Tell Me About SSG...

[Mikedav]

Its a cut down version of SMG II and generally viewed as worth avoiding - this much I know! But Id like to know a bit more about it. Is it jerky changes that let it down? Why exactly should it be avoided? I.e. is it a case of it just being a bit gimicky and a manual or 'proper' Auto is prefferable, or is it more that SSG makes the car a complete pig?

Oh and does anyone here have this months Glasses Guide?

Thanks in advance!

[peppernick]

I drove round in an SSG 330 Clubsport for 2 years. IMO, the gearbox is crap.

SMG and SSG requires getting use to. You have to feather the throttle to execute smooth changes and timing is crucial. After a while, it becomes second nature but the first few weeks of ownership you'll be kangaroo-ing around.

OK, that's easily rectifiable. However, the SSG gearbox is completely different to the SMG2 on the M3. Both are standard gearboxes with hydraulics strapped on to them but it's the gearbox management systems that distinguish them. The SSG CPU is made by Magnetti Marelli and is much less sophisticated than the Siemens brain on the SMG2.

SSG comes with 3 forward drive modes, auto, standard and Sport. Sport quickens things up but it's still very sluggish. Gear engagement is extremely mushy and there's nothing you can do about it unlike the SMG2 where you can upgrade software to alter the drive characteristics on top of the 6 different forward drive modes.

I would suggest you take an SSG car for a long hard drive and judge it for yourself. Then test drive the SMG2. You'll understand what the fuss is all about. Take it from someone who bought an SSG car because it was the coolest thing to hit the non-M market back in 2002 and a 'must have' but ended up regretting big time. If you want to shift gears manually, get a manual gearbox. If you're a cruiser and don't like a clutch pedal, get an auto. If you're into your gadgets and still thinks paddle shifting is cool, get an M3 with SMG2, it's a beast but whatever you do don't rush into buying SSG.

[paulm3]

spot on...lol...i test drove 4 m3's with smg b4 thinking .. "yeah this is for me" and
i still love it 8 months on :):)

[Mikedav]

Peppernick, as always, just what I was after. Proper manual it is then!

Are all 330ci Manuals 6spd? Im looking at no older than 02

[peppernick]

All facelift coupes/verts come with 6-speed. Later saloon (I think post mid 2003 but not sure) comes with 6-speed.

[Matt H330]

Just a quick question for those who have a 6 speed 330. Is it any good. I hated it in my Golf because you had to change to 3rd to hit 60. OK because the Golf had loads of torque you could be a bit lazy, but I found the ratios were all over the place.

[adood84]

so do they still use ssg on 330 or have they changed it to smg , hope they get the smg on then new E90 ,

[peppernick]

so do they still use ssg on 330 or have they changed it to smg , hope they get the smg on then new E90 ,
They might call it SMG on the 2004 non-Ms but it's still the same thing. It's SMG2 on the M3 that's the gem.

[lee330sport]

Just a quick question for those who have a 6 speed 330. Is it any good. I hated it in my Golf because you had to change to 3rd to hit 60. OK because the Golf had loads of torque you could be a bit lazy, but I found the ratios were all over the place.
With standard diff (2.93) the 330 will hit around 65 in second. Far too much in my opinion. With my 3.46 diff now in, i hit about 55mph so have to change to 3rd to get to 60. But the instant throttle response in any gear at any speed more than makes up for it. So im gonna upgrade to a 3.64 diff next.

[Matt H330]

How much does the 3.46 effect top speed? Does it now run out of go before the 155 limiter?

[lee330sport]

How much does the 3.46 effect top speed? Does it now run out of go before the 155 limiter?
5th ends around 130mph, 6th ends around 160 or so.