Wow times are changing. Guess we will have to wait and see. Speculation is just that.. speculation. I thought they rushed SMG into the '06's and only later models actually fixed the issues not to mention the lack luster 6speed introduction after everyone complained.. it just didn't all go as planned - hopefully this one will be better.
I think BMW confuses sales with success - can't blame them. They see that the X5/X6 have sold in droves with their automatic boxes and probably feel they can the same with the M5/M6 .. just make the shift times quicker and "voila".
