The E46 M3 SMG Transmission isn't THAT bad!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ย. 2021
- The E46 M3 SMG Transmission has a bad rap among BMW enthusiasts, however having owned mine for a few years , I wanted to make a video defending it, because it's really not as bad as its made out to be. I also include a couple tips to make it more enjoyable to drive.
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Having owned one, I would still prefer manual BUT the SMG is extremely engaging and predictable. Sure it doesn't shift instantly like modern double clutch boxes, but it is super rewarding when you get in tune with it. I would own one again.
How do you prefer the manual? You like that rubbery and notchy nature? You like missing shifts? You like clutch slip due to the restriction pill? Please tell me how you can “prefer” that!
I have an 03 M3 and the SMG is super fun. I live in LA so traffic is the worst and im grateful i dont have to clutch in every single inch to move but also grateful i can punch it like its a manual.
Thats where it shines!
Very underrated gearbox smg
He's correct. I tried an E46 M3 SMG for the first time today (It was a 2004 Coupe). It was an excellent car. Coming from an E46 323Ci Manual, I still loved that transmission. The auto mode is however is not for me. As he said, the downshift rev-matching is so cool. The sound - oh man. I fell in love.
Also thank you for your description of how the auto works on the smg. It's almost word for word how I describe it.
I drove both a manual and smg e46 before purchasing. The smg did not have any software modifications to my knowledge. For me the manual was worth the premium so went that route. I could see how the smg would be better on track, but I don’t plan to track the car often.
I totally agree with your review of the SMG transmission. I will try some of the techniques you suggest of how to drive it.
Most times it’s the pump motor that fails which can be replaced alone. It’s a $400 or so part when replaced with a better pump motor.
The pump motor that failed can be reused. The failure often pointed to carbon buildup or stuck brushing. Open the pump and clean it out.
So the pump isn’t that big of an issue ? Or are there any issues
Looking at one right now, it’s an amazing price with low miles. My heart is racing every moment of the day. This is my favorite car to ever exist. I’m praying I end up with it and hopefully make my own video one day, thanks for the advice on the SMG it was a little confusing on the test drive but this made me way more confident about it.❤️
Happy to help man! Good luck getting your dream car!
did u get it?
did u get one yet
Did you get it? 😭
@jpecc8314 @KarmaOriginall @G.I._Jose I didn’t but it’s okay because I bought a fast ass motorcycle😫 I’m still interested in getting one but it’ll most likely be another year or so, sorry I haven’t responded all this time, I never saw these :(
Exactly. I had a 2006 e46 m3 that was almost brand new condition with an SMG. After a month or so, realised just leaving it 3-5 mode and when changing gears using upgraded paddles (so, easy to change gears when steering) and drove it exactly like a manual just without using the clutch. Or just shifting with the shifter flick up or down (usually, when driving in the twisty roads at speed) Was a perfect car and predictable with all the electronic stability control etc turned off. Just decent suspension, upgraded breaks, and fat quality tyres. With maintenance done more often than necessary and lived in the garage.
Miss it so much and when driving on unsealed twisty roads in hills of melbourne, had that thing able to slide and pull with precision without any interference from traction control. Plus, it really was a manual just without the clutch. When you take the foot off the brake, it doesnt roll forward. Just like a manual but doesnt stall.
sigh I sold it as snapped my achilles playing bball and needed the coin after lost job and covid hit. Sold it for fkn $20k australian.. what a fool
Well said. These really are a good time to drive when you understand how to drive them!! Sorry to hear you let it go:(
love the smg on my mint 2004 m3. I have a modern 814 bhp audi rs7 c8 with modern box, but have great fun with the smg, i love that its old school. Stuck a csl map update on it and even better. i use the stick or paddles always, you dont have to necessarily lift all the time though, zero clunk from my car, i have all new bushes in rear end plus engine and tranny mounts new, also floor pan has been plated. Also if issues you dont have to replace the whole smg pump unit for thousands like people wrongly think, just put an uprated motor on it for £450 quid and it will be perfect also salmon relay is just £15. my mate has uprated his pump motor 10 years ago (42,000 miles) and not had single fault and he drives hard.
I own 2005 SMG M3, recently converted to manual. All I can say is SMG is a fantastic gearbox if you are attacking hard, it really lets you not think about shifting. Though I also drive on city traffic so manual suited me better. Id love to own both systems though.
Agreed completely
thx for this video very informative.. i was gonna get a smg e46 cuz i found one for a good price but the headache u mentioned if it does goes baad isnt something i wanna deal with in the future i think i rather get a manual im more fimiliar with it if it does fail an theres a chance that those pumps an things wont be made anymore by bmw but theres always going to be after market clutches being made
Excellent video, very informative! I just wanted to add that most SMG issues are due to a failing pump motor. Burkhart Engineering sells a SMG repair kit that can be had for ~$500 that fixes most SMG problems. I’ve used this on my car years ago and it has been reliable since!
