Non-CSL SMG v's CSL?
 

OK, as mentioned before a friend is looking at normal e46's for a track day / euro hoon car. Now I loved the SMG in the CSL, and wondered how the SMG in the non-CSL compares, and if anyone has ever tried it back to back?

At first I said stick to a manual, but questions have been raised about how good the normal SMG is and I have no idea. I also believe its possible to have the SMG software 'mapped' anyone done this? Reccomend it?

Had both the standard M3 smg change is not as good it didn't blip hard like the csl on the downchange allways felt a lttle slower than the csl

My pal wanted to flash the SMG ECU with the CSL map in his standard M3, however, as I understand, while most the parts are shared, the ECU is different.

Best

Jonathan

Think that depends on the year of the M3...

2005 on m3 has same ecu as CSL, so exactly the same.

He's got a budget that only allows for an 01/02 car. Any views?

I now have an '02 Manual coupe (my 4th E46 M3). No options, running on 18's, 92k on the clock. Runs as smooth as silk, and I am no slower on track than I was in the CSL. Perfect car for a track/euro hoon weapon which is excatly what mine is used for.

You can't beat the noise of the CSL :smt055, and tyres make such a MASSIVE difference on a dry track. But if that is his budget, go for it. I miss the SMG but have really got to grips with the manual and am liking it more than I thought I would. :thumbs:

The CSL is ultimately the better car, as it is the sum of all its parts, but for less than £10k, you can't go wrong with an earlier M3. :thumbs:

Thats what I like to hear, back up what I've been telling him all along too. I said what he needs is a car with no options, basically an e46 M3 with 18" wheels and no-sunroof would be idea.

Just if an SMG car came up at the right price I'm not sure how good they are, the only experience I have is my CSL.

If an SMG comes up, its worth getting a software update done for the SMG, made a big difference to one of mine, made the downshifts quicker and the upshifts on full chat much smoother. But in terms of the gearbox, I never noticed any difference between the SMG M3's and the CSL.

Thats good to hear, I didn't know if there was a major speed difference in shifting or anything. I believe the SMG software can be mapped / updated, I presume the updates are done by BMW where as aftermarket software guru's will offer increased shifting response via a map?