And the wait is now over

[SMSgt B]

Well my M3 is now home tucked away in the garage after picking it up and taking it for a 130 mile ride. This car is nothing less than perfection in my eyes. I didn't think I would say this but you have to watch yourself because it is way too easy to speed...I can see myself losing my license rather easy if I don't watch it.
Now to the nitty gritty, how is the M-DCT. First, I am no expert, professional driver and I claim to not have the experience most of you do. This is just my perception and comparing it to my long gone E46 SMGII M3. Also, please don't ask about the sterio, navi, etc because I didn't play with any of it. I just wanted to drive, drive, drive and experience the M-DCT with the settings. Also remember below I was trying to keep it under 5500rpms and using only half throttle.

1. So is it smoother than SMGII? By a long shot. I drove for about 30 miles in manual mode, no EDC/Power, and the softest setting and it was extremely smooth between gears. Than I put it in automatic (same settings) and it was a seamless transition just like they said. Sometimes I had to look at what gear I was in or listen for the exhaust because I really felt nothing. Now changing the setting to EDC on (both lights), power on, and the stiffest setting, this thing becomes a beast, but the best part it is still a smooth transition between up/down shifts. Bottom line, way way smoother than the SMGII.

2. So, is there a delay in shifting? Yes, but let me explain. Depending on what settings you have it set to and how aggressive you are accelerating will dictate the amount of delay. For instance, when I was in manual mode, no EDC/Power and softest, the delay was greater than if I just adjusted it to the stiffest setting or got more aggressive with the gas pedal. Driving in this setting is like when you are driving a manual and just take you time to shift. Now EDC/Power on and stiffest setting is another story. Yes there is still a very slight delay but it is almost right at the release time it changes gears. Now the delay I am talking about is the time you release the paddle/shifter to the time you feel the next gear engage. Also, remember I was only doing 1/2 throttle under 5500rpm shifts.

3. So, is there the "jerk"? I experience no jerk keeping it 1/2 throttle under 5500rpms. Please go back and read #1...just smooth shifts. Maybe the "jerk" comes when going balls to the wall...which I didn't do.

So, am I glad I got M-DCT...hell yes and I would wait again for it if I had to. Right out the door, I hit a 8 mile Stow (traffic jam) and having this tranny was a blessing.

Another thing I learned, do not put it in auto modes, EDC/Power on and try keep in under 5500rpms ... it wants to shift above it.

Here are some pics...

[DonM3]

Congrats.

Waiting for your post all day!

[umwolverine]

Congrats!!! The car is beautiful. Enjoy..

[rvacha]

[nusevad]

CONGRATS!!!

First member to take M-DCT delivery!

[///MML]

Congrats you are first MDCT owner! Thanks for the quick review.

Does it "bang" into the next gear like SMG on the most aggressive setting? You might not be able to tell until higher rpms and feel it. I kinda liked that SMG shifting 1st to 2nd at 8k rpm. There is a downside for being too smooth (at least for me).

[Panerex]

Huge congrats and thanks for sharing !

[SMSgt B]

Originally Posted by ///MML

Congrats you are first MDCT owner! Thanks for the quick review.

Does it "bang" into the next gear like SMG on the most aggressive setting? You might not be able to tell until higher rpms and feel it. I kinda liked that SMG shifting 1st to 2nd at 8k rpm. There is a downside for being too smooth (at least for me).

Yeah, I remember that feeling but no rear end bang at the level I was driving. It might do it below 5500rpms with full throttle.

[Emdriven]

Congrats, enjoy your car it looks beautiful. Thanks, for the quick review of M-DCT, that's my choice as well and glad to hear your happy with it.

[M3Haku]

Congratulation on your new M3, hope to see a few more pics and perhaps more details on the NAVI and Enhanced sound.....

[goldminer]

Originally Posted by SMSgt B

Well my M3 is now home tucked away in the garage after picking it up and taking it for a 130 mile ride. This car is nothing less than perfection in my eyes. I didn't think I would say this but you have to watch yourself because it is way too easy to speed...I can see myself losing my license rather easy if I don't watch it.

.....

This may sound dumb but I forgot to look when I sat in the car at the dealer. Does it have cruise control? That would at least help with "speed creep" on long trips and might save some tickets.

[CSL-Fanatik]

First of all CONGRATULATIONS!

Your car appears identical to the one I ordered, with the difference that I am going for black leather. Please keep us updated on the M-DCT, and
perhaps, if it's not too much to ask,

a little video?

All the best, congrats again,

CSL

[rai]

congrats



I am going for test drive #2 on the 6MT today, I am not sure can go either way, but I believe I will go with the DCT. I ordered 3-4 days ago but the 6MT want to change before it's too late

As you can see I don't know what I want but this review helps me out. The other reviews were hard to understand and you did provide more clarification.

I wonder (?) does the M-button sync the tranny setting? I mean if you set accelerator, steering, shocks etc. can you also include the tranny mode?

Also how hard is to change the mode on the fly, meaning if you are in Manual mode what's involved to shift to the auto mode?

Finally what is the LC function like? I understand you didn't do it on the new car but I mean is there a sequence you have to go through before you can do LC or is is a simple process like if you are already stopped how long would it take to engage LC?

Thanks for sharing

[southlight]

Congrats!



Best regards, south

[WCH]

Congratulations! Beautiful car.

I can't wait to get mine.

[fmquadri]

Any way you could take some more pics of the car with wheels in better lighting?? I'm dying trying to figure out Jzb vs JB with the 18"s and either FR or Black Novillo... ugh!!

[monsta]

wow looks great, killer combo...thank you so much for the write up greatly appreciated

[ybbiz34]

Thanks for the write-up!

[hakaida442]

Break her in so that you can be the first to report on DCT at full throttle redline shifts. And change your sig, you finally got her!

[bills742]

Congratulations! There are a lot of us very jealous of you right now! One quick question, can you turn the "creep" function off so the car doesn't inch forward if you don't press the gas? And if so, does the car roll back when on a hill? Thanks for your write up and enjoy her for us!

[Hans Delbruck]

Sweet! Thanks for your review! Sounds like a good choice.

How does it work in traffic? Just leave it in 1st and it creeps like an automatic?

[mhutchins14]

Congrats on your car!! Sounds like DCT was worth the wait...