What do ya think? Would RX8 be quicker with Bimmer's SMG transmission (The one used in M3) than mazda's 6 speed tranmission RX8? I was just curious about this considering that 6 speed SMG transmision is very good.

Before getting the 8, I was looking at a SMG Z4 3.0. I got to test drive the Z4, and in the "sport mode" the car shifted rather fast, but without the "sport mode" on, the shifting is kinda slow. I am not sure how it is in the M3 though, but the SMG isnt bad.

Yea, I wish mazda made SMG transmission optional in RX8. Well we'll hope for future. RX8 SMG would be awesome.

the smg in the m3 is very very good...i think mazda would make a good decision making a rx8 smg



andrew

I woned an 2002 M3 with SMG transmission. It is by far the best option I have ever purchased for a car. Couple points on the questions above.

The SMG transmission is basically a 6-sp manual transmission mated to a system that operates the clutch and shift, although there is nothing basic about it.

Unlike a human, the SMG always makes perfect shifts (clutch press, shift, clutch release).

The shifts take only .08 seconds. The mode (1-6) determines how fast the clutch is released.

There is an automatic mode that will do automatic upshifts and downshifts. This is very cool as you can step on it and it will rev

The BMW SMG has "launch control". You turn this on by disabling traction control (DSC), enabling sport, and setting the SMG to "6". From stand still you depress the gas to the floor, the engine will rev to 2200 RPM (3500 in Europe) before dropping the clutch.

I don't think we'll see it in the near future on the RX-8 as it is a very expensive system for a $28,000 car.

SMG technology is strictly BMW only. They invested large sums of money in order to create and perfect that Sequential Manual Gearbox, and suceeded. SMG is a great feature and highly advanced, but I still like the feel of a traditional manual, even though the SMG is quite nice.

How well does it compare to the double-clutch system on the recent V6 Audi TT?

Originally posted by Efini 8
SMG technology is strictly BMW only. They invested large sums of money in order to create and perfect that Sequential Manual Gearbox, and suceeded. SMG is a great feature and highly advanced, but I still like the feel of a traditional manual, even though the SMG is quite nice.


No, not really. Most race cars use this. Now only BMW ones. Ferraris use this on most of their cars as well. And yes, mazda can make SMT/SMG transmisson on RX8 for like $3000 extra because Toyota has made one for their $24,000 MR2.

Originally posted by Efini 8
SMG technology is strictly BMW only.

Somebody better tell Ferrari, who put it into street car production with the Ferrari F355 F1 several years before BMW ever offered it. At the same time, they'd better tell Toyota, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Audi, etc.!

BMW didn't invent it, and weren't first to market with it.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by goodyrx8
I don't think we'll see it in the near future on the RX-8 as it is a very expensive system for a $28,000 car.

Well, if you consider "the near future" to be only next year, you're right! Otherwise, you're wrong - the 2006 RX-8 will have a SMG gearbox available, as well as a real 5 speed automatic that can handle the high revs of the High Power version of the Renesis, replacing the current rev-limited 4 speed automatic on the Low Power engine.

Regards,
Gordon

help a noob out...so there's no clutch pedal on smg cars i take it?

That is correct. No pedal. There is a cluctch but it is operated by the computer.

Audi TT and Alfa's selspeed boxes are the same sort of technology as the BMW SMG (as is the ferrari's).

Alfa's had a ton of problems with theirs, Audi's have been developing theyr Auto-manual thing for 20years or so.

It isnt easy to do, and TBH I've driven manual cars for the last 15years, I can continue to do so for a while longer - its part of driving.

Someday soon all you'll have to do is sit in your German autobhan cruiser and press 'go'.

though that will probably happen for mass transport and such, like general travel to and from work or from home to the mall or what have you, there will ALWAYS be, as long as our society remains free, the option of actually driving, even if it is only out in the country like in Minority Report when he sorta steals the lex. and drives to his ex wifes house out by the lake
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Lovely Wendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

the audi DSG is nothing like the other systems,it uses two gearboxes

The Audi system use two CLUTCH's, not gearbox's. The dual clutch set up allows the next gear up to be pre-selected and then results in lightning quick upchanges. Very trick.

obviously you guys have not seen the diagrams of the SMG. its different than Ferraris F1 shifter and other car manufacturers "sport shift" or other terms they have for it. The SMG is totally unique it is belt driven in the gear box and activates a clutch and shifts in 0.8 sec. Other systems from other car manufacturers use different technologies and different mechanisms - they are NOT the same. They are similar devices but not the same technologies. They both shift without a traditional clutch pedal and stick, but they perform differently.