come from folks who hop in, drive around for for 10min and feel how jerky the car is. I’m guilty of it. SMG cars require some finesse and seat time to actually enjoy it for what it is. With that said, I don’t love the SMG, but I don’t particularly hate it either. At the end of the day, it’s all personal preference and I’ll eventually do the conversion when the time comes.
The gearbox does take some getting used too. My dad owned an e60 M5 several years ago and I used that quite often. Getting back into one for 20 minutes after all that time wasn't long enough to get back to grips with it unfortunately. The owner took Drew out and the difference was noticeable lol. Thanks Ken
When I was looking for mine I was like 'not touching an SMG dog muck blah blah blah'. Then a friend in the trade had an SMG come in part exchange and I had a go in it. This opened my mind to either and in the end I brought an SMG. not the the one I tested though as that car itself was a turd 😂
😂 I have seen a few rough ones myself, definitely better off spending a bit more for a good one. That's really interesting, every SMG owner I have talked to all say you need to give it more time to get used to it, I wish we could have kept this M3 for a while longer, maybe our minds would have been changed... Glad you got a decent one and are enjoying the SMG though. Thank you for watching & commenting! - Drew
Fxck the SMG version! I bought my M3 in 2015 and drove it only a handful of times up to this day because the hydraulic pump would fail all the time. I think because this car gets very hot and the smg burns out especially living in Miami. The german engineering didn't do a good job for hot climates or heat conditions.. I changed it 3 times wasting loads of money. Currently my m3 is at the mechanic getting converted to manual costing me an additional 4k.
😮 wow, that's a pretty bad experience you've had with the SMG. Thank you for commenting, it's very interesting as every comment has been praising the SMG. I think you are right, I don't think BMW put enough research/development into hotter climates maybe. You certainly won't be disappointed with the manual swap! - Drew
So a bloke ( Mike ) gets in to the SMG that actually knows how to drive one and provides smoother gear changes and faster gear changes than a manual BUT the manual guys try to tell the world that using Two legs / One arm and a separate clutch peddle is better...... Thank god F1 drivers know better just like Mike......... OH....and it's nice to eat your fishnchips and have a drink in your SMGII when you want to....
We never said that it is better. We simply stated it's what we personally preferred. The SMG gearbox is old technology now, and it shows. It works well when driving fast but is very clunky on the street, as Jeremy Clarkson pointed out in the E60 M5. It had been several years since i last drove one (as my father owned an M5) and we took this out for half an hour. With more time i'm sure we would have gotten to grips with it. Thanks Ken
We are aware of that, but what differentiates the SMG from the Manual is that the SMG is controlled by a "robot" that shifts for you, as opposed to the driver doing it themselves via the gear selector.
Keep telling yourself the Smg is so much better with the CSL software until you pump takes a complete utter shite, got my smg at the Indy right now getting it swapped. Never again am I dumping funds on that god forbidden SMG pump. There are too many failure points to even count on your hands. Rip it out make it manual like the car was meant to be.
My smg puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Only thing that would worry me is seeing that cog light on the dash like in the video lol. Never used auto mode and I've had it 8 years now
I have an SMG , and I just love it ,.. The funny thing is that I never even try the auto mode, maybe a few seconds the very first day, but really I just think about it as a pure manual transmission, without the clutch, and faster and more efficient downshifts, and faster and more aggressive upshifts, with the added benefit of having stick and paddles to change gear, so you can actually be more efficient in tracking. It might not be as efficient as modern transmissions that are seamless smooth etc ,, but the truth is that I absolutely prefer this transmission, it is just a super manual without a clutch. I don't have that raw manual feeling with the newer transmissions, boring.... so I would consider a manual if I ever get a newer model.. SMG is just a manual on steroids, and never to be driven in auto NEVER.
It does seem all the SMG owner really do enjoy them. And it's funny, most owners I speak to away they don't use auto mode at all!
You are spot on! It must be treated as a manual box without a clutch to appreciate it, not an auto.
Modern auto gearboxes are almost too good sometimes, too smooth etc, I do like how aggressive the SMG feels in comparison.
Thank you for watching/commenting.
- Drew
@@accelerateyoutube Guys... it has a clutch. Same clutch that you would operate with a pedal, but instead is operated hydraulically. ;)
@@brandonhunter2760 sorry, I meant it should be treated as a manual without a clutch pedal, as in lift off the accelerator when changing gears etc.
