Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

[reardriven]

Hi,

Recently dumped my hardcore turboed Jap coupe for a more sedate and comfortable E46 325. You know the joints between your bones are getting on when you start to dread Japanese coilovers over speed bumps; it's like a much welcomed transition from hardcore to softporn. First the good things. The 6-pot motor feels like it was lubricated using the finest of the stuff of honey that Queen bees produce when they lactate that is used to feed the young bee lavae (forgot the name of that stuff). Chassis is driver-friendly and encourages the driver to be able to push hard even with DSC turned off. All in all, it did not disappoint considering that I have test-driven the following cars prior to deciding on the Blue Propeller:

SAAB 9-3troll: bollocks of torque low-down, rough top-end, interior plastic bits that would fall off and fly into your left eye in an instant.
Volvo S40 T5: smoother 5-pot operator, better interior plastics, does not feel as torquey as 9-3; frigid like the proverbial "dead-fish" that expects you to do all the work and does not reward with visceral sensations of any sort....
MB C200K: nice interior, plush looking, feels a lot well glued together; engine feels torquey but runs out of steam even faster; you are left high and dry a.k.a. "cock teaser"

----

Motoring with the Beemer has been fun albeit for this nagging SMG glitch which is like a rash that won't go away. It's gnawing at my insides where I can't scratch. In fact I feel that I have to let out some steam by relating my experience with SMG1 and hopefully solicit some useful tips and/or remedies (ok folks, don't ask me to change to a E90 with SMG2)

I have observed the following while driving:

- in auto mode, the computer shifting makes the car a little "jerky", very much like a P-plate driver on an Evo with a HKS Super Single clutch (

 

[TobyNik]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Bro

You have a good ride there, but just some issues to be sorted out, I guess.

Let our resident 325 SMG guru aka PiggyBoyz share some insight into these various "glitches" you are facing and you should be good.

Jaskin can also help out with 325 SMG as well.

Cheers!

 

[Racebred]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Hello. Actually, it's difficult to say if it's a glitch or just a characteristic just by your descriptions.

The best way is either for you to try another SMG car, or to let another SMG driver try your car. If your unhappiness with the SMG performance is actually an inbuild characteristic of how this SMG performs, then boh pian... but if yours is a once off problem, then it can be solved by the dealer.

perhaps it just needs some getting used to. I drive a clutchless sequential manual too. And i still give myself headaches driving it till now.

 

[jaskin]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Hi,

Is your unit a SMG 5 speed or 6 speed?

- in auto mode, the computer shifting makes the car a little "jerky", very much like a P-plate driver on an Evo with a HKS Super Single clutch (

 

[reardriven]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

OK, I will join you guys for the next meetup and a fellow SMGer can drive my car to see if it is normal.

If it is indeed normal, then psychologically I would feel better knowing that nothing is broken.

What system is yours? The Porsche Tiptronic? I'll be surprised since those cars (Porsche, 645, M3/5/6) are on a different level altogether and should really have racebred shoehoned super duper slick quick shifter than does the job faster than you can say Schumacher!!

Hello. Actually, it's difficult to say if it's a glitch or just a characteristic just by your descriptions.

The best way is either for you to try another SMG car, or to let another SMG driver try your car. If your unhappiness with the SMG performance is actually an inbuild characteristic of how this SMG performs, then boh pian... but if yours is a once off problem, then it can be solved by the dealer.

perhaps it just needs some getting used to. I drive a clutchless sequential manual too. And i still give myself headaches driving it till now.

 

[reardriven]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Hi,

Mine is the older 2003 5-spd SMG (2.5 years old). I have stopped driving it in auto mode and only use the manual mode.

Is yours the SMG2? I heard that one is better with the option to tune the shift speed to suit personal driving preference and also has features that stop embarassing roll-backs on inclines.

Thanks for your input. I will also try to check the level of hydraulic fluid for the SMG clutch actuator (if i can find the reservoir). Normally such fluid are hygroscopic and if not changed for lengthy period of time could compromise the ease of clutch operation. Any idea if it too like the brake system uses a DOT3-4 hydraulic fluid?

