Re: Bimmer auto trans. still bummers?

Scott Dorsey wrote:
> R. Mark Clayton <nospamclayton@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> "Scott Dorsey" <kludge@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>> news:fo4ocg$qke$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> R. Mark Clayton <nospamclayton@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>>> 5 speed steptronic
>>>>
>>>> The last is comparable with a manual, although I still drive it in
auto, 
>>>> but
>>>> it is clever and for instance holds gear for a bit after overtaking
or
>>>> similar.  Even if I didn't have to drive a lot in traffic, I doubt I
would
>>>> go back to manual, and as thee next one I get will probably be a
diesel, 
>>>> the
>>>> 6 speed steptronic is almost essential.
>>> See, I find the Steptronic very annoying.  I _cannot_ get a smooth
start
>>> off the line with the Steptronic or SMG no matter how carefully I do
it.
>>> In some ways it feels like it has the worst of both worlds.
>> Then you have a fault.  No problem with mine.
>>
>> There were teething problems with early ZF six speeds - look up.
> 
> No, I have driven a bunch of the newer ones.  I really wanted to like
> it... it seems like a great trade-off, adding electronic complexity to
> reduce mechanical complexity.  But it just doesn't feel right to me.
> --scott

You're confusing two different things.

SMG is a manual transmission that is controlled by hydraulics that are 
controlled by electronics. The base transmission used in SMG I, II and 
III is a standard BMW manual transmission. They use the same clutch as 
the manual transmission. All that's different is a machine is moving 
things around instead of you (and there are automatic modes - which 
don't work really well..)

Steptronic is simply advanced electronic control of a standard automatic 
transmission - complete with torque converters and multiple clutches. 
It's a nice automatic.

BIG difference. Steptronic should be no harsher than any automatic on 
takeoff. SMG - takes learning to drive smoothly - you still have to 
modulate the throttle to make ****fts and clutch engagements smooth.

BMW is introducing a dual-clutch SMG in the new E92/M3 - to catch up 
with Audi and everyone else. This will not require the finesse that the 
current SMG incarnation does to drive smoothly since it will be a 
purpose built system - meant to be an automatic manual transmission.