6MT vs M Double Clutch Transmission

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by Technic

The M School experience made me decide to trade in my 6-speed for an M-DCT by the end of next year.

It is that simple.

I'm glad that I did not get my M3 with M-DCT last year, as there are some problems with the 2008 model year. However, the 2009 version that I abused at M School was flawless no matter what I asked it to do.

I've put 17k miles on my 2009. I recommend you spend some time in the real world with a DCT before you make your decision.

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by footie

Like Radiation Joe I too am a fellow M-DCT owner but my experience of ownership does not mirror his. I have never experienced not getting a gear on request or any other issue apart from a bit of lag which is annoying but hardly something that makes me unhappy with my purchase. There is more positives than negatives and the shift it offers still amazes me, even after 5800miles with the M3 and 11300miles with a GTI equipped with DSG.

The problem with almost every forum is that the only people who comment on such things as the gearbox, brake, etc are the ones that are either amazed by it in a good way or have a problem and more people will speak up with a problem than not. Just think of the hundreds that have DCT and are completely happy with the gearbox but say nothing. I'm a great believer that only a manual gives you total involvement and if that is what you are after than go for it but for day to day driving that involves traffic then the M-DCT is a more pleasureable experience, it offers either an ultra smooth shift from S1 and S2 or a shift with a jerk from S4 and S5 which also give the added enjoyment of a throttle blip on down shifts.

I say go and get decent seat time with both gearboxes, most dealers should be bending over backwards to sell cars at the moment so should loan you a car for at least half a day or better still a whole day, at least then you should know which one you prefer.

very well said

I am also one of those DCT owners who are very happy with the gearbox. The low speed lag is an issue but not to the extent that becomes annoying to me (ok, maybe some times). Never had any reliability issues or problems so far with it BTW. It simply is amazing - I love it!

[bharatmd1]

I am ready to order my new M3 and is debating about DCT.I am 6MT guy and had bad experience with old SMG.In forums, i see loads ofmembers raving about DCT.I would love to hear from 6MT fanatics who has experience with DCT or who has converted to DCT camp.Thanks

[dcstep]

You should first read the 19-page thread about DCT lag issues.

Dave

[mPlasticDesign]

Wasn't this threa already merged yesterday? DCTvsMT threads are like gremlins they keep multiplying!!!

[Doru in Romania]

here a mt fan. however, since most of my driving is inside the city, got the smg on e46 and dct on this one. difference is huge. there is a lag in automatic shifting but only on default settings, you can set it more agressive and finish the story. you can do manual shifts as well. my oppinion is that if you don't track the car mt is obsolete and even then is disputable.
l.e. forgot to mention, dct went through recall and got new software. there is no lag in automatic shift if properly set. there is no lag in manual shift, actually is faster than mt.

[bharatmd1]

Thanks Doru,
This is the reply I was looking for.I know there are loads of threads and 6mt and dct clubs.I know there is some lag and i am too concerned about it.nor do i track the car.I just wanted to make sure ,its still fun to drive and other worry was mechanical problems/repairs, like in old SMG. I think i will go for DCT.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Wasn't this threa already merged yesterday? DCTvsMT threads are like gremlins they keep multiplying!!!

So I keep merging.

Originally Posted by dcstep

You should first read the 19-page thread about DCT lag issues.

Dave

+1

Here's the link: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231020


Best regards, south

[Robert]

Here's the analogy I relate to MDCT. MT drivers are like people enjoy a good meal. Enjoying the ambiance, the service, and enjoy chewing the food, tasting the texture and flavor. But realistically we don't need all that (the experience) to survive, all we need are the nutrients of the food so why bother eating it ourselves. Take your filet migon and baked potato and blend it in a blender then drink it down. It is so much faster and more efficient use of time, besides it's better oral hygiene from less wear-and-tear on the teeth and no food stuck between the teeth.

