PDK, a loser???
yes yes I am very familiar with the concept, SMG on the e46 is horrible, I have a manual and have beaten tons of SMG's, there is no driver input needed. BMW tried to sell me on an SMG on my e46 when I purchased and I just felt it wasnt right for the car. I did like the SMG on my m6 as I felt that engine was just made for the tranny, even more so with the heads up display in that large GT car. Currently own 4 manual cars and love each of them. Again PDK is faster but where is the driver skill come into play? In turns, sure, even tho the car is shifting itself you still need to be able to point it in a direction.
They both work and work well, it just all depends on the INDIVIDUAL desires from a sports car. again, DD duties aside, just something about a proper manual tranny........
They both work and work well, it just all depends on the INDIVIDUAL desires from a sports car. again, DD duties aside, just something about a proper manual tranny........
If you brought up this conversation here back when the E46 M3 came out you'd be laughed off the forums and I know many people who couldn't believe I bought my M3 without a standard stick shift. Now with literally 10 years of automotive progress since it's inclusion in the E46, DCT/PDK/SMG proliferation isn't so ridiculed anymore, but before it was barely acceptable to have and without really trying to get used to it people wrote it off immediately as too jerky / not smooth / I dont know what to do with my left foot / "it's an automatic!" etc.
You have to drive it like a manual with a computer controlling the clutch - once you get used to that and learn to use the proper shift speed based on how you're driving (s1-s6), it can be driven smooth as silk when you're cruising or menacingly raw and fast on the track. Maybe having a new 06 with the kinks worked out made a difference for me, too.
You mention "beaten" tons of SMGs - if you're talking straight line driving, SMG in the old M3 would definitely help you here as it was neutered in the US to only drop the clutch at 2000 RPM. Aside from messing around with friends I have never really street raced anyone in my life. I haven't even bothered "launching" my 997TT yet.
You are absolutely right, it really does come down to what you as an individual get the most enjoyment out of and where you have the most fun with the car, just defending the E46 SMG a little
Last edited by djben; Aug 18, 2011 at 02:01 PM.
To go straight for a few secs? Yes. And I'll tell anybody the same thing.
To operate at varying speeds, including cornering, braking, slip angles, preferred line, etc..., I'd say driver involvement LEVEL is the same, but allows more focus on different aspects (because driving dynamics have changed, not gone away completely).
A steering wheel is still a steering wheel, a brake pedal is still a brake pedal, tires are still tires, vision is still vision, etc...
There is still upshifting, downshifting,and gear selection involved, still requires car control.
By the way - thanks, Speed. You could have taken that response in a completely different direction.
To operate at varying speeds, including cornering, braking, slip angles, preferred line, etc..., I'd say driver involvement LEVEL is the same, but allows more focus on different aspects (because driving dynamics have changed, not gone away completely).
A steering wheel is still a steering wheel, a brake pedal is still a brake pedal, tires are still tires, vision is still vision, etc...
There is still upshifting, downshifting,and gear selection involved, still requires car control.
By the way - thanks, Speed. You could have taken that response in a completely different direction.
. But which direction did you prefer?
. I'm not sure if you're disappointed or happy...
I want my Porsche to be a real man's car, no sissy fly by wire Video Game. I want to row the gear box, chicks find it awesome, seeing your muscles bulging when you grab that handle and force your will on that car. Just like the good old days without sex discrimination laws.
I love dual-clutch transmissions. You can't beat their abilities and consistency. That said; I drove my buddy's Protomotive 6-MT Turbo earlier today (he's out of the country and asked to drive it every couple of weeks), and I really enjoyed rowing the gears. He has the 997 short-shift kit installed and it shifts wonderfully. Fun stuff.
I think I'll only be truly happy when I have both in my garage: a dual-clutch car and a manual car.
I think I'll only be truly happy when I have both in my garage: a dual-clutch car and a manual car.
I want my Porsche to be a real man's car, no sissy fly by wire Video Game. I want to row the gear box, chicks find it awesome, seeing your muscles bulging when you grab that handle and force your will on that car. Just like the good old days without sex discrimination laws.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPd0A...layer_embedded
Last edited by bbywu; Aug 20, 2011 at 03:27 PM.
Yes....real man's transmission for a real man's car...lol 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPd0A...layer_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPd0A...layer_embedded
The only TRUE manual transmission in this thread... Everything else is just plain silly.
Just ran across this thread and thought I'd point out this related poll:
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...nsmission.html
At 78 votes, it shows a strong polarization between preference for manual vs PDK, with manual having a modest lead. Let's see if your votes can shift the results.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...nsmission.html
At 78 votes, it shows a strong polarization between preference for manual vs PDK, with manual having a modest lead. Let's see if your votes can shift the results.





I'm not sure either...