SMGI- 1998 Failure

[m3f_BimmerSMG-Bra]

I own an M3 '98 EVO with SMG. I like it, although its reputation is bab.

The SMG hydro unit failed two year ago, and BMW of Brazil gave me an warranty extension, and replace the unit with no charge.

But now it failed again. The car does not start after 'emergency mode' light came on.

The dealer evaluation is to replace the hydro unit again. At the dealers's shop there are another two car with the similar problem with the same run(about 55.000 km both)



What is the real reputation of this kind of system regarding to reliability?



Can the hydro unit be remanufactured or refurbished?



How many cars had problems at what wear?



Here in Brazil there are too few of these car.

In order to replace it, it will cost me more than US$5000,00

[m3f_WD Pro]

In the UK the general impression of SMG 1 is ‘Good when it works, but expensive when it goes wrong’.



I seem to have been lucky, 52K (miles) with not one repair (according to BMW). Other people have had lots of problems.



I decided before I bought that I wouldn’t touch an M without extended BMW warranty (due to the vanos issues). Even without the vanos problems I wouldn’t have bought an SMG car without the warranty …



Most problems in the UK seem to be cured by a new accumulator but I am not sure of the cost / work involved.



Hope you get it sorted OK.