BMW E46 M3 SMG Transmission?

In-side the M3 SMG there seems to be a Manual Gear Shifter. Does this therefore mean that you can manually select Gears or do you always have to use the Paddles behind the steering wheel? Also I've read there is no clutch so if you can use the Manual Gear Shifter how does it know when your going to change?

Thanks
Sorry maybe i didnt make the question completely clear there is a manual gear stick in the car aswell as the paddles so can you shift with the gear stick or is it jsut with paddles?

Comments

2 Responses to “BMW E46 M3 SMG Transmission?”
  1. Pyth says:
    December 14, 2009 at 5:47 am

    Hi Tom,

    OK, so you are familiar of the traditional automatic and manual transmissions.

    With a manual you work the clutch and the gears yourself, and with an auto it is all done automatically.

    Well basically, an SMG transmission is a Manual box (just a few modifications from a standard manual box) which gives a fast and sporty gear change.

    How it differs, is that with SMG the clutch part is done for you (Hence no clutch pedal). Instead of a gear shift pattern though , all you do is tip the gear knob forward or back to go up or down the gears. (Or on the steering wheel paddles). This is all done electronically, all you are doing is essentially pressing switches.

    In addition to this (this often causes confusion) you can if you wish move the gear knob to one side which gives you an auto mode where you can just drive and the control system will change up and down the gears for you.

    The one important thing to keep in mind is that an SMG transmission is not to be considered an automatic in the traditional sense,which is a very common mistake with first time SMG buyers.

    Good luck, Pyth

  2. SoccerPlayer16 says:
    December 14, 2009 at 5:47 am

    It has both automatic and manual modes. when you choose manual as soon as you press a paddle it will shift unless its unsafe(e.g. if youre going 80 and shift down into 1st the transmission wont do it) automatic is just like a normal automatic

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