Anyone go from DCT to 6MT?

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by serge

OP, don't do it.

I hate the 6MT in my M3, it's difficult to take off smoothly in first, and the 1-2 shift feels jerky and clunky. One of the worst manual transmissions I've ever had, and I've had quite a few in the last 25 years.

Ridiculous. The best manual I've owned was my s2000 and the worst was my G coupe. I'm very happy with the m3 MT. Starts are perfectly smooth and 1-2 is fine. Every MT I've driven has some notchiness to the 1-2. Every MT has it's own quirks and you have to learn to finesse those quirks to optimize performance. That's why I love MTs. They take time to perfect and give the car character and an additional stimulus that's simply missing from flappy paddles.

I've never regretted getting MT - not for a sec. I can definitely see how DCT can be fun, but I know I would constantly question my decision. Like the other poster, said - no apologies needed with 6MT.

Doesn't matter anyway - the next m3 will almost certainly be the last one that has a MT.

[Vic311]

Originally Posted by robotk

Ridiculous. The best manual I've owned was my s2000 and the worst was my G coupe. I'm very happy with the m3 MT. Starts are perfectly smooth and 1-2 is fine. Every MT I've driven has some notchiness to the 1-2. Every MT has it's own quirks and you have to learn to finesse those quirks to optimize performance. That's why I love MTs. They take time to perfect and give the car character and an additional stimulus that's simply missing from flappy paddles.

I've never regretted getting MT - not for a sec. I can definitely see how DCT can be fun, but I know I would constantly question my decision. Like the other poster, said - no apologies needed with 6MT.

Doesn't matter anyway - the next m3 will almost certainly be the last one that has a MT.

Well said.. this is what is so gratifying about driving an MT, it rewards the driver when paying attention, timing and executing shifts properly. And when you are lazy you only have yourself to blame

Plus there's always a learning curve when getting into a new MT, but any experienced driver shouldn't have a problem finding the sweet spots of the gearbox/clutch combo pretty quickly

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by serge

OP, don't do it.

I hate the 6MT in my M3, it's difficult to take off smoothly in first, and the 1-2 shift feels jerky and clunky. One of the worst manual transmissions I've ever had, and I've had quite a few in the last 25 years.

What have you been driving? The M3 is not an easy manual to drive for someone who hasn't driven a powerful MT car. It revs so quickly. That is what makes first gear tricky. I have never experienced this 1-2 "problem" that people seem to have experienced. My previous car was an Audi RS4, another high revving V8 with a manual. As such, I was used to the feel of a manual gearbox with a high revving and powerful motor.

The first time I test drove a manual M3, it just seemed natural and easy. I had no issue with it whatsoever from day one. I loved the lightness of the clutch, and the shifter, while a little light in its feel, allows you to fire off very fast shifts IMO.

Now....by comparison, the manual in my wife's Audi A4 is way easier to drive, but that is a car that is far less powerful, and doesn't rev nearly so quickly. As such, it requires less precision. You can be very sloppy with the clutch and shifter and it will still drive smoothly. The M3 certainly does require more precision driving to drive smoothly, but once you know how to do this, it isn't a big deal.

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

What have you been driving? The M3 is not an easy manual to drive for someone who hasn't driven a powerful MT car. It revs so quickly. That is what makes first gear tricky. I have never experienced this 1-2 "problem" that people seem to have experienced. My previous car was an Audi RS4, another high revving V8 with a manual. As such, I was used to the feel of a manual gearbox with a high revving and powerful motor.

The first time I test drove a manual M3, it just seemed natural and easy. I had no issue with it whatsoever from day one. I loved the lightness of the clutch, and the shifter, while a little light in its feel, allows you to fire off very fast shifts IMO.

Now....by comparison, the manual in my wife's Audi A4 is way easier to drive, but that is a car that is far less powerful, and doesn't rev nearly so quickly. As such, it requires less precision. You can be very sloppy with the clutch and shifter and it will still drive smoothly. The M3 certainly does require more precision driving to drive smoothly, but once you know how to do this, it isn't a big deal.

+1, I too never understood this complaint about the MT. I had a SSK installed at one point and actually prefer the more fluid shifts of the stock shifter with a F10 M5 weighted shift knob.

[CSBM5]

I also see no issues with the 6MT -- I have no problem driving it very smoothly, and has been said, if you have experience with manual transmissions, you should be able to adapt to the M3 quickly. My wife easily adapts to it when driving it versus her E90 330i 6MT. My daughter adapted to it quickly also, and no issues -- in fact, she co-drove the car with me at a Performance Center CCA autocross and quickly adapted to how to launch the car, rev-match downshifts, etc. She liked the sport mode throttle setting the best as it allowed good throttle response to blips for downshifts.

