SMG II and other alternatives

[JohnH]

Just read a good article in EVO comparing the latest manual, semi-manual, auto, CVT and pure sequential gearbox.

They used the following cars:

Ferrari 360 F1
Toyota MR2 SMT
MB Sports Coupe Sequentronic
M3 SMGFiat Punto Speedgear
Lotus Elise Gemini/QED
MB AMG C32
Honda S2000 Manual

The conclusion was that the only genuine alternative to a good manual gearbox for the enthusiast is the M3 SMG II. They did note that with the SMG in Programme 6 Mode comes a warning of premature component failure!! It did also say that the only box to give flat-out, fast-as-your-hand-will-move gearchanges is a true sequential which at the moment is only useable on track days.

looking forward they reckoned we will get GPS linked gearbox management systems which will pick the best gear for the next corner!!!!

[Gustav]

Sounds like music to my ears!

Originally posted by JohnH

The conclusion was that the only genuine alternative to a good manual gearbox for the enthusiast is the M3 SMG II

[Mr. Grinch]

Unfortunately, no SMG II for Canada yet. Tired of the wait, I decided to take my allocation... regular 6 speed.

Definately there is a lot of potential with a transmission like this. Optimum gear for performance is one. But another would be shifting for max fuel economy. With the option of an economy program, the M3 could get better fuel economy and perhaps avoid the "gas guzzler" tax in the US. Might be handy too!

From an industry point of view it's interesting as well. Maybe we'll see more players making computerized clutches. Which would in turn force more development of hydraulic torque convertor based automatics, or push them out.

I wonder out of the cars in that review, how they ranked? IE which was 2nd and what pros / cons did the SMG 2 have compared to 2nd place?

[Myron]

I've heard that the SMG is not ONLY a pleasure.
Driving in parking-garages etc, it's almost hard to drive because of the lack of clutch. Aslo gearing between 1-2 in level 5 & 6 really brakes your neck... Just what I've heard. Doesn't mean it's no good though.

[JohnH]

Mr Grinch,

They didn't really rank them other than the SMGII being the only acceptable alternative to a manaual. Here are some of the coments:

Ferrari 360 Modena F1 - Let down by upshifts being too slow
Mercedes Sports Coupe Sequetronic - Best Automatic available
MR2 SMT - Totally spoils the enjoyment of the car
MB AMG C32 - Frustration due to automatic box still making decisions even when using the manual shift option
Honda S2000 Manual - One of the best around
Gemini/QED Lotus Elise - Needs refinement
Fiat Punto Speedgear - CVT, terrible

[Magna]

It seems that Mercedes Benz makes the best automatics while BMW and Honda makes the best traditional manuals. I have read that opinion more than a few times in car magazines.

[Enigma]

Originally posted by Myron
Driving in parking-garages etc, it's almost hard to drive because of the lack of clutch. Aslo gearing between 1-2 in level 5 & 6 really brakes your neck... Just what I've heard. Doesn't mean it's no good though.

Having briefly driven my car in a parking lot I can say that there are no problems with the clutch engagement.

Yes the shifts if 5&6 are quite severe. However, if you don't like this then why not use 1,2,3, or 4?

I will have a much better feel after I pickup the car tommorow.

[Magna]

Engima:

Nice new car you got there! Maybe you could post some pics of the Imola Red interior when you pick up your car.

[Enigma]

Originally posted by Myron
I've heard that the SMG is not ONLY a pleasure.
Driving in parking-garages etc, it's almost hard to drive because of the lack of clutch. Aslo gearing between 1-2 in level 5 & 6 really brakes your neck... Just what I've heard. Doesn't mean it's no good though.

I picked up my SMG today and put about 170 miles on it. I can say that there is absolutely no need to worry about low speed maneuvering. The clutch operation is every bit as good as I could do after driving them for ~12 years. I had a ton of practice as I was stuck in a stop and go traffic jam for almost an hour. I just stuck it in A4 after a while and let it do the constant 1-2-1-2 shifting. The other thing that’s nice is that in 1st gear it will not disengage the clutch until the last possible moment ~1000rpm so you don’t even need the brakes unless you need a complete stop.

I didn’t get a chance to use mode 6 (forbidden by break in rules) but I did much of the driving in mode 5. The shifts are very smooth in your daily rpm range 2-4k. In the 4-5 range they start to become “jarring”. I assume that above that they are even more violent but again thanks to break in rules no chance to test.

Another great function often overlooked is the gradient assist for hill starts. Works great with near zero rollback.

If you want I can put up SMG interior IR/IR pics soon.