Sequential Shift vs Manual

[Silvia_Drift]

Originally Posted by toronto I don't know why they call it F1 style gear box, mainly be cause an f1 car has 2 sets of paddels, 1 for the clutch another for the gears. If this type of gear box was to be put on a car it wouldn't be that bad, it is manual put the clutch you use with your hands not you foot. and you can jump down gears just like in a stick. i hope this is the way BMW does the new m5, cause "F1 style" is not as good as real F1

The second set of paddles usually isn't used. There is an option for clutch modulation but why would the drivers use that? The clutch is also used for accelerating the car with out launch control (again, why would the drivers do tha?) and if the car is spun, the driver can hold the clutch and try and rev the engine so that the car doesn't stall. I think that is why Ferrari calls its sem-auto "F1 style".

[Sir_GT]

Hmmm...

I myself don't have any experience with any paddle-based transmissions, but I'm looking forward to BMW's new SMGIII attempt that they're reportedly putting into their upcoming M5.

Hopefully it'll be a benchmark offering. If not, I'll wait for the basic manual to be released. I'm sure they'll bring one out anyway, regardless of what they say.

Although, IMO, all you have to look at is the new Carrera GT supercar. Does it have paddles? Nope, but the enzo does. Which one do journalists say is usable everyday? The Carrera. I'm suspecting that the Enzo is better on the track.

I guess it just boils down to what you plan to use the car for. Which is why companies that offer paddle shift should also offer a basic manual option.

...but that's just my opinion. 8)

[N.J.]

Given the choice between a 'real' manual transmission -vs- anything else, I'd take the manual everytime...just ask Tiff

ie. That Aston Martin Vanquish would have been very nice with a proper manual.






p.s

Have you actually seen how you do a 3 point turn in one of those things?...its just silly.

[schnell318]

I´ve never tried a sequential, i just rode a bunch of times in an M3 SMG and all I can say is that it is really impressive. The speed at which the shifts are made is just amazing. On the other hand, the manual gives you full control as you can control the clutch.

[Sir_GT]

I thought that ferrari already dealt with that 3pt turn thing? I remember their cars with a switch for reverse.

[ahmedgiyab]

I drove a C2 VTR with a sequential gear.... :x It was horrible!!! The shifts were late

2sec!!! Anyway...

If someone had any experience driving both, please tell me:

Which is better the 6speed manual or SMG II. (E46 325i, 330i, M3)???

[artypossum]

I personally think manual gearboxes are better for the raw driving experience. Although sequebtial 'boxes are getting very good these days.

[possessed_beaver]

at the end of the day, a real driver will take a manual gear box anyday.

so you can double clutch yourself, feel one with the car, it would fee; weird with no clutch, my left foot would just sit there and get limp..

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by artypossum I personally think manual gearboxes are better for the raw driving experience. Although sequebtial 'boxes are getting very good these days.

You know about driving experience at 14?

[ahmedgiyab]

Originally Posted by toronto Originally Posted by artypossum I personally think manual gearboxes are better for the raw driving experience. Although sequebtial 'boxes are getting very good these days. You know about driving experience at 14?

F**king cool guy!

[Sir_GT]

Lol. Nice catch. It's funny how perceptive you were to actually see that chap's age.

Anyway, back to topic: Let's say if, and I mean IF, BMW releases the M5 with a proper F1 style paddle shift, (complete with two sets of paddles for both clutch and gears) wouldn't that solve everything? I mean, theoretically speaking (because I've never driven an F1 car), holding down the clutch paddle would be just the same as leaving the stick in neutral or keeping your foot down on the clutch, allowing you to fly through the gears as you wish.

I mean, imagine heading into a corner at 5th, then holding down the clutch paddle, then downshift to 3rd or 2nd, release the clutch paddle to engine brake, then floor it as you come out of the apex.

IF (I'm guessing, like I said) its supposed to work that way, then that frees up both my feet for some real hardcore brake-gas techniques. Just like in carting.

IF that's the case, I don't see why a paddle shift would differ so much from a manual. With enough practice, somebody could down shift 2-3 gears very quickly, just a quick as slipping the 'box from 6th to a few gears down.

So what's the big deal then?

[RC45]

Originally Posted by Sir_GT So what's the big deal then?

Because the sheer cost and complexity of such a system in a daily driven car (not one that gets rebuilt every 6 hours of running) would limit it to $1,000,000 plus cars --

Or, the more likely case, the system will get slimmed/trimmed/adapted until it was cost effective - but no where near what you have described.

Manufacturers can just about build current hi-po cars with clutches and tranny's that can withstand hard-street driving - do you really think the accountants will allow them to build bullet-proof 2-pedal systems for general consumption?

Until then, the H-pattern and 3 pedal set up is probably the best bet for the us "working stiffs"...

[Sir_GT]

Ahhhhh i see...

Hmmm...if that's the case, (cost and everything) then I think I'll be putting the downpayment on a 2004 manual M5.

Unless of course, BMW does pull off the unthinkable and releases the dual-paddle.

Although I'm not holding my breath for it, it does make me wonder why (in) those new spy pics of the M5, the steering mechanism was covered up while parked.

Seems very suspicious if you ask me.