Or you could buy an MR2 or M3 with a sequential manual. Basically they replace the hydraulic clutch with an electronic one. No clutch pedal to press just push (or pull) one button (or paddle) to upshift and one to downshift. The M3 even has an automatic mode if you are too lazy to use the damn paddles. Plus they downshift faster than even the most professional drivers can.

But basically I prefer to stay away from the manumatics. The lag between pushing the stick and action lets those revs run a lot higher than I'm comfortable with. I like being able to push the clutch and blip the throttle in search of that perfect shift.

 

Shop manuals say that it should only be put in neutral when stopped and not while moving. Some of the internal bearings are not meant to spin to quickly, without the load of the engines torque, and it can speed up wear on the gear collars also

I guess this means it is best to keep it in gear when approaching a stop, and then select neutral after you stop and are idling. If you feel like revving your engine to turn your girlfriend on, push the clutch in. A throwout bearing is a lot cheaper than a gearbox

 

The SMG in hell bent Demon mode shifts in .18 seconds. Hella faster than the syncro's of most manuals can handle. Faster than any other production sequential except for the recent Ferrari Enzo. In Mario Andretti's racing years he could shift a Manual F1 gearbox in .12 seconds.

 

Direct from BMW (in reference to the 6 speed SMG on the M3) -

Shifting can occur faster than even an expert driver can achieve. (as fast as 80 milliseconds)

80 milliseconds equals .08 seconds. Thats pretty damn fast. Now it will take longer to downshift than upshift but if Andretti could pull off a proper heel-toe downshift in 0.12 seconds then I have a loooooooooooooot more respect for the man.

 

The Roundel article stated that Andretti could upshift in .12 seconds. They stated that the SMG was slightly slower than the factory claim. They where using some kind of meter to measure the time between upshifts when power to the rear wheels is broken and then applied again. Andretti could not shift the manual M3 as fast as the SMG could, but he was getting faster acceleration times. The gearing is nearly identical for the two cars. They concluded that the actual upshift is faster, but the clutch devices of the SMG take more time than the .08 claim. Also that the SMG still lost more power through the drivetrain than the 6sp. manual

 

the autostick thing is not really neat, its delayed and its not instant reshift either. you cant **** up and down fast or it will not even notice you are trying to shift. it offers more tourqe than the "normal" auto but nothing major or even noticable really. i have the autostick because i drive downtown everyday in bad traffic during rush hour and do not want to mess with a stick. if they made a p5 with a 6 speed well then there is no question, id get the stick. now if only they made a 5 with a 4.0 or higher 6.... to each his own... PEACE- Trav

 

Wherever that Roundel article is. I couldn't find it. The only one I found was one on the SMG II, plus some forums with people who were able to get their M3 under 5 seconds 0-60. If there is a delay it is because the brain is being a little more careful with its shifting (longevity) than Mario is. SMG's do not require major modifications to the transmissions they use. Its more the clutch and an electrical replacement for the shift lever plus a program to control it all.

 

It may have been Motor Trend. I looked as well for the Roundel and could not find it either. As soon as I find that article I will post whatever it said. All I really remember was that they said in Mario's hay-day he could shift faster than the SMG (although not a street legal car, an F1 car). I have pretty good access to an 01 M3 6sp. and sub 5 second 0-60's are not that much of a problem. Launch it like and M5, with little wheelspin off the start and you can come in around mid 4's. I don't know if that is faster than the SMG.