M-DCT here I come!

[footie]

devo,

Originally Posted by footie

I can't speak for the reliability of DCT but the technology and supplier have been making this gearboxes for a while now. Trust me the novelty will wear off, but if you do intend to track the car then the DCT box is the way to go or if you happen to drive a lot in congested cities, otherwise I would still place the manual ahead on involvement.

Originally Posted by footie

This depends on how involved you want to get in the whole experience thing but if you ever considered SMG this will be better.

On both counts was I correct and accurate with my opinions.

[devo]

I am staying with a 6 speed. But, I did add extended leather! I think I need help.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by devo

I am staying with a 6 speed. But, I did add extended leather! I think I need help.

Welcome the MT club! Why do you need help?


Best regards, south

[devo]

Originally Posted by southlight

Welcome the MT club! Why do you need help?


Best regards, south

Just kidding. I can be indecisive when it comes to car stuff.

[apw2607]

The deciding factor for me was the 0.2s performance improvement over the 6MT (claimed by BMW). I've never owned a car that didn't have 6MT, so this new gearbox is going to be a interesting experience for me. But I figured it was time for a change and the claimed performance improvement can't be a bad thing ... at least.

[devo]

Originally Posted by apw2607

The deciding factor for me was the 0.2s performance improvement over the 6MT (claimed by BMW). I've never owned a car that didn't have 6MT, so this new gearbox is going to be a interesting experience for me. But I figured it was time for a change and the claimed performance improvement can't be a bad thing ... at least.

I struggled with that too, but unless you are racing someone you'll never notice .2s. For me, the one thing that REALLY enticed me was the more aggressive gearing by virtue of the closer spaced 7 speed. In the end, however, it wasn't enough to sway me. I just like rowing a gear lever and moving the clutch with my foot.

[GarryF]

What is curious is that the 6MT is listed at 4.8 yet testers claim as low as 4.1

I wonder if the DCT time of 4.6 can be optimised...

[JEllis]

good news for everyone

[enigma]

Originally Posted by GarryF

What is curious is that the 6MT is listed at 4.8 yet testers claim as low as 4.1

I wonder if the DCT time of 4.6 can be optimised...

Yes

[lucid]

Originally Posted by GarryF

What is curious is that the 6MT is listed at 4.8 yet testers claim as low as 4.1

I wonder if the DCT time of 4.6 can be optimised...

I wouldn't be surprised with consistent low 4 sec measurements for M-DCT. The 4.1 sec fot the 6MT sounds like an outlier; I have not seen it replicated by another magazine at another time and place.

[e36jakeo]

When driving fast on a back road, the gear you spend most of the time in is 3rd (unless it is a REALLY tight back road and you need 2nd). Consider that for the DKG 3rd is geared about 10% shorter than the 3rd in the MT, and redlines at 95 MPH vs 105 MPH. So for the majority of spirited driving you do (pulling out of corners at 55 MPH and lanching down a short straight to 85 or 90 MPH) you will effectively have 10% more torque = 10% more thrills using the DKG. The MT is geared too long in 3rd (and 4th) and this advantage in these often-used gears is enough to tilt me to the DKG side.

[devo]

Originally Posted by e36jakeo

When driving fast on a back road, the gear you spend most of the time in is 3rd (unless it is a REALLY tight back road and you need 2nd). Consider that for the DKG 3rd is geared about 10% shorter than the 3rd in the MT, and redlines at 95 MPH vs 105 MPH. So for the majority of spirited driving you do (pulling out of corners at 55 MPH and lanching down a short straight to 85 or 90 MPH) you will effectively have 10% more torque = 10% more thrills using the DKG. The MT is geared too long in 3rd (and 4th) and this advantage in these often-used gears is enough to tilt me to the DKG side.

Very good point. Basically, that is what I have been struggling with. All right, you have convinced me, I'm going back to DCT; just kidding.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by devo

Very good point. Basically, that is what I have been struggling with. All right, you have convinced me, I'm going back to DCT; just kidding.

[enigma]

Originally Posted by e36jakeo

When driving fast on a back road, the gear you spend most of the time in is 3rd (unless it is a REALLY tight back road and you need 2nd). Consider that for the DKG 3rd is geared about 10% shorter than the 3rd in the MT, and redlines at 95 MPH vs 105 MPH. So for the majority of spirited driving you do (pulling out of corners at 55 MPH and lanching down a short straight to 85 or 90 MPH) you will effectively have 10% more torque = 10% more thrills using the DKG. The MT is geared too long in 3rd (and 4th) and this advantage in these often-used gears is enough to tilt me to the DKG side.

