DCT Shift Speed

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by kevs_m3

I heard its bad to keep the settings to s5/6 all day everyday because it wears the transmission faster. Is this true? Cuz if not, im gonna keep it at s5 at least

How you drive determines trans wear.

[Blindside_137]

I'm always S5. Never D.

What's everyone's favorite gear? I feel like I have the most torque in third. Love it

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by Grip Addict

I have ran the car every day every second of driving in setting 5 and of course 6 for launch control.

You are telling me if I leave it in the bottom most setting I will get some exhaust burble?

Burble may be the wrong word. In the lower shift settings the longer shifts allow me to hear the V8 rumble longer.

[Grip Addict]

Originally Posted by ATLIEN

Burble may be the wrong word. In the lower shift settings the longer shifts allow me to hear the V8 rumble longer.

I will have to test this out.

I honestly from the moment of purchasing the car I have driven it in setting 5. I figured it would provide the best shift/sounds.

I will have to check out these different noises in the lower settings you mention.

[KevinGS]

Unless I'm limping to a gas station in D2 or D3, I'm always toggling between D5 and S6 (I almost always have the traction control off since I rarely get caught in any rain) right from the moment I start the car and drive off. For me, I really like how "manual" the car feels in D mode, and don't even mind the clunkiness. It never lets me forget that it's a DCT. So I'm actually glad it's not all that smooth in Drive mode, as it makes the car feel more analog to me. In D2 and D3, and even D4, it simply jumps too fast to D7 for me.

For spirited driving, I'll take control of the gears myself, but I cruise around a lot...doing the speed limit, so I'm totally fine letting the DCT switch gears by itself. And I LOVE when I get the occasional, surprising rev match downshift as I slowly decelerate to a stop....shocking me a bit every time, and also alerting those around me that I'm driving something special.

Occasionally I wish I had a manual, but most times, I enjoy the hec out of the DCT, and like that we have so many drive mode choices.

The Power button I use when I'm in spirited driving mode, but other times, I rather the transmission not be so frenetic with the throttle input, and I think the V8 sounds good in the lower gears at lower RPMs, which you never really get in Power/frenetic mode. So for the sound alone, I drive a lot with it off....but do appreciate it when I'm really pushing it.

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

and I think the V8 sounds good in the lower gears at lower RPMs, which you never really get in Power/frenetic mode. So for the sound alone, I drive a lot with it off....but do appreciate it when I'm really pushing it.

This is what I was refering to in my post above. The V8 sound in lower gears at lower RPM's just sounds so good and old school V8'ish if that a word. Living in the south, it's always funny to shock people that this car has a V8!

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

and I think the V8 sounds good in the lower gears at lower RPMs, which you never really get in Power/frenetic mode. So for the sound alone, I drive a lot with it off....but do appreciate it when I'm really pushing it.

This is what I was refering to in my post above. The V8 sound in lower gears at lower RPM's just sounds so good and old school V8'ish if that a word. Living in the south, it's always funny to shock people that this car has a V8!

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by ATLIEN

This is what I was refering to in my post above. The V8 sound in lower gears at lower RPM's just sounds so good and old school V8'ish if that a word. Living in the south, it's always funny to shock people that this car has a V8!

Indeed. And with the Power button on, it's hard for the transmission to keep the motor in the lower RPMs where you can hear the rumble of the V8, as it's always downshifting at small throttle inputs. I like the Power button when I'm trying to get it, but don't want that when I want hear the full range of this motor up the rev range.

Thank you, BMW engineers, for giving us the option.

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Indeed. And with the Power button on, it's hard for the transmission to keep the motor in the lower RPMs where you can hear the rumble of the V8, as it's always downshifting at small throttle inputs. I like the Power button when I'm trying to get it, but don't want that when I want hear the full range of this motor up the rev range.

Thank you, BMW engineers, for giving us the option.

I totally agree!

[BeaterM3]

With the weather getting colder, I have been leaving it at D2/3 while the car warms up. Then I switch over to D/S 4 or 5.

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Indeed. And with the Power button on, it's hard for the transmission to keep the motor in the lower RPMs where you can hear the rumble of the V8, as it's always downshifting at small throttle inputs. I like the Power button when I'm trying to get it, but don't want that when I want hear the full range of this motor up the rev range.

Thank you, BMW engineers, for giving us the option.

Since having the M3, I have used the Power button maybe twice...I just don't want the TA's to go just yet lol

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

My thinking as well. Guess my constant S4/5 wear out my TA's - cause love my blips - but those have to go one day anyway.

Yes - exactly my thoughts, too!

I seem to recall speculating on this (here) when the TA problem first became A Thing.

(Great minds think alike, or something)

[E9T.two]

I typically drive Manual mode, S2 or 3. M button has Power + MDM + S5 + EDC Sport.

On my commute home, I drive uphill... in traffic. I have had the transmission overheat warning come on twice when in uphill stop & go traffic (car goes into limp mode too - not fun when trying to get up a hill). Both times I was in S5.

So out of paranoia, I typically stick with S2/3 when cruising around town or in traffic, and hit the M button when it's time to fly or when I feel like hearing those epic rev-matching downshifts!