Iceman

Yes it does - but it's not comparable with the auto tranny.
When you are in auto mode on smg it shifts that late, that you are allways getting pushed into your seat. It's not smooth, it's hard (for an auto).
I talked to a couple ppl who used the auto mode on smg and they all told me it's ot that comfortable, so they didn't used it much...
Again... If there wouldn't be smg - what would you chose? Auto? Take the Auto... Manual? If so, you can start thinking about smg, what is definately the most fun!!!

gf366

I do agree with everyone here that SMG has the most fun....

My point is that, for city driving w/ heavy traffic, engage and disengage of the gear will wear out the clutch alot faster than normal, that happens on both manual and SMG...

For example, today I'd drive thru the Harbor tunnel here, w/ about 5km of distance cost me about 1 hour (same for everyday), I'd think in this kind of environment, auto tranny will be a better choice....

JDN

City traffic would not have the same effect on the wear and tear of an auto transmission?

gf366

Well, I do agree w/ you that city driving will also harm the auto tranny, just the degree of harmful w/ be different... I'd just thought that SMG is designed for sport use rather than city driving, but not that driving SMG around the city will have any problem.

pbarch1

I have always driven a manual box, this time however I bought an auto w/ steptronic. I do alot of city driving in traffic and I thought it would be a nice change. I do enjoy it, actully it is a wonderful gearbox. But I miss the manual. If I was to do it again I ould get SMG. I think it really depends on your driving style IMHO ;

seitch

Ok, so how does fuel mileage of the SMG compare with the Steptronic? Fueleconomy.gov says that mileage is a little less than with the steptronic. I'm wondering what the real world experience is.

The stories of SMG guys pulling on Corvettes and Porsches make me smile but I've only ever driven automatics. I mean I have a pretty good understanding of the theory of stick but my real world experience in driving on is very limited. I also have a 50 mile commute up and down the 405 freeway in SoCal. But actually it's only every once in a while where I hit stop and go traffic because I flex my schedule around. Is it possible to blow the engine by downshifting at a high speed too quickly? I'm always hearing horror stories about people in sticks mis-shifting and stuff.

Rudy

You CAN blow an engine with a missed downshift using a traditional manual but you CAN'T blow one with the SMG. The computer won't let you shift it incorrectly, no matter how hard you try...

gf366

Rudy is right, you cannot blow the SMG no matter how fast you shift, same for stepronic...

Can we blow the manual for mis-shift if we havn't change the chip or re-map the comptuer?