Test drove DCT e90 m3 today...

[blackmist222777]

DCT FTW!

[crazydrummer]

The problem is the MT offered just doesn't feel as quality as the DCT. I'm a manual fan through and through, but this just isn't a good enough 6MT to really warrant feeling bad about having DCT. I am going to buy an s2000 the first chance i get tho

[sycd]

Originally Posted by TVMA Doc

I have only had manual transmissions-other than my e90. I still have a 6 speed manual in the S2000, so every time I get in the S2000 I am reminded why I drive a manual, and every time I get in the M3, I'm reminded why I have an M-DCT. It's all rather confusing, but in a pleasantly enjoyable way.

I really like the Honda manual trans., I had a couple of manual Preludes a while back and they were the best manual transmissions I ever had, I bet the S2000 must be a lot of fun. The couple of BMW manuals I owned felt more disconnected and notchy, not as crisp, and the throws were too long.

[SROC3]

All my cars since I was a kid have been 6spd. My first M3 was 6spd.....loved it Then I tired the DCT. Converted! Love it!

I think the M3 feels more complete w/ the DCT.

[hkricer]

Originally Posted by crazydrummer

The problem is the MT offered just doesn't feel as quality as the DCT. I'm a manual fan through and through, but this just isn't a good enough 6MT to really warrant feeling bad about having DCT. I am going to buy an s2000 the first chance i get tho

Exactly lol, this is my first Manual Transmission BMW and I'm not impress. The transmission just feel so dull as compare to Honda's transmission. (I didn't expect BMW clutch to be this soft (feel like an old MT civic) and shifting are not very smooth) I am regretting a little bit now buying the M3 in MT. I can only imagine how much more faster it is with DCT.

[S65V8]

I wanted to like the DCT and tried it for many days, driving it hard, leisurely etc. Great in traffic for sure, but wasn't my cup of tea. Those downshifts sound great though! And of course the DCT is a better shifter than I could ever be. haha.

I guess I'm just a hard core MT fan, I like rowing gears, engaging the clutch, and getting those perfect heel & toe downshifts into turn. It's just more involving, and visceral for the driver. I'll keep buying MT cars (BMW, Porsche, etc.) until they stop selling them and that might be very soon

[PrometheusM3]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691942

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by PrometheusM3

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691942

Ha, that's very well said by projectile...and the DCT is certainly the better transmission for this car...

[Rk-d]

Don't understand all the hate the m3 shifter - I used to own an s2000 (which is sort of a gold standard for these things) and know it very well. I like the m3 shifter - it's smooth and relatively precise. I have the ZCP knob, so maybe that's part of the difference.

I'm sure I'd be faster with DCT, but I'd miss all the fun of executing perfect rev-matched downshifts, heel-toe, etc. I love that mechanical connection to the car and I love that every car is different and has to be learned in order to drive it perfectly. Keeping the m3 in the powerband with 6MT is great fun.

A high-revving v8 with MT is a rare thing nowadays - enjoy it while it lasts.

[PrometheusM3]

Originally Posted by SROC5

Ha, that's very well said by projectile...and the DCT is certainly the better transmission for this car...

That actually was the post that first made me reconsider 6MT for the M3. I was all set on ordering the DCT for the speed and technology advantages but had a nagging concern in the back of my mind that I would miss the full-body engagement of manual driving. That post confirmed my suspicions.

Now I've got my 6MT order placed and I'm really excited. I know that I have to mod substantially (i.e. supercharge) to keep up with DCT but I'm planning on doing exactly that, and I don't mind at all. I just love the manual experience too much. For those of us (such as myself) who consider driving to be an immersive experience, there really is no substitute for rowing your own (gears).