MT drivers are car connoisseurs like food connoisseurs. I don't judge if someone like to drink filet migon shake.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by Robert

Here's the analogy I relate to MDCT. MT drivers are like people enjoy a good meal. Enjoying the ambiance, the service, and enjoy chewing the food, tasting the texture and flavor. But realistically we don't need all that (the experience) to survive, all we need are the nutrients of the food so why bother eating it ourselves. Take your filet migon and baked potato and blend it in a blender then drink it down. It is so much faster and more efficient use of time, besides it's better oral hygiene from less wear-and-tear on the teeth and no food stuck between the teeth.

MT drivers are car connoisseurs like food connoisseurs. I don't judge if someone like to drink filet migon shake.

I'm actually enjoying this thread all of the sudden. I even liked your analogy until you got to the blend all your food part. I really enjoy my 6MT, and I think the DCT does what it does well (engage and dissengage the clutch for you). DCT allows the driver to focus on braking and handling a bit more easily because your brain does not have to think about pushing the left pedal, rev matching etc. To use your food analogy, DCT is more like someone cutting the meat for you and feeding it to you so you don't cut yourself....

[Robert]

Originally Posted by ///Metak

I'm actually enjoying this thread all of the sudden. I even liked your analogy until you got to the blend all your food part. I really enjoy my 6MT, and I think the DCT does what it does well (engage and dissengage the clutch for you). DCT allows the driver to focus on braking and handling a bit more easily because your brain does not have to think about pushing the left pedal, rev matching etc. To use your food analogy, DCT is more like someone cutting the meat for you and feeding it to you so you don't cut yourself....

Fair enough. Mine, of course, was an exaggeration for the effects

[JC919]

This debate will go on until the end of time

[Robo Squirrel]

Originally Posted by BayerischeMotorenWerke

MT will always make you feel much more connected to the car, no matter how good the auto trannies get.

Nothing beats a powerful V8 with a MT.

agreed....i love technology and all that and how the new autos can shit like 349823423967 billion times fast than an MT, thats pretty sick...but...i still want a MT, no matter what...flappy paddles just dont appeal to me

[FStop7]

DCT has two clutches.

6MT only has one.

DCT has 7 gears.

6MT only has 6.

Obviously DCT is better.

[Thinker23]

DC-T has two clutches. All clutches wear out. If its true that DC-T is a sealed unit (non-serviceable), it is going to be expensive to maintain ($11K + labor)

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by Thinker23

DC-T has two clutches. All clutches wear out. If its true that DC-T is a sealed unit (non-serviceable), it is going to be expensive to maintain ($11K + labor)

Maybe it might cost more to service when that time comes, but with 2 clutches, seems that those clutches would last twice as long.

[Thinker23]

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Maybe it might cost more to service when that time comes, but with 2 clutches, seems that those clutches would last twice as long.

Hard to say since MT and DC-T clutches are not the same plus the difference in driving habits for both will play a role as well.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Maybe it might cost more to service when that time comes, but with 2 clutches, seems that those clutches would last twice as long.

They are also wet clutches, shifting perfectly and quickly everytime. Fairly safe to say, far longer than one in a regular MT. If you search few threads already debating this.

[oneginee]

6MT is best no doubt. It's not about being tranported from point A to point B faster.
It is about knowing you were given controls and were instrumental in getting the car faster from A to B. What's next after DCT ? controlled steering ? take the bullet train it's faster ...you're not driving it either. 6MT FTW.

and for the in city driving where DCT makes sense there is lag... hmm and it's more expensive.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by FStop7

DCT has two clutches.

6MT only has one.
.

The 6MT has a dual disc clutch. I don't think that the DCT has two clutches, only two discs.

Dave

[cncmastr]

Please stop calling DCT / SMG trannys Automatics. They DONT have a torque converter, therefore they are not Automatics!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by cncmastr

Please stop calling DCT / SMG trannys Automatics. They DONT have a torque converter, therefore they are not Automatics!

In "Automatic" mode they ARE automatics. A torque converter is just one means to mate an automatic transmission to the engine. Still, as long as they have a fully automatic mode, they're automatics.

It's nothing to ashamed of...

Dave