We I can tell you that from experience with my new baby that the 2006 BMW M3 SMG has no chance. I raced it twice this week and both times I gave the BMW a .25 second head start. I was about a car and half away at about 90 MPH. My fiance didn't even have a chance and trust me when I say that she knows on to drive this M3 hard. So anyways I just thought everyone wanted to hear. I know this has been done but, I wanted to verify it with our own M3and someone that knows how to drive a car. ENJOY.

WHats your thoughts on the new generation M3 that will be out sometime in 07? With a V-8 that thing will scream.

My wife gives me a 1 second head start in here X5 4.4 and I take her anyway. JK. The Jeep SRT's offer a lot for the price. Well, except for the paint and initial quality.

M3 SMG? Whats that?

M3 SMG? Whats that?

Sequential Manual Gearbox.

"The SMG does not eliminate the clutch but it does eliminate the third pedal. The computer handles engaging and disengaging the clutch, and does so far faster (just .08 seconds, according to BMW) and much more smoothly than most human drivers could. There's no need to declutch and move into neutral when rolling to a stop; the computer and electro-hydraulic actuators handle that for you. Punch it, and the system feathers the engagement into first, and you leave the line in a proper haze of sizzling tire smoke.

But what makes the BMW SMG unit so neat is that the driver has full manual control over the up and downshifts -- no computer overrides or forced upshifts -- and can adjust the quality and speed of the gear changes and clutch actuation (from soft and pleasant to hard-core race-style firmness) simply by selecting, via the touch of a button, from one of six available DriveLogic programs.

Turn off the traction control (DSC) system for the most aggressive acceleration in DriveLogic program number six and you'll get tire-barking, slam-you-in-the-seat upshifts that'd do Ralf Schumacher proud.

And get this: There's even a fully automatic function for those days (and traffic conditions) where you'd rather just leave the gear changes to the computer. In other words, this true manual six-speed gearbox can be set to operate like a conventional automatic -- but without the parasitic power loss (and also loss of driver control) that comes with an automatic and its torque converter. The automatic mode also has five different DriveLogic settings -- ranging from sedate and smooth, with second-gear starts -- to high-rpm, very firm gear changes when it's time to make some fast moves. It even handles downshifting for you during passing maneuvers and will hold the transmission in a lower gear during hard cornering.

To operate the SMG, you select either the full manual "s" mode or fully automatic "a" mode -- then tap the console mounted button to tailor the shift quality from mild to wild. If you're in manual mode, just pull back on the shifter handle to move up through the six forward gears -- or use the steering-wheel-mounted paddles, marked "+" for upshifts, "-" for downshifts. The tachometer even has a lighted scale that blips at the appropriate engine speed to let you know it's the best time to upshift for maximum performance; the same progressive series of illuminated indicators also serves as an engine speed warning during warm-up. The lights gradually go out as the engine comes up to full operating temperature, letting you know it's now okay to rev the thing to redline."

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Sports_Convertibles/2002_BMW_M3_SMG.S184.A5146.html

We I can tell you that from experience with my new baby that the 2006 BMW M3 SMG has no chance. I raced it twice this week and both times I gave the BMW a .25 second head start. I was about a car and half away at about 90 MPH. My fiance didn't even have a chance and trust me when I say that she knows on to drive this M3 hard. So anyways I just thought everyone wanted to hear. I know this has been done but, I wanted to verify it with our own M3and someone that knows how to drive a car. ENJOY.

Hey Kevin...not doubting here just curious. I have an 05 SMG with intake, AA software, rasp terminator and AA exhaust. Have had some interesting runs against my Jeep with both myself and other competent SMG drivers behind the wheel. (and I am by no means inferring your fiance is incompetent) The Jeep is Mopar CAI, BB catback, 195 Stant.

Did your fiance use S6, launch control, and get a good non-tire smoking hole shot? To do that correctly takes a fair amount of practice. As you know there is almost an art to launching the M correctly in S6 to get as much initial torque as possible as we both know it doesn't have much. If she is not correctly in the power band with shifts at 7900 to 8000, I am sure you can pull it to 90. You have to keep that puppy screaming at all times. And backing off at 90 she is only at about 7000 in third. It's fun going up against myself so to speak and I have had a few different outcomes. Love both vehicles. Very different animals.

As an example, I have a great relationship with techs and Svc Mgr at my BMW dealership. Mgr. loves to drive my Jeep. Have semi-smoked him twice while I was driving the Jeep and he was in my M. First time his comment was, albeit kiddingly...."Man I'm turning in my X5...I want one of those"

You, I, and your fiance are all fortunate to be able to run these cars, and truly appreciate the features of them both. I would venture to say that either you or her in the Jeep can do a little whhuupass on 90% of the M3 drivers out there.

Teda: I figured that the M3 would start coming back after 100 MPH. This is were it really comes alive which I'm sure you know. She did set it at S6 no traction control on, and she did do the launch mode. I will have to try it my self and see what happens. I will keep you posted on the results.

Sounds like an amazing car. But it still eliminates the clutch. You cant rev up to 3500 rpm and dump the clutch...

Sounds like an amazing car. But it still eliminates the clutch. You cant rev up to 3500 rpm and dump the clutch...It doesn't eliminate the clutch, it uses the same transmission & clutch as the 6 speed manual M3 uses. Equipped with European software launch control will allow you rev to a higher RPM to launch.

Sounds like an amazing car. But it still eliminates the clutch. You cant rev up to 3500 rpm and dump the clutch...

ARH1956 is correct...it does not eliminate the clutch. Eliminates the pedal and the use of your left foot though. Takes a while to get used to, but I enjoy it. For launching, it is limited to about 1800 before you dump the clutch. This is done by simply holding the shift lever forward in first. Release the pressure, and get ready to almost immediately hit second.

On European builds you CAN rev to 3500 for clutch dump, but you are only allowed a specified number of launches before warranty is voided. In US a manufacturer can't void a warranty by someone using a feature designed into the car, thus it is limited to 1800 which is much easier on clutch and driveline.

I know this is a Jeep forum, but just a little info.

well there you go...learn something new every day.

Either way nice kill!

nice kill! wonder if the M3 would have caught up as speeds increased.....