Yes it feels excellent! Shifts are a lot firmer in 4, 5, and 6. Also comes with the Euro Launch Control. AMAZING! It shifts almost like DCT in S6!!! Definitely quicker than stock. A lot of people ask what the difference is between the EURO and ESS SMG tune. Difference is big. Shifts are even firmer. However, it's very hard to detect how fast it shifts since humans can detect milliseconds.

 

damn, my biggest gripe is the SMG trans and its shifting. when im on the fwy in M/P6 mode with the SMG dialed all the way up...it shifts pretty quick but still not fast enough. its also very clunky so im oft afraid that im doing damage due to the hard shifts. it would be nice if this tune eases some of that.

what about lower speeds and gears? is there any noticeable difference there? low speeds are where the SMG shows all its flaws, does the tune help with the jitteriness or the stutter steps it does in 1st and 2nd gear? also does it shift faster in lower gears? 1, 2 and 3 are really slow for me most times...

 

I agree.... ESS tune is intense. Love it.

 

Did you have the Euro SMG tune before the ESS SMG tune? What did things did you notice from stock also?

Can you explain the differences John? I need to make a decision just want some info.

 

I drove a Euro SMG when I was in Hong Kong. The ESS feels somewhat smoother and firmer.

From stock to the ESS, it definitely feels BETTER when shifting at lower rpms. It rev matches MUCH better. Just like how I drive stick at lower rpms. You know how it sounds like an automatic when you shift at low rpms before? That's gone now.

What I DO NOT like is the fact that it always default in automatic mode when you start the car. It also defaults in the 2nd gear. The ESS SMG tune is base on the EURO SMG III Software but AJ @ ESS has tweaked every bit of the software to provide us with driveability and quick shifts. What differs from the EURO is that the ESS have the previous manual mode setting saved and doesn't default to S5. I mostly drive in S4 and sometimes S3.

I haven't really tried S1 and S2 since it just sucks. Why would you want to drive with the clutch half slipping all the time? LOL. S3 driving around town is beautiful. S4 is NIIICE! S5 is WEEEEEE!! S6 is SHIT IT FEELS LIKE DCT!!!

If anyone would like the SMG tune, please PM me so we can get the ball rolling for you. I will give you the instructions on how to remove the TCU.