SMG or paddles in an E46 330ci?

 

Yes

 

MiniD:
It does look like the OEM SMG option offered in the US E46 non-M cars from '04 on. I may be wrong though...

Your pic looks close to these 330ci FS shots (paddles/shifter):
330ci SMG, say whaaaaat? - E46Fanatics
More SMG info:
smg 1 and smg 2 differences - E46Fanatics

 

BMW sold a tiny quantity of them.

This SMG, however, has the E46 M3 SMG beat in one area.

The E46 M3 does not blip on downshift if you are coasting at say, 10mph to a stop and click to go from second to first.

The non M SMG in the E46 non M does.

 

So it's worth the buy?

 

I personally love the SMG, and as you might have noticed, all my cars are manual.

It's just that most new manual cars have such wussy clutches that is way too soft for my taste, E46 included, that I would rather have the SMG if the choice was there.

The only modern car I have ever own with acceptable clutch feel is the 996 GT2 and the E36 M3.

Everything else is way too soft and numb.

 

You've got me interested! I prefer manual, but this seems fun. My Dad hates SMG with a passion, though.

 

Go drive it. And drive it in manual mode. When I had my M3 I used the automatic mode twice, both times to demo to friends.

Then go drive the manual E46. I think you will find that the SMG is more interesting than the crappy clutch in the E46.

 

Is there a clutch in SMG 1?

 

The US never got the SMG I.

It was only available on the E36 M3.

The non M SMG in E46 was called SSG, then to confuse things, they changed it to be SMG, same as the E46 M3.

And no, no clutch in SMG I in the cabin either. The human interface is replaced by a bunch of hydraulic pumps controlled by a computer that opens and closes the clutch. SMG's by BMW all work like this.