New DCT Convert

[ksoze]

After all manual M cars (E28 M5, E36 M3, E46 M3) over the years, I finally tried a DCT 2011 M3. Wow. Not what I expected and has changed my thoughts on my upcoming E93 order. The DCT was the perfect blend of auto and manual and although my left foot initially twitched with every shift, I found it quickly to be intoxicating and a new plus for this fabulous car.

Clearly, BMW has made enormous strides since the SMG days and this option is one I will now have to add, much to my surprise. I went into the test drive with a preconceived notion of how it would be and left a real convert.

I'm sold.

[valeram]

Once in a while I deliberately pretend to press the clutch every time I shift the gear. It took me a while to accept that I made a right decision in choosing a DCT against MT. I am glad I did.

[riyatch]

Nice choice, you won't regret it.

[///M Rakete]

Welcome to the dark side.

[saeedg48]

shame on me.. i should have gotten the DCT.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by ksoze

After all manual M cars (E28 M5, E36 M3, E46 M3) over the years, I finally tried a DCT 2011 M3. Wow. Not what I expected and has changed my thoughts on my upcoming E93 order. The DCT was the perfect blend of auto and manual and although my left foot initially twitched with every shift, I found it quickly to be intoxicating and a new plus for this fabulous car.

Clearly, BMW has made enormous strides since the SMG days and this option is one I will now have to add, much to my surprise. I went into the test drive with a preconceived notion of how it would be and left a real convert.

I'm sold.

Wow indeed.

Originally Posted by valeram

Once in a while I deliberately pretend to press the clutch every time I shift the gear. It took me a while to accept that I made a right decision in choosing a DCT against MT. I am glad I did.

I left foot brake whenever I drive a clutchless car and, when I started driving the DCT, for the first couple of days, when I (paddle-)shift, my left foot would instinctively go into action and... press the brake.

[donovan]

Very wise choice!

[emthreeboy]

M-DCT is the effing way to go man! Good choice, its super-responsive shifting. Throw a race exhaust on your ride and make a few shifts in a parking structure, it sounds amazing!

[benn.]

I've always wanted a stick car and was contemplating on learning stick and determined to get stick for my next car. You guys think DCT is all that great? I've heard DCT is better but I just want to experience the feel of a stick car, do you think DCT outweighs the experience of a stick car?

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by benn.

I've always wanted a stick car and was contemplating on learning stick and determined to get stick for my next car. You guys think DCT is all that great? I've heard DCT is better but I just want to experience the feel of a stick car, do you think DCT outweighs the experience of a stick car?

No. I have DCT and it's great, but it in no way replaces the satisfaction of a properly executed heel/toe downshift into a turn. It's convenience factor is obvious, with the ability to drive as an auto. And, pro or rookie, DCT is faster on track, and offers a bit more flexibility in timing shifts and left foot braking. But unlike mastering the clutch, it is not an "experience", it's just technology.

[PKL]

Funny, I test drove a ZCP on Blake friday with DCT and it confirmed that I'll definitely be ordering 6MT. Upshifts were fast but I was disappointed with the downshifts.

Also, my number one gripe is the loss of neutral.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by PKL

Funny, I test drove a ZCP on Blake friday with DCT and it confirmed that I'll definitely be ordering 6MT. Upshifts were fast but I was disappointed with the downshifts.

Also, my number one gripe is the loss of neutral.

Which transmission setting was selected during your drive. I'm curious how you were disappointed with the downshifts?

And what about the loss of neutral? I can put it in neutral anytime I want.

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by elh0102

Which transmission setting was selected during your drive. I'm curious how you were disappointed with the downshifts?

And what about the loss of neutral? I can put it in neutral anytime I want.

+1

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Clearly, BMW has made enormous strides since the SMG days

Night and day. The difference between a kludged up manual with extra hydraulics and electronics and a built for purpose sequential gearbox.

