Of more interest are some of the new options. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is now fitted as standard right cross the range, while SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) is now available on both the 330i and 325i. Yet although it has the same moniker as the system launched in the M3 last month, this one is based on the regular five-speed gearbox rather than the M3's six-speeder. Also, it's a Magnetti Marelli system (as on the Alfa Selespeed, the Ferrari 360 F1 and the Vanquish) whereas the M3's SMG is made by Siemens. There are important differences in the way they operate.

On the steering wheel are two paddles that operate the high-pressure hydraulic shift mechanism. They differ from those of other systems in that each curved paddle can change both up and down the gearbox. Compared with the precision feel of the M3's paddles, their action is not nearly as nice as they require a bigger prod to change gear, and changing up or down with the same paddle doesn't feel as natural as having one for up and one for down.

BMW's reasoning for this layout is that it allows the driver to drive with just one hand on the wheel and still change gear. This seems an extraordinary admission, as SMG is meant to be the sportiest gearbox option in the range, rather than an alternative for the automatic gearbox which is more suited to such antics.

There are fewer modes than the 11 on the M3 SMG: just normal, cruise, sport, and 'launch'. In 'launch', DSC is disabled and you can perform a perfect standing start just by stamping on the accelerator. The revs whip up to 4000rpm and the electronics dump the clutch for a perfect getaway, and only then, when it goes from first to second, do you get the headline 150-millisecond change, enabling it to match the manual gearbox 330i's 0-62 time of 6.5sec, according to BMW's figures. In sport mode it changes gear in around 250-300 milliseconds (400-500 milliseconds in normal mode). The latter feels quite slow to me; there's a distinct pause between shifts that has you reaching for the sport button at every opportunity.

The system automatically kicks down to a lower gear if the accelerator is fully depressed, changing up as the red line is brushed, while if you come to a stop you can feel the gearbox shuffling the gears so first is there for when you want to pull away. Compared with other Magnetti systems I've tried, BMW has mastered the usually frustrating first-to-reverse change in a way I've never experienced before. It's both quick and easy and much less sensitive to your foot being on the brake pedal for the whole time.

BMW is not sure what the demand will be for this gearbox option but is predicting that demand could be as high as 40 per cent of the 330i mix. I'm not so sure. With the Siemens system in the M3, that could well be an accurate prediction because it adds something to the driving experience. While there's an undeniable appeal to these paddle-shift gearboxes that brings out the 'Gadget Man' in all of us, this lesser SMG system simply doesn't deliver the goods. The core reason for having SMG is so you can change gear, using paddles on the steering wheel, faster than can be achieved with a manual gearbox. If it doesn't, it isn't worth the extra ΂£1700 over a standard manual gearbox, and this one doesn't.
I did get the impression though, that this isn't the final version of SMG gearbox we'll see in 330i and 325i. Once demand is proven I'm sure a quicker shifting version that combines the best qualities of the M3 SMG gearbox will be on its way.