Good to know! Thanks man!!
Does the smg have a automatic mode or something do you still have to shift?
@@kiki2xx735 it has both, automatic and manual modes
SMG is way better for track/racing it’s a racing designed gearbox and not really designed to drive around town even tho it can and is clunky in low revs that’s why people don’t really understand and say it’s garbage but people don’t use them for what they’re for
Exactly
True. As long as you shift it when it is supposed to be it really isn't bad. The smg is definitely a racing/track inspired trans so obviously it needs to be reved like one when driving an smg M3
I have an 05 330 CI Couple. With an SMG transmission too. But she's out of commission right now because of the plastic expansion tank. It leaked all of the Hydraulic fluid out.
Good video I think the only real difference here is from my experience, is the cost to fix an SMG vs a manual transmission when they do mess up. And it’s not a small difference in price, it’s a big difference. Which is the only reason I chose a manual.
However I love M3’s all around. 😊 nice car bro.
Thanks man!
If you live anywhere that has an agriculture focused industry, try looking up a hydro pump shop. Alot of Ag equipment uses hydrostatic propulsion and these shops rebuild hydraulic pumps and motors and can most likely rebuild your SMG pump with new seals and everything
Good to know!
The SMG is a manual gearbox as a whole. The idea of SMG is to work like a sequential gear box.
We see eye to eye completely on the trans, I drive in the 4th mode as well.
I have an e46 SMG with 185k miles, I had to replace the Gear Position Sensor (Gear Identification sensor) and the temp sensor on the actuator unit. Try replacing the temp sensor if it’s saying it is overheating, it might just be the temp sensor, I don’t have overheating issues anymore and don’t need a relocation kit anymore. The problem is that it does not tell you it’s the temp sensor causing issues and gives you a 38 fault. Otherwise I did not have any issue with the SMG and keep driving it normally with no failures. I’ve had it since 173k miles though so that might not be enough experience for some but the owner I bought it from had it from 150k miles and the only issue he noted was the SMG sometimes overheats in the summer. The temp sensor was only 20 bucks.
Note: don’t forget to download INPA software and run the SMG tests, it started shifting a lot smoother and less clunker after that once it learned the clutch wear status and all the other tests and recalibrations it does.
Great information!! Thank you!!
After the CSL tune the shift setting 3 vas faster than oem 5.. worth every euro :)
SMG is absolutely underlated.
Nicely done. There is a kind of mechanical, driver interaction with the SMG that no other dual clutch or auto box can deliver. I agree with you, it’s interesting…. And conversions to full manual aren’t that onerous or expensive as many people think. It’s still a six speed manual underneath it all.
You get it Robert!!!
I was actually thinking of doing the Swap. But the shop I took it to didn't want to do it.
I was talking about you with my local AZ BMW indy tech who's into E34. I must say, no ones loves E34 more than Josh on TH-cam. I agree 100% with this video on the SMG but sadly Im thinking next week about putting by fine 05 M3 SMG ILBlue for sale because I don't have time for it.
😎😎😎. But im sorry to hear that man😭
My roommate had an 05 M3 back in the day with the smg. It was new at the time and yeah I loved driving it. I’m hoping to find one someday. The market for them is insane right now.
Im selling an smg vert now!
@@m3nameisjosh464 being that I’m in Minnesota and I’d love to have one for weekend trips in the summer I might wait until next April/may to find one. Just outta curiosity how much?
@@onecrazytruckinfarmer this car is listed at 20
Aside to the SMG, there is so much else on an E46 M3 to worry about, rather than thinking "who is the better gearbox". So if you find a decent well taken care of M3, buy it! The SMG vs Manual is really not that relevant. Enjoy what you have, and drive :-)
Agreed!
Coolest shift style
Where did you get your SMG shift knob?
Great explanation! I am new to the BMW scene but always wanted one. Looking at a 2004 M3 convertible with SMG. I don’t have a lot of experience with manual transmission, would you say it’s easy to catch on to the SMG?
Extremely easy!
Hey guys I’m looking at a 2004 m3 and it’s the first car that is fast! Anything you guys would recommend when I see the car?
i agree 100% man. drove mine 140k miles
id love to drive one and see how it is. driving my zhp in step mode can be really fun except its horrible downshifting so i usually throw back into auto for that
same here bro 04 zhp
@@ferrisbuellers thats whats up. def gonna sell some cars to upgrade to M next year. im almost done with my first 5 speed car so really hype to start rippin it. its mind blowing how fast a manual car feels than auto is my first big difference. even in steptronic mode my auto e46 zhp is literally twice as fast than in auto mode
Great video! Can you use the CSL update on a non-M SMG model?
