Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Types of auto gearboxes

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
User avatar
Paulr
Member
Member
Posts: 844
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2016 3:46 pm
Location: Tunbridge Wells

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by Paulr » Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:51 pm

A Facebook conversation has me confused. As far as I know, there is the traditional old school auto gearbox that uses pressure and valves to operate, and the SMG, a manual box with an auto change instead of a foot operated clutch. The old school auto does not have paddles, the SMG does. Is that right, or can the old school box also have paddles?
Chap on Facebook says his does.
If you try and take a cat apart the first thing you have is a non working cat.

LordOxygen

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by LordOxygen » Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:57 pm

Slusher autos can and do have flappy paddles to manually change gear. My current Honda and prior Mazda 6 are 2 examples.

User avatar
Paulr
Member
Member
Posts: 844
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2016 3:46 pm
Location: Tunbridge Wells

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by Paulr » Sat Dec 16, 2017 12:01 am

Yes, but the does the Z4 one?
If you try and take a cat apart the first thing you have is a non working cat.

User avatar
kis
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4536
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by kis » Sat Dec 16, 2017 12:17 am

So far as I know pre facelifts never came with paddle shifts. The facelift ones did. And obviously SMG do as well.

I know cj10jeeper did the conversion on his Zed. So basically retrofitted the paddle shifts. I think DLV is or maybe has already do it too.
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

User avatar
Ducklakeview
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6362
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:08 pm
Location: Merseyside

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by Ducklakeview » Sat Dec 16, 2017 1:24 am

kis wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2017 12:17 am So far as I know pre facelifts never came with paddle shifts. The facelift ones did. And obviously SMG do as well.

I know cj10jeeper did the conversion on his Zed. So basically retrofitted the paddle shifts. I think DLV is or maybe has already do it too.
It's on my list!

Mike

firebobby
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 9529
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
Location: South west Buckinghamshire

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by firebobby » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:31 am

My auto does not have paddle shift. I can knock the lever over, to change the gears manually, but I just keep in in auto and flick the fun button on and off.
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981

User avatar
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 17846
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Lichfield, England

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by cj10jeeper » Sat Dec 16, 2017 12:00 pm

kis wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2017 12:17 am So far as I know pre facelifts never came with paddle shifts. The facelift ones did. And obviously SMG do as well.

I know cj10jeeper did the conversion on his Zed. So basically retrofitted the paddle shifts. I think DLV is or maybe has already do it too.
I agree - they added paddles post facelift as by then the idea was getting more popular.
It’s a straightforward conversion as the paddles do no more or less than replicate the effect of pushing the selector back and forth in sort mode
My write up is on here.
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills

Online
User avatar
patriot66
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3467
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:59 am
Location: Mawdesley, Lancashire

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by patriot66 » Sat Dec 16, 2017 3:35 pm

The SMG is not an auto gearbox. SMG = Sequential Manual Gearbox. It is the 6 speed manual from the 3.0i with a clutch but no clutch pedal. Electronics and hydraulics operate the clutch and select a gear when the driver uses the paddles or lever. It can however be put into full auto mode and driven just like a regular auto but quite frankly it is terrible in this mode. In SMG mode you have to operate the paddles or lever to change up or down. :thumbsup:
Sterling Grey '03 2.5i SE / Infinitas Supercharger / S.M.G / Hardtop / Gloss Black 162s / Bilstein B4s / 3.0i Brakes / DLV De-Cat & Silencer / Rebuilt VANOS / Sonar 2Xcite Lights / Carbon & Alcantara Trim / M-Sport Seats / ...& Side Covers !

User avatar
brightonbimmer
Member
Member
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 9:11 pm
Location: Brighton, Ontario, Canada

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by brightonbimmer » Sat Dec 23, 2017 1:59 am

patriot66 wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2017 3:35 pm The SMG is not an auto gearbox. SMG = Sequential Manual Gearbox. It is the 6 speed manual from the 3.0i with a clutch but no clutch pedal. Electronics and hydraulics operate the clutch and select a gear when the driver uses the paddles or lever. It can however be put into full auto mode and driven just like a regular auto but quite frankly it is terrible in this mode. In SMG mode you have to operate the paddles or lever to change up or down. :thumbsup:
I agree that the SMG (7 speed as in my 2006 M6 V-10) is finicky, and often terrible. I keep trying the auto mode to see if it will learn to get better, but most often use the paddles to select up or down. Even then, one must ease off on the accelerator during the shift to make it smoother. Once cruising at highway speeds, I revert to auto mode and the up and downshifts are automatic and smoothly engaged.
David
Current cars: 2013 Honda Civic EX (daily driver, 55,000 KM) + 2003 Mazda MX-5 SE (Titanium Grey, with 22,000 KM) + 2006 BMW M6 (Indianapolis Red Metallic, just turned 67,000 KM)
First sports car was 1963 Morgan 4/4 in 1964.Image

User avatar
Paulr
Member
Member
Posts: 844
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2016 3:46 pm
Location: Tunbridge Wells

Types of auto gearboxes

Post by Paulr » Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:36 pm

My Smart Roadster had the semi-auto gearbox with steering paddles for gearchange, and even my old 2002 Corsa had this SMG type ‘Easytronic’ gearbox, and if you learned how to drive properly it is was quite a really enjoyable drive. I miss the paddles on my Z4 with its slush box, would be nice if I can do a DIY type after market fit if it is not too much hassle.
If you try and take a cat apart the first thing you have is a non working cat.

Post Reply