Anyway I'm just trying to check and ensure the basics are ok.

And also keeping my fingers crossed that the previous owner has not used the "Launch Control" feature..... I know what happened to my friend's Ebo8's clutch after he launched it a couple of times....it vaporized.

Oh yea one more thing: Anyway to make the system default to "sports mode"? I noticed that the sports mode is turned off everytime the engine is started.

 

[TripleM]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Hi,

Mine is the older 2003 5-spd SMG (2.5 years old). I have stopped driving it in auto mode and only use the manual mode.

Is yours the SMG2? I heard that one is better with the option to tune the shift speed to suit personal driving preference and also has features that stop embarassing roll-backs on inclines.

Thanks for your input. I will also try to check the level of hydraulic fluid for the SMG clutch actuator (if i can find the reservoir). Normally such fluid are hygroscopic and if not changed for lengthy period of time could compromise the ease of clutch operation. Any idea if it too like the brake system uses a DOT3-4 hydraulic fluid?

Anyway I'm just trying to check and ensure the basics are ok.

And also keeping my fingers crossed that the previous owner has not used the "Launch Control" feature..... I know what happened to my friend's Ebo8's clutch after he launched it a couple of times....it vaporized.

Oh yea one more thing: Anyway to make the system default to "sports mode"? I noticed that the sports mode is turned off everytime the engine is started.

SMGII is only avalaible on E46M3 at this stage.

The whole jerky feeling is pretty normal in SMG....Hard revving at low gears will unavoidably induce jerky shifts but hey, that's the joy of having SMG (tho many don't like it)

It's a matter of time where you will surely get used to it.

 

[axl]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Porsche's Tiptronic is not a clutchless manual; more akin to BMW's Steptronic.

What system is yours? The Porsche Tiptronic? I'll be surprised since those cars (Porsche, 645, M3/5/6) are on a different level altogether and should really have racebred shoehoned super duper slick quick shifter than does the job faster than you can say Schumacher!!

 

[jaskin]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Hi,

And also keeping my fingers crossed that the previous owner has not used the "Launch Control" feature..... I know what happened to my friend's Ebo8's clutch after he launched it a couple of times....it vaporized.

Oh yea one more thing: Anyway to make the system default to "sports mode"? I noticed that the sports mode is turned off everytime the engine is started.

I think the only way to see if the previous owner has launch the car is to see the clutch?
The other way is to let me launch the car for you
I haven't actually launched my own ride before man!

Sports mode.. yeah just press a button not so hard lah!

 

[reardriven]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

Nice try buster!

I was analyzing "sports mode" just now and I probably see the reason why BMW defaults it to "off" on engine startup.

I was along this very quiet road, my windows are up, my air-con is off and my hearing is acute (probably because I'm an audiophile also..hee..) and then I enable sports mode. My observations are:
- shift time shortened somewhat for both up and downshifts
- and hear the dull thud of the clutch engaging (without sports mode, less occurences of such)
- probability of car jerking when braking rapidly is higher, esp. from 3rd down to 2nd

Hmmm... wonder if sports mode thing will accelerate clutch wear.....

Think my SMG driving is improving even though my parking still sucks.

I think the only way to see if the previous owner has launch the car is to see the clutch?
The other way is to let me launch the car for you
I haven't actually launched my own ride before man!

Sports mode.. yeah just press a button not so hard lah!

 

[reardriven]

Re: Joy dampened by lacklustre SMG-1

OK, I guess this is part and parcel of owning and driving an SMG. Your M3 must be a blast to drive with what.... 0.18sec shifts? I will get used to it. I appreciate it more during drives back home along the CTE!

SMGII is only avalaible on E46M3 at this stage.

The whole jerky feeling is pretty normal in SMG....Hard revving at low gears will unavoidably induce jerky shifts but hey, that's the joy of having SMG (tho many don't like it)

It's a matter of time where you will surely get used to it.