I want to order my 06 S-6 Black/bk beauty with the 4.2 fsi and 6-speed manual from the new RS4 for about $65,000. Untill then I'll just have to keep driving my 02 2.7t 6-speed Black/bk beauty.

S6 should debut around the end of the year.

It is belived that M-5 and M-6 will now get a 6-speed manual option after initally producing only SMG. For me, no manual means I'll just keep the old 6-speed manual 2.7t. The new RS4 may be too small.

from hard core enthusiasts who wanted it. However, it's slower than the SMG cars. The reason we haven't seen any M5s anywhere, is that the manual gearbox isn't ready, and the SMG has not proved durable in long term testing. Oops. All the performance data is based on using the SMG and now they can't release it until they fix it. Big fiasco. Look for the M5 to come in around $100K and to come in Sept or so.

Since Audi only sold 6 or 7% manuals in the A6 line here, it's just not worth certifying. The S6 will get a variation of the Bentley/A8 W12 AL600 gearbox which also allows the Torsen3 to be used. I understand that not only did Audi not have the correct manual gearbox for the S6, but making one work within space constraints and the Torsen3 system would have required massive re-engineering - just not worth it.

We may eventually see the DSG gearbox in the regular A6 (no word on when or which engines) when it comes available in longitudinal engined cars, but manuals will be reserved for Europe and the lower powered or diesel cars.

I thought the 6 speed tiptronic automatic transmission built by ZF in the Bentley Continental GT/Silver Spur was the AL810 with a maximum capacity of 597 lbs/ft of torque. An AL600 would have a maximum capacity of only 442 or 443 lbs/ft of torque, 36 or 37 lbs/ft less torque than what the twin turbo 6L PFI W12 produces stock (which is 479 lbs/ft).

tranny in the base model, with the Tiptronic being an option. That's why BMW has demand because they offer the manual tranny in the base model. I'm sure if AoA imported a A6 w/ manuals, they would find that there is a demand (me being one of the potential buyers).

until AoA bought them back and sent them to other markets overseas.

How many BMW 525s are actually sold as a manual here - and to people who really want that choice (vs pricing)? Given the volumes AoA sells in the A6 line, is the money better spent in advertising and customer care, or do they sink money into certifying a driveline combo that might make up 6 or 7% of the entire A6 line?

I just drove a DSG A3 yesterday. If they can get that trans into the A6, it will eliminate the need for the Tip and manual while being as efficient or more so than either. Yes, I can appreciate the desire to match revs yourself on a curving road, but the sad truth is that in thousands of test drives, most people are at best OK, and many are terrible at driving stick. The larger the car, the harder to do it well (both manufacturer integration and actual driver).

crowd. I'm drooling over the fantasy (yea I know it'll never happen) of a v10 s6 manual or at least a DSG. Otherwise I'll just keep the 2 95.5's. With out a suitable replacement I might need to defect over to the M5 when I finally run these into the ground... in another 80-100K.

BMW desperately wants to do away with manuals (which is why the M5 and the new M3 were't slated to get one, but have now caved to demand) because it costs them a lot in warranty repairs. They can also post faster numbers in the SMG cars. It's only a matter of time before stick fans with wither away to a few nutcases like ourselves;-)