SMG problems on 2003, Z4 3.0L

M

martin7650

Member
Hi All,
I just bought a 3.0l E85 with an SMG box. the car has only done 42K and is generally in good condition.
However the SMG box is starting to play up.
At times the box is fine, it will change up and down using stick or paddles.
At other times the paddles hardly seem to work and if just cruising the box will jump from 3rd or 4th to 1st.
When in the Auto mode the car always jumps out of auto if you slow right down or stop.
I have tried changing the SMG relay( no effect)
I have also considered changing the fluid in the box but I have read so many blogs that I'm totally confused.
My impression is that the box and transmission are one and you only need to fill will hydraulic fluid???
I have read that there is a hydraulic expansion tank on the side with upper and lower level marks.??
So Question 1 Does any-one know what's wrong with the box.?
2. What is the fluid spec required to fill the box?
3 Where do you empty and fill the box from?
I know BMW say the box is filled for life but if that's so why have level indicators.
Getting a bit desperate so please help.
Cheers
Martin
 
Go and have a look on M3cutters. They are far more clued up over there on the SMG system as it was fitted to the e46 M3 too.
 
I could be wrong, but the SMG on the E46 was the SMG II though whilst the Z4 version is the most basic non configurable one?
 
Thanks Guys,
I think you are right about the SMG 11 though. The M3 and M5 box is far more advanced than that on the Z4. (shows how many Blogs I've been reading)
The SMG 11 on the M5 allows for programming of a number of speed/control modes (I think 5 in both Man and 5 in Auto and 5 in sport).
The Z4 box is the H-SMG, whatever that means.
 
Isn't the Z4 smg from the E36.??
Either way the smg in the E36 and E46 are just a whole lot of money problems :|
 
The pump was my first thought but the fact that some days it works perfect and others it plays up?
Also it changes gears fine even when you don't want it to.
Apart from the oil/hydraulic fluid ??? my other thought was the speed sensor on the box.
Anyone had experience with that?
 
First thing I would do is get the oil changed, you'd be surprised how often that can solve a lot of issues.

It's a easy job if you have access to a flat ramp, a garage would charge you £150 max. Including the filter and gasket. The oil is special fluid (can't remember the name now but it's something like LT64xxx) and is quite expensive at £12 per litre.

Find a decent garage who know how to do the job though. (Or DIY it).
 
Just curious if you ever got the issues resolved. I have the SMG as well, but it has been flawless....looking forward to learning all I can about them.
 
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