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Old 04-23-2004, 03:57 PM   #5
elbert
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 171
Re: autoweek: E60m5 (versus) 612 scaglietti

Quote:
Originally Posted by lemming
as far as SMG, it could be that with 7 forward gears that there is more than one shift to attain 60mph? i always thought the E46m3 SMG was consistently as fast as the 6 speed manual.
With a "traditional" manual, an extra shift before 60 would add a little less than half a second (if the clutch were used). If the car was an SMG, an extra shift would probably add an insignificant amount of time (maybe a tenth?).

IIRC, the SMG M3 has actually tested a bit slower than a standard M3 in 0 to 60 times because of the launch. Even that special launch technique (jamming the lever forward while the brake and gas are on) doesn't seem to work as well as a traditional clutch.

Around a track is a different story--I'd expect the SMG to do better.
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