http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/...,358540,00.html

"There's a cheat code in the software running the BMW M3's sequential manual gearbox (SMG): Press the right buttons in the right order and the car will launch you from a stop after revving the engine to 5,000 rpm. But don't look for a how-to in the owners' manual

 

Does it turn for you too? I'm sorry but I'm just not a fan of that clutchless BS. F1 was boring when they had all the aids, and a street car is even more so with that BS.

 

Feels really video gameish. I drove that sequential crap on the MR2. DONT WORRY, Im not comparing the mr2 to the E46, But i agree with /Fyrestike on this one, where will it END!? Soon i wont have to be awake to drive.

 

I disagree that SMG is just "BS" and "crap". Most people think that SMG is similar to triptronic automatics, which it is not. Unlike automatics, it doesn't have a torque converter. Like manuals, it does have a clutch, although no cluth pedal. You still retain full control of shifting and can redline every gear if you wish using SMG.

Besides one in a Ferrari, BMW's SMG is the closest thing to a F1 gearbox in a production car.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mav
I disagree that SMG is just "BS" and "crap".

 

Unless you're the six million dollar man with a bionic arm or your last name ends with Schumacher or Montoya, no human can shift in 0.8 seconds, 0.8 seconds it takes SMG in S6 Mode to shift and double clutch. So sorry Alex, but you are wrong here.

This is the exact reason why I ordered SMG... I love technology!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mav

 

Well Car and Driver tends to think the good old manual BMW M3 is better. I'm fairly sure their instrumented testing proved it as well.

I'm kinda curious how the SMG holds up. I know the Magneti Marelli 'f1 style' transmissions as used by Ferrari and Maserati each clutches in 10-12k miles. Replacement isn't cheap either.

I'll take a 6-speed over SMG any day of the week. Oh and don't kid yourself the SMG in the M3 isn't anything like a racing sequential. Two completely different things.

 

You can still heel-toe and skip shift in SMG. 2nd to 4th... two clicks on the up paddle... 0.8 seconds.

The advantages of SMG are clear, every shift is perfect, precise and consistent. How can this not be better? On the track, SMG M3's are faster then the conventional 6 speed M3. And from what I've read in various articles, several professional race car drivers prefer SMG over 6 speed if given the choice.

And sorry Keith, but Car & Driver is the LAST place I would get any automotive opinions from... According to them, the 350Z and Mustang are better than the S.

 

The S2000 only lost to the Mustang and the 350Z because of the hardtop and the noises it made. It wasn't the 'driving' part. C&D is usually pretty good.

SMG M3s are not faster on the track Tommy, whats what I told you before. The SMG system for the populous is not the same as the 'dog box' style sequentials in race cars. There are syncros and other 'comfort' things done to the people's sequential that don't exist in race cars.

Additionally, you cannot heel-toe in an SMG M3. In theory you could, but there would be no purpose, you dont have three pedals to modulate. Heel-toeing is to facilitate a match rev downshift, which the transmission will do for you. It would be much more prudent to left foot brake an SMG M3 as it would give you much better control.

Its all a moot point because 99.99999999999999% of the people who buy SMG's won't ever track them. They buy them because they want an automatic M3.