MKSGR:
Wonderbar:

 

P.S. I disagree about U.S. buyers not being interested in high end quality.  An inaccurate generalization, at the very least....

 

 It is the truth... Just look at the quality of most cars sold in the US. They simply would not sell in Europe. Or check out the quality of buildings, bathroom equipment etc. The "average" US customer has a different perspective on where it pays off to spend more money than the "average" central European customer. This is not necessarily a disadvantage. Might be even considered an advantage, depending on the perspective Smiley


having lived in Germany, the Netherlands and now Canada i second this. 100% accurate, sorry if it offends, but its true. Then again I can go out in Canada and buy stuff for prices that are impossible in Germany. It's a different consumer market is all. I have learned the hard way here to spend the little extra on products, otherwise you end up with stuff that's done within months Smiley ALL my electronics/tools are German Smiley

It's just a different perspective, both have pros and cons Smiley
 


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indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine..  I happen to like both :) 
_____________________________________________________________________
1984 BMW 323i 5spd 2.3L 141 hp (105 kW) More door. Black on black (parting out) 
1986 BMW 325e 5spd 2.7L 121 hp (172 lb·ft) Le Mans Blau on Tan leather.
1986 BMW 325is 5spd 2.5L 168 hp (164 lb-ft) White on Tan leather (parted out) 
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd 2.0L 136 hp (120lb-ft) CD silver on grey (sold)
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd 2.5L 150 hp (168lb-ft) champagne gold on grown leather. (sold)