M3 Dct Or manual Transmission, PLease dont hate me.

[djaft3rb3ats]

i searched far and wide exclusively for the 6spd.

driving a TL the otherday with paddle shifters as a loaner car made me realize how cool DCT could be, but ill stick with my 6spd

[ArthurL]

Haven't driven a DCT yet but I do enjoy driving a 6MT.. even in NYC, haha.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

When it comes to automotive transmissions, the DCT IS the best thing since sliced bread.

You think DCT will be available on the next, most modern iteration of the M3/M4? It's early, but I will be very surprised if a single automatic transmission isn't the replacement for what will be the outgoing DCT because lighter and more gears than seven are the way of the future for automatics. So, in a mere six years we will be talking about DCT as the new dinosaur tranny even as senor manuel has outlived the transitional band aid DCT.

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Yes, but do you like your bread sliced by a machine or by hand???

Ouch

[Rat3d ///M]

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

You think DCT will be available on the next, most modern iteration of the M3/M4? It's early, but I will be very surprised if a single automatic transmission isn't the replacement for what will be the outgoing DCT because lighter and more gears than seven are the way of the future for automatics. So, in a mere six years we will be talking about DCT as the new dinosaur tranny even as senor manuel has outlived the transitional band aid DCT.

For the sake of BMW's sales, I really hope that is not the case. I would love to own an AMG of some sorts (C63 anyone?) but not in an automatic. Mercedes automatic transmissions are garbage, and the Achilles heel of that car. If BMW did away with DCT and went full automatic I would certainly convert to the manual and never look back.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

You think DCT will be available on the next, most modern iteration of the M3/M4? It's early, but I will be very surprised if a single automatic transmission isn't the replacement for what will be the outgoing DCT because lighter and more gears than seven are the way of the future for automatics. So, in a mere six years we will be talking about DCT as the new dinosaur tranny even as senor manuel has outlived the transitional band aid DCT.

Ouch

Yes, technology will go forward, but considering this generation of M3 has a manual transmission, if they do phase it out next gen, I'm sure the DCT will still be around. Supercars, etc. are now starting to exclusively use DCT, I don't think the technology is going anywhere, it will only continue to be refined. If they do switch to exclusively automatic, that will be sad. Any potential future advances do not invalidate the fact that the E9x gen DCT in S mode is an absolute joy when paired with 8600RPM of wailing revband on the track.

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Yes, but do you like your bread sliced by a machine or by hand???

Slicing machine operated by human > human hewing away with a knife. They always end up mashing the bread and making it lopsided.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Yes, but do you like your bread sliced by a machine or by hand???

That was a killer phrase!!!

[vsix]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

For the sake of BMW's sales, I really hope that is not the case. I would love to own an AMG of some sorts (C63 anyone?) but not in an automatic. Mercedes automatic transmissions are garbage, and the Achilles heel of that car. If BMW did away with DCT and went full automatic I would certainly convert to the manual and never look back.

I dont know...automatics are teh dinausaurs and that's the reason why they invented the DCT. So to salute pre historic stone age auto boxes instead of DCT is just wrong.
I know what I'm talking about as my old 7-G transmission was billion miles in response and feedback away, far behind the DCT equipped M3 I test drove once...long time ago.
You know I gave it a try!
See it this way, off with the DCT fan boy glasses and just plain and simple give the manual equipped M3 a try. Be honest to yourself and also give the car a chance to leave an impression, instead of directly bashing it for the manual and sorting it out.
Just give it a try...you wouldn't even need to ask if you would have given it a try...

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Parry

capiche

He only sprechens sie deutsch, and thinks the DCT is best invention since sliced bread

I know that lol

[Rat3d ///M]

Originally Posted by vsix

Nein wünscht du dir nicht

Why are you trying to type in German? You do know I am American, right?

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Yes, but do you like your bread sliced by a machine or by hand???

Apt analogy considering how slow slicing bread by hand is...

[Rat3d ///M]

Originally Posted by vsix

I dont know...automatics are teh dinausaurs and that's the reason why they invented the DCT. So to salute pre historic stone age auto boxes instead of DCT is just wrong.
I know what I'm talking about as my old 7-G transmission was billion miles in response and feedback behind the DCT equipped M3 I test drove once...long time ago.
Try to see it this way, off with the DCT fan boy glasses and just plain and simple give the manual equipped M3 a try. Be honest to yourself and also give the car a chance to leave an impression, instead of directly bashing it for the manual and sorting it out.
Just give it a try...you wouldn't even need to ask if you would have given it a try...

Ive driven the 6mt and DCT M3. I preferred the DCT so thats what I went with. I wouldnt say I am a DCT fan boy either. Its just what i prefer and i have no problems the 6mt. I like manual transmission cars.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

Why are you trying to type in German? You do know I am American, right?