Although with Power in "Sport Plus" and in 1st gear you can still get into a nasty induced oscillation resulting in forward and backward lurching. Happened to me once when someone cut me off and I tried feathering off the throttle but the deceleration (forward lurch) caused my foot to depress the pedal resulting in acceleration (rearward lurch) causing my foot to come off the pedal... back and forth for 2 or 3 cycles until I shifted up and got my foot completely off the gas pedal. Felt pretty stupid but instead of it being SMG chasing the bogey it was me, my foot, and the accel/decel movement of my foot while trying to feather the pedal.

[PKL]

Originally Posted by ///M Rakete

1

It was on S5.

In a MT, you can put the car in neutral... Even say at 80mph, and then choose which gear to go to. If you put the car in neutral at 80 in DCT, and then put the car back into gear, doesn't the computer choose the gear? Really relevant to me when taking turns, slowing down and then speeding up, etc...

If you have comments I welcome them.

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by PKL

It was on S5.

In a MT, you can put the car in neutral... Even say at 80mph, and then choose which gear to go to. If you put the car in neutral at 80 in DCT, and then put the car back into gear, doesn't the computer choose the gear? Really relevant to me when taking turns, slowing down and then speeding up, etc...

If you have comments I welcome them.

I don't understand why you would put the transmission in neutral at 80 mph. Having the car in gear is essential to being able to use the throttle to control the car. For example the throttle can be used to rotate the car at the outside of the turn in a sweeper simply by lifting when carrying maintenance throttle into the turn.

[PKL]

Personal preference? The 80mph example is not the better one, around town in my 6MT E46 I used neutral a lot. The only reason I would consider DCT is because of traffic, and others have said that's not at all why it shines.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by PKL

Personal preference? The 80mph example is not the better one, around town in my 6MT E46 I used neutral a lot. The only reason I would consider DCT is because of traffic, and others have said that's not at all why it shines.

Although I don't really see how you use neutral a lot in any driving scenario, if you do, then I suppose I can see why DCT could present an issue. You are correct, if you place a DCT car in N, and then back in gear, it will initially go to a computer-assigned gear. I think it is universally agreed in driving instruction, the car should not be in neutral while moving. When at a stop with DCT, it is obviously a moot point.

Back to the downshift disappointment. In S5, if the transmission was working correctly, the downshifts should have been perfect. Maybe you were referring to downshifting multiple gears, say from 4th to 2nd. This can be done with two quick clicks of the paddle, although I think most folks find they prefer sequential downshifts. It is a change in style from the conventional manual, but something I became comfortable with quickly, and don't even think about it now.

[hammick]

Originally Posted by PKL

Personal preference? The 80mph example is not the better one, around town in my 6MT E46 I used neutral a lot. The only reason I would consider DCT is because of traffic, and others have said that's not at all why it shines.

The only reason I put my 6mt in neutral a lot is I want to get my brakes replaced before the maintenance and warranty is up. It sucks having to clean my wheels more often though. I also miss the downshifting coming to stops.

[PKL]

Originally Posted by hammick

The only reason I put my 6mt in neutral a lot is I want to get my brakes replaced before the maintenance and warranty is up. It sucks having to clean my wheels more often though. I also miss the downshifting coming to stops.

This is very legit input. Considering our maintenance is included, getting all your brake components replaced inside warranty is HUGE!

[PKL]

Originally Posted by elh0102

Back to the downshift disappointment. In S5, if the transmission was working correctly, the downshifts should have been perfect. Maybe you were referring to downshifting multiple gears, say from 4th to 2nd. This can be done with two quick clicks of the paddle, although I think most folks find they prefer sequential downshifts. It is a change in style from the conventional manual, but something I became comfortable with quickly, and don't even think about it now.

This is exactly what I was experiencing. Multiple shifts from 4 down to 2, and I was like.... what is going on here??? Super fast shift from 4 to 3, then another 1.5 secs to get to 2....

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by riyatch

Nice choice, you won't regret it.

+1