Dec 7, 2020 · I liked the SMG but for many reasons switched it. I plan on keeping the car forever and with BMW constantly raising prices in another 10 years I'll probably need another pump and it'll cost double what it does now so it made sense to get rid of that potential cost.

In BMW's credit, M cars are meant for the track. The US version of the software for the SMG is definitely worse than what everyone else got. For some reason, BMW likes to hose the US cars (E36 M3 being a prime example of this), although I suspect it has to do with emissions, safety, liability since most Americans don't know how to drive, etc.

Sep 4, 2017 · This is cheaper than a complete SMG unit replacement, but still a costly repair. For about $2500, I had the seals replaced, the accumulator replaced, and the SMG motor itself rebuilt. That being said, the car has gone 140,000 miles without an issue on the gearbox or SMG. It's only been this and the AC compressor that recently went out.

Sep 29, 2022 · IIRC it cost about 10-12K EUR to replace it. The "new" one (from BMW Germany, probably refurbished, but as new and original as one can buy from BMW) worked fine at normal driving, but also failed when hot (spirited driving up a mountain road). After a few months of arguing with BMW, they replaced it again at their own cost.

i would say that if you want another E46 with paddle shifters, get an automatic, buy an M3 smg steering wheel (and clockspring if the new one doesnt come with it. then theres this little wiring harness (something around $20-$30) you plug into the clockspring, run it down to the shifter and tap into two wires that plug into the shifter. theres quite …

Jul 25, 2019 · Hey guys, I've been considering buying an E46 M3 as my first BMW and also my first car. Deep down, the SMG transmission makes me second guess myself, as it is very likely to find SMG M3s in my country (Dominican Republic) for sale, probably 98% of the M3s I've seen for sale in D.R. have a SMG transmission and I heard it could be very expensive ...

Sep 14, 2020 · I'm looking at something like a 100k mileish bmw E60 545/550 with the actual manual, not the horrific smg. I've done a fair bit of research on them, my mom has an 08 550 m sport that's been pretty reliable once the coolant issues (radiator, water pump, "the tube") and the $1205 oil seal were replaced.

Jun 28, 2020 · The first SMG was very clunky and annoying to drive. They ironed it out in the later models, but nothing beats the thrill of 3 pedals in the E46 M3. Reply reply

Feb 14, 2023 · The only thing that fits is the Gs6-53BZ from the e92 m3 and there is a very rare m5 version of it. Forget about finding them used anymore... scrapyards ask ridiculous prices sometimes up to 75% of a new one !!! and the transmissions where in an awfully bad conditions.

SMG = manual transmission with automated shifts. (SMG is BMW's name for the system.) Has one clutch and goes up and down in the gears based on your input. DCT = manual tranmission with automated shifts. Has two clutches. Smoother and faster than a single-clutch system.