"Flappy paddle" Gearboxes are crap? I think not......
Discussion
Just read a Sunday supplement with James Martin (TV Chef) doing a right up on the Mk5 Golf GTI, and he slates the sequential gearbox (DSG in this case) and states that all "flappy paddle" gearboxes "just dont work"
I know Mr Martin has a nice collection of exotica, and will have driven plenty of cars but I just dont understand this. I have driven quite a few cars with said paddle shift boxes, including a fair few supercars on various track days etc, and I have been totally sold by all of them - the ability to shift with your hands on the wheel is awesome and apart from the jerky change in some I really have found the entire experience hard to fault. I have lived with the SMG box and loved it.
I know everyone has thier own driving style etc, and everyone prefers different things but has everyone been "Clarksonised" into saying these gearboxes are crap? The DSG has won high acclaim worlwide, and the SMG (although I hated it at first) once your used to it is fantastic. Purists will say manuals every time - but just curious if its just me that questions it every time they get bashed!
Given the choice - wuold you take an F1 style box or manual?
I know Mr Martin has a nice collection of exotica, and will have driven plenty of cars but I just dont understand this. I have driven quite a few cars with said paddle shift boxes, including a fair few supercars on various track days etc, and I have been totally sold by all of them - the ability to shift with your hands on the wheel is awesome and apart from the jerky change in some I really have found the entire experience hard to fault. I have lived with the SMG box and loved it.
I know everyone has thier own driving style etc, and everyone prefers different things but has everyone been "Clarksonised" into saying these gearboxes are crap? The DSG has won high acclaim worlwide, and the SMG (although I hated it at first) once your used to it is fantastic. Purists will say manuals every time - but just curious if its just me that questions it every time they get bashed!
Given the choice - wuold you take an F1 style box or manual?
Good, Iam not on my own here then! 
I agree about the E36 M3 SMG, that was a pig - but that was also 10 years ago. The new SMG took me a few days to get used to, but when I did I loved - and still do. I was lucky enough to drive a Murcielago around a track with E-Gear - and that was amazing, certainly didnt want to be taking my hands off the wheel if I could help it!
I still enjoy driving a manual and understand people who love them, but saying as a technolgy sequential paddle shift boxes dont work - I dont understand.
Also nice to have an auto in traffic - saves the Arnie left leg syndrome
I agree about the E36 M3 SMG, that was a pig - but that was also 10 years ago. The new SMG took me a few days to get used to, but when I did I loved - and still do. I was lucky enough to drive a Murcielago around a track with E-Gear - and that was amazing, certainly didnt want to be taking my hands off the wheel if I could help it!
I still enjoy driving a manual and understand people who love them, but saying as a technolgy sequential paddle shift boxes dont work - I dont understand.
Also nice to have an auto in traffic - saves the Arnie left leg syndrome
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