NewNiceMrMe Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Ok, as most know I have recently (3-4 weeks) changed from an 04 M3 Coupe (Manual) to an 04 M3 Convertible (SMG). There are lots of comparisons that could be made but the most obvious technical review is undoubtedly that of the gearing mechanism. I have received lots of comments pre-purchase and post-purchase. SMG this, Manual that. However, now that I have owned both I feel suitably qualified to offer a review to anyone that may be sruggling to decide or wonder if, in the real world, what they have heard is indeed true. Of course, all of this is purely personal opinion but I do believe my variations of driving allow a full and competent assessment of the merits of both. MANUAL My initial choice. There were various reasons for this. Firstly, I drove an SMG II M3 and found the controls difficult to master in the short 6-7 mile trip. Secondly, I had always liked the raw purist feel of a manual sporting car rather than anything that was "electronically" governed (forgetting that the M3 is brimming with technological gadgets elsewhere!). Control was another consideration. The M3 seemed more controllable, more part of the driver, more of an extension of his wishes on the road. Fourthly, the £2500 premium attached to the SMG II box seemed very high. Finally, Top Gear didn't like the SMG box. They didn't say it was the worst, but they still didn't like it. So, Manual it was. After a month or so of ownership I began to have my doubts. Again, various reasons for doing so. Firstly, the shift into first, and on occasions the shift into second, weren't as smooth as they could have been. First into Second seemed particularly difficult to get the right balance every time. Secondly, the clutch. Spending at least twice a week in very heavy traffic, moving 500 yards in an hour at times, became extremely annoying. Leg muscles would certainly improve, but frustration built. Finally, the uncanny nack of going from 6th to 2nd....I did this twice in by first week of ownership. Not a clever thing to do. I didn't do it again, but I did miss the odd gear selection in a rush at times - not good if you're wanting to demonstrate the swiftness of your vehicle! Overall, I had no major complaints, but the seed of doubt had been planted. SMG II My second M3. This came about when in for the first service. An 04 Convertible, with SMG, slightly less miles and with SatNav Pro/TV and basically everything on the options list. The dealer made an offer I would have been silly to refuse and after I'd got him down even further we did the deal. I had driven the vehicle. This time though it was an hours test drive. Much better. I think this is more due to being familiar with the power and delivery of the M3 due to the fact I already owned one. But, it made a difference. SMG seemed easier to master. I knew what to expect from the engine, I knew where each shift down would raise the revs to, I knew where the real bite in the mouth of the beast was. Something else was also in mind. SMG II allowed fully automatic mode. Not something I'd select very often...but for those twice a week traffic jams it would be a godsend. Slip it hard right and relax, just feathering the accelerator and setting Drivelogic to 0 or 1. There is no doubt the SMG delivery isn't what it should be. The need to ease ever so slightly off the right pedal in order to get an ultra-smooth change is annoying, particularly when the owner manuals advises that you do not need to lift off. But - how many times do M3 owners want an ultra smooth change? The big bonus though is the ability to change driving and gearshift modes according to your mood. Mainly on program 3/4 - sometimes on program 0 or 1, and ever so occasionally switch DSC off and engage purist mode (because it won't engage with DSC on). Oh heaven. The sheer kick of the top Drivelogic setting coupled with the right foot hard down and paddle clicks on the right is glorious. I await a stretch of road every day on my way to work now - and do exactly the same. Not because it is needed, not because it makes the car better - but because I can!!!! Pulling off in 2nd requires no effort as the car takes care of the clutch you have to feather so carefully in the manual version. The flicking between the gearlever and paddles can be somewhat cumbersome when in a series of bends (because once past 45 degrees the paddles are impossible to find!) but you do become used to it. VERDICT You don't have to select Manual if you're a purist. Is the premium worth it for SMG II? If you sometimes want the relaxing ride, and you more often than not want the M3 ride, and you want to find out what it is like to be Michael Schumacher every day, then yes, it is well worth it. The blip on the throttle, taken care of by the car, is appealing, if not occasionally annoying. Sometimes pedestrians look as if to say "poser, why did he rev the car between changes" - errm, I didn't, the car did...but it is worth it! So, much to the contrary of advice I was given and having owned both, I find myself saying that SMG II is certainly the better form of gearbox. Oh, one caveat....petrol consumption. Compared with my Manual I am averaging 2mpg less in the SMG car. Odd? Not really....you happily shift down and let the gearing slow the car, easing on the brakes - hence more fuel consumption! Taken me a while to work it out, but a swift re-think of my driving style over the last week and sure enough the mpg rose again - all to do with foot braking as opposed to engine braking! Hope some prospective buyers find this useful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Very nice review dude. Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted December 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Cheers Riz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omi Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 M3Me, bit of a boy-racer question, so excuse me... Have you used Launch Control yet? - And is it true that if you use it twice, it invalidates your warranty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted December 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Aha - the answer is an immediate no. However, I will. But...the advice from the dealership is that more than 5 uses would almost certainly give a problem in the event of any warranty claim. The dealership actually say please don't. Not for them, but because BMW are very arsey about its use on the E46 M3's. The fact is though, in a court of law, BMW would never win a case for over-use. Thats because it is detailed in their manuals. All they say is it may prematurely wear components, but because they give no written guidelines on how often to use it they would almost certainly lose a court case if you took them on the basis they wouldnm't pay out for a repair. I'll use it, but it'll be very seldom, perhaps once or twice a year when having a play around in a quiet location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lagoo Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 [ QUOTE ] Aha - the answer is an immediate no. However, I will. But...the advice from the dealership is that more than 5 uses would almost certainly give a problem in the event of any warranty claim. The dealership actually say please don't. Not for them, but because BMW are very arsey about its use on the E46 M3's. The fact is though, in a court of law, BMW would never win a case for over-use. Thats because it is detailed in their manuals. All they say is it may prematurely wear components, but because they give no written guidelines on how often to use it they would almost certainly lose a court case if you took them on the basis they wouldnm't pay out for a repair. I'll use it, but it'll be very seldom, perhaps once or twice a year when having a play around in a quiet location. [/ QUOTE ] Good review M3me! I never used launch control on my cab, wish i had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omi Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Well, you'd have to go everywhere in Tarmac Hooligan (mode 6) before you got rid of it! Can I respectfully suggest that the NE Meet might be a good time to unleash the full potential, before the eyes of fellow enthusiasts who you can call as witnesses when telling people how amazing your car is. Equally respectfully, if you don't have one already, I have a G-Meter and timing tools in exchange for the vacant spot about 3ft to your left at the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 CSL is wicked.... Launch control.... i think.... Right Click And Save As Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omi Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 But... But... That was accelerating hard all the way to about 180mph! (indicated) *looks out of window at shabby E30* Perhaps I need a new car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted December 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Ooo oo oo! I like the sound of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 [ QUOTE ] But... But... That was accelerating hard all the way to about 180mph! (indicated) *looks out of window at shabby E30* Perhaps I need a new car... [/ QUOTE ] Yup.... its the CSL Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CARACTERE 007 Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 ohh i heard it was more than 20 times ..then youd be worried about launch control related problemos!..im usually wrong though..im sure ive read it somewhere!???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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