Debating a Manual Conversion. Thoughts?

[oceansize]

How many miles on your car? What is the condition of your car currently? You are absolutely positive you're going to keep this car for a long time? What other maintenance/improvements does your car need?

These types of things should play some role in your decision. Easy to end up under water on cars like this depending on what you have.

[Kipjames3]

How many miles on your car? What is the condition of your car currently? You are absolutely positive you're going to keep this car for a long time? What other maintenance/improvements does your car need?

These types of things should play some role in your decision. Easy to end up under water on cars like this depending on what you have.

75k miles and yes, at this moment I plan to keep for a long time. Already bought a new CSL trunk, bumper, and diffuser. And it just had it in for an oil change and everything seemed to be pretty solid according to the shop.

[oceansize]

75k miles and yes, at this moment I plan to keep for a long time. Already bought a new CSL trunk, bumper, and diffuser. And it just had it in for an oil change and everything seemed to be pretty solid according to the shop.

RACP reinforcement and VANOS lockdown completed? If not and you aren't going to DIY you should budget accordingly (unless money isn't and issue, then forget all that). That's another $5k to $7k depending.

[Kipjames3]

RACP reinforcement and VANOS lockdown completed? If not and you aren't going to DIY you should budget accordingly (unless money isn't and issue, then forget all that). That's another $5k to $7k depending.

Rod bearings and vanos completed. Subframe was the only thing the previous owner did not address.

[maw1124]

So earlier this year I picked my first E46 M3 and it was almost the exact spec I wanted for my CSL inspired build (original, I know) but for one thing; the SMG. I've never driven an E46, let alone one with SMG, so after reading all the hate for the transmission I still decided to pull the trigger on the car. Now after owning it for almost 6 months and driving it a good bit, I've started to think about the famous manual conversion. I honestly don't hate the SMG as much as I thought I was going to after reading all the posts and comments online about it. It definitely takes some getting used to and the 1-2 shifts are tricky to time, even with the CSL tune that mine came with. But still, I don't hate it. But with winter coming and not planning to drive the car at that time, I've started to think about the process...

I think you have to spend some time with a manual before you make that decision.

I grew up driving a manual, then got used to a paddle shift AMG car, then drove both of these before I pulled the trigger and realized I didn't miss 2 foot driving AT ALL. Call it age, or laziness, or priorities, or being spoiled by Honda manuals... but for this car I was good without it.

And since we now know how to maintain SMG cars, I'm not sure the demise is as eventual as the internet will have you believe, especially if you're not daily driving the car in traffic. So drive a manual, think about where you are with it, then make your decision.

maw

EDIT... and at 75k miles today, unless you overpaid for it today, long term I think it's gonna be pretty hard to be underwater on the car unless you just flog it or modify it to death, or [apropos] swap out the transmission -- which ironically most do. But that's a distant consideration to what you want. You started by saying the SMG was the exception to what you wanted, so you probably already know where you're headed.

[davidinnyc]

I’ve had three M3s, sold one SMG just last month. I’m left with one 6MT and one SMG. My thoughts:

The 6MT is obviously more connected and requires more attention for daily driving. My first reaction to the 6MT after driving two SMGs was "wow, this is definitely what the M3 should feel like".

However, I have a CSL tune and performed an SMG pump relocation and in hot days I don't get the COG light anymore. The downshifts are arguably easier and you can keep your foot on the accelerator when shifting up through gears. You get a shorter "blip" between gears through exhaust feedback, but I've learned to manipulate when and how to shift to get an optimum sound. First and second gear are fine for me, although I do get an occasional stumble in first gear when coming off the line but only on a cold start.

The SMG isn't that bad for me in traffic AFTER the pump relocation. During very hot days (like today) where ambient temperature would reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, I would get the COG light from idling in traffic and running the air conditioner.

I take the SMG out to drive more frequently than the 6MT, but I also daily these cars while my actual daily bakes in the sun.

David

[D-O]

No, that's my experience talking. An objective opinion from somebody who owned five E46 M3 coupes over the last 15 years, 2 of which were 6-speeds.
They are fine, just not THAT great.

I have no experience with SMG, but I have driven cars with great manuals and the M3 ain't one of them. Mine is a factory manual, and the trans and shifter are the only facets of the car that have really disappointed me.

That said, I still prefer it to any sort of automatic.

My .02

[TexaZ3]

Fair enough - as I said earlier, I don't disagree that the manual shifter feel isn't S2000 good but it sure is better at being a manual than SMG is at being an auto or a manual...

