SMG Reliability

[NarutoRamen]

Hey Ya'll.

As I said a while ago, I will be going back to my beloved M3. And well, the time has come. I'm looking at the E46 right now and since the rest of my fam wants to be able to drive it, I'm looking at the SMG version. And here comes my question.

All the cars that I'm looking at, within my price range, are high mileage. They are anywhere between 89K to 102k miles. My question to you BMW guys is how reliable is the SMG transmission. I know I can google it and probably find millions of things on it, but I trust you guys more than the rest of the net, thus I'm here.

If you guys can help me out that would be great because I don't want to buy a car and sink thousands more to keep it working. I need help with things like, how reliable is it, what kind of maintenance can I expect, and the costs associated with those maintenances, what components, if any, do usually mess up, etc. Plus, what should I look out for on the car when I go and take a look.

Thanks in advance.

Mods: If this is in the wrong section, please move it to the right one. I just put it here because I'm not sure if that SMG was available on more models than just the M3.

 

[ateekt]

Its an interesting & very valuable question to be asked. I guess, sooner or later I was gonna start this thread. Awaiting the replies!

 

[NarutoRamen]

Its an interesting & very valuable question to be asked. I guess, sooner or later I was gonna start this thread. Awaiting the replies!

Haha..I guess we're on the same page then. I'm hoping for some great info because this will be the car that is passed down from generation to generation.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I didn't have a single issue with my SMG II in my E46 M3. I owned it for three years.

 

[Cashmere]

Great news! Hope you get the E46 M3. IMO the best M3 ever made.

While I have never owned a (SMG) M3 I spend lots of time on E46F and have seen countless threads of SMG transmissions giving problems. The most common problem being the SMG hydraulic pump failure and the obvious clucth slip/replacement.

There are also lots of SMG owners with very high mileage without any problems at all. It all depends on how the car was looked after by its previous owner and how aggressively it was driven. Typically M3's are purchased by enthtusiast's and usually people who wish to drive it hard, the way it should be driven. Once again depending on how the car has been driven, clutch replacement can be anywhere between 70 000KM's (driven hard) to 120 000KM's (Driven conservatively).

This thread may be of help to you, to judge long term reliability on SMG's:

High mileage SMG check in.. - E46Fanatics

Also a thread of a guy who did a SMG / Manual Transmission swap:
HPFMTRE::SMG to 6MT conversion finally OFFICIAL! - Page 3 - E46Fanatics

I personally, would still recommend a a 6 MT over a SMG. Far more easier/cheaper to maintain, and most importantly, only people who can drive a manual get to drive the car

 

[Sayyaaf]

^ quality post. goodluck Ramen.

Regards.

 

[Wunderkind]

NarutoRamen

I just PM'ed you with some thoughts.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

NarutoRamen

I just PM'ed you with some thoughts.

Firstly, why do you have to post that you've PM'd someone? They would know and we don't need to know you've PM'd someone. And secondly, why not just post your thoughts in this thread where they might be of use to someone else?

 

[Cashmere]

Firstly, why do you have to post that you've PM'd someone? They would know and we don't need to know you've PM'd someone. And secondly, why not just post your thoughts in this thread where they might be of use to someone else?

Is it that time of the month again Betty?

 

[NarutoRamen]

BMW Power: Thanks for the info. That's definitely something to think about. Perhaps I should talk to my local dealerships and see what kind of repairs are common to them and costs associated with them?

Also, yeah personally I would love to get the 6mt too, but like I said the rest of the family wants in on the action. My previous m3 was manual and so is my current a4...the fam (besides my dad) are pissed that they can't drive it. And also, in certain emergencies someone needs the only car thats home and most of the time it's mine, so it's useless to them. The fact that my folks are helping me with the downpayment means they have some sway in this.

Betty: Could you tell me perhaps how many miles were on your car?

Sayyaaf: Thanks, I really hope I get it too. But lots to think about before I can.

Wunderkind: Thanks. I got your message, I'll send you a well thought out reply.

BTW..would be great if SCOTT could chime in.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Betty: Could you tell me perhaps how many miles were on your car?

Had it for three years from new. I did 60,000km.

 

[Tarek]

Awesome choice Raman and i really hope u land that car..i just love the E46 M3..

All the ones i've seen in Cairo were MT..never had any experience with SMG II..hope u get a nicely driven one.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Had it for three years from new. I did 60,000km.

Thanks for the info. That's not bad mileage, but ton for just 3 years.

Awesome choice Raman and i really hope u land that car..i just love the E46 M3..

All the ones i've seen in Cairo were MT..never had any experience with SMG II..hope u get a nicely driven one.

Thanks bro. Yeah, I really do want one since I plan on keeping it forever. But we'll see. If I find too many bad things about SMG, then I'll settle for some other car now that the family can drive until I have enough on my own to spend on my enthusiast side. Right now the family is demanding practicality. LOL

 

[NarutoRamen]

Just to update on whats going on right now.

As of today, my A4 is gone. Now I seriously have to look at getting a car.

I went and talked to the service person at local BMW dealer and he was VERY helpful and didn't give me much bs. Basically told me to avoid SMG as much as I can and go with a manual (which I can't cuz of the fam). Said that SMG doesn't go out much but when it does, it costs around $9-15K. Considering the fact that I'm looking to spend a bit more than 15 to purchase a car...doesn't make much sense.

So, as a back-up I've created a list of other cars I'm looking at that fall in my price range.

328i
530i (e60)
G35-coupe
M35
CLK320-500 (c209)

 

[Gullwing]

I'm broke I can't afford anything, I can't afford a trip to Vegas...

Buy a used Kia

 

[Sayyaaf]

GDluck Ramen,

that guy might not BSed you but also not any transmission failure is unfixable, I am sure that there are guys that can "fix" other than replace the whole transmission while it costs few hundred dollars instead of ridiculous 10-15K.

from above, choices seem good, I would exclude the infinity, Nissan plastics don't age well. My wife's car look like 10 year old although it is 2008 model. rattles and squakes and some minor electric motor failures here and their. Engine is good and smooth. Gearbox not.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Thanks fellas.

I'm broke I can't afford anything, I can't afford a trip to Vegas...

Weren't you supposed to take a trip to Cali, you bastard?

Seriously though. I am broke. My folks are helping me with the down payment and I'm financing the rest. The monthly payment on these cars should be around $200, which is something I can afford. As for Vegas...dude, I'm SO busy I barely make time to come on GCF.

GDluck Ramen,

that guy might not BSed you but also not any transmission failure is unfixable, I am sure that there are guys that can "fix" other than replace the whole transmission while it costs few hundred dollars instead of ridiculous 10-15K.

You might be right. He was just telling me how much it can cost if the worst possible happens. With my luck, worst is usually what happens. LOL

from above, choices seem good, I would exclude the infinity, Nissan plastics don't age well. My wife's car look like 10 year old although it is 2008 model. rattles and squakes and some minor electric motor failures here and their. Engine is good and smooth. Gearbox not.

Hmm. I knew about the crappy plastics, but I didn't know about the gearbox. Plus, I'm not very fond of the G35 interior. The M35 still looks good from the inside and out.

My whole thing is, if I can't have the M3, then I might as well get a car I can cruise in for the next 3 or 4 years until I have the money to buy what I really want.