There's alot of factors not to choose the SMG - it's more complicated electronically and there's alot more complicated to couple to TC. Not to mention - I can imagine how every SMG gearshift will shake the 2.2 tons car like crazy and the TC won't survive the combo V10 and SMG for sure.

Even with my current X5 I'll shift very carefuly and not under full throttle after the new sc engine installation. Manual gives you just much more "degrees of freedom" - and the most important thing - it's way more reliable than every other transmission type.

I have said to much for the moment, but I promise you some X5 V10-teaser pics by the end of summer.