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SMG Tranny
Ok, if I purchase a car with an SMG tranny, what am I going to need to know to drive it? Will I need to work a clutch? Will I need to have experience driving a manual? I've never seen the inside of a car with an SMG transmission so I'm totally clueless on this one. All help would be appreciated, thanks!
| | Reply » SMG Tranny |
IF you´ve never driven a manual, you won´t be happy with SMG. It´s an automated manual (no clutch) that is meant for the driving enthousiast that would normally drive a stick. If you´re looking for an alternative to a true auto DO NOT get SMG. Only if you´re a good driver with a stick will you be able to appreciate SMG and drive it satisfactorily. You need to modulate the accelerator while shifting manually with the SMG to make smooth progress (just like on a manual) and should never ever use the automatic mode of SMG (it sucks really bad).
In short, you have to drive SMG like a manual with somebody else operating the clutch.
SMG is great for the those who hate step-autos and would normally drive stick but are tired of clutching and want to shift without taking their hands of the wheel. It really is suitable for only a minority of drivers.
I had an SMG on my E46 330Ci and loved it. I would have ordered it again on my E90 had it been available (which unfortunately it isn´t), so I´m back to a stick and miss SMG every day.
But you really need to be of a certain mindset to be happy with SMG.
Other than that:
there are tons of threads here and in other forums on SMG to get you reading for days
| | Reply » SMG Tranny |
Buy an SMG if you want the control of a manual without the hassle of clutching.
Buy it if your SO can not drive stick and you definitely want the manual.
Do not buy it if you want an Automatic. That mode requires some training which most slush box drivers can not appreciate or learn.
| | Reply » SMG Tranny |
I badly want a manual but can't work the clutch (and don't want to damage a new/nice used car trying). So, I AM in the right catagory... correct?
| | Reply » SMG Tranny |
No. If you´ve never driven a manual, you will be VERY unhappy with SMG. You need the expeience and ability of driving a manual to make the most of SMG. You need to drive it very much like a manual with finesse on the accelerator while shifting, proper knowledge of shifting points etc.
SMG is a very bad replacement for an auto. Most users who´ve given SMG such a bad name were former auto drivers. Only former manual drivers who took their experience in manuals to driving the SMG were pleased.
Besides SMG is (because of the many misconceptions and too many drivers who never understood it fully) on the way out. It´s still BMW´s option of choice for the M modells (as it´s still the most polpular option on Ferraris and Lambos), but for the wider market of more efficient automatics / automated manuals, the double clutch transmissons are the way to go. The VW/Audi/Bugatti DSG is such a gearboy. And BMW will be having such a box soon. That´s why the SMG will no be offered on the E90.
| | Reply » SMG Tranny |
Also realize that SMG in non-M cars, and SMG in M cars are totatlly different.
But, i would say that you may very well be fine with SMG. The people who have trouble with it are those who really want a performance automatic. If you understand that it is a manual transmission, but without a clutch pedal, you will probably be fine.
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SMG Tranny