- Drew
Being an F82 owner. My car has the DCT. I also did the MHD stage 21 upgrade with catless and everything. 570hp/850nm of torque. I live in an area that has many remote small country roads still able to hit 250 in any modern car. This M4 will be my death, M5 handling would save me but I don't want a boat. A friend had an e46 330i while I had my 435i but I previously owned an E90 330i. The E46 was the most fun. Then the E90. The F36 was the best all around.
As SMG is essentially a manual with a hydro unit on top to do the magic, it should be treated as a manual. It can be jerky, same as a manual if you don’t know what to do, but get the RPM’s right and it is great, same as a manual.
One statement to bear in mind - you have to flash the TCU and ECU for CSL shift pattern - that’s essential for getting correct downshifts, smoother & faster upshifts etc.
At slower speeds mainly people complain on jerky behavior for 1-2-3rd gear changes in both ways. One of options to solve that is to simply drop right from 3-2-1st gear into neutral when you’re coasting to a stop and then pop the 1st once you get going even if you’re still coasting at slow speeds. The hydro unit will know itself if the revs are matched to engage the clutch or stay disconnected. That eliminates a lot of frustration)
To be honest, SMG is a fantastic piece of gear and engineering thought that just didn’t get enough explanation. It’s not that it is better than a manual or the other way, but rather a great alternative option and fantastic mechanism with its own features that needed to be explained, but sadly were not.
I have to say, that was very well put. One of the main things I took away from that experience (with the help of the vast knowledge of the owner) is that there are certain techniques needed to make it a "smooth" experience. And I admit, when Mike drove it, it was a much nicer experience!
I agree that even with manuals, technique is needed in order to not make it jerky.
We do now emphasise to people, don't let the SMG put you off before driving one.
Thank you very much for your input, and thanks for watching.
- Drew
@@accelerateyoutube a nice video all around!
On SMG I would even encourage to get WITH SMG since it’s cheaper and spend “excess” of the funds to get a manual conversion kit right away.
If the SMG is doomed - you can swap. If it’s not - enjoy it while it lasts.
It’s a win win situation unless you’re a collector and need factory manual, but that’s another story and another budget
Very well said, Couldn’t agree more!
The like to do the magic myself; keep your smg
@@Rocking70s - Amen sir...... Also if you change the hydraulic oil in the PUMP ( which is overlooked by many ) and the relay you will get many years of use out of a SMGII......
Yeh, SMG is a manual box with a robot clutch. Had mine a year now. Never use the auto function, use stick in town and paddles out on the roads. Nothing jerky at all if you know what you’re doing!
Most owners I speak to say they don't use the auto mode, and they say as long as you treat it as a manual without a clutch as opposed to an auto, you will enjoy it.
I certainly didn't have enough time with it to appreciate the SMG and be able to drive it smoothly.
Thank you for watching!
- Drew
I have an E46 M3 SMG and I absolutely love the gear box, would chose it over a manual. id does take a while to get used to it, but once you do, its just an amazing gearbox
We have had a lot of SMG owners say the same. I don't think we had enough time to appreciate the SMG, they seem to need some time to get used to.
Thank you for watching!
- Drew
Its a lovely car that , one of my favourite colour combo's red trim ,CSL, wheels and the csl bootlid 👍
Completely agree! And it is such a good example of an M3, the bootlid just transforms the car!
Thank you for watching!
- Drew
I went to buy a manual M3 but the garage I bought my car from said have you actually driven an SMG or have you just been reading forums? It was the later so he said drive both and make your own mind up, I went for the SMG. I've had the pump go in my ownership which wasn't cheap but I still don't regret the decision. The SMG is pure drama and adds to the experience imo.
Also I never used to drive it in auto mode but recently started to use it. I put it in a slow setting and only use it for when I want to cruise about and not rinse fuel. Changes the whole character of the car and its easier to drive nice and slow for when you're not on it
I completely understand derstand what you're saying about the SMG adding to the drama. And it does feel race car like.
A lot of owners say they don't use auto mode. I would say after driving both manual and SMG, anyone looking to buy an M3, drive both. Because different people having different driving styles.
Thank you for watching!
