[Jahangeer]

What are the SMG boxes like on the E46 M3 - are they worth having over the manual shift stick?

What kind of things go wrong with this car- assuming they are not overly abused? Vanos? Clutch? ABS sensors?

If I went to look at one - what should I look for other than the customary paper work and normal checks around the car?

Is ther a big difference in the engines across the range of 99-04 models?

Just curious about these fantastic motors....

 

[vndkshn]

SMG/manual is like religion... if you pray to the "god" of the clutch pedal and don't like the Playstation feel of paddle shifting, you will probably never like SMG. However, if you pray to the "god" of F1 tranmissions, those endless rev matched downshifts and lightning fast upshifts will leave you harder than Chinese algebra. Drive both before deciding.

 

[davem3smg]

Agreed, definately drive both. I was commited to manual before buying my M3, but the cute salesgirl talked me into driving the SMG and I loved it. You will find that most people who have SMG absolutely love it. My personal opinion is go SMG. There is currently a thread going over on the M3forum about any problems with SMG and nobody has posted with a very high mileage on their car, but there haven't been any problems that anyone has posted either. Two links to check out:
1) So you don't get yelled at and some things to think about:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=52589
2) SMG Problems thread:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=84411

There isn't too much to look out for in the way of problems that I can think of. You might want to pop onto the m3forum and read about the rod bearing issues that the 01 M3 engines had. All of those problems should have been solved through a recall on the rod bearings or in some cases a new engine under warranty. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=41223

Other than that, read up on the options and figure out what you want and also realize that if you order one new, through the dealer, there are a lot of options that you can order that they don't really go out of their way to tell you are available.

Hope this was a helpful intro...There is tons of info over on the m3board...go spend some time over there. Good luck and if you end up getting the M3, I'm sure you'll love it! :M5thumbs::cheers:

 

[Jahangeer]

Agreed, definately drive both. I was commited to manual before buying my M3, but the cute salesgirl talked me into driving the SMG and I loved it. You will find that most people who have SMG absolutely love it. My personal opinion is go SMG. There is currently a thread going over on the M3forum about any problems with SMG and nobody has posted with a very high mileage on their car, but there haven't been any problems that anyone has posted either. Two links to check out:
1) So you don't get yelled at and some things to think about:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=52589
2) SMG Problems thread:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=84411

There isn't too much to look out for in the way of problems that I can think of. You might want to pop onto the m3forum and read about the rod bearing issues that the 01 M3 engines had. All of those problems should have been solved through a recall on the rod bearings or in some cases a new engine under warranty. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=41223

Other than that, read up on the options and figure out what you want and also realize that if you order one new, through the dealer, there are a lot of options that you can order that they don't really go out of their way to tell you are available.

Hope this was a helpful intro...There is tons of info over on the m3board...go spend some time over there. Good luck and if you end up getting the M3, I'm sure you'll love it! :M5thumbs::cheers:

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Thanks for the reply Dave and vndkshn.

I will take a look at the links and the M3forum. Will keep you posted on any purchase plans.