How to tell apart an Automatic to SMG?

aki · Post by **aki** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:39 pm

Hi I'm looking to buy a Z4 automatic but I'm having trouble differentiating an automatic from an smg visually. Some SMGs have "R, N, D+/- " layed out horizontally whereas others have "P, R, N, D+/-" set vertically (like an auto). Also some SMGs have paddles shifters but not all. So the SMGs that have the gear sticks set vertically and without paddle shifter's, look exactly the same as an automatic. Is there a way to tell the difference looking at images?

Smg without paddle shifters:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details ... obcid=soc3

Smg with paddle shifters and smg gearstick layout:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details ... obcid=soc3

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:43 pm

Welcome to the forum. What makes you think the first one is an SMG? Looks like an ordinary automatic to me.
Get the VIN and run it through a decoder, thar'll tell you.

Matty_Z4 · Post by **Matty_Z4** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:26 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:43 pm Welcome to the forum. What makes you think the first one is an SMG? Looks like an ordinary automatic to me.
Get the VIN and run it through a decoder, thar'll tell you.

Looks like the seller has incorrectly listed the first one as it is advertised as a "2.5i SMG Euro 3 2dr"

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:34 pm

First one is standard five speed auto, second one is SMG.

First one looks nice, maybe a touch expensive. The second one is way over the top especially as the SMG is the least desirable version they made.

aki · Post by **aki** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:10 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:43 pm Welcome to the forum. What makes you think the first one is an SMG? Looks like an ordinary automatic to me.
Get the VIN and run it through a decoder, thar'll tell you.

Thanks I've been a big fan of the Z4s for long while now so happy to be here.

I'm not sure it says SMG on the listing, even on their own website. And that's not the only one, there's others than look like auto's but says SMG in the listing.

Here's another one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details ... obcid=soc3

I guess I'll have a look using the VIN. Thanks

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:17 pm

The smg always has the switch pattern underneath it and the gear lever looks like an upright manual stick.

The auto box looks like any other auto box with the pattern next to it as part of the gear lever.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:21 pm

aki wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:10 pm
enuff_zed wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:43 pm Welcome to the forum. What makes you think the first one is an SMG? Looks like an ordinary automatic to me.
Get the VIN and run it through a decoder, thar'll tell you.
Thanks I've been a big fan of the Z4s for long while now so happy to be here.

I'm not sure it says SMG on the listing, even on their own website. And that's not the only one, there's others than look like auto's but says SMG in the listing.

Here's another one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details ... obcid=soc3

I guess I'll have a look using the VIN. Thanks

Over time I've noticed an awful lot of adverts where the seller obviously has no real idea what they're selling. Pretty sure that's a standard automatic and whilst I've never had an SMG I've read enough to make me wary of them.

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:30 pm

Yep. that's also a standard five speed auto. Nice car and low miles as well.

aki · Post by **aki** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:43 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:21 pm Over time I've noticed an awful lot of adverts where the seller obviously has no real idea what they're selling. Pretty sure that's a standard automatic and whilst I've never had an SMG I've read enough to make me wary of them.

I see. Just confusing because there's multiple listing with say SMG but seemingly actually have auto. Yeah I'll be sticking with the autos for now

aki · Post by **aki** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:47 pm

Rockhopper wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:34 pm First one is standard five speed auto, second one is SMG.

First one looks nice, maybe a touch expensive. The second one is way over the top especially as the SMG is the least desirable version they made

The first one is one I'm looking at as it's local. Does look good quality and pricing as you said. Second one I just picked as an example.

Hard to find a perfect one for me as I'm only looking for a 2.5 auto and not really looking to travel hours

aki · Post by **aki** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:03 pm

pvr wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:17 pm The smg always has the switch pattern underneath it and the gear lever looks like an upright manual stick.

The auto box looks like any other auto box with the pattern next to it as part of the gear lever.

I thought so, thanks for confirming. Just strange how multiple posts say SMG even though I guess they're not

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:56 pm

If you can go for a 3.0. They will always be worth more and you’ll also have that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that you’d wish you’d gone for a biggun in the first place

aki · Post by **aki** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:22 am

Rockhopper wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:56 pm If you can go for a 3.0. They will always be worth more and you’ll also have that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that you’d wish you’d gone for a biggun in the first place

I hear you about the 3.0 mate. I'm going for the 2.5 because I'll be using the Z4 as my daily car and from what I know the 2.5 is a softer ride compared to the 3.0 due to the 3.0 having sport suspension and lower ride height. It'll definitely suffice as a daily driver

2k35is · Post by **2k35is** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:46 pm

Duplicate deleted

2k35is · Post by **2k35is** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:52 pm

Third one looks better based on mileage and its a 3 litre SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... tmobcid=so Not an expert on the E85 but if similar to e89 the SE's are the softer suspension no matter which engine.
No doubt E85 expert will put me right if Ive got this wrong.
Plus got sport seats and 4 new tyres(fronts advisory on last MOT)

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