SMG? Manual? Auto?

Pre-facelift up to Feb 2006 -

- Paddles = SMG
- No paddles = auto

Post-facelift March 2006 onwards -

- No SMG, only auto
 
playalistic said:
I bought an SMG. My next Z will be a manual. Put it that way :)
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How come? How long have you had it?

Tbh that's the first time I've seen a Z4 SMG owner say they don't like it! Once you get used to it, it's great.
 
powerontap said:
Roadster = rag-top, two seats and...manual :thumbsup:
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I totally agree!

Why get a sports car which is for driving for the sheer thrill if you are going to let the car do all the work, working the gears and revving it hard is what the car is all about and anyone who goes for the auto option is far too lazy!

Ive got the 3.0i and i would never ever have anything other than the manual!
 
Please don't buy the SMG model without test driving one first.

Originally, I thought like you did, the IDEA of SMG seems great! Almost like it's the best of both worlds. But honestly, after testing it, it just wasn't for me. I felt like it was laggy with the gear shifts when in auto mode, especially in the lower gears. The manual mode responded well enough, but then I tested an auto and felt like it was a better experience overall. All shifts in the auto are crisp and fast in auto mode, the manual mode responded well, too. Especially with the Sport button on.

Maybe you'll love the SMG (some drivers do) but don't buy without testing it. I've talked to many people who were disappointed with their car's SMG.

Good luck with your decision!
 
smojo said:
I felt like it was laggy with the gear shifts when in auto mode, especially in the lower gears.
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It is, but it's not an auto box. It's an automated clutch and shift manual box.

Drive it in manual mode, with sport mode and it's a very different story. I only use Auto mode when I'm being lazy on a long motorway journey.
 
I love the SMG on mine. Here's my earlier post:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12803

Just to add, I have done 10,000 miles with the SMG box (had only covered 1,000 when I did the write up) and I still think it makes the car. They take a bit of adjusting to if you have never driven one so a test drive might need a bit of patience and faith in your abilities to learn how to get to grips with it.

Not many people who actually have the SMG option and have proper experience of driving one give it a bad report.
 
Well, my SMG is up for its first major service soon (28k miles so far) so I have a suspicion that it may be faulty or needs the pump or transmission fluid changed etc.

Anyway, the gear changes in full auto are just dog poo. Sport mode is a bit better but still you can make a cup of tea between upshifts. In manual it is a bit better but you do need to get familiar with the car and which revs to shift up at. In full manual and sport mode things are much much better though. Maybe its just my personal preference but I think I would prefer a manual. Downshifts are fine in all modes whether in sport or not. I've not done 1000 miles in this yet so it is still early days I suppose.

Also, anyone with an SMG, how do you reset the throttle/transmission? I have read several accounts of how i.e. turn key in ignition for ten seconds, then off, then back on for ten seconds but I don't think it is working for me. I also read somewhere that the ECU for the '03 SMG was known to be faulty and should be replaced, thus greatly improving the SMG gearbox, how true this is I don't know.
 
kadro said:
Thanks - I don't mind driving manual. I just felt that SMG was a new system that would be quite fun to have...but I've also heard of potential issues with maintaining it (reliability etc) and so was in two minds.

Anyone have other thoughts on SMG v Auto v Manual?

Ta!
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You would be best to test the SMG yourself because it's not for everyone. It does not have to be a Z4, the previous 3-Series Coupé had a similar system (could be 5-speed, not sure). I find it superior to a manual, because it does away with clutching with your foot. Have you counted the number of times you clutch? Distances between situations are rather short here in Flanders, and traffic is dense, with lots of traffic lights which would be very tiresome on my poor left leg!

I don't think I ever tried a BMW automatic (maybe a X3), but the others I drove, were simply to soft and soothing, and sleep-inducing to me. Maybe a Z4 automatic is better, dunno.

Me, I have the 3.0 SMG since June 2003 and I still like it very much indeed. It has 115.000 km. It had the known software bug (went to N unwanted) but the ECU was swapped (August 2003, I think) and it has worked flawless ever since.
Yes, it can be jerky when you hesitate in 1st gear. Hesitating is for girly men anyway, so in the rare cases it happens to me, I tell myself not to be girly the next time... LOL, you don't need to floor it, steady throttle is all you need.

