BMWs - How to tell the difference between SMG and Steptronic

The normal autobox allows for manual as well, you just push the stick to the left for manual then up and down for gear changes. The good thing is they don't auto change but again, slower than the manual.
 
zain said:
The normal autobox allows for manual as well, you just push the stick to the left for manual then up and down for gear changes. The good thing is they don't auto change but again, slower than the manual.
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The Steptronic box WILL auto change even in manual mode.
 
You sure? The E46 320 I drove didn't, does it allow to go far into the revs then change?

That way I could understand otherwise it didn't for me.
 
Hmm, looking around people either love the SMG (SSG) and have no problems or they hate it and have lots of problems even with just trying to drive smoothly. Think I'll go take both for a test drive as I have seen a nice 330Ci sport (manual) in Imola red which looks stunning too! Only problem is its more expensive.. I could probably put the saving from buying the SMG aside incase things go wrong...decisions decisions!

NS
 
[TW]Fox;12239118 said:
SMG is awful. avoid.
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From a mechanical point of view or drivers? - imo its very good from a driving point of view although getting your head around it takes a while.
(e36 3.2 Evo SMG being my case in point)

With regard to relability though, it is awful and would be something I avoided.


[TW]Fox;12239789 said:
If you get to the rev limiter it will change up.
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Indeed - My old steptronic e38 did just that.
 
R124/LA420 said:
From a mechanical point of view or drivers? - imo its very good from a driving point of view although getting your head around it takes a while.
(e36 3.2 Evo SMG being my case in point)
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Spot on.

People slate it for how it "feels" when driving, when they don't drive correctly with it. The biggest flaw being people coming off the throttle when changing gear, this causes the jerkyness that people attribute to SMG. Keep your foot planted ala automatic, and its a heck of a lot smoother.

I don't however think it is as unreliable as all that. Its certainly not the most reliable of transmissions, and costs a lot to repair/replace, but its not as if they ALL blow up ;)
 
Never driven SMGII, so can't comment on how it feels to drive. But its generally reported as a much improved system, smoother (when needed), and generally more reliable than its older brother.
 
jamoor said:
No it isn't, not according to the guy who overhauled my transmission, and the other 2 guys who quoted for the work, there is a GM box in the 530d. I am 99% sure the X5, 330d and range rover share the same box.
http://www.ge39.com/files/SD92-113.pdf
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I've just read your PDF.

'ZF TRANSMISSION AND OIL APPLICATION CHART'

To me that suggests its a ZF box. They stopped using the GM box in 02/01 and E39 530's since then, and 330i sinces 06/00 are ZF boxes.

Your own PDF shows that?
 
Well if they do that PDF is useless as it doesnt list a single diesel. I dont know why he is citing it to 'prove' his point becuase it completely contradicts him.
 
[TW]Fox;12241962 said:
I've just read your PDF.

'ZF TRANSMISSION AND OIL APPLICATION CHART'

To me that suggests its a ZF box. They stopped using the GM box in 02/01 and E39 530's since then, and 330i sinces 06/00 are ZF boxes.

Your own PDF shows that?
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Ah,
Looks like

Petrol 3 - ZF
Diesel 3 - GM
Petrol 5er - ZF
Diesel 5er - GM
According to realoem, and that contradicts that PDF.
Interesting...
 
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