Clearly the SMG system represents a technological advancedment for bmw, but I think they missed the mark in terms of calibration. While the upshifts are quick in S6, they are rough and even in lesser settings the upshifts are unpleasant. All the mechanical components are there with they hydralics (sp) and everything, but it just seems that the computer is a little slow.

The downshifts suck. For one, the system does not store downshifts as other systems do; for example you can't just tap the paddle three times and let the car complete the downshifts as soon as it can. I guess this can be overlooked, but the primary issue with the downshifts for me is that they suck. They are consistently underblipped and the time between grabbing the paddle and when the downshift is actually completed is sorely noticable. My own heel/toe downshifts are smoother and they happen when I want them to so, effectivly, they are quicker. Following an SMG car sounds like following someone who just learned how to downshift last week: not crisp and properly matched as they should be.

It's gotta be something with your system... all the SMG cars I've driven can be driven smoothly... even in S6. Granted, I've never really used the Auto mode and anything below S3. I can pull of perfectly smooth shifts ... and it isn't even my car...

Downshift for the most part are perfect. Occasionally, I get the unblipped throttle downshift... but it's rare. Very rare. I find that it always matches downshifts perfect and shifts are executed instantly. I pull the paddle or knob and bam... shift occurs.

I don't understand...

I think it is better than downshifts are not stored in memory tho.

Is the system adaptive? So if your mom drives the car or whatever S6 is gonna be a lot different that after you're done driving the car?

The Ferrari System stores downshifts...I like that way more. Say your coming up to a corner that you know requires three downshifts, you just tap the paddle three times and the system will complete the downshifts as soon as the speed/gear desired works out.

It must be your system. Mine works fine too.
It won't blip the throttle if you are just coasting. Just give it a little gas first. It also will down shift multiple gears. Have it checked.

Originally posted by nsk223
The Ferrari System stores downshifts...I like that way more. Say your coming up to a corner that you know requires three downshifts, you just tap the paddle three times and the system will complete the downshifts as soon as the speed/gear desired works out.

So, you're blasting into a corner, downshift 3 times and the car goes from 5th down to 3rd (when you wanted 2nd) and you begin your turn in which is still above redline in 2nd gear. You start your turn in, which then drops your speed into 2nd gear range. You're aiming for your apex... then all of a sudden, car executes your memorized downshift... WHAM, you spin because the car executed your memorized downshift mid-corner.

You and your Ferrari have just painted the track wall an expensive $300,000 red.

Granted... that's worst case, but you never want to do a gear change in the middle of the corner...

The SMG is adaptive to how it is driven and can be reset. The way to do this is in the manual. I have reset mine and it took awhile for it to learn how I drove. Also my car will also store downshifts. The number of the gear selected will blink until I have slowed enough to be in that gear. At the M school they called it stacking shifts and they showed (and I have used) that if you select the wrong gear i.e. to low you tap the upshift paddle to set the next highest gear. When I first got my car I was not thrilled about the shifting but as a have learned how to use all of the features I do not think I would ever go back to a stick shift again.

Kevlar, I understand your scenario but, since you know that the corner requires three downshifts, you also would have a good sense for turn in speed and thus what gear.

Your SMG must be broken.:dunno
Take it in to the dealer.

Works fine here, shifts fast as hell, and down shifting in the corners is hella nice. I can out shift my friends manual. After riding in my car he thinks my car is faster.

I only use S5 and S6 though.:wave:

Originally posted by nsk223
Clearly the SMG system represents a technological advancedment for bmw, but I think they missed the mark in terms of calibration. While the upshifts are quick in S6, they are rough and even in lesser settings the upshifts are unpleasant. All the mechanical components are there with they hydralics (sp) and everything, but it just seems that the computer is a little slow.


You can't have it both ways. Faster shifts but smoother as well? it doesn't work that way.

The SMG II system gives the driver the ability to execute the absolute fastest way to change gears in S6 mode. The reason why you have to turn off the DSC and TC to is becuase the shifts are so abrubt they will actually confuse the DSC system into thinking its loosing grip. Think about how quickly you'd have to push the clutch in and out to do a shift like that, then imagine while doing so if it would be a smooth process.

