New info on the '02 BMW 3-Series (E46) including SMG (semi-automatic tranny)

[NFS4]

The SMG is looking mighty sweet

http://bmwnation.com/ARTICLES/e46_2002details_01.html

 

[Schlocemus]

yah, looks very nice to me

 

[monto]

w00t i no longer need a left leg

 

[Flat]

yhea but someone in previous thread said we will not get it.

 

[NFS4]

<< yhea but someone in previous thread said we will not get it. >>


Weetahdid

 

[trulfe]

looks good except the black strip around the front bumper and around the sides.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The SMG sounds cool, but I think I'd still rather have a motorcycle-type clutched sequential gearbox.

1
N-R
2
3
4
5
6

Or some similar shift pattern with the third pedal in the footwell as it should be. Then again, I've never driven a car with SMG...

Zenmervolt

 

[GL]

F1 Magazine's John Watson already reviewed the M3 with SMG. He loved it so much he said he's positive manual trannies will cease to exist in several years - replaced by these new semi-autos. I can't wait to say that my car has launch control (one of the modes on the M3)

A snippet from the article if you can't find the magazine in your neck of the woods:


<< There is on further level, S6, but this involves de-activating the dynamic stability control (DSC) which is fitted as standard to the M3. Do this and what you have is hte most aggressive gearchanging I've ever experienced and if you run the engine to maximum revs in any gear, you would swear you're going to leave the entire drivetrain somewhere behind the car. BMW technicians are aware of the severity of this gearchange but they swear it does not affect reliability in any way. The final hooligan buzz is also available in S6 mode and if you've never experienced launch control in a Grand Prix car (not many of you have, I'm sure) then try this. With DSC disengaged, push the centrally located gearlever and hold it in that position while the car is stationary, then floor the throttle and let the onboard computer determine the optimum rpm required - about 4,000 -at which point you release the lever and bingo, Thunderbirds are go! The rear of the car haunches down as the massive 19-inch wheels and tyres negotiate traction as all 343bhp try to defy grip, and already you're pulling another gear and another and another - definitely something to be prudent about if you exercise this pleasure in the UK. >>



I want one

 

[NFS4]

<< F1 Magazine's John Watson already reviewed the M3 with SMG. He loved it so much he said he's positive manual trannies will cease to exist in several years - replaced by these new semi-autos. I can't wait to say that my car has launch control (one of the modes on the M3)

A snippet from the article if you can't find the magazine in your neck of the woods:


<< There is on further level, S6, but this involves de-activating the dynamic stability control (DSC) which is fitted as standard to the M3. Do this and what you have is hte most aggressive gearchanging I've ever experienced and if you run the engine to maximum revs in any gear, you would swear you're going to leave the entire drivetrain somewhere behind the car. BMW technicians are aware of the severity of this gearchange but they swear it does not affect reliability in any way. The final hooligan buzz is also available in S6 mode and if you've never experienced launch control in a Grand Prix car (not many of you have, I'm sure) then try this. With DSC disengaged, push the centrally located gearlever and hold it in that position while the car is stationary, then floor the throttle and let the onboard computer determine the optimum rpm required - about 4,000 -at which point you release the lever and bingo, Thunderbirds are go! The rear of the car haunches down as the massive 19-inch wheels and tyres negotiate traction as all 343bhp try to defy grip, and already you're pulling another gear and another and another - definitely something to be prudent about if you exercise this pleasure in the UK. >>



I want one >>





DROOL!!!!

 

[GL]

NFS4,

Can you confirm this statistic because it seems off. Watson claims he could pull 1.2g in the '02 M3 but all the stats for the '01 M3 have it pulling just under 1g. Is the improvement in lateral acceleration from the car itself or the fact they had a former F1 driver behind the wheel?

 

[NFS4]

<< NFS4,

Can you confirm this statistic because it seems off. Watson claims he could pull 1.2g in the '02 M3 but all the stats for the '01 M3 have it pulling just under 1g. Is the improvement in lateral acceleration from the car itself or the fact they had a former F1 driver behind the wheel? >>


I can think of a few factors:

1) There is an F1 driver behind the wheel
2) '01 M3's came with 18" wheels, 19" wheels are a new option (which is what was on this tester).

Other than that, I dunno

 

[Windogg]

Time to upgrade something besides my computer.

 

[OSUdrunk]

WOW me wants me wants