New respect for DCT

scoale · 04-06-2018, 06:37 PM

I rarely manually shift my DCT transmission. For whatever reason, it has never really felt natural versus a true manual transmission.

Today felt different. Don't know why. Driving around town, spending most of the time in first thru 4th gears really woke the car up. Car really felt on "edge" with an extremely responsive throttle.

Until now, I've spent 95% of the time in DCT level 4 auto mode. The transmission does a decent job of keeping the car in the power band but definitely upshifts faster and higher than I was driving in manual mode tonight.

I know none of this is a revelation, and I definitely should have given manual mode more of a try much sooner (like a year sooner), but today's experience really added a bit of a new dimension to the car.

aswy6 · 04-06-2018, 06:45 PM

That happened to me after i put catless x-pipe on. Using every opportunity to let people know what a V8 should sound like

spiderspider · 04-06-2018, 06:51 PM

I'm pretty much always in manual mode. Auto wants to put me in 7th at 40 mph and I aint havin it.

scoale · 04-06-2018, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderspider

I'm pretty much always in manual mode. Auto wants to put me in 7th at 40 mph and I aint havin it.

LOL, yep.

GerrS65 · 04-06-2018, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderspider

I'm pretty much always in manual mode. Auto wants to put me in 7th at 40 mph and I aint havin it.

Annoys me super hard seeing a 7 on the dash at 45...

EJT86 · 04-06-2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GerrS65

Annoys me super hard seeing a 7 on the dash at 45...

That’s what happens when you give the machines control. They rise up and take over

GerrS65 · 04-06-2018, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EJT86

Quote:

Originally Posted by GerrS65

Annoys me super hard seeing a 7 on the dash at 45...

That's what happens when you give the machines control. They rise up and take over

Haha to that, you're correct sir!

m3jala · 04-06-2018, 09:25 PM

I am a manual guy but I hear these dct's are some awesome engineering for this car. People complain about the manual but it is so true this car is meant to be driven. Clunky in low rpm, rev it up and it is smooooth. I hope to try out a dct at some point.

STooK · 04-07-2018, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3jala

I am a manual guy but I hear these dct's are some awesome engineering for this car. People complain about the manual but it is so true this car is meant to be driven. Clunky in low rpm, rev it up and it is smooooth. I hope to try out a dct at some point.

I feel the same way. I feel like a novice driving around town because sometimes I just can't get it to be smooth. But when I'm spirited driving it shifts so well so smooth. I do want a e9x M3 with DCT as well but can't see myself giving up the 6MT for one.

SDPLV · 04-07-2018, 01:47 AM

Yeah, theres a finesse required at low RPMs which neither I in manual nor the DCT in Auto have unfortunately. High speeds is a different story. I also don't necessarily like the way the DCT downshifts so I override it for that purpose (read: must have throttle blips).

6ixSpd · 04-08-2018, 11:23 AM

You only ever drove your M3 in automatic mode.... for a YEAR?

.
..
...
....
.....
......

I can't.

scoale · 04-08-2018, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

You only ever drove your M3 in automatic mode.... for a YEAR?

.
..
...
....
.....
......

I can't.

No, I've played with manual shifting on and off over time, but it has always felt unnatural. I guess too many years shifting true manuals (including my current Porsche). The last couple of days I've tried to stick with it a little more consistently and maybe something has just clicked. At the end of the day, if I use the gear lever to shift, the only difference is not depressing a clutch and DCT blips throttle for you on downshift.

m3jala · 04-08-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoale

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

You only ever drove your M3 in automatic mode.... for a YEAR?

.
..
...
....
.....
......

I can't.

No, I've played with manual shifting on and off over time, but it has always felt unnatural. I guess too many years shifting true manuals (including my current Porsche). The last couple of days I've tried to stick with it a little more consistently and maybe something has just clicked. At the end of the day, if I use the gear lever to shift, the only difference is not depressing a clutch and DCT blips throttle for you on downshift.

Eager to hear your experience long term now that you've found a new dynamic of the car.

spazzyfry123 · 04-09-2018, 07:07 AM

I like pizza.

330ciprem · 04-09-2018, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

I like pizza.

I LOVE Pizza!

LostPanda · 04-09-2018, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330ciprem

I LOVE Pizza!

Did somebody say pizza???

Iyzmi · 04-09-2018, 09:22 AM

04-06-2018, 06:37 PM	#1
scoale Captain 683 Rep 749 Posts Drives: M3 /M2C/540 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 [10.00] 2018 BMW 540 [0.00] 2013 Porsche Boxster S [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00]	New respect for DCT I rarely manually shift my DCT transmission. For whatever reason, it has never really felt natural versus a true manual transmission. Today felt different. Don't know why. Driving around town, spending most of the time in first thru 4th gears really woke the car up. Car really felt on "edge" with an extremely responsive throttle. Until now, I've spent 95% of the time in DCT level 4 auto mode. The transmission does a decent job of keeping the car in the power band but definitely upshifts faster and higher than I was driving in manual mode tonight. I know none of this is a revelation, and I definitely should have given manual mode more of a try much sooner (like a year sooner), but today's experience really added a bit of a new dimension to the car.
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04-06-2018, 06:45 PM	#2
aswy6 Captain 264 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	That happened to me after i put catless x-pipe on. Using every opportunity to let people know what a V8 should sound like
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04-06-2018, 06:51 PM	#3
spiderspider Captain 312 Rep 657 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT, 991 C4S, E46 330i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	I'm pretty much always in manual mode. Auto wants to put me in 7th at 40 mph and I aint havin it.
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04-06-2018, 09:25 PM	#8
m3jala Captain 544 Rep 765 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Tysons Corner, VA iTrader: (0)	I am a manual guy but I hear these dct's are some awesome engineering for this car. People complain about the manual but it is so true this car is meant to be driven. Clunky in low rpm, rev it up and it is smooooth. I hope to try out a dct at some point.
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04-07-2018, 01:47 AM	#10
SDPLV Major 493 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Yeah, theres a finesse required at low RPMs which neither I in manual nor the DCT in Auto have unfortunately. High speeds is a different story. I also don't necessarily like the way the DCT downshifts so I override it for that purpose (read: must have throttle blips). __________________ Current: 08 E90 M3 DCT SSII w/ BE RB Swap, H8 Lux 180s, MS Drop-in AF, CF spoiler, CF diffuser, OEM CF leather trim, CF DCT paddles, Custom DCT flatbottom wheel, MirrorTap 9500ix, RockAuto rotors, Hawk HPS pads, AMS ECU 93 Oct Map Tune, GTS DCT update, Slambo custom undertray
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04-08-2018, 11:23 AM	#11
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6033 Rep 6,753 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	You only ever drove your M3 in automatic mode.... for a YEAR? . .. ... .... ..... ...... I can't. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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04-09-2018, 07:07 AM	#14
spazzyfry123 Lieutenant Colonel 4371 Rep 1,913 Posts Drives: Here and There Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: North Georgia Mountains iTrader: (1) Garage List 97 Toyota Land Cruiser [7.50] 16 Toyota Land Cruiser [10.00]	I like pizza.
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04-09-2018, 09:22 AM	#17
Iyzmi Lieutenant Colonel 802 Rep 1,566 Posts Drives: E92 M3 6MT ESS625 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (1)	__________________
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