- Drew
I've been racking up gears since I was 16 years of age here in California. I'm 43 now, and I just recently picked up a 2004 E46 SMG and it is the right choice for me, personally. I'm totally spent when I get home from work from the hour and sometimes an hour and half of traffic with my 6 speed R56 Cooper S. I love 6 speed, slamming, skipping, nailing the perfect rev match on the downshift, I do it all the time. So which transmission is better? They're both equally good. This is my opinion. The SMG exist and I believe it is now right choice for the conditions I operate in daily.
Owned and driven both, They both have good and bad points. SMG is pretty good when used right. Makes driving easier in SMG. Manual offers more driver involvement!
You are right. Everybody says the SMGs are great once you get used to them. Unfortunately we didn't have as long as we hoped to get acquainted with the system.
Thank you for watching!
- Drew
Manual coupe owner of 6 years. I love the manual but if i change, i may give the smg a try.
Love the shift lights. AND, did you know it’s got launch control. Dsc off, the extra top shift setting, push lever forwards and full gas, let go of stick and boom!
No way!
I did not know it had launch control (not sure if Mike the owner knew either)
Is the control a factory option then?
- Drew
@@accelerateyoutube From what i've heard yes. But don't do that to your transmission xd
Lunch control is from the factory
@@accelerateyoutube launch control is available from factory, car limits you to 7 launches per clutch to save it from destroying itself
Looking back at a video I missed Kenny and Drew👍 I do love an E46 M3 their going up and up in price these days desirable cars!!! I would love to have one. The brake system up front is common to get upgraded well none that they are not the best from factory! An awesome video lads thanks John👍🏴
Randomly just came across your channel, quality work lads 👍🏼
Really appreciate the support mate, thank you!
- Drew
This is exactly how i want my M3 to sound. PLEASE tell me what exhaust you are running
Hi. I think its an Eisenmann Exhaust. Love the sound of the M3 myself.
Thanks.
Ken
It’s an Eisenmann race exhaust. Just purely the rear section, rest of exhaust is stock as it came from the factory. I did have a supersprint X pipe aswell but ditched that as I was getting a bit of drone, the eisenmann alone transforms the sound… quiet enough at low revs, absolutely screams above 5k 👍👍👍
SMG was the technology they had at the time. It was awesome in the early 2000’s. Maybe a bit harsh, but its like if you went to back and used your first iPhone. It probably works, just not that enjoyable to use today. Even Ferrari’s automated manual of the time was garbage and not desirable today.
SMG is great. I’ve had one about 12 years now on factory software and still love it. The cost to own one has decreased as many aftermarket companies make part replacements now.
Going to be putting the CSL tune in my car next week. SMG is nice in city traffic and the CSL tune will smooth that out
Skip the stick and use the paddles, Dude. It’s the SMG!
I love these guys great perspectives on cars
Thank you! We couldn't do it without people like you!
Really appreciate the support!
Plenty more to come!
Thank you for watching!
- Drew
@@accelerateyoutube it’s weird I thought I remembered seeing your subs at much higher number a few months ago did it go down?
@@treedeblue no they have been going up. We only started the channel about 9 months ago, not far off 1000 subs now.
Ken
The Z4M was also high revving 3.2 straight six manual of I remember correctly
It is. Same s54 engine as the e46 m3 👍
It certainly was! The Z4M is another guilty pleasure of mine! 👀
- Drew
I LOVE my SMG on my 2005 E46 M3!!!!
I have an 01 coupe which had an SMG, was great, had Frank Smith software (modified CSL). SMG suits the car better, have since manual converted it with an RTD shifter, would prefer SMG :/
You need more time behind the SMG to make it work right.
Honestly, I'd rather drive my smg then my "proper" gearbox car.
But I won't fix the SMG when it finally shits the bed because they're complicated and too expensive.
But again, driven for a while and correctly it's the better gearbox. I get better times and that's what matters when it matters. Doesn't matter how you feel about it.
I do realise that the SMG, like most things, needs practice to appreciate fully. I imagine I hated walking when I first started as a child, but the more I practiced the better it got!
This is why the advice I give to everyone who is looking for an E46 M3 is "drive them both, and spend as much time as you can with SMG before making your mind up".
When Mike took me for a drive, the difference was night and day because obviously he had more experience.
So I do agree with you, the SMG is great in its own right, and doesn't deserve all the hate it gets.
Thank you for watching/commenting.
- Drew
change the hydraulic oil in the PUMP ( which is overlooked by many ) and change the relay....... And you will save on the expense..... The BMW SMGII transmission 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....
