nope, the GSR would have been worse. Not a fan of 5 speeds. I bought the SE specifically for the transmission. I like technology, and the transmission (if mine had worked properly) is very very good. It felt better than the one in my friend's E46 M3, and even better than the one in my other friend's M6. I've got the auto with sport pkg and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters in me 335, and I love that transmission. I like the 6 speed in my EVO IX MR, but I never wanted the 5 speed.