Driving the SMG in auto mode...

MPOWERD · Tue, Mar-10-2009, 10:18:47 PM

I hate auto mode. Doesnt matter what setting I try, I end up avoiding it entirely.

Also if you are looking to SMG to make traffic driving easier you will be sorely dissappointed. The lag between upshifts and downshifts in the lower gears will drive you nuts...

TAAXED · Tue, Mar-10-2009, 11:11:57 PM

I drive around the city here in A2 mode with the sport button on! You guys should try it...it still shifts early, but the sport button seems to make it shift up and down a lot faster and it requires barely any pedal movement to get the car to move!

Wasserott · Tue, Mar-10-2009, 11:35:36 PM

How do like the auto function? I am trolling the ads for 04-06 M3's and am really interested in SMG. No matter where I go I hit traffic and the clutch pedal gets old very fast. I have not read great reviews of the auto mode in SMG and just figured I'd use the paddles and shift as required.

Any insight is appreciated

The auto function works well. It's not going to feel like a slush box torque converter but in A2, it's very nice if you have patience and recognize it's not a true auto. It's not going to be as smooth in traffic as someone who rides the clutch a lot to smooth things out but it's ok. I wouldn't enjoy my M3 as much if it was a stick. I like the high tech side of this car.

I've also got the 3.91 gears and Dinan sw so that might make it different than others. I don't have any of the jerky issues others have complained about. I'm guessing that it's got the latest SW updates.

One last thing...speed wise hands down faster than a stick!

mhs525 · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 12:05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAG

I hate auto mode. Doesnt matter what setting I try, I end up avoiding it entirely.

Also if you are looking to SMG to make traffic driving easier you will be sorely dissappointed. The lag between upshifts and downshifts in the lower gears will drive you nuts...

I thought SMG shifted faster than a stick? Or do you mean in auto mode the shift lag is annoying?

I like driving the car and don't think I would mind working the paddles in traffic, its was the damn clutch pedal and slipping in and out that drove me nuts and made my back hurt.

gtb5 · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 01:50:12 AM

Most people ony use it occasionally like with coffee in one hand and cannot shift freely.

caden · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 02:16:36 AM

my wife loves BMW; she has driven the 325ci and now the 535i, both steptronic. however, when she drove my ///M3, she finds the transmission and drive to be annoying due the high rev and pronounced gear shifting. the biggest misconception is equating SMG to steptronic. most people who have not experienced 6 speed manual will be disappointed with the SMG. SMG is not steptronic/automatic, but a true 6 speed "clutchless" manual transmission. if you can't do without steptronic, then you will probably won't like SMG.

glennsfield · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 03:22:18 AM

I use the auto mode from time to time. default setting number 2... especially useful since i don't have cupholders. It does take a bit to get used to but you can make it smooth. I took some friends out the other day and they thought it was just a normal auto - didn't notice jerkyness at all.

That said I would like to give the above suggestion a go regarding sport mode whilst in auto. Also I want to get my SMG software upgraded. I'm in an 03 M3. Willing to bet there is SMG updates available.

Oh and having driven only stick shift manual cars my whole life, I'm very happy with my decision to go SMG. Gotta love the high tech stuff IMO.

Cheers

danom3 · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 05:38:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forbiddenbeat

I had my girlfriend drive my car for the first time this weekend in A4, and as a passenger it felt just fine. She isn't a car nut or anything, so it was nice to have the auto function (which I never use).

It took her some time to get used to the lag on the 1-2 shift, since usually an auto has no loss of power, while the A4 shift takes about a second. Once she learned to predict it, I think she enjoyed driving more.

My girl does 1st-5th in my SMG in S6

MPOWERD · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 06:48:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhs525

I thought SMG shifted faster than a stick? Or do you mean in auto mode the shift lag is annoying?

I like driving the car and don't think I would mind working the paddles in traffic, its was the damn clutch pedal and slipping in and out that drove me nuts and made my back hurt.

Yes I meant in auto mode. I dont mind driving in shift mode in traffic at all. Its smooth and easy to use and I share the back pain when using a clutch. I likely will never go back a regular manual unless forced to for lack of a SMG type option...

///MIKE M · Wed, Mar-11-2009, 06:54:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mash3

That setting would be "P": Park.

Don't.

Auto mode sucks.

Bad.

GC

ahhaha Very truu bro.