That Welsh countryside is beautiful.
It really is. We don't always appreciate where we live.
Thanks
Ken
I’ll preface this by saying I’ll always be a 3 pedal guy. I got my SMG M3 in a trade for my FBO 335i. I think that most of the criticism come from folks who hop in, drive around for for 10min and feel how jerky the car is. I’m guilty of it. SMG cars require some finesse and seat time to actually enjoy it for what it is. With that said, I don’t love the SMG, but I don’t particularly hate it either.
At the end of the day, it’s all personal preference and I’ll eventually do the conversion when the time comes.
If you think you need to lift the throttle during gear changes, then you need to read the SMG2 handbook!!!
The gearbox does take some getting used too. My dad owned an e60 M5 several years ago and I used that quite often. Getting back into one for 20 minutes after all that time wasn't long enough to get back to grips with it unfortunately. The owner took Drew out and the difference was noticeable lol.
Thanks
Ken
When I was looking for mine I was like 'not touching an SMG dog muck blah blah blah'. Then a friend in the trade had an SMG come in part exchange and I had a go in it. This opened my mind to either and in the end I brought an SMG. not the the one I tested though as that car itself was a turd 😂
😂 I have seen a few rough ones myself, definitely better off spending a bit more for a good one.
That's really interesting, every SMG owner I have talked to all say you need to give it more time to get used to it, I wish we could have kept this M3 for a while longer, maybe our minds would have been changed...
Glad you got a decent one and are enjoying the SMG though.
Thank you for watching & commenting!
- Drew
Same spec as me
Very random question but is your profile picture from a Palmer Sport day??? Lol
- Drew
It is indeed
What colour is this car
Its Carbon Black. Very nice blue fleck in it.
Thanks
Ken
Fxck the SMG version! I bought my M3 in 2015 and drove it only a handful of times up to this day because the hydraulic pump would fail all the time. I think because this car gets very hot and the smg burns out especially living in Miami. The german engineering didn't do a good job for hot climates or heat conditions.. I changed it 3 times wasting loads of money. Currently my m3 is at the mechanic getting converted to manual costing me an additional 4k.
😮 wow, that's a pretty bad experience you've had with the SMG. Thank you for commenting, it's very interesting as every comment has been praising the SMG.
I think you are right, I don't think BMW put enough research/development into hotter climates maybe.
You certainly won't be disappointed with the manual swap!
- Drew
RUBBISH...... I live in QLD, Australia ( Fckn HOT ) and the SMGII stacks up great...... Change the bldy hydraulic PUMP oil and change the relay...
It's a shit bag,, I gotta get a photo,, absolutely crying 😂😂
Forgot the camera was rolling at that point 😂 but certainly made us giggle too!
- Drew
So a bloke ( Mike ) gets in to the SMG that actually knows how to drive one and provides smoother gear changes and faster gear changes than a manual BUT the manual guys try to tell the world that using Two legs / One arm and a separate clutch peddle is better...... Thank god F1 drivers know better just like Mike......... OH....and it's nice to eat your fishnchips and have a drink in your SMGII when you want to....
We never said that it is better. We simply stated it's what we personally preferred. The SMG gearbox is old technology now, and it shows. It works well when driving fast but is very clunky on the street, as Jeremy Clarkson pointed out in the E60 M5. It had been several years since i last drove one (as my father owned an M5) and we took this out for half an hour. With more time i'm sure we would have gotten to grips with it.
Thanks
Ken
SMG is a Manual gearbox. SMG - sequential MANUAL gearbox.
We are aware of that, but what differentiates the SMG from the Manual is that the SMG is controlled by a "robot" that shifts for you, as opposed to the driver doing it themselves via the gear selector.
I know blaenavon when I see it lol
It’s a manual box
Yes it is. That's what the M in smg stands for.
Thanks
Ken
I love my smg it’s faster of the lights
Keep telling yourself the Smg is so much better with the CSL software until you pump takes a complete utter shite, got my smg at the Indy right now getting it swapped. Never again am I dumping funds on that god forbidden SMG pump. There are too many failure points to even count on your hands. Rip it out make it manual like the car was meant to be.
I take it your
another person who never changed the PUMP hydraulic oil and relay when required...........
@@Theteese I swear I was coming to comment the same thing
My smg puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Only thing that would worry me is seeing that cog light on the dash like in the video lol. Never used auto mode and I've had it 8 years now