Originally posted by nsk223
The downshifts suck. For one, the system does not store downshifts as other systems do; for example you can't just tap the paddle three times and let the car complete the downshifts as soon as it can. I guess this can be overlooked, but the primary issue with the downshifts for me is that they suck. They are consistently underblipped and the time between grabbing the paddle and when the downshift is actually completed is sorely noticable. My own heel/toe downshifts are smoother and they happen when I want them to so, effectivly, they are quicker. Following an SMG car sounds like following someone who just learned how to downshift last week: not crisp and properly matched as they should be.
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I don't understand what you are talking about. Store downshifts? Like a delayed gear change when the engine can handle it? Why you'd even want something like that to happen?

My car blips perfectly on downshifts without hesitation, it sounds to me like your car hadn't adapted to your driving style yet.

From what I've heard the SMG II system works better than even the sequential manuals on the Modena and Enzo. The only advantage the Ferarri systems have is their paddles are on the steering column and the M3 paddles are on the wheel.

Brian

"Stored" downshifts are also called "stacking". Bascially, the computer recognizes that you want a downshift, but it will wait until the engine is at a proper speed to execute the command. Basically, if you are in 3rd gear at 7,000 rpm it is not going to let you downshift to 2nd. But, as soon as the car slows down enough, the computer will downshift.

I have done it many times, and have stacked multiple shifts at once. 5th to 2nd is my favorite.

it will "stack" or Memorize shifts, BUT, it IS NOT ADAPTIVE! MB and a few other AUTO TRANY makers use an adaptive technology, but this is nothing like the SMGll

SMGII is adaptive. It has to adapt to current mechanical conditions... remember, it has to learn where the clutch engagement point is as clutch engagement changes on a daily basis due to wear.

Downshifts are perfect if you are on the throttle OR brake.
If you are going 130 km/h in 3rd gear and brake to 80 km/h and while braking downshift to 2nd gear, SMGII perfectly blips the throttle and immidiately you are in the gear.

However, if you are going 60 km/h steadily in 3rd gear and then shift to 2nd gear when you lift the throttle but not brake the car, downshift happens much later, and in the middle of the process if you decide to apply throttle then you have unmatched blips and people around think that you have just learned how to use the clutch.
On the other hand, high rpm downshifts are fast and immidiate even if you lift of the throttle.

Again speed of SMGII shifts depends on rpm AND throttle position.
If you don't want slow shifts at lower rpms, just apply some braking and SMGII will act faster.

Furthermore, I haven't experienced any memory downshift on my M3. IMO, it sucks. My Audi A3 1.8T was an auto and while accelerating it shifts to 2nd gear at 55-60 km/h but it doesn't downshift to 1st gear if you are going faster 50 km/h even if you select 1st gear via gear knob. So When you are coming to a turn at 70 km/h, downshift to 1st at 60 km/h, car waits untill your speed slow down to 50km/h, and this may take 5-10 sec. I used to hate this. And My SMGII never did this.

Also, I noticed that with SMGII, if you are braking at 100 km/h or going at 100 km/h, system can shift to 2nd gear. However, if you are accelerating even from 90-95 km/h system doesn't shift to 2nd gear and stays in 3rd gear since the rev limiter in 2nd gear is at 110 km/h.

IMO, SMGII was perfect if you know what you are doing and how the system works.

Why do you guys keep saying S6.. I think mine has only 5 possible settings.... :dunno

Originally posted by Bizzle///M
Why do you guys keep saying S6.. I think mine has only 5 possible settings.... :dunno

Turn DSC off, then you can get to S6.

YOu need to learn how to drive SMG. Just like you had to learn how to drive a manual. It is NOT all automatic.

To ge smooth shifts, in any mode, you have to learn to doa slight lift at just the right time. You do this in a manual now. You just have to learn the timing in SMG. I can do shifts so smooth in S5 or S6 you can not realize a shift has been made.

As for downshifts the current softwware decides that if you are not HARD on the brakes or on the gas that there is no reason to rush the downshift. Just like you occasionally do with a manual.

So if you are braking not so hard, a little heel-toe to give a slight amount of throttle makes all the difference in the downshift. Crisp with a good solid blip.

I have heard of a software upgrae that may change this, but no confirmation yet.

Stop thinking hte system will do everything for you, and start learning how to make the most of it.

When you become accustume to the car and the settings, you will not want to drive anything else. I love the way my SMG drives.