[AzN_cHiC89]

My dad just brought an 2008 M3 convertible today with an SMG transmission and I was wondering what the pros and cons were to having this transmission or I would just like a little bit of info on it. I've personally never heard of an SMG transmission due to the fact that I know nothing about cars. I did do some goggling on it... and found like negative/positive reviews...and that its basically a manual w/o the clutch... i would just like some insight.

Furthermore, the only reason my dad bought the car with this type of transmission instead of a full manual is because my mom and I cannot drive manually... we're too used to driving with an automatic trans... which is why the sales rep suggested us to get the SMG trans since it was the only method.

Thanks!

edit: its an DCT trans not a SMG...opps... thanks mikez! so i guess i should change my question to "how are are DCT trans?" my dad just wanted to know if he made the right choice of getting a DCT instead of a manual. :]

[MsKrnDoll]

SMG stands for sequential M gearbox where the clutch and gearbox is operated electro hydraulically which means that there is no clutch but you can still shift gears through paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by pushing a floor shifter..

an SMG transmission is halfway between a manual and an auto transmission, i test drove a G37S with a similar SMG-like transmission that had the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, and it wasnt too bad

pros- safer at higher speeds and smoother shifting

cons- no clutch= not being able to "feel" the road i suppose

hope that helped.

[mikez]

I thought the E93 M3 comes with DCT and not SMG?

The previous M3's SMG was literally a manual without clutch, was actually a pain in the butt to drive cuz its jerky, and it wasnt those half and half semi automatic thing. If you don't know how to drive manual and drive the SMG M3 you will probably break the transmission real quick. It was literally I believe a manual gearbox attached to the peddles.

The new DCT(?) I believe thats what they are, are a half automatic half manual thing, you can leave it in auto or in manual. I head its more newbie orientated and easy to use. You can just flip it into manual and change gears and such.

[v8subie]

If the transmission breaks...$$$$...from what I hear.

[AzN_cHiC89]

I thought the E93 M3 comes with DCT and not SMG?

The previous M3's SMG was literally a manual without clutch, was actually a pain in the butt to drive cuz its jerky, and it wasnt those half and half semi automatic thing. If you don't know how to drive manual and drive the SMG M3 you will probably break the transmission real quick. It was literally I believe a manual gearbox attached to the peddles.

The new DCT(?) I believe thats what they are, are a half automatic half manual thing, you can leave it in auto or in manual. I head its more newbie orientated and easy to use. You can just flip it into manual and change gears and such.

ooh wow, the sales guy told us it was SMG trans... but I just checked and its a DCT like you said... stupid sales guy... >:[... well at least I can tell my dad its not a SMG and its a DCT. Thanks for the heads up...

[visuelz]

The SMG is a very good transmission. It's what everyone says it is but better than a manual. It shifts much faster than a human can.

[phantompc4]

pros: can be faster gear change than a human.

cons: possibly heavier trans, slower gear change, jerky and uncomfortable.

depends on the car company and how well they engineered their clutchless manual cars. just because its clutchless doesnt mean its faster in shifting. For the bmw i donno.

[mikez]

I heard the M3 DCT is a lot better than the manual in terms of usage and acceleration. It is also easy on the neck, it is comparable to the GT-R's DCT, just not as quick

DCT is actually preferred in the new M3 by a lot of people (including enthusiast) so your dad made a good choice.

Also DCT is Dual Clutch Transmission right? It is technically 80% manual then... those are very nice now a days how they can make it so its computer operated when you are too lazy to shift.

[bmwm3rod]

SMG stands for sequential M gearbox where the clutch and gearbox is operated electro hydraulically which means that there is no clutch but you can still shift gears through paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by pushing a floor shifter..

an SMG transmission is halfway between a manual and an auto transmission, i test drove a G37S with a similar SMG-like transmission that had the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, and it wasnt too bad

pros- safer at higher speeds and smoother shifting

cons- no clutch= not being able to "feel" the road i suppose

hope that helped.

Wow. Impressive...for a girl...

[mpower22]

Dual Clutch Transmission has 2 gear shafts. One with even gears and one with odd gears. Say like.... if you're in 3rd gear and getting near the redline then the 4th gear is on different shaft so it's already ready for you. So basically DCT has no shift time. Also it's a whole lot smoother than SMG.

But if' you're trying to downshift from 4th to 2nd gear then it must disengage that shaft and since they're both even gear it doesn't have the next gear ready. So when downshifting from even to even(or odd to odd) gears, it can be slower than a regular auto transmission at times.

But yeah...
I think he made the right choice.

[drkntiger]

In terms of daily driving, there really is nothing negative about it. Are you just curious about the differences in the two transmissions? Or are you trying to figure out whether your dad made a good choice in getting the double clutch transmission? If the latter, the negative points to a DC transmission do not justify to get a manual, when you and your mom are not willing to drive one.

[Launchbackwards]

There is only one drawback for DCT: repairs way down the road. Other than that, it is awesome. Especially, since the clutch pedal pressure and gearbox are horrible in the new M3s. It's crap, I hate it. Go drive one and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[kuku]

There is only one drawback for DCT: repairs way down the road. Other than that, it is awesome. Especially, since the clutch pedal pressure and gearbox are horrible in the new M3s. It's crap, I hate it. Go drive one and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Really? It's that bad? How do you compare it to the Z4 M coupe? That has a really easy clutch to use.