Half the fun of driving is going through the gears.

I don't think I could ever give that up willingly.

 

If it was a good unit, I would definitely get one. I bet 90% of the people saying "no" have never driven a car with an SMG tranny. It's amazing how much not having to shift manually "frees" up the driver to drive.

Anyway, I was the Tokyo Auto Show in 2001, and I could have sworn that Honda had entered into agreement with some company to develop an SMG tranny, which would eventually be used on the S2000. I guess that never panned out.

 

I'd have to try both and then decide. In any case, where did you hear that the M5 would have a proper manual? The SMG is a 7 speed, which for packaging reasons can only be an electronically controlled box...no traditionally laid-out pattern could be made to actuate gear changes. So, you're saying that BMW developed an entirely new 7 speed box in addition to another box to fit this new V10, just for the small fraction of M5's that would be sold with the true manual? M5 buyers want to be able to say they've got all the gadgets and gizmos...and an "electrohydraullically actuated semi-automatic 7 speed gearbox" is definitely such a gadget. Probably makes panties drop spontaneously when said to single ladies at the country club. And for practical reasons, sometimes that gear selector in the center console can, er...get in the way of certain distracting activities that may take place in a new M5. for automatic mode...

Quick2k

 

A manual will not be offered for the new M5. The new E90 M3 may have both manual and SMG offerings but right now, all indications point to SMG only.

 

I honestly can't say, because as a lot of people have mentioned it as usefull, I have yet to drive any SMG. Now I like shifting, but the SMG sounds interesting. I doubt I'd pay more for it though.

 

i would get it

 

definately not. I have not driven an SMG but have driven similar setups. Any car I drive that does not have a traditional manual transmission feels empty to me. I like running through the gears and the dance my feet have to do while on the track. Perhaps I am too "old school" for my 24 years, but you will never be able to convince me that anything else belongs in a sports car. Even if they are faster they will never be as much fun. If there is something all of us S2000 drivers know its that there is always someone faster, but we usually have the bigger grin on our face...

 

No.