As you probably know, there are 4 drive modes:
1/ manual without sport: I use this always the first 5 km when the engine is warming up, with light throttle.
2/ manual with sport: For all normal roads. Gives you control. Does not shift up unnecessary like an auto or the D-mode when you approach a situation like say a roundabout. All it takes is 1 or more thumbs to down-change 1 to 3 gears at once, or 1 or more pulls with the middle finger to upshift. I use the gearlever in a turn. You learn to lift the throttle during heavy charging gear-changes (which the recent double clutches don't need)
3/ D without sport: perfect for motorways. This mode can be a bit jerky in the lower gears (ie, hesitant!) but this does not come into play on motorways. You drive relaxed in D-6 and when the old chap before you clears the lane, you floor it and it goes to D-4 (even D-3) to rocket you forward. Perfect! You change gear with the throttle in this mode. Also decent when you are in a stop-and-go traffic jam as long as you can avoid the girly throttle movement.
4/ D with sport: only needed to follow a bunch of other lunatics on unknown B-roads during Dawn Raids in Wales in 2004! This mode only uses the lower 5 gears and the shifting point is 1000 rpm higher than D without sport.

If I have to name 1 downside: it can take to long to switch between 1 and R and vice versa during manouvring. This is because when you move the gear lever that way, it goes past N and that causes it to delay. My tip is to do the movement as fast as possible.

You just have to try yourself. My wife doesn't like it, she avoids to use my Z4. She drives a manual 320d touring.
If I ever buy another car, my choice would depend on the the use of the car. A weekend car could be a manual for me. A dayly driver would need to be flappy paddle.
 
That other link is just like any other discussion on the subject, here included.

People who haven't driven it, or have done so for 2 minutes: it's rubbish

People who own it: it's good once you learn how to use it

And it continues to go round in circles!
 
Mattt said:
That other link is just like any other discussion on the subject, here included.
And it continues to go round in circles!
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A bit like the Forum debates on tyres, colours, suspension, wheels, stubbys', second hand purchase, problems with dealers, exhausts, body kits etc etc..... ! But that's what makes this forum GREAT!
 
Mattt said:
People who haven't driven it, or have done so for 2 minutes: it's rubbish

People who own it: it's good once you learn how to use it

And it continues to go round in circles!
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:thumbsup:

I had it and liked it. I have also driven a 545i with the same system.

If I decide to move up the housing ladder next year I will want to keep a second car but probably sell my M - if that time comes I intend to ask the SMG owners if they want to px before putting the M on general sale, I would want SMG again on a 3.0i
 
Mattt said:
That other link is just like any other discussion on the subject, here included.

People who haven't driven it, or have done so for 2 minutes: it's rubbish

People who own it: it's good once you learn how to use it

And it continues to go round in circles!
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But that's what happens on forums - people ask the same question and get the same answer.

People who own something love it, others who chose not to do not:
Roadster V Coupe
108's Vs Ellipsoid
Manual Vs Auto


I'd also note that poeple who own things are very defensive and supportive. Skoda years ago (Pre VW) was frequently ranked as one of the best cars in the JD Powers survey. It was crap, but owners defended their choice and had low expectation of performance, dealers, etc.

I agree it's bad to give a negative opinion based on second hand or limited experience. Interesting though that BMW ran the SMG for only a short while and it was never a big seller being discontinued fairly quickly
 
True - but I wonder how much of the lack in sales was due to the negative reviews it received, rather than people actually taking a decent drive. Saying that the very early cars probably had rubbish software on them, and it was only refined after time.
 
Mattt said:
People who haven't driven it, or have done so for 2 minutes: it's rubbish

People who own it: it's good once you learn how to use it
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Sorry but I have to disagree. If you drive an M3 SMG II back to back with the 3.0 E46 (same SSG as the Z4), you immediately see the difference - both are clutch less manuals, both have their critics....but SSG is very poor and didn't last long for a reason. If they had offered SMG II on the Z4 I would have a very different view (I ended up buying an M3 SMG II after a fairly brief test drive). As above though, it's a bit like the MR vs MC debate or manual vs auto, we aren't all going to agree.

IMO, avoid an SMG Z4 like the plague...go Auto or manual
 
I'm sure SMG II is a lot better and it is a bit of a shame it was never offered on the S54 MC/MR but I guess BMW had their reasons for not offering it.

If I thought SMG I was ok I am sure I would be delighted with an M3 SMG II...
 
I love this forum, everyone giving an honest opinion without rubbishing anyone else, -very gentlemanly!
(I have an SMG/SSG and also drive a Multitronic Audi day to day) agreed the Z4 has its flaws, after all its a 7 year old system, but can also be great fun and IMHO is a very flexible system, allowing an unusual compromise between manual and auto cars, some may say the best of both worlds. It certainly changes faster than my 2010 Audi (but not as smoothly, lol) In my mind it's a good compromise for a sports car.

To sum up, each to his own, everyone is entitled to their opinion but no matter what transmission the Z4 is fitted with, it's a great car!

and yes, I'm biased! :fuelfire:
 
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