Do you prefer the old fashioned 6-speed stick with clutch, or do you prefer a new generation of SMG clutshless gear box?

 

SMG!! No question. It's the very best of both worlds.

 

whats SMG?

 

SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox). A couple of companies i know who have this technology which is BMW, Ferrari and Aston Martin. This is a great technology because the shifting is always perfect on this.

 

I wish they would put both in a car. I think sometimes I'd like to use the clutch, but then again, sometimes the SMG will pass

 

i dont get it, isnt SMG same thing as our SS then? or it doesnt have the 1 sec delay that we have?

 

SMG?, let us say, It is a real maunual gearbox with compter controlled hydrolic cluctch, it would upshift/downshift the same way as it is the case in current 01' model.

Add, more control to how the auto mode behaves( Auto programs) , in the same way as it is the case in the M3-SMG-II.

 

Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) is a 6-speed manual transmission that incorporates two shift modes: Sequential and Automated. In Sequential mode, shifting is controlled by moving the shift lever forward/rearward or by using shift paddles located at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. In Automated mode, shifting is controlled by the SMG system. In both Sequential and Automated modes, the driver has a choice of five DRIVELOGIC programs, ranging from comfort to sporty. The SMG transmission was inspired by and developed from BMW Motorsport and is more engaging than a BMW automatic transmission.

Advantages

Shifting can occur faster than even an expert driver can achieve. (as fast as 80 milliseconds)
2 modes: Sequential and Automated
5 DRIVELOGIC programs controlling gearshift actuation
SMG revs the throttle during downshifts to help modulate engine braking.
A BMW Motorsport inspired gearbox with Formula One style controls.
An alternative manual transmission you can shift in quick succession to move rapidly through the gears
Shift lights maximize engine performance (sequential mode)
Includes Park Distance Control (rear)

hehe okie now i get it. I dont like how the shifting buttons are on the steeling wheel though, thats 1 of the reasons why i didnt like my cousin's IS300, i couldnt find the buttons while i was turning. But other than that, the SMG seems really nice.

 

Forget about the buttons, there is the old slush stick that you can use.

 

Totally agreed. I want SMG....

 

do they have something like SMG on an Acura?

 

On a the RD-X prototype only. Sorry, no production cars yet Hopefully this will change in the near future.

 

haha nah, i wish, we have a slap stick. Works kind of like how u slap ur bitch ,then a second later, it'll kick u back.

 

Hhhhmmm interesting.

 

haha dont mind me, im young and stupid. Besides, i've been sitting here at work for 3 hours when everyone else is at an all morning meeting, im here inthe lab all alone with 30 computers and a few servers hmmming at me, going crazy.

 

It would be really cool if they used a standard shifter but without the clutch. Then you could hit any gear directly. One big problem I have with SS is that you can't tell what gear you're in by feeling he shifter position.

 

One of the advantages of the 2-postions SMG instead of 6-postions is that you can not miss a shift and shifting is much faster. It safer and less hassle.

I am pretty sure that even in manual mode, the computer will auto downshif and override the current gear as not stall the engine or lugg the engine under load in high gears, the same beautifull way it is done now in the slushbox of the CLS.

At a stop, it will auto clutch in 1st as not to stall the engine.

BTW, one of the best feature of the M3-SMG-II is the auto kick down and clutch dump feature. Basically you hold the stick forward WOT and the computer will rev up and hold the RPMs at the max safest rpm. You release the shift stick and SMG-II will dump the clutch for you and shoot u like sling shot..... Yeah baby I need that... As if it's automated Brake torquing on the currrent CLS.

 

sorry i dont know how to drive a stick so i dont get what u mean by that? Hold the stick forward WOT and the compute rwill rev up and hold the RPMs at the max safest rpm? What do u mean by dump the clutch for you?

 

In order to launch harder, you would rev up say to 3000 rpm and release the clutch and then go WOT and shift at the redline...

The SMG will automate that for you.

