You're supposed to drive it! Congrats.

so? What's the early verdict?

I had to have the car flatbedded because my secondary driver backed out at the last minute.

So far, so good on the SMG. There is a learning curve, but I'm getting the hang of it. What I haven't figured out yet is how to gracefully come to a stop. When coming to a stop with a manual, instead of dropping to first for the last few years, I just put in the clutch and use the brake; the SMG drops it to first gear, which is kind of clunky.

If you coast up to the stop a little slower it'll drop to first but not actually let the clutch back out.

Mine doesn't usually actually put it into 1st until I'm stopped, and at that point it's slow enough that it doesn't re-engage without some throttle added when ready to go again.

Are you running it in S5?

I've been experimenting with the entire range, but using mostly S3 and S4

Took it on a spirited drive and had the SMG light blink a few times, then my buddy drove it an managed to get the SMG light to stay on and the CEL. I ran the codes and 2 were temp sensor "implausible" codes (seen that one on my '02) and the last one was "MIL external info." I wasn't able to clear the codes - got an error. I did some quick reading, disconnected the battery for 1/2 hour, then the SMG light went out and I was able to clear the CEL.

Have you checked the SMG fluid level? There is a quick fix for that stupid temp sensor.

DIY: Resistor Mod To Cure Summertime SMG Blues - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3 | F80/X)

So, 32 people voted MT and 4 voted SMG. And what do you buy? I never had the MT light come on on my car! ;)

The good news is that a ton of these cars are out there, so fixing it, even if it breaks will never be a problem.

G

Guess that should now be 5 in favor? Rather ironic that the SMG warning light came on considering the conversation in this thread.......;)

Clearing the SMG's memory by disconnecting the battery probably helped quite a bit.

Believe me, I got a triple ration of shot from my anti-SMG buddy after the SMG light came on while he was driving it.

You can also do a passive smg reset by driving along at 30-40mph dropping the car into neutral and pull both shift paddles back for 10secs. Or if you have INPA do a full smg recalibration. If you're not confident in doing it take it someone and have them do it. It resets the clutch biting point and changes all the shift parameters back to factory. It will feel completely different afterwards.

How's the signal on your phone? :D

http://doublehappiness.ilikenicethin...cell-phone.jpg

Those probably worked better as phones than the modern ones do.;)

Proud flip phone owner here. So, there you have it!

G

Another thing that'll freak you out if it happens.

In somebody's wisdom, they made the SMG light blink if the hood isn't closed all the way.

I've done it twice and wondered wtf was wrong after doing something under the hood and then not actually driving it for a day or two so I didn't relate one to the other.

I always leave it in S5 because it gets the clutch in the fastest, so when you hit the paddle, there is little to no delay with the clutch getting pushed in.

In all the maps, you can moderate how much it slips when letting it back out with the throttle, but they are all slightly different, so it's good to get used to one and mostly stick with it.

This user interface has been brought to you by the geniuses behind the iDrive...and the Lexus floormat, apparently.