Why are there very few E60's in Europe with SMG. Loads of Americans have got it but not many of us. Obviosly i got a diesel so i could not get it.

 

That's your answer. "could not get it".

I wanted SMG, but no can do on a diesel. Not sure on numbers, but there's more and more diesels now.

 

I think SMG will become available on future diesels like Audi's DSG.

The problem is that SMG is manual with paddles so there is a time delay when it changes gear. It has to release the gear, press the clutch and then shift to another gear. This is "supose" to be abit jerky aswell.

Unlike Audi's DSG is an auto with paddles do its much smoother.

 

Probably could have something to do with the previous 2 generations of SSG boxes on 3 series etc..

Did you try one of those? I did and it was horrible. Certainly my dealer (Coopers) didn't like them either - they hardly ever ordered a car with SSG as a demonstrator or dealership car.

 

Audi DSG is very very good. Changes gear like you would expect it to.

I've driven an Alfa Romeo Sepespeed, and that was awful. I could chnage gear quicker, and I could change gear smoother. So why have it.

The DSG is quick and smooth. As smooth as you'd expect from a manual that is. And definitely the way to go. I'm sure everyone else will be working hard to catch up now. It's 2 gearboxes in one. With 2 sets of gears (odd and even sets), 2 main shafts, and 2 clutches. It then swaps between sides. So it's as quick as releasing one clutch and engaging the other. The box doesn't actually change gear at that time, so it's quick. Probably covered by a bunch of patents though. So maybe Audi will have it to themselves for a while.

But again, it's not available on the Audi 3.0 diesels.

 

I drove a 330CI clubsport with SSG and your right. Absolutely horrible. I got very p****** off only after 30mins. The SSG was a similar gearbox on the E36 M3.

But the ones on the E60 are the same type as on the E46 M3 which are supose to be quite abit better.

 

Which Coopers? In Kent?

 

Audi DSG is certainly very good....probably the best bit in an Audi second to the Quattro System...

Someone could try surplanting a DSG unit on a BMW......

 

Cooper Banstead, formerly L&C and before that Cronk BMW

 

Ive heard that BMW are working on similar gearbox but wont be out for a good few years.