Delivered: DCT Space Grey/Black/Carbon/18s--Long post

[footie]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Nice skierman. Space gray looks great with the 18s.

+100%,

There is a real racer look when the M3 is combined with Space Grey and the stock 18", kind of saying 'Don't F##k with me, mate' .

The 19" look great but have too much 'bling look' about them for me.

[lucid]

Congrats!

[Mark]

The car is without a doubt gorgeous under those lights

[ikequebec]

thanks for the review, great read, lots of my questions answered, love the SG...

[ersin]

The space gray is looking great. All except for those orange reflectors. They seem to really stand out with that color. I really wish they had integrated them into the headlights. Oh well, that's really a minor thing.

At least the Elektra didn't sink. Weren't their some BMWs that were partially water damaged on one of the boats yet fixed up when they hit the states? I'd hate to have one of them.

I'm glad to hear of your good experience with the dealer. I wonder however if the fact that your father worked at Sun had anything to do with how they treated you. Anyway, I'm happy it turned out so good, especially the surprise lower rate.

I like the pics next to the E46. I think it still holds its own against the newer car. You're part of hardcore BMW family there. Congratulations.

[Voltigeur]

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Nice write-up - thanks for taking the time.

The space grey + 18s looks in perfect sync, better choice than 19s IMO

What did you think of the acceleration / M-DCT reponse in mid-range speeds like 50-80 mph?

[BJJ_Marrom]

Congrats buddy! Looks great.

[GS997S]

Congratulations. Space Gray looks so good on that car. I like white also, but I think Space Gray is the best.

[asaulo1]

sweet review... Congrats.... looks like all you need is the E30 M3 and you have the whole collection.... how about pics of the interior.... COngrats again.

[nusevad]

Great writeup Ski!!

Love the combo, 18s especially haha.

Great collection of BMWs too!

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

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Nice write-up - thanks for taking the time.

The space grey + 18s looks in perfect sync, better choice than 19s IMO

What did you think of the acceleration / M-DCT reponse in mid-range speeds like 50-80 mph?

Well 7th gear is a cruising gear, you aren't going to out accellerate many cars in 7th, expecially down at 50mph area, I'll have to look at the rpms in 7th at 50, but it isn't very high. It pulls 6 and 5th very nicely, you can blast past slower traffic, or pass people on two lane roads easily in 5th or 6th. With DCT it's a simple no muss downshift and around you go. Or if you're driving in D, just put down the pedal and the car does all the work for you. I don't prefer D, but some will.

Originally Posted by ersin

I'm glad to hear of your good experience with the dealer. I wonder however if the fact that your father worked at Sun had anything to do with how they treated you. Anyway, I'm happy it turned out so good, especially the surprise lower rate.

I like the pics next to the E46. I think it still holds its own against the newer car. You're part of hardcore BMW family there. Congratulations.

I wondered the same thing about how well things went at the dealer, but I didn't get the impression that I was being treated any differently than any other customer. It's not like my dad is the dealership manager or anything, he just drives cars for them. But who's to know.

Yes we are, dad has 2 BMWs, I currently have 3 (until I sell my E36), and my bro has one.

[Bunkei]

I was shocked to learn that M3's equipped with the new DCT transmission is already out for sale. As a stubborn 3-pedal purist, it leaves me a bit ... disturbed. Audi's DSG has garnered almost universal praise, and so has Nissan's DCT. Is this the end for manual transmissions? At first thought, the answer seems to be "no". But we're now at the point that manuals pose no performance advantages over even some of the new conventional automatics, much less DCTs.

Perhaps my thinking is backwards and it's the conventional automatics that might soon bite the dust in high performance automobiles. Nice food for thought.

Congratulations for sure!!!

[Bama M3]

Thanks for the write-up. Good job.

The car is simply awesome. Space grey is such a great color. I probably would have selected SG if it were available for the sedan. And the 18s look perfect with that color.

Post more pics when you have some time (after you've driven it to your heart's content). Congratulations!!!

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by Bunkei

I was shocked to learn that M3's equipped with the new DCT transmission is already out for sale. As a stubborn 3-pedal purist, it leaves me a bit ... disturbed. Audi's DSG has garnered almost universal praise, and so has Nissan's DCT. Is this the end for manual transmissions? At first thought, the answer seems to be "no". But we're now at the point that manuals pose no performance advantages over even some of the new conventional automatics, much less DCTs.

Perhaps my thinking is backwards and it's the conventional automatics that might soon bite the dust in high performance automobiles. Nice food for thought.

Congratulations for sure!!!

Larry Koch, the BMW NA M brand manager had some interesting comments regarding this subject at his presentation to the Delaware Valley chapter of the BMW CCA.

Here's the forum with the video of his presentation.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133812

[shchow]

Beautiful car!
Will make sure to look out for you on the roads...

[valeram]

Originally Posted by Bunkei

I was shocked to learn that M3's equipped with the new DCT transmission is already out for sale. As a stubborn 3-pedal purist, it leaves me a bit ... disturbed. Audi's DSG has garnered almost universal praise, and so has Nissan's DCT. Is this the end for manual transmissions? At first thought, the answer seems to be "no". But we're now at the point that manuals pose no performance advantages over even some of the new conventional automatics, much less DCTs.

Perhaps my thinking is backwards and it's the conventional automatics that might soon bite the dust in high performance automobiles. Nice food for thought.

Congratulations for sure!!!

Same feeling here. I been driving using a MT since I started to learn how to drive. I like to drive MT but I am really at a lost on this DCT. I ordered one with DCT but still thinking of changing it. I have until this week to change my order until it goes to production. This review of DCT reinforce my decision on getting a DCT. I just hope that I made the correct decision.

[SolidSnake2634]

wow, thats looks awesome. i thought the dual clutch transmission wouldn't be out for the m3 until 2009 O.o and it isnt even a option on bmwusa.com

[zieglerc]

Gorgeous!!! Seriously great combo!

Must... not... regret... choosing... Sparkling Graphite...

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by valeram

Same feeling here. I been driving using a MT since I started to learn how to drive. I like to drive MT but I am really at a lost on this DCT. I ordered one with DCT but still thinking of changing it. I have until this week to change my order until it goes to production. This review of DCT reinforce my decision on getting a DCT. I just hope that I made the correct decision.

Fly into Philly, I'll pick you up and let you experience it yourself.

[BMW3R]

Thanks for the great report. It makes my wait well worth it for a sedan w/DCT! Great photos!

[jeff.m3]

That's a lot of BMWs. Congrats on the new e92!

[Epacy]

Very nice! Congrats!