E46 3 series SMG or SSG (Not M3)

[Llarry]

In late 2003 I took delivery of one of my favorite BMWs: a MY2004 E46 325i Touring with sport and 6-speed sequential manual gearbox (sometimes called sequential sport gearbox). I really loved that car, although there was a definite learning curve involved in using the SMG. I kept the car for six years and reluctantly sold it due to nervousness about the long-term reliability and the availability of parts. For several years running, I had both the 325iT and a manual-transmission E46 M3. Those were the days!

I believe the E46 325s were available with that SMG transmission only in 2005, although the SMG continued to be available for a few years after on 330i models in the USA.

I often wonder how I would've fared if I had kept the car. Are there any E46 (non-M3) SMG owners out there? Are the transmissions holding up OK?