M3 DCT questions

ceesar · 10-20-2011, 12:10 PM

So ... as I've posted before, I'm waiting on my 2012 M3 to arrive. I ordered the DCT, and have some questions about how it works, compared to VW GTi DSG.

So, with the GTi DSG, I have three modes:
1. "Drive" - basically acts like an automatic
2. "Sport" - again, like an auto, but holds revs, increases throttle responsiveness, etc
3. "Manual" - I'm control of gearchanges, drives like a manual

For (1) and (2), I *can* change up and down using the paddles, and the car will take control again after 30 secs of no activity on the paddles.

So ... with the M3, I've been reading the manual...and to be honest, it's not completely clear to me...

It seems to have "Drive" and "Sequential" ... from what I can make out, "Drive" is equivalent to the DSG mode (1) above, to all intents and purposes drives like an automatic ... and by dialling in the drive program, you can make it seem more like DSG mode (2).

Then, "Sequential" mode is fully manual, more like DSG mode (3) above, where you have complete control of the gear selection.

Is that a fair understanding??

sameh · 10-20-2011, 12:16 PM

I'm sorry to be blunt. But that is NOT how it is AT ALL. I'm on my iPhone and hard to type the whole thing for you but I suggest to download the manual from BMW website and read it.

e1000 · 10-20-2011, 12:17 PM

There is D and S, D is fully automatic and S is fully manual. S mode will NOT downshift or upshift for you unless you come to a stop and then it will downshift only to prevent stalling the engine.

Each D and S mode has drivelogic settings 1-6, 6 only available when traction control is completely turned off. Drivelogic controls the sift agressiveness of the DCT.

sameh · 10-20-2011, 12:19 PM

Just saw that you are reading the manual. I guess where your post is confusing is the comparison you are making to your VW.

Lodaka · 10-20-2011, 12:28 PM

I am pretty sure, once you use the paddles to either downshift or upshift from "D" mode, it won't go back, but it will stay in Manual mode.

ceesar · 10-20-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e1000

There is D and S, D is fully automatic and S is fully manual. S mode will NOT downshift or upshift for you unless you come to a stop and then it will downshift only to prevent stalling the engine.

Each D and S mode has drivelogic settings 1-6, 6 only available when traction control is completely turned off. Drivelogic controls the sift agressiveness of the DCT.

Hey e1000 ... appreciate the response!

With DCT, if I'm in D mode and a change gear with the paddles, I understand that the gearbox goes into S mode. Is that right? And if so, does the car eventually re-take control and move back into D mode, or will it remain in S mode until I change back to D mode?

akh23456 · 10-20-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceesar

Hey e1000 ... appreciate the response!

With DCT, if I'm in D mode and a change gear with the paddles, I understand that the gearbox goes into S mode. Is that right? And if so, does the car eventually re-take control and move back into D mode, or will it remain in S mode until I change back to D mode?

it won't retake control until you move it back to auto mode.

ceesar · 10-20-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akh23456

it won't retake control until you move it back to auto mode.

Cool, thanks for confirming!

e1000 · 10-20-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceesar

Hey e1000 ... appreciate the response!

With DCT, if I'm in D mode and a change gear with the paddles, I understand that the gearbox goes into S mode. Is that right? And if so, does the car eventually re-take control and move back into D mode, or will it remain in S mode until I change back to D mode?

It will not change back unless you tell it to. The easiest way I found to do this is the use the M button and set it for S mode. So as you're driving in D, you can hit the M button to get you into S mode, then when you hit the M button again to come off of M-mode, it will place you back to D.

ceesar · 10-20-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e1000

It will not change back unless you tell it to. The easiest way I found to do this is the use the M button and set it for S mode. So as you're driving in D, you can hit the M button to get you into S mode, then when you hit the M button again to come off of M-mode, it will place you back to D.

Good tip, like it! Thanks for sharing!

10-20-2011, 12:10 PM	#1
ceesar Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E93 Con ... [0.00]	M3 DCT questions So ... as I've posted before, I'm waiting on my 2012 M3 to arrive. I ordered the DCT, and have some questions about how it works, compared to VW GTi DSG. So, with the GTi DSG, I have three modes: 1. "Drive" - basically acts like an automatic 2. "Sport" - again, like an auto, but holds revs, increases throttle responsiveness, etc 3. "Manual" - I'm control of gearchanges, drives like a manual For (1) and (2), I can change up and down using the paddles, and the car will take control again after 30 secs of no activity on the paddles. So ... with the M3, I've been reading the manual...and to be honest, it's not completely clear to me... It seems to have "Drive" and "Sequential" ... from what I can make out, "Drive" is equivalent to the DSG mode (1) above, to all intents and purposes drives like an automatic ... and by dialling in the drive program, you can make it seem more like DSG mode (2). Then, "Sequential" mode is fully manual, more like DSG mode (3) above, where you have complete control of the gear selection. Is that a fair understanding??
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10-20-2011, 12:16 PM	#2
sameh Lieutenant Colonel 171 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2015 Porsche 911S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I'm sorry to be blunt. But that is NOT how it is AT ALL. I'm on my iPhone and hard to type the whole thing for you but I suggest to download the manual from BMW website and read it. __________________ 2011 E92 JB/BL/DCT--->80K Miles 2015 F80 SS/SO/DCT?->28K Miles 2015 Porsche 911S
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10-20-2011, 12:17 PM	#3
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	There is D and S, D is fully automatic and S is fully manual. S mode will NOT downshift or upshift for you unless you come to a stop and then it will downshift only to prevent stalling the engine. Each D and S mode has drivelogic settings 1-6, 6 only available when traction control is completely turned off. Drivelogic controls the sift agressiveness of the DCT. __________________
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10-20-2011, 12:19 PM	#4
sameh Lieutenant Colonel 171 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2015 Porsche 911S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Just saw that you are reading the manual. I guess where your post is confusing is the comparison you are making to your VW. __________________ 2011 E92 JB/BL/DCT--->80K Miles 2015 F80 SS/SO/DCT?->28K Miles 2015 Porsche 911S
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10-20-2011, 12:28 PM	#5
Lodaka Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	I am pretty sure, once you use the paddles to either downshift or upshift from "D" mode, it won't go back, but it will stay in Manual mode.
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