Unlikely a BMW rep would provide any info relative to a retrofit, as this would increase their liability. Not to hijack a neat thread, but the VW/Audi Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG, or double clutch gearbox) beats the BMW-Ferrari SMG, & is probably the most advanced consumer gearbox technology.
BMW & Porsche are working on DSG technology for future cars. BMW will likely abandon SMG for DSG.
Here's how it works: at any given time a sum total of two gearsets are engaged. While accelerating, the gear you are in plus the next higher gear. While decelerating, the gear you are in plus the next lower gear. There are dual coaxial clutches. The clutch for the gearset you are in is engaged, the clutch for the secondary gearset is disengaged. When you need the next gearset, the only thing mechanically changed is the clutches, not the gearsets! Gear changes (actually clutch changes) are estimated to take only .03-.04 seconds, faster than SMG & way faster than any human can shift.
The sum total cars with DSG are the '04-'05 VW Beetle direct-injection turbo-diesel (about 105hp?) & '04-'05 Audi TT 3.2L (240hp). More VW DSG models will arrive for '06 models, including the all-new GTi arriving fall '05-winter '06. VW is publishing .3 seconds quicker 0-60mph times for the GTi with DSG (in automatic shift mode) vs. the fully old-style manual tranny (both are 6-speed same ratios). DSG can be left in fully automatic mode (which appears to work fine from the above spec) or in manual mode via steering wheel paddles.
Drive the Audi TT 3.2L DSG & report back to class!
BMW's all-new 400hp M3 V8 is coming probably next year, possibly with DSG option. It might be the first BMW Porsche 911-eater, for less money, & with more reliability.
Jim R., Petaluma CA
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