Maybe someone will explain this better..

 

For a fast launch, you hold the clutch down and rev the engine. Then take your foot off the clutch rapidly. The tires squeal and you launch.

 

oh so is like brake torqueing without steping on the brake and it'll be at the best rpm for ur launch.... ahhh i get it now, thanks. god i love this site, learn so much here.

 

And does the SMG put the same power to the ground as a manual does, or does it put the same power to the ground as an auto?

Spiro

 

SMG is a MANUAL gearbox. Same perforamce as the real manual gearbox.

 

Definitely SMGII. I still haven't perfected heel-and-toe technique, and as a result I have to be real careful around tight, quick-downshift corners. It's bitten me once, when I almost stuffed my car into a wall after under-revving on a downshift. SMGII can downshift much more smoothly than I'll ever be able to...

 

You are talking about the Launch Control feature. This is NOT yet offered on US spec SMG cars. Europe only. It burns the clutch up in 30 launches and would be too expensive for BMW to replace on the Full Maintanance program. I think they should just offer it an not replace the clutch for free.

Also, an SMG system called SSG (5 gears) is available as an option in Europe on the 325 and 330. I wonder if we will see this soon on US spec E46s

 

Exactly, you even get the same fuel consumption (as opposed to an auto which usually raises fuel consumption a bit).

 

Never drove an SMG equipped car, but the review I read a while back on the M3 test drive sounded pretty impressive.

But, due to lack of personal experience with it I must vote 6-Speed.

Shawn S

 

SMG, there is no contest.

 

as long as i have a penis it's the 6-speed for me. Somehow I don't think "hey baby watch the computer pull off this great downshift" has much sex appeal. And yes I know both my cars are manuals but we have a untitled MR2 at my friend's shop with dealer plates. That's our Initial D ride

 

SMG for me! Can't make a mistake in shifting! lol!

 

It's also pretty sexy when you miss a shift or grind some gears and the car youre racing against looks over and laughs at you.....

 

Prefer the 6spd manual, don't want the best of both worlds....

If I went with lets say and M3, it would be the 6spd...and I get to save $2400 in the process, nothing wrong with that.

 

Ya know i can tell this forum is used by a bunch of guys that bought an automatic.

 

That's why sOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many tranny's are fried ! These young folks NEVER grew up with manuals as I did, so I know how to work the SS and NOT fook it up ! I LOVE manuals, but can't seem to take the HUGE ACURA HIT, just to have a stick, I think I am leaning toward that 350Z 6MT once the Hype is all done !

 

Manual for me. Much more versatility in how you can make the car behave. Can a SMG do a high rev clutch dump when you race someone at speed, adjust agressivness shift to shift w/o changing the settings or give that exact amount of clutch slip for racing at the track with varying types of tires?

If I want to push buttons to shift, I'll throw in Gran Turismo 3.

 

Actually....it does everything except change your pants after you piss in them....from the hard almost perfect launch....

 

SMG is a great toy, but I would get a six speed. Of course if you gave me an SMG...

 

Now how eactly would you know...

I've been driving stick since i was 15. We used to sneak out a friend's dad's Del Sol. Just because you can't push a pedal AND move a lever at the same time...

 

Becaues the Road&Track Review said so.




Euro spec BMW SMGII for me.

 

a lot of people on this board have never had a standard car in their family let alone learned to drive one...

I have 2 automatics, 2 standard cars and 2 standard bikes...I can drive a stick well, and thoroughly enjoy thrashing one, but I'm still drooling in anticipation of delivery of my SMG equipped M3...sure, maybe it is a glorified automatic BUT it's also technology straight from racing, being applied to passenger cars, to me, that is awesome to see. I mean anything that is carried from racing to street cars is likely something I'd approve of, since racers just want to be faster too....

if SMG is good enough for F1, ALMS etc, then I can't see it not being competent for me, a compentent stick driver...

I wonder how long until the NSX and the S2000 have sequential gearboxes....