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**DansSlk** · 06-08-2007

I agree the feeling of a manual car cannot be simulated by either a sequential or automatic box but as its been said already the higher the performance of the car the less likely it is to have a traditional manual option.

Its true your not as in control of the car if you don't have a clutch pedal and thats a big negative for people who enjoy the control that comes with a manual box but you then have the benefits of the computer controlled sequential and auto's that the big toys have now.

They all have auto modes and while a SMG cannot get the smooth shifts an auto can it can get very close and the SMG is always going to shift faster than the auto but only ever so slightly so they are kinda even on those points.

They are both faster shifters than any fully manual car ever can be (no offense manual drivers) and the small differences all add up in a world where the performance figures of so many new engines are so close gains in the drivetrain are a god send for companies looking for a little extra gain to impress the 0-60 gang.

They never miss a shift and when operating in the manual modes will not allow the driver to damage his engine or transmission via a bad shift, they are fully interfaced with traction control systems to allow them gear control when they require it something a manual cannot do they are also self preserving if they sense a problem they will protect themselves potentially saving loads of cash for the owner.

You also have the hands on wheel benefit not provided by a normal manual gearbox and i could go into more detail about the various different control modes they can be programmed with from cruise control comfort settings to catalytic converter warm up programs the list is endless.

I am an avvid manual fan having learnt to drive on a manual car you really feel connected to them don't get me wrong but ultimately the standard clutch pedal manual is rapidly becoming obsolete, i can see AMG bringing out DSG's / SMG's and keeping the auto's going but not manual gearboxes just not worth it .

06-08-2007	#27 (permalink)
DansSlk Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 55 (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,954 Country: Thanks: 116 Thanked 299 Times in 207 Posts	I agree the feeling of a manual car cannot be simulated by either a sequential or automatic box but as its been said already the higher the performance of the car the less likely it is to have a traditional manual option. Its true your not as in control of the car if you don't have a clutch pedal and thats a big negative for people who enjoy the control that comes with a manual box but you then have the benefits of the computer controlled sequential and auto's that the big toys have now. They all have auto modes and while a SMG cannot get the smooth shifts an auto can it can get very close and the SMG is always going to shift faster than the auto but only ever so slightly so they are kinda even on those points. They are both faster shifters than any fully manual car ever can be (no offense manual drivers) and the small differences all add up in a world where the performance figures of so many new engines are so close gains in the drivetrain are a god send for companies looking for a little extra gain to impress the 0-60 gang. They never miss a shift and when operating in the manual modes will not allow the driver to damage his engine or transmission via a bad shift, they are fully interfaced with traction control systems to allow them gear control when they require it something a manual cannot do they are also self preserving if they sense a problem they will protect themselves potentially saving loads of cash for the owner. You also have the hands on wheel benefit not provided by a normal manual gearbox and i could go into more detail about the various different control modes they can be programmed with from cruise control comfort settings to catalytic converter warm up programs the list is endless. I am an avvid manual fan having learnt to drive on a manual car you really feel connected to them don't get me wrong but ultimately the standard clutch pedal manual is rapidly becoming obsolete, i can see AMG bringing out DSG's / SMG's and keeping the auto's going but not manual gearboxes just not worth it . __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.