Tue, Mar-10-2009, 10:18:47 PM	#11
MPOWERD Mod Hound! Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10,724 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Convertible Reputation: 0 Location: Texas	I hate auto mode. Doesnt matter what setting I try, I end up avoiding it entirely. Also if you are looking to SMG to make traffic driving easier you will be sorely dissappointed. The lag between upshifts and downshifts in the lower gears will drive you nuts... __________________ 2003.5 e46 ///M 3 TiAg Cabriolet SMG II... <> CSL Carbon Fiber Intake w/MAF, Brembo Gran Turismo, Euro Headers & Cats, K&N 69, Radenergie Carbon Fiber Strutbar <> EAS Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills, Carbon Fiber Fender Grills, SMG Carbon Fiber Paddles, Vorsteiner 2 Sided CF VCSL Boot <> EAS Slvr Carbon Fiber Interior Trim, Blk Carbon Fiber SMG Dome, Carbon Fiber Console, & Blk/Slvr Steering Wheel Trim <> EAS Carbon Fiber Engine Bay, Vorsteiner Carbon Fiber Valve Cover, RPI Intake Scoops, CarPC w/Nav/MP3/HD Radio/TV <> Eisenmann Race Exhaust, Supersprint X-Pipe with Resonator, Ekarbon 1/2 Carbon Fiber Diffuser, DEPO Smoked Corners <> 19x8.5 19x9.5 VMR V710s in HyperSilver, Painted Corner Reflectors, EAS Carbon Fiber Emblems, Carbon Fiber Hood Vent <> Slvr CF Pedals, OEM 2-Tone Hardtop, Windscreen, & Alarm, 6K Headlights & HID Fogs, Blk Carbon Fiber Headlight Trim

Wed, Mar-11-2009, 01:50:12 AM	#15
gtb5 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Age: 44 Posts: 3,111 Reputation: 0 Location: Hong Kong	Most people ony use it occasionally like with coffee in one hand and cannot shift freely. __________________ GC07 - CSL - TE37 - OEM - 547R - C22- 565R 8-year-old M3 is sold!!

Wed, Mar-11-2009, 02:16:36 AM	#16
caden Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 412 Reputation: 0	my wife loves BMW; she has driven the 325ci and now the 535i, both steptronic. however, when she drove my ///M3, she finds the transmission and drive to be annoying due the high rev and pronounced gear shifting. the biggest misconception is equating SMG to steptronic. most people who have not experienced 6 speed manual will be disappointed with the SMG. SMG is not steptronic/automatic, but a true 6 speed "clutchless" manual transmission. if you can't do without steptronic, then you will probably won't like SMG. __________________ 2004 325ci black/black-sold 2005 ///M3 'vert. silver/gray- my Valium 2005 X5 3.0i black/beige aka work horse-sold 2008 535i twin turbo white/beige-"never more HPFPs"-sold 2011 X5 5.0i black/black & 20s + all the goods except the M package

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
SMG in auto mode for everyday use	Rock517	E46 M3 (2001-2006)	10	Wed, Aug-13-2008 02:11:18 AM
SMG Auto mode	Quixotic	E46 M3 (2001-2006)	18	Sat, Sep-15-2007 04:08:17 PM
SMG Downshift to 1 in Auto Mode	EvanstonEddieM3	E46 M3 (2001-2006)	2	Wed, Apr-11-2007 03:22:05 PM
New M3, SMG won't shift in Auto mode ...	ast	E46 M3 (2001-2006)	10	Thu, Apr-21-2005 03:10:27 PM
SMG I Auto mode.	adeyboy	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	2	Thu, Aug-28-2003 02:23:57 PM

Tue, Mar-10-2009, 11:11:57 PM	#12
TAAXED Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Age: 26 Posts: 38 Reputation: 0 Location: Melbourne	I drive around the city here in A2 mode with the sport button on! You guys should try it...it still shifts early, but the sport button seems to make it shift up and down a lot faster and it requires barely any pedal movement to get the car to move!

Tue, Mar-10-2009, 11:35:36 PM	#13
Wasserott Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 107 Reputation: 0 Location: Fairfax Station	How do like the auto function? I am trolling the ads for 04-06 M3's and am really interested in SMG. No matter where I go I hit traffic and the clutch pedal gets old very fast. I have not read great reviews of the auto mode in SMG and just figured I'd use the paddles and shift as required. Any insight is appreciated The auto function works well. It's not going to feel like a slush box torque converter but in A2, it's very nice if you have patience and recognize it's not a true auto. It's not going to be as smooth in traffic as someone who rides the clutch a lot to smooth things out but it's ok. I wouldn't enjoy my M3 as much if it was a stick. I like the high tech side of this car. I've also got the 3.91 gears and Dinan sw so that might make it different than others. I don't have any of the jerky issues others have complained about. I'm guessing that it's got the latest SW updates. One last thing...speed wise hands down faster than a stick!

Wed, Mar-11-2009, 03:22:18 AM	#17
glennsfield Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Age: 28 Posts: 121 Reputation: 0 Location: Perth	I use the auto mode from time to time. default setting number 2... especially useful since i don't have cupholders. It does take a bit to get used to but you can make it smooth. I took some friends out the other day and they thought it was just a normal auto - didn't notice jerkyness at all. That said I would like to give the above suggestion a go regarding sport mode whilst in auto. Also I want to get my SMG software upgraded. I'm in an 03 M3. Willing to bet there is SMG updates available. Oh and having driven only stick shift manual cars my whole life, I'm very happy with my decision to go SMG. Gotta love the high tech stuff IMO. Cheers