While you did catch my faint praise, the 8-speed with the 4-cyl is actually quite responsive. I drove it around the pseudo-auto-x that BMW had set up at Meadowlands. Below 50mph, it didn't feel noticeably slower than my own 320hp 6-cyl with 6-speed. Pretty peppy with no clutch wear, just set it to sport+ and mat it. Gearing and fast shifting help. I'm sure it's a different story on the highway.