Sure.
See, the issue is that most people see SMG as a box trying to be a manual, or an auto. But its not, its single-clutch sequential box - an art form that was designed neither as 6MT nor as an automatic. And once you start seeing it only as such, the whole experience changes. Its a fantastic box to use, and E46 M3 is arguably one of the better cars single-clutch sequential box was ever put in. If I'm completely honest, most people don't even know how to properly drive an SMG, let's start with that.

[0-60motorsports]

Love my SMG. I have the full CSL setup software and hardware wise minus cams and I’ll probably never swap to 6MT unless I have other cars that I can DD. Then again don’t think I’ll swap. i have also done the relocation kit on my car. I just love the rawness it provides and I challenge anyone to ride with me in an SMG, all the negative points above minus auto mode comments are going to go away.

It’s just a fiddly system to diagnose and fix but if you know what you are doing and diagnose the issue properly it’ll live a long time. I mean I drive mine in 125f weather for years……

[maw1124]

Love my SMG. I have the full CSL setup software and hardware wise minus cams and I’ll probably never swap to 6MT unless I have other cars that I can DD. Then again don’t think I’ll swap. i have also done the relocation kit on my car. I just love the rawness it provides and I challenge anyone to ride with me in an SMG, all the negative points above minus auto mode comments are going to go away.

It’s just a fiddly system to diagnose and fix but if you know what you are doing and diagnose the issue properly it’ll live a long time. I mean I drive mine in 125f weather for years……

^^^ No one who's ever driven both with me said "yeah but I *really* need that extra pedal."

They start off thinking that. But a half hour of driving and doing all the things you would do in a manual except faster, better and easier with less effort convinces them otherwise.

Is a manual easier to care for? Absolutely. But that 2 foot + an arm thing happens all day every day -- fixing an SMG doesn't.

maw

[Kipjames3]

I think you have to spend some time with a manual before you make that decision.

I grew up driving a manual, then got used to a paddle shift AMG car, then drove both of these before I pulled the trigger and realized I didn't miss 2 foot driving AT ALL. Call it age, or laziness, or priorities, or being spoiled by Honda manuals... but for this car I was good without it.

And since we now know how to maintain SMG cars, I'm not sure the demise is as eventual as the internet will have you believe, especially if you're not daily driving the car in traffic. So drive a manual, think about where you are with it, then make your decision.

maw

EDIT... and at 75k miles today, unless you overpaid for it today, long term I think it's gonna be pretty hard to be underwater on the car unless you just flog it or modify it to death, or [apropos] swap out the transmission -- which ironically most do. But that's a distant consideration to what you want. You started by saying the SMG was the exception to what you wanted, so you probably already know where you're headed.

I honestly wasn't sure going into the purchase what I wanted, so obviously that might have been a mistake on my part. I've never driven an E46 manual or SMG before purchasing my car. I just knew I've always loved the CSL and wanted to, like many others, attempt to building their own.

I've been pretty open about the vehicle I've purchased, as I'm always open to learning so here's the one I purchased. I talked him down a few thousands due to me having to transport it across the country. I'm sure some will say I overpaid, and maybe I did, but at the time it was exactly what I was looking for.

[TexaZ3]

I honestly wasn't sure going into the purchase what I wanted, so obviously that might have been a mistake on my part. I've never driven an E46 manual or SMG before purchasing my car. I just knew I've always loved the CSL and wanted to, like many others, attempt to building their own.

I've been pretty open about the vehicle I've purchased, as I'm always open to learning so here's the one I purchased. I talked him down a few thousands due to me having to transport it across the country. I'm sure some will say I overpaid, and maybe I did, but at the time it was exactly what I was looking for.

You did just fine. Nice specimen. Love SIlbergrau.

[nyc951]

Sure.
See, the issue is that most people see SMG as a box trying to be a manual, or an auto. But its not, its single-clutch sequential box - an art form that was designed neither as 6MT nor as an automatic. And once you start seeing it only as such, the whole experience changes. Its a fantastic box to use, and E46 M3 is arguably one of the better cars single-clutch sequential box was ever put in. If I'm completely honest, most people don't even know how to properly drive and SMG, let's start with that.

I see an SMG car in my future for the reasons TexaZ3 stated. Do any of you drive the SMG in full automatic mode? I live near busy cities and could use a break during heavy traffic now and then.

[maw1124]

Do any of you drive the SMG in full automatic mode?

😂🤣😅 You’re kidding right?

Never.

maw

[TexaZ3]

I see an SMG car in my future for the reasons TexaZ3 stated. Do any of you drive the SMG in full automatic mode? I live near busy cities and could use a break during heavy traffic now and then.

I think I've tried it once, just to see what it is. And its dreadful, really.