SMG Option a reality?

[FrankRizzo]

Can anyone confirm that the SMG option for the 330i sedan is indeed a reality for the U.S. market? If so, any idea when will it be available?

[328isRob]

No, it is only avail for the M3

[EdgarFan659]

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/years/2002/index.htm

Bmwworld.com claims that it should appear by the end of the year for the 325 and 330 sedans and coups. Although it seems odd that an option like that would be added so late.

[martin_t]

In Sweden the SMG has been announced for the 325 and 330 sedans and coupé models. The SMG has two manual modes and one automatic. So it's not the same box as for the M3.

I asked for a test drive, but the main dealer had none available yet. But it should be in the pipe.

Martin, Stockholm

[F20C]

Ah I have to explain this again.

SMG Sequential M Gearbox!! Which means only M model will get it.

SSG Sequential Sports Gearbox!! The option that will be made available to non M models. Not as performance orientate but close enough.

[EdgarFan659]

Originally posted by F20C
Ah I have to explain this again.

SMG Sequential M Gearbox!! Which means only M model will get it.

SSG Sequential Sports Gearbox!! The option that will be made available to non M models. Not as performance orientate but close enough.

SMG stands for Sequential Manual Gearbox. Many sources online quote the SMG as being an option for the 3-series in 2002. The Euro 3's already have them I believe.

[EdgarFan659]

Er... maybe not yet on the Euro 3's. I thought maybe someone had said they were already out, but now I can't remember where I would have read it.

[EdgarFan659]

Now that I looked more closely it seems that different places have been calling it different things. BMWworld called it Sequential Manual Gearbox as the option for the 3. I found references to both "Manual" and "M" on BMW's website, although I couldn't get any info on its availability for the 3 series. Then there's other places that call it Sequential Sports Gearbox....

Maybe we should just call it the steering wheel paddle shifting thingy. LOL.

[bmwworld]

Sorry for the confusion. Rob is right, SMG is only available for the M3 in the USA, but Euro 325i and 330i models will have SMG!

Here is an excerpt of the BMW Press Release:

...As an option, the new 4-cylinder petrol engine may be combined with a fivespeed automatic transmission replacing the former four-speed version. While this automatic transmission is ideal for all motorists focusing on maximum gearshift comfort and only occasionally shifting gears by means of the integrated STEPTRONIC function, a further innovation now featured in the 3 Series reflects an entirely different philosophy: This is the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) now available as an option on the 325i and 330i sedan and coupé models as a further sign of the 3 Series’ pledge to performance. The name of the game in this case is to shift gears like in Formula 1 via paddles on the steering wheel, without even pressing a clutch. Clearly, this special feature focuses primarily on the passionate sports driver thrilled by the short gearshift times offered by automatic operation of the clutch and an automatic gearshift. (SMG will not be offered on 325 and 330 models in the US)...

In their literature, BMW originally referred to SMG by various names. At first it was SMG, then it was SSG (Sports), finally back to SMG. Go figure.

[328isRob]

Now the question is why won't it be available in the US.... Just another case of the German man trying to keep the American man down... hehe