7th and 8th Gears

Originally Posted by TJPark01

Can't a girl have secrets? This is the version for the 550i:

Do we know what the new M5 has?

Originally Posted by ifnd323

Do we know what the new M5 has?

yeah that's public knowledge, either a dual clutch 7 speed or a 6 speed manual. Get the manual.

Thanks, now back to the main topic....

Nice picture TJPark01, and thanks for the information on the transmissions.

Mercedes is planning a 9-speed transmission for its new S-class.

Are MB and BMW and Audi transmissions equally as good?

MB is one of the few companies that still builds most of it's own gearboxes. Most companies outsource to companies like ZF or Getrag, Aisin, etc...
ZF is still considered the best automatics in the world. That's why a lot of car companies use their trannys, they figure they can't build them better and not in scale and not develop them in a cost effective manner. The current Mercedes 7 speed used in most of their cars is bit slow to downshift and feels a bit dimwitted compared to the ZF 8 speed.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

Can't a girl have secrets? This is the version for the 550i:

What a thing of beauty....

Originally Posted by Ace535i

What a thing of beauty....

For the 550, the rating on it doesn't look like it can handle the Dinan tune - at least longer term.

The 8hp70 is rated at max 516 ft-lbs torque; A Dinan 2 tune brings in 580 ft-lbs. Over time running 15% above max design capacity must take a toll.

I would have thought the drivetrain on the 550 was a bit more robust to handle future power increases.