BMW E46 M3 SMG Conversion! SHOULD I TURN MY M3 INTO A MANUAL?
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- Опубликовано: 16 дек 2024
- We're nearly to 1,000 subscribers; thank you, everyone! With that said, it's time to up my game and begin producing better content with more interesting rides and projects. The real question is, what should I do? I have thought about converting my M3's SMG to a 6 speed swap, but there are also many other projects. After watching, drop a comment on what you would like to see me do.
As always, thanks for watching! -Tom
Found this video completely by accident. I too own an e46m3. It originally came with an smg which I converted to 6spd and absolutely love it. Although the smg does in fact shift faster than a human. The SMGII system in the e46m3 is not refined enough, imo. It shifts oddly in manual mode and when allowed to choose it shifts in the weirdest places. Not to mention, it absolutely hates hot days at the track. As a 6spd manual, the e46m3 feels completely at home and as though they all should have came that way from factory. Even my wife likes the car better as a manual. As one commenter said, wait for your smg to fail then convert to manual. Just hope it doesn’t fail in a bad spot. Keep in mind when anything fails in the smg system it defaults to neutral.
Hey! Thanks for watching and commenting. I would prefer a 6 speed. Thankfully that I have the e30 so that I can get my manual fix. The SMG is so much better with a csl tune. I’m going to tend to the big three first and after that I’ll take care of the conversion. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
smg all the way the manuals like trying to stare porridge this is my opinion anyway i just love the smg gives car charactor its part of owning a e46 m3 really in my eyes
I agree!! I thought I’d prefer a manual but I’m really enjoying the smg. Thanks for watching!!
Rule number 1 on E46 M3 is the rod bearing history. When were yours last done?
Good point! They were done under the recall and have around 40k miles on them. I send oil samples to speediagnostix every 3k miles and so far there’s no lead or copper. I’m sending out the oil again in about a week or so and that will help me determine what to do. I also need to consider Vanos as well as reinforcing the rear subframe. Thanks for watching and commenting. I really appreciate it. As you said, rod bearings at very important to consider.
@@thedriversapex Maybe consider checking valve clearances as you will get a peek at the Vanos and can see if the hub/bolts are broken/loose. If thats all good go for the subframe mount reinforcement.
@@rotorshed4115 I recently performed a valve adjustment and checked all the bolts. All were good. I told my wife that I need to invest in the rear subframe, especially given that I’m on coilovers. I’d really like to take the car to Lang racing in San Diego especially since I’m not too far away.
Get the csl style box…or for a little more get a sc
Thanks for watching!!! The csl style box would be epic!!!! Thanks for commenting; I appreciate it!!
I would swap the SMG with a zf8hp
Thanks for watching! That would be interesting. I just drive a ‘22 240i and that transmission shifts quick!! Thanks for the suggestion!!
If it was me I would go carbon airbox and wait for the trans to fail.
That’s a really good point. I really want to experience the sound of the airbox. I can’t wait to hear from others. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I would personally wait till your smg gives you problems then change it.
But your car has low mileage anyway so you got many years of mileage before u need to get too that point
It’s a big expensive to do all OEM
Not that I’ve done it
As mines a manual from factory
So why spend your money on a issue that hasn’t given you problems
As yet
And anyone who thinks differently is talking nonsense
I bet if it was there own can they couldn’t be as quick to get it done considering the amount it will cost to get done properly.
Your car your money
Send it out and get it done professionally Done
When it starts acting up
Hey! Thanks for your patience. I could not agree more!! I really enjoy the SMG, if it has the CSL tune, so I am definitely not in a hurry to replace it. This is especially true since it is operating just fine. I agree, the cost is not cheap. I am probably looking at $3-4k to do it myself. I will naturally put a new clutch and anything else it is needs while upgrading the shifter (maybe a rogue engineering set up). So, I definitely need to save some money, but in the meantime, that money can be spent on the rear subframe reinforcement, which I will complete this fall. Also, that money would go a long way to updating the vanos. It seems to make more sense to tackle some of these other things. Honestly, I think I would rather have a CSL style carbon airbox. You have great insights and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Thanks! - Tom
NO.... You should leave the car as it is....... The Negative comments only come from know it all BOY racers...... BUT they forget to mention one MAJOR point about the SMG.... The reason why BMW only used the SMG in their fastest E46 M3 build ( the CSL ) .... Because they knew that the racing box was the SMG and not the boy racer wanna have a 6 speed manual box...... No Argument.. Full Stop...
Hey! Thanks for watching. Having spent the last two years driving the M3, I’ve realized the SMG is really cool, especially with a CSL tune. With that said, I plan to keep it. I don’t there will be too many SMG’s left because of conversions and crashes. The down shifts on a csl tuned SMG is 😍. Thanks!!