e36 SMG I was it really that bad?

[denverlicious]

well ive been reading posts and searching everywhere just to find the answers i needed and can't seem to find it. all i wanted to know was what made the SMG I so bad and why the SMG II is just that much better..like can someone describe to me how the SMG I felt to make it so bad? thx

[m3ster]

From what I undersatnd from your post, it seems as though you understand SMG I to be from the e36. Actually SMG I is still used in the 545i and a few other cars. Only the E46 M3 has SMG II. The reason that SMG II is so much better is because it is more performance oriented. The shifts are much faster. From what I have heard, the SMG I shifts like a slush box. Just wait until the E60 M5 comes out with SMG III, that is going to be one awesome system.

[Ty Vil]

What are you talking about???

SMGI was on E36 M3's in Europe and from what I've read it was a horrible system. The shifts were jerky and the computer and tranny couldn't talk and interact like they can today with SMGII.

[Serious]

besides smg1 didnt have the cool paddle shifter thingys.

[denverlicious]

well what do you mean by slushbox? do the shifts not shift smooth are they jerky? is it too smooth? haha details!!!

[m3ster]

What are you talking about???

SMGI was on E36 M3's in Europe and from what I've read it was a horrible system. The shifts were jerky and the computer and tranny couldn't talk and interact like they can today with SMGII.



well what do you mean by slushbox? do the shifts not shift smooth are they jerky? is it too smooth? haha details!!!

To answer both of your questions, I am not sure if the E36 M3 in Europe uses the same SMG I system as found in the 545i, Z4...etc. That is what I am talking about.

In terms of slushbox, I mean the shifts are really slow and it takes the computer a long time to make a decision.

[=BA=]

SMG I is not as fast as SMGII, with SMG I it takes about 250 millisec for upshifting when on full throttle, versus 80 millisec for the SMG II system. And it doesn't have the sportsettings, it decides for itself how fast it shifts. During easy cruising it shifts slower than when on full throttle.

I'm actually driving a Euro E36 M3 with SMG, and am happy with it. It sometimes feels somewhat slow, but I think the main cause is that you are waiting, instead of actively shifting yourself. Shifting itself is very smooth.

Also I believe the SMG system in the 545 etc was diffrent, and was called steptronic instead. But I'm not sure about it.

[cielo]

Also I believe the SMG system in the 545 etc was diffrent, and was called steptronic instead. But I'm not sure about it.

the us 545i only comes in manual or steptronic (shiftable automatic). however, the european 545i has their choice of manual, smg, or steptronic.

[m3ster]

the us 545i only comes in manual or steptronic (shiftable automatic). however, the european 545i has their choice of manual, smg, or steptronic.

That's not true. According to my dealer and the BMWUSA website you can order a 545i with a 6-speed SMG.

[cielo]

That's not true. According to my dealer and the BMWUSA website you can order a 545i with a 6-speed SMG.
my mistake...bmw usa throws it in the "6 speed" category and i can't find the two "auto" variants on edmunds. i'll have to mail someone about this...thanks for the info...

[bedema]

tell you what....smg sucks and it costs a fortune to fx
mine just broke down today