I've gone through the trouble of relocating my SMG pump to the passenger drug well bin, that's how much I want to keep the experience. I love the violent, visceral shifts it gives in S6 mode. I also have a Mk6 GTI in 6sm.. its a blast to go back and forth between SMG and classic manual. I prefer the SMG so I still get the Getrag 6 speed with a clutch, plate, FW of my choosing.. without controlling the clutch so I can focus more on perfecting advanced driving technique. The ppl that complain about SMG are those that don't understand its true function/design, and how to care for it and the proper technique for optimal performance. It only takes a bit of time to perfect the driving technique as it's Def different than DCT and automatics. But again, I love the "clunkiness" of the shifts, gives it a very mechanical feel that I think is so dampened or just outright missing from modern sportscars.. something about how raw the overall experience is. The SMG shifting is pretty fast when in S6 mode and full throttle no let go of gas on shifts. Not really much of a delay compared to DCT, maybe slightly, but to me, a very different experience and totally worth maintaining for its uniqueness of design alone! Although all my non e46 M3 car buddies lose interest when I try to explain what it is 😂🤣

No. They are perfect! I have no problem with in.

SMG deserves more credit than it gets, have 52k trouble free miles, great on track...but when pump eventually goes will save money doing conversion for new kind of fun to drive and make it more valuable

I have a 2004 m3 152k miles with SMG, biggest problems were replacing gearbox input speed sensor and gear position switch. 150 dollars in parts plus a 50 dollar CSL smg tune and the car shifts so amazing now. I would rather have SMG or the manual variant. That being said, if the pump ever goes, I'll probably swap to manual. SMG is a pretty dope transmission variant and is definitely unique.

Also if you hold the left paddle shift in for 0.5 seconds while on the foot brake the engine will raise revs to maintain position of the vehicles on a incline/decline

The best upgrade to get for the smg is a longer shifter. I don't know why they used that tiny little thing from the factory.

Amazing boxes, I loved mine.

also the camera, at least a good camera with good optical image stabilization plus any software enhancements, the ride could look a lot smoother than it is, none the less i love your car, and works amazing

interest SMG video, thank you!

I drive my e46 m3 with the smg in sport mode every single day. Forst thing I do.when I start my car I push the sport mode button. And drive it in manual mode.

I have a 2004 m3 with 126000, just had it converted to 6mt along with valve adjustment and bullet proofing the vanos. It is fun to drive, but I feel that I enjoyed the SMG more...alot more. changed purely for reliability (It was starting to act up).

I love my SMG... has no issues just when it gets extremely hot and I drive hard the temp sensor throws the trans off into limp for a couple seconds. Besides that I love it. Also the auto mode is trash, I've used it once when I got my m3 and never again.

The only bad thing about SMG is the driver operating it

I’m sure people that complain about SMG are those that can’t decently drive a manual anyways. On mine the sport button is always on (software update) and it’s a manual, without sport on the car feels sluggish

I’ve own SMG E46 for the last 20 years mate no problem at all people talk @@@@“”””

Nothing wrong with the SMG, it may take a little while to get used to it, but once you've learned how to drive it, it's a decent system, in auto I don't like it tho,But I'm used to the ZF 8 speed as a daily. I drove a few manuals before I got my SMG, and wouldn't switch to a manual now.

I have smg with 400 000 km yes I said it

your mistake was testing the smg when it was WORKING. They are awful because they break. And then they are super expensive.