Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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looking at bmw z4 3.0's, but would prefer manual over automatics purely for driver involvement/fun at the weekends.
i've had experience with paddle shift transmissions before on driver experience days (aston v8 vantage and ferrari f430 scuderia).
the aston was quite lazy and slow but i enjoyed it and it was much easier than a traditional manual.
would the z4's be the same?
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Could be wrong, but I don't think they have an SMG Z4?
Might just be an auto with push buttons.
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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theres a few for sale with smg, heres one i was looking at:
http://www.autolocateltd.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4-3-0i-2dr-smg-leamington-spa-201209453480949
just read this review aswell:
quote:
I have a 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i with SMG tranny, and I've done a few of mods to it.(After market clutch, ECU mod, complete exshaust system, intake,...ect.) A lot of people said that the SMG is a crap because they don't know what they never tried one. Here are some advantages and disadvantages that I found driving my car for 2 years now.
Advantages:
1. Faster shifting
It really depends on when you are shifting (RPM) your gear, but shifting after 3000rpm is just a rediculously fast.
2. Idiot prove shiting
I've seen so many noob 1/4 mile racers blowing their engine shifting 3rd to 2nd instead shifting to 4th. SMG doesn't allow that mistake.
3. Automatic mode
If you are living in a dense city area like me (ATL) this is really going to help you.
4. Feels like manual tanny
Because it is an actual manual tranny with a computerized hydralic clutch instead of a manual clutch... And don't argue about it because we actually took the whole tranny out and worked on it. BTW, SMG tranny uses the same clutch and plate parts.
Disadvantages:
1. High maintanance
For past 2 years I replaced my clutch twice (Go for after market stage 2). It's not that expensive to replace it but cost of having fun is a little too high. I've heard that people change their clutch every 50k miles with this car, but you won't be able to because this car is just too fun to play with.
2. Strange noise
The SMG hydralic pump makes this winny noise all the time (not a machanical problem).
3. No lunch control
Z4s comes with what they call SMG I tranny. It is different than what they use in M3s which has lunch control (you have to try order to understand why you want one).
All in all, I would go with SMG anytime because you can actually drive this not knowing how to drive manual cars AT ALL. It takes some time (took me a day) to understand how to drive properly, but def. worth getting one.
PS: Get one with "Sports" mode because that just changes the car's personally to a whole different level.
[Edited on 02-03-2012 by Ben G]
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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An right cool.
Well as an SMGI owner I love mine. More than a manual. It's only now after 6months though have I got to grips with it. Most people test drive them for 20mins and go on the Internet proclaiming they are shit, this is due to the fact you need to learn how to drive it.
Its 3 gearboxes in one, probably more on SMGII. I would recommend the driving experience, however a word of warning, if the pump goes kiss good bye to £4k. No other repair option.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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There is launch control with a mod. Mine has it standard though 
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big eck
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Registered: 20th Apr 03
Location: Tullibody. Drives - Audi B8 S4 & Fiesta Zetec-S
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Just a glorified auto 
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kennySRi
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Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
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I agree with jambo, lots of people slate autos because they have only driven them a short while. It took me about a week to even start to like the auto on my bm, now i love it and dont regret chosing it over a manual one bit!
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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quote:
Originally posted by big eck
Just a glorified auto
It's a manual gearbox with an electronic clutch. No torque converters anywhere and is nothing like an auto.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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I was looking at Z4's during the week, didn't realise they were so cheap.
If you want a decent engine/spec though they cost too much.
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Matty W
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Registered: 31st Jan 11
Location: Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester
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"3. No lunch control"
thats disappointng..
are they just a hydraulic unit that sits over the gear linkage of a manual box?
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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quote:
Originally posted by John
I was looking at Z4's during the week, didn't realise they were so cheap.
If you want a decent engine/spec though they cost too much.
7-8k for an 03-04 3.0. ideally i want one in grey with red leather and xenons.
been reading up on the smg's and if they go wrong, it's big money to fix. maybe best to stick to what i know in this case and get the manual.
i don't want a full automatic as i only get traffic on my commute 5 days every 3 weeks due to shift work, so would rather a manual.
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Matt L
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Registered: 17th Apr 06
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i have the vag version (dsg) which by the sounds of it is exactly the same and all i can say is i think it will be hard for me to go back to a manual.
best of both worlds with them, auto for feeling lazy/stuck in traffic and then manaul for a road driving.
my only gripes with mine are, manual isnt fully manual it will still change up/down if you go near the redline or are going to stall and when in manual it drops you down into first way too early.
can get the box mapped to make it fully manual though.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Mine doesn't go into 1st quick enough in economy mode. That's my only gripe!
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LeeM
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Registered: 26th Sep 05
Location: Liverpool
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my dad has one you shift with the stick, no paddles.
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LeeM
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Registered: 26th Sep 05
Location: Liverpool
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oh, and i dont like it
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Matt L
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Registered: 17th Apr 06
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
Mine doesn't go into 1st quick enough in economy mode. That's my only gripe!
yeah that aswell in normal auto mode it stops in 2 until you literally stop and manual it drops you down around 10mph it feels.
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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quote:
Originally posted by LeeM
my dad has one you shift with the stick, no paddles.
on the z4's there are steering wheel paddles, what has your dad got?
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Mine just has stick, no flaps. Sequential.
I would like flaps!
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LeeM
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Registered: 26th Sep 05
Location: Liverpool
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quote:
Originally posted by Ben G
quote:
Originally posted by LeeM
my dad has one you shift with the stick, no paddles.
on the z4's there are steering wheel paddles, what has your dad got?
facelift Z4, 56 plate
[Edited on 05-03-2012 by LeeM]
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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oh right, thats weird then.
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LeeM
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Registered: 26th Sep 05
Location: Liverpool
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could it have been an option?
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Fro
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Registered: 20th Jun 06
Location: Rainham, Essex Drives: A3 2.0TDi Sport
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
Mine just has stick, no flaps. Sequential.
I would like flaps!
I looked into adding flaps to my auto box when i had the BM, was just a case of running wires to the tiptronic. Would imagine you could do the same with yours?
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by LeeM
could it have been an option?
not sure tbh, haven't really read up on them, just seen the pics in the adverts with the chrome/silver paddles behind the steering wheel. may well have been an option, knowing what bmw are like.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Its not, its very easy for E46 era cars, as you say few wires.
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pow
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Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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Z4's are lovely. If I get a job that has a company car I'm trading the MX in for a Z3 or 4.
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