E46 M3 SMG Transmission Is Better!!

I have owned my 2002 BMW M3 SMG (E46) for about one year. I was not looking to buy an M3 or any car for that matter one year ago, but my neighbor was selling his M3 and needed to sell it quickly. I offered my neighbor a dollar amount that was a little lower than the market value and the rest is history.
I was not excited about the M3 being an SMG, but I knew I had the option to swap it. Also, I heard that the SMG was terrible so I wasn't worried about it as the swap seemed like a no brainer. Fast forward to today and I have had approximately 6,000 miles behind the wheel and during that time I learned to love the SMG gearbox.
In this video I talk about why the SMG is so hated and what my thoughts are after one year. I believe the SMG has to be learned and many forget that it is a 20 year old transmission that was the genesis of today's dual clutch gearboxes. The SMG was necessary, and for its time, was groundbreaking. Many believe that SMG to be antiquated, sloppy, and slow; however, the truth is, the SMG is fun and takes practice to master. Much like learning to drive a manual, one must learn to drive an SMG.
Apparently SMG equipped M3’s shift faster than F430’s!
Enjoy and let the roasting of my video begin!
Just a few articles and a video. There are many more articles and videos outlining the SMG's brilliance.
theupshiftcarblog.com/why-eve...
www.carthrottle.com/post/7EiNW3/
• This 375bhp BMW M3 has...
• The E46 M3 SMG Transmi...
• BMW E46 M3 SMG HATERS?...
bimmerlife.com/2019/06/01/in-... (very interesting article)
Buildjournal SMG Tune - This is absolutely necessary
thebuildjournal.com/shop/bmw/...
Autotecknic Paddles - Helps with feel and helps when turning the wheel lock to lock
ind-distribution.com/products...
Thanks for Watching!!

[@orionsires]

They tried to also get me to swap to manual at multiple shops and I refused as well. Watched all the way through. Great to see a more modern video take on it. Also great to see you own a manual and still feel the same. I just don’t enjoy driving manuals as much as my friends do so for me it was SMG all the way. Plus it costed less. Now pumps can be had for 2600$ which isn’t so bad.

[@thedriversapex]

Hey! Thanks for watching. I love driving a manual, but there’s something very engaging about the SMG. There are so many who think the SMG is the worst transmission of all time, but forget it was the precursor to DCT’s. BMW was ahead of their time and when paired with a CSL tune, it performs great. I love the downshifts!!

[@matts826]

Good to see another guy who enjoys SMG, I’ve had my E46 M3 SMG for 15 years or so now and tbh I like it a lot and never regretted buying it

[@thedriversapex]

Thanks for watching! I love it. Naturally I enjoy a manual, but the SMG is fun, and shifts rather quickly. I do not plan on swapping it and would rather invest in a csl style airbox. Thanks again for watching! -Tom

[@rotorshed4115]

Love my CSL tuned SMG. Has been a witch hunt for years against the SMG but they have been unfairly judged.This seems to be slowly changing and its becoming more accepted. I prefer it in every way over a manual except for it being less reliable.

[@thedriversapex]

Thanks for watching!! I really enjoy the smg. You might not like the last video I posted. I’m asking everyone what I should do next on the M3. One of the options was to convert to a manual. I believe that once people know how to shift the smg, it becomes really enjoyable. I agree, I believe more people are seeing that SMG as the proper precursor to DSG’s, etc. This transmission is historically important and was way ahead of its time. Thanks again for watching!!

[@orionsires]

Absolutely love mine- but goddamn the SMG COG is one pain in the ass dash light that just won’t leave me alone!! My local Indy just keeps on working on it and I just want it to be solid. It brings such a smile to my face when it doesn’t act up.

[@thedriversapex]

🤞🤞I want to get around to properly changing the fluid, but I don’t have a computer to help the clutch relearn. I’ve watched some videos and it’s said that this fluid must remain as thin as possible and if it’s clean and thin that failures will be all but non existent. Glad you love your SMG. As everyone converts, those with an SMG will have a unicorn.

[@plomoplomo6218]

Need to practice more once you get it down to the bone you will Shift very smooth , shift lifting your foot just the same way you lift when driving your 5 speed trust me this will make it perfect

[@thedriversapex]

Two years in and I now have it figured out. I really enjoy this transmission. It has character and is fun to drive once you put in the repetitions. Thanks for watching!

[@NomanNizarAli]

I'm buying more smg low miles under 10k.....04 or 06....don't ask why 😅 may be because at some point they will be super rare.....due to fact everyone wants to swap to 6 speed.......lol think about it....why amg was produced in csl only.....and low miles anything under 70k will get pricy.......

[@LukeVMH-Games]

the only difference is there is no clutch. smg is not automatic.

[@Saif0412]

The problem is people think tune SMG gearbox should behave like a torque converter when it clearly isn't. It's a single clutch gearbox with automatic clutch actuation and should be treated like a manual transmission which requires the driver to ease of gas on upshifts etc. It's satisfying when you get it right.

[@thedriversapex]

I couldn’t agree more. I really enjoy the smg and have no desire to change it. I appreciate the technology and these cars with single clutches were the pioneers for todays DCT’s. I love the visceral experience of driving an smg. Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it.

[@Saif0412]

@@thedriversapex 👍 I saw the CSL flash improves the speed even further.

[@frontspring1]

Not this cap please

[@LukeVMH-Games]

smg is way better than true manual

[@thedriversapex]

I agree. I really enjoy it and I enjoy trying to get the perfect shift. I also like feeling the shift. It’s very mechanical.

[@LukeVMH-Games]

@@thedriversapex i only drive it in the non manual setting when im on the track otherwise it’s driven as a manual without the inconveniences of a clutch which is great

[@LukeVMH-Games]

@@thedriversapex i also got a vert cause i was gonna get a 6 series convertible or a e46 vert and i fell in love with s54 on the test drive. everybody thinks that shit a L but u get a uk hardtop for $600 and drop the top when u with girls it’s fire 😏

[@thedriversapex]

@@LukeVMH-Games awesome!! What’s nice about a convertible is you that can hear the s54 even better.