Me know

[vsix]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

Ive driven the 6mt and DCT M3. I preferred the DCT so thats what I went with

Then everything's fine, you know what I was refering about was the fact that you need to have options before you make an decision, instead of just beeing undecided and only letting the crowd to decide. Well, what you said is good to me. Thanks for clarification.

[Rat3d ///M]

Originally Posted by vsix

Me know

Okay. So..why are you typing in German?

[Shredicus]

To touch on the salient point of this thread :

[Bavarian Beast]

Um, I think we can all agree it is personal preference, not about which is cooler. Unless most people decide how to spend $40k to $70k on total strangers peer pressure. They are both good options.

[CarEnthused]

Manual owner here. the DCT is the better transmission for this car. The manual, however, is a little more engaging (the DCT is quite engaging too). I have no regrets about my decision but I would like to trade my car in a few years for a DCT sedan as a DD when I'm ready to buy a Porsche (a manual) as a garage queen.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

For the sake of BMW's sales, I really hope that is not the case. I would love to own an AMG of some sorts (C63 anyone?) but not in an automatic. Mercedes automatic transmissions are garbage, and the Achilles heel of that car. If BMW did away with DCT and went full automatic I would certainly convert to the manual and never look back.

I would make no sense for a manufacturer such as BMW to pass on a transmission that offered more than seven gears, shifted just as fast as DCT and weighed less. With fuel efficiency and vehicle weight being a great a factor as ever in the design of its models, having such a transmission option would be nearly irresistible. Even more so if it were reliable. Maybe you've seen this ↓.

http://automotivethinker.com/transmi...transmissions/

Originally Posted by modkrazy

Yes, technology will go forward, but considering this generation of M3 has a manual transmission, if they do phase it out next gen, I'm sure the DCT will still be around. Supercars, etc. are now starting to exclusively use DCT, I don't think the technology is going anywhere, it will only continue to be refined. If they do switch to exclusively automatic, that will be sad. Any potential future advances do not invalidate the fact that the E9x gen DCT in S mode is an absolute joy when paired with 8600RPM of wailing revband on the track.

Like you note, tech does go forward. Therefore, I see no reason to be sad if the shifts are delivered at the same or a quicker rate for those that demand as much from an automatic transmission.

The supercars are a breed apart from the mass produced models. Those manufacturers (e.g. Bugatti, Ferrari et al) are going to keep building whatever they wish without the concerns, or at least far less concerns, than those peculiar to a firm such as BMW AG insofar as fuel efficiency and carbon emissions is the subject. However, they are not tied to any particular transmission as witnessed by their willingness to go 100% automatic even though some clients would have preferred a manual option.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

I would make no sense for a manufacturer such as BMW to pass on a transmission that offered more than seven gears, shifted just as fast as DCT and weighed less. With fuel efficiency and vehicle weight being a great a factor as ever in the design of its models, having such a transmission option would be nearly irresistible. Even more so if it were reliable.

I don't think the number of gears or how the "semi-auto" box is built is that important. The DCT is popular (~90% of every E9x M3 in the UK is DCT) especially amongst traditional manual owners (in the UK at least) because of the driving experience it gives.
I can see how more efficient (and with more gears etc) auto boxes will fit well for more mainstream cars but high performance European manufacturers won't adopt them if it degrades the driving experience for their high end cars.

[MightyEKA]

My M3 DCT is my first car with automatic transmission. I work as an automotive engineer and since I have worked with developing dual-clutch gearboxes, I'd call myself rather picky.
The DCT is not flawless, but the "issues" are minor and rare. It is probably the best auto-box I have driven. The close-to-uninterrupted power delivery when shifting @ 8000+rpm is simply addictive.

I do often wish that it was a manual transmission. A MT connects you to the car that a DCT does not do. But if I could turn back time, I would buy a DCT all over again. The seamless power delivery is fascinating and the transmission impresses me every time I drive it.

Note well: I do not do tracks. I use my car as a DD and have no "racing experience" what-so-ever. I just love driving cars.

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by MightyEKA

My M3 DCT is my first car with automatic transmission. I work as an automotive engineer and since I have worked with developing dual-clutch gearboxes, I'd call myself rather picky.
The DCT is not flawless, but the "issues" are minor and rare. It is probably the best auto-box I have driven. The close-to-uninterrupted power delivery when shifting @ 8000+rpm is simply addictive.

I do often wish that it was a manual transmission. A MT connects you to the car that a DCT does not do. But if I could turn back time, I would buy a DCT all over again. The seamless power delivery is fascinating and the transmission impresses me every time I drive it.

Note well: I do not do tracks. I use my car as a DD and have no "racing experience" what-so-ever. I just love driving cars.

Have a tuner load up the OEM GTS software for your DCT and I'll bet your little niggles will be even slighter.