[Port Canaveral M3 driver]

When I have to run boring errands around town in my M3, the DCT is perfect for catching up on SIRI business news while I just lay back,m listen and barley move as if I'm back home in my easy chair. Yet when the need for speed comes, with minimum finger effort, I just push the M button and blow the competition away, while still laid back in the BMW easy chair. We all have to lift a foot to brake once in a while! If you like the ease of driving an automatic, in traffic, then DCT is the only way to go! I too love an MT and always will. But in the mornings, juggling hot coffee in one hand, using my phone, setting up navigation etc, and generally playing with all the new BMW technology, DCT is more practical for the working man or woman.

[izzyM2]

I had a DSG from VW GTI, and one from EVO X and though they are similar it's the only DCT from M3 that I love to shift All the time.

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by robotk

Don't understand all the hate the m3 shifter - I used to own an s2000 (which is sort of a gold standard for these things) and know it very well. I like the m3 shifter - it's smooth and relatively precise. I have the ZCP knob, so maybe that's part of the difference.

I'm sure I'd be faster with DCT, but I'd miss all the fun of executing perfect rev-matched downshifts, heel-toe, etc. I love that mechanical connection to the car and I love that every car is different and has to be learned in order to drive it perfectly. Keeping the m3 in the powerband with 6MT is great fun.

A high-revving v8 with MT is a rare thing nowadays - enjoy it while it lasts.

+1, once you add the ZCP knob via the F10 M5 knob / boot combo, you're set. The shifter is great. I added a UUC SSK once and that too was nice, but I realized I like the easier engagement and flick into gear the stock shifting provides vs. UUC or ROGUE that makes the shifts more notchy (also a nice solid feeling). All depends on preference.

[Powerbeast]

DCT FTW

[vzm3]

I wish I would have purchased my e90 m3 in DCT last year, prob will have enjoyed it a little more, gets kinda tedious in intense miami traffic sometimes

[Kasé Zomé]

Originally Posted by vzm3

I wish I would have purchased my e90 m3 in DCT last year, prob will have enjoyed it a little more, gets kinda tedious in intense miami traffic sometimes

I can imagine... but look on the bright side:

Only year of ZCP in the E90 M3 + 6MT = a pretty rare car. Maybe the exclusivity factor will cheer you up a bit?

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by PrometheusM3

That actually was the post that first made me reconsider 6MT for the M3. I was all set on ordering the DCT for the speed and technology advantages but had a nagging concern in the back of my mind that I would miss the full-body engagement of manual driving. That post confirmed my suspicions.

Now I've got my 6MT order placed and I'm really excited. I know that I have to mod substantially (i.e. supercharge) to keep up with DCT but I'm planning on doing exactly that, and I don't mind at all. I just love the manual experience too much. For those of us (such as myself) who consider driving to be an immersive experience, there really is no substitute for rowing your own (gears).

nice selection - i love my 6mt - though its my understanding that if you're going to go the SC route, DCT is is really the only viable option . . .

[vzm3]

Originally Posted by Kasé Zomé

I can imagine... but look on the bright side:

Only year of ZCP in the E90 M3 + 6MT = a pretty rare car. Maybe the exclusivity factor will cheer you up a bit?

lol good try... with a baby on the way now, goodbye m3 hello ml63

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by vzm3

lol good try... with a baby on the way now, goodbye m3 hello ml63

That's too bad. We have a baby and do just fine with the e90. Of course the wife has a Land Rover.

[vzm3]

Originally Posted by robotk

That's too bad. We have a baby and do just fine with the e90. Of course the wife has a Land Rover.

just when im trying to convince myself that i like the ml63 more than i love my m3 lol...

[Kasé Zomé]

Originally Posted by vzm3

lol good try... with a baby on the way now, goodbye m3 hello ml63

Interesting. We have a 7 month old and the M3 works very well. Wife traded in her SC430 for a Mazda5 - all is good...

[smellfish]

Originally Posted by Talk2meg00se

nice selection - i love my 6mt - though its my understanding that if you're going to go the SC route, DCT is is really the only viable option . . .

Just curious but why isn't a 6MT and a S/C optimal? Just the loss of speed during gear changes?