M3 Manual vs DCT
Discussion
Anyone driven both manual and the DCT?
A few used (manual) examples are coming onto the market now for mid to late 40's... but with the recent DCT gearbox now available it will mean buying new pushing the price up to late 50's... (once the options are added)
Is it worth it?
(is the manual the same as in the 335i?)
Thanks
Lee
A few used (manual) examples are coming onto the market now for mid to late 40's... but with the recent DCT gearbox now available it will mean buying new pushing the price up to late 50's... (once the options are added)
Is it worth it?
(is the manual the same as in the 335i?)
Thanks
Lee
Edited by Rochester TVR on Friday 27th June 23:01
I drove a manual demo, and have bought a DCT.
Most of the time the DCT drives like a good automatic. Whether that makes the car better or less good for you is very personal. It is obviously easier and more relaxing to drive, while losing absolutely nothing in control or smoothness (although occasionally changes down into 1st or 2nd are a bit clonky), and gaining in speed of change (which is pretty fast even when in smooth mode) and economy.
You have to say logically that a system which changes gear fast and smoothly, without power or efficiency losses, and either makes intelligent gear selections for you or gives you total control, is simply 'better' than a traditional manual. But you do lose out on a degree of satisfaction and involvement, which you cannot fully recover by using 'sequential' (ie manual) mode.
The comparison with a conventional auto is also interesting: the DCT box occasionally loses a little in smoothness to a smooth auto (sometimes changes into 1st or 2nd are a little clonky) and the gains in efficiency are probably pretty marginal. I look forward to comparing my car to a C63 which a friend is about to get.
The new gearbox costs about £2.5k; that's already quite expensive. If you are suggesting that the premium you would pay to buy a new car instead of a used one is entirely down to the gearbox that makes it extortionate - but of course there are other pleasures in buying new. In paying £58k for my car (yes, I know it now looks as though I should have got a decent discount, but I didn't think so when I committed to it a few months ago) I am not unhappy about the value - it is a very special car, and significantly cheaper than other cars of similar performance and quality (997S comes to mind!).
I cannot really comment on the manual. It seemed quite pleasant to me - but I should not think the change feels particularly similar to other 3's if only because the engine is so different. For what it's worth, the E46 is certainly far more difficult to drive smoothly than other 3's of the same generation - perhaps that is why so many people are prepared to put up with the downsides of SMG on E46's!
Most of the time the DCT drives like a good automatic. Whether that makes the car better or less good for you is very personal. It is obviously easier and more relaxing to drive, while losing absolutely nothing in control or smoothness (although occasionally changes down into 1st or 2nd are a bit clonky), and gaining in speed of change (which is pretty fast even when in smooth mode) and economy.
You have to say logically that a system which changes gear fast and smoothly, without power or efficiency losses, and either makes intelligent gear selections for you or gives you total control, is simply 'better' than a traditional manual. But you do lose out on a degree of satisfaction and involvement, which you cannot fully recover by using 'sequential' (ie manual) mode.
The comparison with a conventional auto is also interesting: the DCT box occasionally loses a little in smoothness to a smooth auto (sometimes changes into 1st or 2nd are a little clonky) and the gains in efficiency are probably pretty marginal. I look forward to comparing my car to a C63 which a friend is about to get.
The new gearbox costs about £2.5k; that's already quite expensive. If you are suggesting that the premium you would pay to buy a new car instead of a used one is entirely down to the gearbox that makes it extortionate - but of course there are other pleasures in buying new. In paying £58k for my car (yes, I know it now looks as though I should have got a decent discount, but I didn't think so when I committed to it a few months ago) I am not unhappy about the value - it is a very special car, and significantly cheaper than other cars of similar performance and quality (997S comes to mind!).
I cannot really comment on the manual. It seemed quite pleasant to me - but I should not think the change feels particularly similar to other 3's if only because the engine is so different. For what it's worth, the E46 is certainly far more difficult to drive smoothly than other 3's of the same generation - perhaps that is why so many people are prepared to put up with the downsides of SMG on E46's!
I always wished i'g gone for SMG in the E46 but in the E90 i think it's fine, I actually prefer the involvement of a manual, havenm't driven the new box and i'm sure it's great and worthy of consideration. However, for me, and this is my personal opinion, buying a new M3 with this box with a decent spec will push the car to 60k, fine if that's what you want but you will lose 10k automatically, for me that's not acceptable, I just couldn't accept throwing that sort of money away to say that my car was new, you may however might like to throw 10k away, like i said it's personal preference
Thanks for your opinions, although im not able to test drive the car for about 4 weeks i think i will appreciate the added technology that the DCT gives BUT seeing that there are a few Jerez Black Saloons with Red leather going for £45,995 (2000mls) I would have to pay around a £12,000 premium for the DCT gearbox...
which would be bonkers i think!
Thanks
Lee
which would be bonkers i think!
Thanks
Lee
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