PH Fleet Update: BMW M3

PHer RacingPete gives up his old ideology for Lent

By RacingPete / Thursday, 18 February 2010 / Loading comments

As a non-believer I'm not sure why Lent should inspire us give up certain things, but I'm prepared to go with the flow and re-launch my annual campaign to stop eating junk. This year I have decided to give up my car ideology too.

This once religiously-held belief states that the ultimate driving machine must match a few key components. It must be driven by the rear wheels; have a naturally aspirated unit under the bonnet; fill up using the green coloured pump; and have a manual gearbox. Driving the SEAT diesel touring car last year started me off on a bit of a rethink, but the PH fleet M3 is changing the manual gearbox requirement, too.

As mentioned in our

previous report

, the M3 is fitted with BMW's new M dual-clutch transmission which, as a £2,535 option is not the cheapest tick box to select, but the tick is well worth it. The gearbox has two oil-cooled wet clutches and uses the first clutch for the odd numbered gears and the other clutch for the even gears. So when on the move one of the clutches is always open and the other closed ready for the next gear.

Combined with the transmission is the BMW Drivelogic system. This allows for five different shift modes while in automatic, and six while in manual - including a launch control system. I have to admit I haven't used all eleven modes since getting the car, as I either spend my time in manual super-fast shift mode or stuck in city traffic with the auto non-reactive mode selected. So why is this gearbox so good?

The system is very similar to the DSG 'boxes fitted across the VAG range, but there is a significant difference in the way the two companies have applied them. For some unknown reason and one that still bugs me the DSG stick has been fitted the wrong way round. If I decide not to use the paddles and pretend to be a touring car driver with a sequential transmission then I expect to pull back when accelerating and go up through the gears, and vice-versa when under braking g-force. BMW have got this right with the DCT and my brain is happy.

Another thing the M3 allows you to do is hit the rev limiter. Cleverly as the car warms up the rev counter slowly rotates the limit to match the heat of the engine and in turn saves you from chattering the pistons into an explosive frenzy under the bonnet. But the fact the gearbox allows you to bounce all day off the rev-limiter makes you feel you still have control over what this transmission is doing.

But the key reason for choosing this auto gearbox over the manual alternative is down to speed. Even when you're 'on it', as a rough average it takes a good driver a minimum of 0.3 seconds to change gear manually, and this car does it in less than 0.1 seconds. A pull on the left paddle and I can advance up the gears as if I was sitting with a Playstation controller in my hands. In fact it is a little surreal that the car can change gear with such quick reactions, and I have occasionally found myself just flicking up and down the 'box in awe.

OK, it isn't all plain sailing (or should I say changing) with this gearbox as there are still certain situations where you do wish you had a manual. In snowy conditions of the sort we've recently experienced, taking an M3 out on its regular tyres is probably not the best choice (even if it is the fun one!) and the gearbox does not help.

With no clutch pedal to slip I did find myself slightly embarrassed to be sitting at a set of traffic lights as the rear decided to accelerate and not move. Selecting second gear and some gentle throttle dabs to try and encourage the car to move forward on idle did the trick, but it is nowhere near the clutch control you get with manual.

The other issue is when manoeuvring at slow speeds. Having no clutch means you have to play with the throttle to get the car to creep forward for a little bit. Reversing into a tight parallel park requires a deft touch of the controls and a blip to get it to creep a little, so you do miss the clutch for those situations.

But these little gripes do not detract from my love for the car which grows every time I drive it. So it's definitely not on the list of things to give up for Lent, even if my own automotive ideology is suffering as a result.