From DCT E92 to 6MT E90... COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!!!

[DrakeKemper]

So a year and a half ago I sold my 2009 E92 DCT, and I missed it ever since she was gone.

I went to a GT3, and then ran out of money, thought a BRZ would be a fun daily driver, it wasn't, my only logical choice was... the new F30 335i.

I test drove quite a few of them, and enjoyed it. Was about to pull the trigger when I realized that How I wanted the car was going to cost me $52k.

"$52K?!? For that amount of money I can build a supercharged M3"... Famous last words.

So I went on a hunt for the perfect M3. Had to be an E90 this time (just more practical), had to have black leather, and had to be a 6-Speed.

Why a 6MT after having a DCT? Let me tell you that the DCT is awesome, its fast, its fun, its reliable, it does everything that you ask it to, etc... but you DO lose a tad bit of that "Driver feel", and thats what I crave most out of a car.

So without ever testdriving it, I flew to Atlanta and bought the car from a fellow M3Post member. I then spent the next 3 days driving it 2,700 miles to Los Angeles (a stop in Dallas and Scottsdale).

That whole "1-2 notch" thing had me scared as I'd heard it on the forums for years. And indeed for 2 days it was annoying making that shift until you learn to get it right.

But seriously I am SOOOO HAPPY that I went with the 6MT now!!! This transmission is FANTASTIC, easy to drive in the city, easy to drive on a cruise or if you're really pushing it. Responsive, nice clutch, everything is exactly how it should be (Drifting was a little easier with the DCT though).

I always see threads on here about "has anyone gone from DCT/6MT to the other" and I figured that I'd just post my experience here.

BY THE WAY, also super glad that I went with the E90! It drives the exact same (it actually handles a little better on Mulholland surprisingly (same wheel size, tires and springs as the last one) And its just so much more practical around town (groceries in the back seat after you've filled the trunk? AWESOME). And the fact that taking 5 (not 4) people to dinner, without having to fold a seat forward at Valet? Much better.

If you're thinking about making the switch, from either side of the road, why not try it? I didn't think I'd like this one NEARLY as much as my old one and I was surely mistaken.

SUPERCHARGER/BREMBOS/SSK BEING INSTALLED TOMORROW BY AUTOTALENT!!!

[FVM3]

congrats

[OC3]

Yeah, definitely worthwhile experiencing both.

I do miss the E90.

As for drifting, with plenty of power, it's easy to do with DCT. It's easy also with 6MT, but you have clutch-kick at your disposal.

[ridin135]

Congrats on the switch my next car will definitely be a four door the new M3 should fit nicely.

[Edward]

Nice dude. I bet the 6MT is a totally different car. Wouldn't be opposed to trying one for a weekend. Are BMW manuals still notchy though or have they smoothed it out like they are on Audi and Porsche?

The convenience of a sedan cannot be understated, but for me, I have a rear passenger maybe for 25 miles per 1000 miles I drive. Just not enough. Plus, I have broad shoulders and I always disliked the lack of left side visibility and hitting my shoulder on the B pillar of a sedan. I think if I get a sedan it will have to be 5/M5 size at least.

[Stronie]

Congrats on coming back. I agree with you on the 1-2 shift.

Question to OP, why Supercharging? Of course we all want more power but curoius as to why you decided to go FI?

Thanks,

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Stronie

Question to OP, why Supercharging? Of course we all want more power but curoius as to why you decided to go FI?

Thanks,

Pretty sure you already answered your own question right there.

we all want more power

[W///]

If the car still has the stock knob, get rid of it pronto. That definitely ruined the car for me, until I installed the ZHP knob (which was less than 24 hours after I got the car).

Congrats.

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by Edward

Pretty sure you already answered your own question right there.

we all want more power

I guess I must go to the track. Too fast for the street. I'm constantly exceeding the speedlimit. I guess with SC I'll just reach the speedlimit faster?!

[M3ZCP6MT]

Cool sharing

[davesaddiction]

I'd trade more involvement/connection for a couple tenths any day.

And Chris Harris said it best (see quote in sig below).

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Stronie

I guess I must go to the track. Too fast for the street. I'm constantly exceeding the speedlimit. I guess with SC I'll just reach the speedlimit faster?!

I mean, I was being slightly irreverent in my first response, as I also find it hard to find space to use FI on these cars.

In fact, the excessive power of FI on this car cannot be overstated considering you will easily blow away the majority of cars in acceleration in standing starts or highway passing in daily use. But more is more. We are programmed to always want more.

[pkimM3r]

OP come out to eurotopia canyon meets if you are in that area - noticed you said mullholland (hwy right not dr.) they have a facebook page or i guess you can search here. Plenty of m3s come out. Plus i want to see that thing!

[///M Power-Belgium]

I have DCT,and i love it,i think it's all very personal !
Actualy i had 7 cars,before my ///M3 E92 DCT and all MT,and i have driven ///M3 MT and DCT,and my choise was DCT,DCT shifts fast,correct and always right,and it made the car faster, and in trafic...put it in D,and the car drives with you and relax !
That was my choise....the DCT,so again it's very personal !
Anyway.... OP congrats with your MT ...and that from a DCT lover

[DrakeKemper]

Originally Posted by Stronie

Congrats on coming back. I agree with you on the 1-2 shift.

Question to OP, why Supercharging? Of course we all want more power but curoius as to why you decided to go FI?

Thanks,

I always wanted to supercharge my old one, and with so many people selling low mile SC kits for great deals because they are moving on to GTR's or GT3's. it was a no brainier. If I don't like it? I'll sell the kit.

But it's gonna be pretty hard not to like a 700HP RWD car with room for 5, AND groceries, AND it's a 6-Speed. (I'm gonna feel like Jason Statham from The Transporter lol)

GTR speed for 65% the money and much more "driver feel".

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by DrakeKemper

But it's gonna be pretty hard not to like a 700HP RWD car with room for 5, AND groceries, AND it's a 6-Speed. (I'm gonna feel like Jason Statham from The Transporter lol)

[signes]

Welcome back!

[LucWerkz]

Awwww shittt!! Drake Kemper is back! Was wondering where you went.

[DrakeKemper]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

Cool! What kit did you get?

Active Autowerke Gen 2: Level 3

[dmk08]

Ill have to say he got one sexy ass e90. Cause he bought my old car. Grats Drake I hope you love it as much as I did. I miss her ...

[Xcelrrate]

Welcome back !! E90 & 6MT FTW..

[Kanweezy]

Went I gt3 then ran out of money? Why but it in the first place then