Bad idea to get SMG?

Pk Mods · 05-08-2012, 07:03 PM

So i have a discussion open about what cars i could get on my budget, $33k, and iv been really putting the 06 E46 M3 (comp. package) up there and its pretty much on the same priority level as my #1 car, 370z NISMO. A reason that it is about to beat the car that iv been almost sure i was sticking with for over 1/2 year is because i really wanted the whole SMG systen in my car. im pretty new to "manual transmission" as iv only driven automatic cars before,(but i REALLY want to learn how to drive stick and have a car like that for a while) and SMG seems pretty cool and fun to drive.

the only thing is, iv been hearing from many people that getting an SMG transmission on an 06' models is just a bad idea and is only going to be costly for me to have. no one has really given me a specific answer as to why it would be costly and id really like some info on it. i tried looking up "SMG problems" in the search but nothing really relative to what people were saying came up. Im not sure if the people that are telling me this are saying that the actually transmission system is "crappy" and wont hold up as much as a straight stick & clutch manual system.

Any advice given is appreciated

S65V8 · 05-09-2012, 05:28 AM

Yes, SMG is crappy on the E46 M3, many problems especially bought used and past maintenance. Not only that, but the shifting technology is dated, noticeably clunky vs. DCT, and slower. Get a 6MT if anything. Do a quick search on http://forum.e46fanatics.com/. In general, the E46 M is high maintenance car past 60,000 miles.

Otherwise, I think the E46 M3 is the best looking M in history to-date, wish it wasn't so expensive to keep.

Boostin FD · 05-10-2012, 02:21 PM

I Never had any issues with My SMG. Car had 144k miles before it was sold. It all depends how you treat it I guess.

Nang Vann · 05-11-2012, 12:09 AM

Love the 6 speed manual....

But whatever floats your boat I guess

05-08-2012, 07:03 PM	#1
Pk Mods Private 4 Rep 50 Posts Drives: Dope Join Date: May 2012 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Bad idea to get SMG? So i have a discussion open about what cars i could get on my budget, $33k, and iv been really putting the 06 E46 M3 (comp. package) up there and its pretty much on the same priority level as my #1 car, 370z NISMO. A reason that it is about to beat the car that iv been almost sure i was sticking with for over 1/2 year is because i really wanted the whole SMG systen in my car. im pretty new to "manual transmission" as iv only driven automatic cars before,(but i REALLY want to learn how to drive stick and have a car like that for a while) and SMG seems pretty cool and fun to drive. the only thing is, iv been hearing from many people that getting an SMG transmission on an 06' models is just a bad idea and is only going to be costly for me to have. no one has really given me a specific answer as to why it would be costly and id really like some info on it. i tried looking up "SMG problems" in the search but nothing really relative to what people were saying came up. Im not sure if the people that are telling me this are saying that the actually transmission system is "crappy" and wont hold up as much as a straight stick & clutch manual system. Any advice given is appreciated
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05-09-2012, 05:28 AM	#2
S65V8 _ 808 Rep 3,160 Posts Drives: ... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (10)	Yes, SMG is crappy on the E46 M3, many problems especially bought used and past maintenance. Not only that, but the shifting technology is dated, noticeably clunky vs. DCT, and slower. Get a 6MT if anything. Do a quick search on http://forum.e46fanatics.com/. In general, the E46 M is high maintenance car past 60,000 miles. Otherwise, I think the E46 M3 is the best looking M in history to-date, wish it wasn't so expensive to keep.
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05-10-2012, 02:21 PM	#3
Boostin FD Bored all the time 382 Rep 2,173 Posts Drives: Batmobile Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kirkwood iTrader: (2)	I Never had any issues with My SMG. Car had 144k miles before it was sold. It all depends how you treat it I guess. __________________ Current: 2014 991 Turbo RS Past: 15 GT3, 17 R8 SC, Two 16 M4 GTS’s, Two 18 GT350R's, Two 13 RS5’s, 13 M3, 10 R8, 15 M4, 09 M3, 04 M3, 09 S5, 02 M3... It all started with an RX-7 (FD).
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05-11-2012, 12:09 AM	#4
Nang Vann Lieutenant Colonel 25 Rep 1,513 Posts Drives: E46 M3, R35 GT-R Join Date: May 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Love the 6 speed manual.... But whatever floats your boat I guess __________________ Moving on up!
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