How does the SMG Transmission work on a BMW M3?

I saw pictures where the SMG transmission has paddle shifters....but on the other hand the shift knob shows Reverse-O (what does the O stand for?) - then it also has tiptronic...plus and minus....So SMG...you can use BOTH Paddle shifters AND/OR Tiptronic?? I just got so confused about the whole SMG thing, I know what SMG stands for but from the pictures it seemed to not make any sense......

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2 Responses to “How does the SMG Transmission work on a BMW M3?”
  1. bizlar2002 says:
    October 18, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    Oooo…. i drove one once in my friend’s M3… let me try to remember how it was…

    There is an automatic mode or manual mode.

    In any of the modes you can use the paddle shifters, but only in the manual mode will it keep it in whatever gear you select instead of shifting.

    It will not downshift if it will cause it to put it over redline, but it will downshift when it can. It will also double clutch the transmissions so you can downshift in turns smoothly without worrying about it loosing traction when it reengages the clutch.

    At stops, it will roll back just like a manual until you apply the gas and it will engage the clutch. It’s really cool.

    The shifter in the middle has 4 positions I believe, all the way forward is manual mode, forward is drive, middle is neutral, and backwards is reverse.

    The button to the bottom of the shifter allows you to select the speed of the shifts. If you put the car in sport mode, take traction control off, DSC off, and put it in the fastest shift mode…. it’s like a race car, it shifts sooooo fast it’s crazy. If you slow down the shifting it is better for just regular driving to maintain the smoothness.

    You only shift up and down with the paddle shifters on the wheel, not with the shift knob.

    It’s a lot of fun if you ever get a chance to drive one… if you get the opportunity, don’t pass it up!

  2. virgiliantu2000 says:
    October 18, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    SMG is an automatic gearbox, like any other automatic gearboxes, until you decide you want to get more power from your car, and you start using the paddle shifters. the paddle shifters allow you to change the gears, acting almost like a manual gearbox (SMG doesn’t have a clutch pedal though). the shift knob allows you to do the same, but paddle shifters allow you to change the gears without taking your hand off from the steering wheel.

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