I don't believe so
Bro what's ur experience with the steering on the e36? I'm having what can best be described as the sound of the clockspring grinding,some random stiffness and failure to completely "snap back" when turning(even slightly,almost again like the clockspring). Now I'm stuck with do I spend $450 on a new pump and have it ended up being the rack and vice versa(a new rack is like 500). Then again the coupler is also an issue on these. I baby my car and it was previously an automatic owned by older people so it's been cared for,could it realistically even be the rack? U ever have any issues with it steering. This is seriously risking being the thing that financially sinks this car(and me if that happens)
Ive never had a bmw with a failed pump or rack. Id say its very unlikely its your rack. Pump failure would be a groaning and lack of power steering, sounds like something is binding. Pull wheel off and see if clockspring is shot?
SMG owner here. SMG CLS reflash improves the functionality of it in every way possible.
How do you do that
Can you shift it over into neutral while moving and back again into gear while still moving? I’ve had an 03’ e46 M3 SMG for a few years and always wondered
Yes you car, car will go into whatever gear it thinks is best at that speed
@@m3nameisjosh464 Nice, I have to go give it a try now. Awesome video!
How is your SMG in low speed 10% throttle situations like stop and go, drive throughs, parking lots etc? Does it drive smooth like an auto trans? or do you have to feather the gas to avoid and shuttering like a manual?
Honestly low speed 10% throttle is probably when smg is at its worst. Very clunky, shutterey, and awkward lol
@@m3nameisjosh464 lol thanks for sharing your experience.
I was about to ask if you had the SMG tune, like you said totally worth it. I used to work for Frank 🙌
Thats awesome! Definitely one of the best things I’ve done for this car.
4:30 before that tune how did you manually revmatch without a clutch pedal? I thought it only worked in either auto or paddle mode - or is there a quick way to disengage the gears if you just want to rev the engine?
Just blip throttle as soon as you downsi
@@m3nameisjosh464 ahhh of course because the clutch is still doing its thing even without the pedal. Lol
100% behind you on the SMG! Whenever I hear someone criticize the SMG it tells me that they don’t know how to drive stick shift 😂
Hey man we have talked about my M3 a couple times. Almost identical to yours and smg as well. At first I hated it. I have driven manuals for the past 10 years and love them. Would prefer a 6 speed in my M all day but now that I've gotten a feel for mine I really don't mind it all that much. Can you send me a link to a CSL tune? Mine kinda stutters a little on normal take offs. If I give it a little hell it shifts like butter but it doesn't like town speeds on take offs... csl fix that weirdness?
Should help little bit.
tuningtechfs.com/ttfs-smg-software/
@@m3nameisjosh464 did you tune your own or take it to someone?
@@sublimetoast1441 upload it yourself
@@m3nameisjosh464 cool thanks!
I just bought a 2005 Bmw m3 e46 ZCP (SMG) from Virginia (I’m in CA). The car came on Thursday I was driving the car the whole day but I had trouble driving it. The next day I drove it and the transmission light popped up and then the car stayed on neutral had to push the car to the side of the road. Now I’m planing to manual swapping it.
Also the car had 86,900 when it arrived now it had 86,985 with a messed up transmission but I love the car it’s my dream car
How many miles did you have before the smg went out? Also how much did the swap cost you?
DanS 86,900 to 86,985 so I only drove it 85 miles before the smg failed. For parts and labor was about $5,000-$6,000 don’t remember exactly how much I paid but it was around there.
It’s really not that bad, but it’s really not that good either. I have no regrets with converting both of mine to manual. For what it’s worth, it’s a better trans when it comes to smoothness than the F1 trans in my 360.
Oh wow, that’s interesting!
My Smg pump went out at 122k miles (anything over 100k and the potential is there for it to fail), looked at the price of a new pump (it's definitely not 2k its actually 5k unless you buy a used one and then you have to fear it failing all over again) said nope and had a RTD conversion done for much cheaper
While I enjoyed my smg while I had it if you're looking at getting a E46 M3 now either get one with low miles or save yourself the headache and get a manual because once that pump goes out you gotta big headache on your hands and it'll be even worse if you have to take it to a shop to have it done. I really don't want to sugar coat anything these cars have a handful of expensive problems as it is.
Yeah i checked prices after i posted. Its like a 10k job to replace smg pump and accumulator lol
That rear diff clunk every time I shift drives me nuts. Does this wear out the diff? I can’t find anything online about it
Its the passenger side diff output flange, has excessive play, just a design flaw
Im looking into an e63 m6. In smg. Since my health is causing me to be unable to drive manual. Smg really cannot be that bad. Just takes some learning.
