I enjoy an 81 BB512 and an '05 M3 SMG with comp pkg. The paddle shift is superior in all respects, save the personal satisfaction derived from a perfect heel and toe downshift in the Boxer. On the track, no comparison, With the M3, all you have to do is nail the brakes, count the gears you want to go down, keep your right toe on the gas [lightly] to keep revs up during downshifts and nail the corner. Makes you look like Michael. I have driven 355, 360, and 575, all with F1 gearbox. They just keep getting better, and are superlative to BMW, imho, for pure upshifting. However, with the M3, it has 11 different programs for SMG mode, and 5 0r 6 for pure auto mode. The nice thing with the SMG box is that in heavy stop and go traffic, you slap the stick once to the right and you are in auto mode. Yes, in full throttle upshifts, auto mode is pretty rough. The way to control it is with throttle modulation. Once you learn that, it's ok to get through traffic without jerks or squealing tires. The big question to my mind is what does the guy do who wants to restore an F1 car in 20 or 30 years. Good luck!
FYI, the old BMW SMG I, II, and III 6 speeds were made by Magnetti Marelli whereas the new SMGIII 7 speed is made by Getrag.
The F-1 paddleshifter on a street car is obviously a gimmick.But I find it to be a real hoot! its great fun and should be tried at least once by all. YES! WHAAAAAAAAAAsnickWHAAAAAAAAAA!snickWHAAAAAAAAAA!snick
Maybe I'm just lazy? I can understand the wan't of a mechanical "feel" and roots style connection with the tranny but I chose the F-1 . I dont use auto mode and only use sport mode. If the shifter was NOT gated I might have chose it but I got spoiled w/ the NSX shifter (pre-Ferrari) and anything else feels clunky to me. I especially like NEVER missing a shift (F-1) especially when driving redline shifts which is basically where I am often,other than when in traffic. MY355