The other thing you will find is you will shift to 2nd more with the DKT because you can without upsetting the other things you are focusing on. If you are pulling off a 50mph turn there would be no reason not to shift and make a better run from 50-70.

[e36jakeo]

Originally Posted by enigma

The other thing you will find is you will shift to 2nd more with the DKT because you can without upsetting the other things you are focusing on. If you are pulling off a 50mph turn there would be no reason not to shift and make a better run from 50-70.

Hey Enigma (track buddy!). You nailed me on that one, and I omitted it to keep my post short. But, absolutely, if DKG allows a seamless shift back to 2nd, vs. a somewhat complicated 3-2 MT rev-match shift in a MT car, you are also more likely to shift to 2nd in the DKG car. With how quick the DKG shifts, it will be rare when you can't get more acceleration out of it by downshifting, vs. the MT car where you will probably not bother unless you fall <50 MPH.

In racing situations, the DKG will walk away from the M3 due to its perfect 3rd-and 4th gearing, seamless and quicker shifting. 3rd and 4th in the manual suck (WAY too long).

[devo]

Will you guys stop it, you're killing me!

The most difficult part of my choice is the gearing not the rapid gear changes.

I am ready to give up already.

[Johndoe]

Originally Posted by man02195

I was in the same boat as you, was 100% 6speed until saw the cab video with DCT and read the specs. Dealer called this morning, my 6speed sedan was flipping to fixed order within the hour for production week 7 (mid Feb?)..... so I opted for M-DCT and build date mid May for sedans.

thought it was june?

[GregW / Oregon]

I had a PM about my thought on the transmission choice, and copy my response here.

Thanks for the inquiry. For point of reference, I've always had manual in my sporting cars and never driven an SMG or DSG car. I seriously considered the DCT, but timing threw my car into production before my CA was able to confirm availability.

The theoretical gearing or speed advantage is not that important to me. Unless you're racing, there will be plenty of power available with either transmission under "normal" driving or even track days. The balance sheet as I see it:

1) My E46 M3 tranny is somewhat notchy, even with SSK. DCT would make that moot. Advantage: DCT
2) DCT weighs 44 lbs. more than the manual and is more complex. Also, it's unrproven in this application. Advantage: MT
3) DCT will enable perfect rev-matched downshifts with no possibility of a "money shift", especially on the track. Advantage: DCT
4) DCT will allow full auto mode for heavy traffic or non-manual loving driver. Advantage: DCT
5) If you are an accomplished manual driver, DCT WILL be less involving and less fun over time, IMO. Advantage: MT
6) Yet to be proven, but there may be a small economy bonus with DCT. Advantage: DCT
7) DCT price premium is $2,700, not insignificant. Advantage: MT
8) Resale is an unkown. If the technology does not have problems, DCT may be more marketable. On the other hand, I think MT cars will be more rare and desirable for a group of drivers. Advantage: Draw

It's a tough call. If I hd the choice at this moment, I might go DCT. The main reasons would be not dealing with non-perfect manual shifting action and the fact that DCT is probably the wave of the future. I'm not too disappointed I'm getting a manual, though.

[enigma]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

5) If you are an accomplished manual driver, DCT WILL be less involving and less fun over time, IMO. Advantage: MT

As someone that has had a SMG car since Jan 2002 I would disagree with this. What I actually found is I grew over time to groan every time I had to drive a manual car. I simply no longer like shifting a MT car.

[man02195]

Originally Posted by Johndoe

thought it was june?

Yeah, they said march for 6mt sedan and june for m-dct sedan, but my original 6mt sedan came up for week 7, and now that it's changed to a m-dct sedan they're saying mid-may. i'm sure the date will float between week 20 and week 24.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by devo

I am ready to give up already.

Come on back baby, I PM'd you again about the increased signing bonus (JK).
________

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I'm not too disappointed I'm getting a manual, though.

Greg, you should not be 0.1% disappointed with your car or selection. I enjoyed your post that mentioned your carefuly methodical shopping on selection process and it seems you may be going against your better judgement here. Let the dealer take your car and get a new one ordered!

Wow I am really evangelizing and making this a competition with the 6MT club...

[devo]

[QUOTE=swamp2;2077342]Come on back baby, I PM'd you again about the increased signing bonus (JK).
________


I'm holding out for more money.