[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I have driven a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale and an M3 with DCT on the same track a few minutes apart. IMO the BMW DCT was a superior transmission. The 360 had an SMG transmission not a DCT like the one in the newr Ferrari models.

CA

I've heard the SMG is a dog, even in the F-cars, but I meant the DCT in the newer ones. I have no experience but all accounts are they are FTW.

Originally Posted by Nikolas

True, but I would take being stuck in traffic in Rome over LA any day of the week!

Excellent point. I did ED of my S5 there in 08, and it was the worst traffic I have ever experienced ever. Anywhere. That said, I agree with you. That city is well worth the hassle, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[Ignignokt]

Originally Posted by BTM

I read an interview with a higher up at BMW's M division in Road and Track maybe 7-10 years ago and when asked why there wasn't an M version of the 7 series, he was adamant that no M car will ever use an automatic transmission. This was true until a few years later when SMG was introduced (the validity of this of course depends on how you differentiate between an automated manual and automatic transmission). Now look at the M line up - transmission technology has come a very long way in the last 5 years.

I was under the impression that the M5 was supposed to be a two-pedal offering only. Didn't BMW introduce it with that game plan and then have to fit a manual because of the demand for it here in the states?

[Ignignokt]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

... it was the worst traffic I have ever experienced ever. Anywhere. That said, I agree with you. That city is well worth the hassle, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

A recent American Transport Research Institute study says those of us in the Chicago area deal with some of the worst traffic in the US. If you were impressed with the traffic jams there, that's saying a lot.

Only place I've ever lived in Europe was Geneve, and we never really took the car anywhere except to go drive to the Alps or go on trips. The public transportation infrastructure in Europe was just ridiculous. Hell, even for most trips, there was no need to even think about driving.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Ignignokt

I was under the impression that the M5 was supposed to be a two-pedal offering only. Didn't BMW introduce it with that game plan and then have to fit a manual because of the demand for it here in the states?

The article I read was published before the E60 came out. I do believe we are the only country to receive the 6MT option for it and the M6.