Speaking of which, the S65 revs so fast that it is really sweet when rev-matching downshifts compared to the S62 in my M5. That thing is a torque beast for sure, but it's slower revving requiring a different approach. The M5 is tough to drive smoothly, much tougher than the M3. I solved that a while back with an Evolve tune which provided a linear throttle map among other things. The North American delivered E39 M5s have an *awful* non-linear throttle map that makes is really hard to adapt to as a manual transmission driver, especially the 1-2 upshift. The Evolve tune map changed all of that and after almost 10 years of driving that car, it felt like a completely new car afterward.

[PrometheusM3]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

Ive finally made up my mind. Selling my 2011 E92 DCT for a 2013 6MT and I cant wait to pick it up Monday!

DCT is bad ass. I do think it's a better overall fit the the car. But Ive never owned a V8 manual and since I only drive 10 miles a day M-F, why not drive them how I see fit.


For a months I keep going back and forth and I finally made up my mind. Its a done deal now. 6MT here I come!

Congrats! I finally just picked up my '13 6MT this week and could not be happier. You may want to consider getting the ZCP knob for extra awesomeness (I think it's great), but stock is just fine as well.

Enjoy your increased physiological connection with your vehicle.

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by PrometheusM3

Congrats! I finally just picked up my '13 6MT this week and could not be happier. You may want to consider getting the ZCP knob for extra awesomeness (I think it's great), but stock is just fine as well.........

i haven't even gotten my M3 yet and i already want to do this mod. the review around here have been great for it....nice to hear yet another one.

got to admit, though...i am a little hesitant. aside from detailing,not much of a DIYer when it comes to my car.

[PrometheusM3]

Originally Posted by Hyperjack

i haven't even gotten my M3 yet and i already want to do this mod. the review around here have been great for it....nice to hear yet another one.

got to admit, though...i am a little hesitant. aside from detailing,not much of a DIYer when it comes to my car.

I'm the exact same way. I'm not ashamed to admit it; I have zero mechanical or engineering ability. My regular mechanic is doing the knob install (and clutch spring removal), because I'm afraid to touch anything. I even went to EAS to have my blacked out grilles and gills put on.

This car feels so amazing and high quality that I don't want to screw anything up with my bumbling attempts at a DIY job.

[BIGW0RM]

Tomorrow morning I get my car!!! Can't wait for the drive home in my 6MT!!!

[BIGW0RM]

Woo hoo!!!!

DCT TO 6MT and I'm beyond happy! Why did I wait this long! Off to drive my 6MT some more!

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

Woo hoo!!!!

DCT TO 6MT and I'm beyond happy! Why did I wait this long! Off to drive my 6MT some more!

you're posting and driving at the same time aren't you?

and in a 6mt...you gots skillz, brotha!!!

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by Hyperjack

you're posting and driving at the same time aren't you?

and in a 6mt...you gots skillz, brotha!!!

Hell no! I'm home now. Lol!

[BIGW0RM]

Day two and loving it!!!

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

Day two and loving it!!!

okay...now you got to bust out a camera and post some pics or....

it didn't happen!

[MDIVISION]

Yes, I can put my grandma behind the wheel and she will shift as fast as me, no thanks.

6 speed M for a MAN

[nks_bb]

I am going from DCT to 6sp manual. Although, my DCT is of the iS variety. I am a little apprehensive about it as I've grown to like the 'auto' setting for when I'm not in the 'fun' mode. But, as some people have said... Driving the M is an event...

Also, for some reason, if I was gonna get a car like this... I just have to get manual.

[W///]

Like I've said before, I've driven both and decided to go with MT. I would have also picked a car with DCT too if it was the right one.

I've also driven some fine Porsches (993 Turbo for example) and I have no problem saying I'd gladly get in my MT M3 and still be happy. I view it in a very similar way to the whole electric power steering issue. The clutch pedal might be more numb (aka soft) than let's say older BMW's like an E36 or E39, but to me if you learn it, it's extremely accurate. I've never had any problems ever since I switched the knob to a ZHP one. Just like EPS, it might not "feel" as good as good old regular hydraulic PS, but it is extremely precise and predictable (to me anyway).

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

Day two and loving it!!!

Have you put a ZHP knob on the car yet? If not do it. Don't ask any questions, just do it.

[BIGW0RM]

What is the Zhp knob? Someone said the f10 m5 knob is the best to get. Have you seem that one yet?

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

What is the Zhp knob? Someone said the f10 m5 knob is the best to get. Have you seem that one yet?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-18...d-pattern.aspx

install....

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727756

[BIGW0RM]

I think I like this one more my friend.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=773929

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by Mloyalty

Yes, I can put my grandma behind the wheel and she will shift as fast as me, no thanks.

6 speed M for a MAN

High end sports cars and race cars have DCTs.

So how about tbis for a slogan.

"6MT the #1 choice of amateur drivers in low end cars".

What I think is really silly as an MT like the one in the new M5 that automatically rev matches. Is BMW going to do the same thing in the M3/4?

Seriously these threads are ridiculous. The M3 is a great car with either transmission.

CA

[BIGW0RM]

6MT FTW

and I have both.