[mc68386]

I'm pretty much ready to get an E90, but I'm torn between manual and SMG. Since SMG won't be available until 09/05 production, we won't know until then if they've made any improvements from the current design.

Who's going to hold out until then to see which they want?

I guess the other thing I'm waiting for is the convenience option (proximity unlock/driver id), since the whole concept of a push-button starter is pretty ridiculous without it.
However, if I decide on the manual, this won't keep me from placing an order ASAP.

MC

[SiR]

Not for me, but the "Comfort Access" is what I want to wait for.

[mc68386]

Right, that's what I meant...I got the name wrong.

MC

[roburado]

I probably want manual. So, I voted manual even though as worded the choice doesn't really adequately reflect my thoughts. I'd like a manual, but auto seems to make sense from the perspective of the kind of driving I'll be doing mostly. SMG? I don't know. Depends what SMG is in the car, I guess. I hear it's the one from the Z4. I've also read a review on that transmission in Bimmer . They jokingly wondered if SMG = Slower than Manual Gearbox. I might try it out. I don't know. I'll probably not be buying until there's an M3, because I won't be ready with my finances. By then, I might just jump to the M3, and I'll probably be more disposed to consider SMG. It will probably be a better SMG than what run-of-the-mill E90s will get. At least, I hope so.

[voltron1011]

If SMG was more like VW/Audi's DSG, I would probably go for it. The DSG has two clutches that swap duties between gearshifts. One clutch is associated with all of the odd gears, and the other clutch gets all of the even gears. As you are driving in first gear with one clutch, the second clutch and second gear are already pre-selected. So, when you initiate an upshift all that happens is as the first clutch disengages the second one engages with the pre-selected gear. This makes upshifts ultra-fast compared to SMG.

[roburado]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

If SMG was more like VW/Audi's DSG, I would probably go for it.

+1. DSG is also smoother in auto mode.

[Robin_NL]

Driven a E36 M3 with SMG1 and a E46 M3 with SMG2, the first was kinda weird and wasn't like wow, the second was awesome and it's just great to have SMG in a 'sports'car like a M3(CSL) I had a E46 M3 and didn't miss the SMG though.

The M-SMG is different from the normal SMG, faster, more sporty so imho, I don't need an SMG in a 'normal' car like an E90 330i/E60 545i.

[voltron1011]

My Smart Fortwo also has a SMG type transmission (6 spd). A lot of people complain about the way it shifts. I have to explain to them that the car has a manual transmission, except the clutch action is done by the computer. I try to emphasis that it is not a traditional 'slush-box' auto.