R8 R-tronic & M3 SMG

[2-th-max]

After hours of reading post on M3 forums much like this one, in 2002 I ordered my M3 cab with the SMG transmission. It was the first SMG my BMW dealership had gotten and I found myself telling the salesman facts about it. After almost 9 years of ownership, I have no regrets. I have listened to critics and other auto enthusists speak and write about "issues and troubles" related to the SMG but I have experienced none. As it has been stated the key to these types of transmissions is to use the manual shifter either on the console or steering wheel >90% of the time. I have found the console shifter more agreeable around town and only use the paddles when spirted driving is desired. I only use the auto mode when I am on the phone (no bluetooth) or have something else in one of my hands. The transmission is a bit unpredictable in the auto mode particularly when slowing almost to a stop at intersections or slowing to make tight turns. It seems to want to guess what you are trying to do and occasionally makes a delayed downshift or untimely upshift, but this is only in the auto mode. During manual operation it is very responsive and much quicker than any nonprofessional driver can be (1/100 sec. shifts).
After reading several posts on this forum, it seems the R8 R-tronic is a similar transmission to the SMG. Edmunds runs it down, the Audi dealership is luke warm in its recommendation, and several local car guys have made statements like manual is the only way to go. However after reading posts on this forum, it seems those who own and have learned how to drive the R-tronic seem more than pleased with their choice.
The key word is learned. For most drivers who order or test the R8 R-tronic this is the first or maybe second time they have driven this transmission. An hour or two behind the wheel of a test car with all of your senses overloaded or the first few days in your new R8 is not the best learning environment. One can understand why some might wish for the comfort of an old friend the manual transmission, but in a short time the upshifts will become smooth as silk and the computer controlled double cluching throtle bleeping down shifts will cause a smile to grow on the faces of those who master this new technology. Auto mode will be resverved for only when your hands are occupied and then it will be appreciated. When it arrives my R8 5.2 will have the R-tronic tranny.

The wait begins,
1978 Trans Am (special edition)
1989 944 Turbo S2
2002 M3 cab SMG
2007 Acura MDX Sport Package
2011 R8 5.2 R-tronic
and many less notable

[ignomini]

Never driven a DSG, but your remarks are square on with my experience in the R8. Every other car I own has a stir stick, and I enjoy using it. The RT isn't better or worse, just different, and the more I drive it, the more I like it.

[FiftyPence]

The R-Tronic is light years ahead of the SMG II gearbox of my old BMW M3..

2-th-max, please add your location to your profile.

[BlkwdwR8]

Yah, couldn't agree more, the first gen M3 SMG is way behind the game compared to the R-Tronic. I've got a M5 SMG III right now and it's pretty close to the R-Tronic. But I will admit, the M-DCT on the new M3s feels better than all of them, it is pretty impressive. The dual clutch shifting, is incredible and smooth. The R-Tronic is good, but it's still a very punchy race shift, but given the car, I'm ok with that because that's the feeling I want when I'm on the gas in the R8

[FiftyPence]

Just want to clarfify that the second generation aka E36 M3 had the original SMG system, the E46 M3 then came out with SMG II and as you say, the M5 then came out with SMG III.

[doctorr8]

I drove a heavily moded E46 M3 (cab) since 2003 till last month, now I am only driving my 5.2 R8.
Let me tell you this, SMG II is not comparable to the R-tronic in automatic mode, the R-tronic is far better and much more smoother (still I did not develop the smooth auto shifting in the R8 "on the way"). Now talking about manual, the difference is the R8 feels like a super-car and the M3 feels like a very good sports car. One thing you might miss in the auto mode of the R8, the 5 different levels you can choose in-between! I rarely changed it when I was driving the M3 but I had it fixed on my favorite level (2), in the R8 the car decides the level.