12-11-2006, 04:45 PM
Andrew, the difference is the SMG system operates an existing manual trans with hydraulic controls (and the potential pump failures). Internally, the M3 SMG trans is no different from its "manual" option. A bike trans is a straight cut gear sequential gearbox - totally different. In a car, a straight cut sequential really isnt going to be viable on the street.
Now, what BMW has gone to doing in the new M5 is to totally redesign the gearbox internally so that it still operates like a manual trans but the internal arrangement is much stronger - this would ordinarily generate some fucked up shift patterns, but since everything is controlled with hydraulics anyways, it doesnt matter.
Now, what BMW has gone to doing in the new M5 is to totally redesign the gearbox internally so that it still operates like a manual trans but the internal arrangement is much stronger - this would ordinarily generate some fucked up shift patterns, but since everything is controlled with hydraulics anyways, it doesnt matter.