BMW 530d
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Originally Posted by Tiggs
Shows how important the right box is doesnt it....BM agree and the new M5 will have a clutchless shift.
Having said that I kind of agree with you re the diesel anyway
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From: Scotland
Just to clarify, maybe my last post was a bit misleading. SMG is not clutchless, it's just that the clutch is automatically activated for performance reasons. It has a clutch much the same as a normal manual, just like the gearbox itself is very similar. It certainly was not designed nor is it aimed as a replacement of the lazy-man's slushbox.
Looks like you'll be sticking with the 3rd best box to go with your 2nd best car for a while Tiggs 
Anyone interested further in SMG may be interested in this official document - it's a great read taken from BMW's TIS.
# Because the SMG has an "automatic mode," many people compare this choice to the Steptronic transmission. This comparison is not an equitable one. It is more equitable to compare the SMG to a traditional manual that has a clutch pedal. If you are traditionally a buyer of automatics because you do not like to shift, you may be disapointed with the SMG. If you are traditionally a buyer of manuals, you may find that the SMG far exceeds your expectations but only after owning it past the individual learning curve.
# In addition to upshifting, SMG's need to be downshifted by the driver (as opposed to allowing the SMG to downshift automatically because of impending strain on the drivetrain) to reach optimum performance and satisfaction. Just like driving a manual transmission, you need to keep the car in the proper gear relative to the vehicle's speed. The SMG will execute downshifts flawlessly by "blipping" the throttle to the required RPM before engaging the lower gear. In other words, it executes a perfect "heel and toe" downshift every time. This process prevents the car from becoming unbalanced and reduces the possibility of a loss-of-control situation. It's the downshifts that truly differentiate the SMG from both the traditional manual and the automatic transmission choices!
# In addition to upshifting, SMG's need to be downshifted by the driver (as opposed to allowing the SMG to downshift automatically because of impending strain on the drivetrain) to reach optimum performance and satisfaction. Just like driving a manual transmission, you need to keep the car in the proper gear relative to the vehicle's speed. The SMG will execute downshifts flawlessly by "blipping" the throttle to the required RPM before engaging the lower gear. In other words, it executes a perfect "heel and toe" downshift every time. This process prevents the car from becoming unbalanced and reduces the possibility of a loss-of-control situation. It's the downshifts that truly differentiate the SMG from both the traditional manual and the automatic transmission choices!
Anyone interested further in SMG may be interested in this official document - it's a great read taken from BMW's TIS.
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TBH, I'd not want an SMG either - still not as good as a manual, though clearly they're catching up, and in terms of ultra-quick changes are already faster. For my purposes, however (which includes trundling around town etc), SMG's not there yet.
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From: Scotland
Having not yet tried an SMG I wouldn't want to pre-empt whether or not I'd like it, although I suspect I may prefer the manual too as it would still feel more involved. At least with SMG you're trading off the involvement for increased performance and race-derived technology which is definitely not the case for a traditional slushbox. If I was in the market for a new M5 then I may be prepared to accept that compromise as you can see the point from a performance perspective, whereas any car available only with slush between the seats wouldn't get onto the shortlist (e.g. Audi RS6 - how often have you heard the phrase "uninvolving drive" being used in reviews?).
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