Exactly
Can you make a video how the launch control works exactly
If I understood it myself lol
@@m3nameisjosh464 hahaha
where i work theres and e46 m3 smg on the lot and i was thinking should i buy it? it would only be for daily use or would you say it isn't worth it ?
The mileage and condition and records of rod bearings, vanos, and subframe are very important
Are you melcolm in the midle ?
Bro do we put it on neutral stoping on a light or no cause I don’t see you doin it??
I do it everytime i come to a stop, it’s subtle lol
@@m3nameisjosh464 oh ok thx for the reply bro!
Where are you to date with mileage on car/SMG? Thanks for the LUV.
75k miles!
I do think a lot of the people that complain the SMG is rough to drive are using it in auto mode. In manual mode and understand its a manual at its root and drive it that way, it’s smooth
10000%
I want one
Im a college student and its my first time buying a car and im looking for reliability , is an e34 bmw a good choice? If so should i go for an automatic or a manual??
I have plenty of videos talking about e34s. They are good. Manual better than auto
E90 328i
Do you have to let off the gas before shifting?
Like completely before shifting
Or it’s it shift then let off like right as your shifting because I can’t find the points and it’s been reving up
Let off gas before shifting/ or right as your about to shift. Just like a manual trans
Basically is the same as Alfa Romeo Selespeed.
Bro bought an SMG and he’s trying to make himself feel better 😭😭😭, the SMG transmission is the plague……
SMG = drive it like a freaking manual and you'll be fine.
The uncomfortable truth is that the e46 M3 didn’t have a great gearbox- manual or smg. And smg is still mechanical so in years to come when no gear electric cars rule, and the Xbox generation have money (and can’t drive manual) these will be more sought after
Agreed!
Is this a parody video?
Some e36’s also had smg
Smg 1.
@@m3nameisjosh464 SSG
The transmissions back in the 2000s were like crap. Just like how modern Subarus look like. The gearbox is average not below average
You will ruin your back having your seat like that.
SMG is fine...if you can't afford a manual with today's prices or can't afford conversion.
Lemme know when u want to sell it
Never, but i have an smg vert with hardtop for salw
SMG is perfect for the track.......
its F1 tech for the public.... and theyjust didnt get it !!!!
I wish I seen this video a month ago so I could have bought a titanium gray e46 m3 smg I was so close to purchasing it . But for the same reason it being a smg I flaked 😪
Aw mannn!!!
Yes it is 😂
I have a 2006 M3 SMG. one of my friends bootlegged the CSL software from Europe for me about 10 years ago. my god man, it's like night and day. it acts like a modern DCT. bmw should have never sold the car with that software in it, it is truly god awful in comparison
I agree man! The csl software is a game changer!
So it's a semi automatic just like a motorcycle without clutch lever this doesn't have a clutch pedal but still has the gears. Save yourself 15mins
Or you could watch whole video and realize I talk about how to optimize the driving experience, its for owners of this car, not for explaining how a system works..
@@m3nameisjosh464 I did and the SMG still sucks
Ok boomer @@notknown5777
I like to say it’s an auto clutch, but still a manual transmission
Thats accurate lol
You realise autos can also have clutches right. It's a manual that's been converted into an auto. Therfore it's an auto, auto being abbreviated from automatic or automated meaning it does it for you. In all the SMG is an auto just a nicer one can't call it a manual by any means
It is quite literally a getrag 420g manual trans with a bellhousing that accommodates a pump to actuate the clutch disk. It is a manual trans that was transformed to be automated. There is no planetary gears, no anything that relates it to the family of automatic transmissions. It is an automatic manual trans. The anatomy is all you need to see. Yes it shifts for you, meaning its automatic, automated. But it is in of itself not an automatic gearbox
SMG is crap - Here's why - I had an M3 03 Convertible and 2 993 porsches at the same time - the BIG problems with the SMG transmission is there is a 1-2 second LAG before it takes off !!!!!!!! that lag almost got me hit a few times, unlike a manual/clutch trans. which is immediate GO! so for normal driving its fine - the problem comes when you need to get out of the way immediately. If I buy another one I will spend the $3K on a kit to make it 5 or 6 speed.
Smg sucks at being an automatic and sucks being a manual. It’s not great at anything. At least with the dct it’s awesome as an auto.
Key ring 😂😂
Yeah it's great, until it breaks...
Isn't bad? I mean the transmission is pretty bad it's been in my driveway for about 3 months tryna fix it with no bmw mechanic within 70 miles
I'm sorry. I'm just done with bmw's it's like everytime I do fix it it literally has another problem showing up literally right after