E9x M3 DCT vs. Manual
Discussion
Couldnt find another thread on this but the search function was being a bit weird, so sorry if this is a repost.
Anyway, looking through the AUC cars the vast majority are DCT, especially recent ones. I don't know why im kind of surprised at this. Usually, when a car comes out people say "pity it doesnt come with a manual etc.". Weren't people kind of jealous that the E60 M5 was available in the US with a manual?
Is the DCT really that good? I've got a test drive in one with DCT this week but would like to hear from owners of both.
Anyway, looking through the AUC cars the vast majority are DCT, especially recent ones. I don't know why im kind of surprised at this. Usually, when a car comes out people say "pity it doesnt come with a manual etc.". Weren't people kind of jealous that the E60 M5 was available in the US with a manual?
Is the DCT really that good? I've got a test drive in one with DCT this week but would like to hear from owners of both.
Edited by Owlwood on Wednesday 27th February 18:53
I thought a similar thing. Obviously there were going to be a lot of dct cars for sale but I was very surprised about the sheer lack of manual ones available. Especially as the M3 is aimed more at the enthusiasts market.
Based on this I'm sure BMW could justify not even offering a manual on the new m3/4.
Personally I'm not bothered if my laps are quicker or my shifts can be completed in milliseconds - I've ordered one with a manual. Its the interaction and control of a manual that adds the last part or interactivity. Block changing, heal and toe downshifts, foot to the floor in 5th just because it sounds nice - manual all the way.
Although clearly I'm in the minority...
Based on this I'm sure BMW could justify not even offering a manual on the new m3/4.
Personally I'm not bothered if my laps are quicker or my shifts can be completed in milliseconds - I've ordered one with a manual. Its the interaction and control of a manual that adds the last part or interactivity. Block changing, heal and toe downshifts, foot to the floor in 5th just because it sounds nice - manual all the way.
Although clearly I'm in the minority...
Personal preference I think! I've got DCT and specifically wanted a DCT just cos I loved it when I drove it! I think thats it really! Its personal preference isn't it! I have a manual 911 which I chose over the PDK version, again on personal preference! Theres no right or wrong answer!
Good to hear from some manual owners.
I'm looking forward to trying the DCT. It must do something to justify its popularity and the 2.6k difference. Weirdly, im interested in how it works at low speeds. Parking can be tight around where I live. If it struggles with that I probably couldnt live with it.
I'm looking forward to trying the DCT. It must do something to justify its popularity and the 2.6k difference. Weirdly, im interested in how it works at low speeds. Parking can be tight around where I live. If it struggles with that I probably couldnt live with it.
I had to have mine in a manual & I was surprised how many are available as DCT, I just think in time the manual version of the high revving naturally aspirated M3 will be fondly remembered as we are now in a time where most cars have blown engines coupled to a twin clutch gearbox.
I accept I live in the past & I am old fashioned at only nearly 40! But I love three pedals, we have a twin clutch gearbox in the TT-S & that bores me to tears to drive.
I have drove the DCT in the M3 & it is an awesome quick shifting gearbox but its just not for me but really it's all just personal preference if you are doing mega miles or on a track every weekend then the DCT makes sense, if not enjoy the interaction of a manual & blip the revs yourself!
I accept I live in the past & I am old fashioned at only nearly 40! But I love three pedals, we have a twin clutch gearbox in the TT-S & that bores me to tears to drive.
I have drove the DCT in the M3 & it is an awesome quick shifting gearbox but its just not for me but really it's all just personal preference if you are doing mega miles or on a track every weekend then the DCT makes sense, if not enjoy the interaction of a manual & blip the revs yourself!
Edited by cerb4.5lee on Wednesday 27th February 20:43
Guys - I own a manual and its a great feeling during spirited gear changes,with a light whip of the tail end in the first few gears.
I have however driven the M3 at Oulton park and know now that the dct is perfect for track use cos I wont be able to change down as fast during late braking.
For me the dct on cruise mode just sounds like an old school automatic - obviously its a different story when you give it the beans
I have however driven the M3 at Oulton park and know now that the dct is perfect for track use cos I wont be able to change down as fast during late braking.
For me the dct on cruise mode just sounds like an old school automatic - obviously its a different story when you give it the beans
I've had both, and prefer the manual.
I test drove a DCT after years of driving manuals, and loved it. Ordered the car and at first was convinced that I'd made the right decision. However, after a while I realised that something was missing and that the experience was too much like a playstation. After 15 months finally admitted to myslef that whilst I loved the M3, I didn't like the DCT box so changed the car for a manual with virtually the same spec (even ordered it in the same colour of Melbourne Red as I think it looks great) and haven't looked back.
Many people think that I have a downer on the DCT but that's just not the case. I have a great deal of respect for it and have to admit that it's far better at changing gear than I'll ever be. It's just that I'm old fashioned and enjoy using the clutch and gearstick to execute the perfect change; very rarely do, but on the odd ocassion that I manage it the sense of satisfaction is great.
As others have said, it's all down to personal preference, but I'd recommend a good long test drive before opting for the DCT if you've only had manuals up to now. As for me, I'll always buy a manual and if BMW decide that the new M3/M4 will only come as a DCT, then they've lost me as a customer, so I'll have to find something else that ticks all the boxes.
I test drove a DCT after years of driving manuals, and loved it. Ordered the car and at first was convinced that I'd made the right decision. However, after a while I realised that something was missing and that the experience was too much like a playstation. After 15 months finally admitted to myslef that whilst I loved the M3, I didn't like the DCT box so changed the car for a manual with virtually the same spec (even ordered it in the same colour of Melbourne Red as I think it looks great) and haven't looked back.
Many people think that I have a downer on the DCT but that's just not the case. I have a great deal of respect for it and have to admit that it's far better at changing gear than I'll ever be. It's just that I'm old fashioned and enjoy using the clutch and gearstick to execute the perfect change; very rarely do, but on the odd ocassion that I manage it the sense of satisfaction is great.
As others have said, it's all down to personal preference, but I'd recommend a good long test drive before opting for the DCT if you've only had manuals up to now. As for me, I'll always buy a manual and if BMW decide that the new M3/M4 will only come as a DCT, then they've lost me as a customer, so I'll have to find something else that ticks all the boxes.
Kiernan said:
As for me, I'll always buy a manual and if BMW decide that the new M3/M4 will only come as a DCT, then they've lost me as a customer, so I'll have to find something else that ticks all the boxes.
There are many with a similar view, but I suspect that we will find the choice of cars with a manual option will become an ever dwindling list.RossP said:
Seems us Rossi(!?) stick together!
O/T - yeah - i'll even admit to having a petrol jeep cherokee aswell similar to yours - as a snow/dog car - my 3.7 v6 is even worse on fuel than the M3!back on topic - i doubt round a track or in a straightline a manual is as quick as a DCT - I have not driven a DCT M3 so cannot make a comparision - but i am told by those who have that it is light years ahead of the SMG in a CSL - which i have driven and thought was clumsy - i guess its all pretty subjective - i do not have to do much town driving so manual works for me
Kiernan said:
As for me, I'll always buy a manual and if BMW decide that the new M3/M4 will only come as a DCT, then they've lost me as a customer, so I'll have to find something else that ticks all the boxes.
This is the same view as I have & the next one will almost certainly be DCT only, they are such a fantastic allround car & it will be a shame if it isn't offered as a manual, I still think there are a few die hard manual fans out there that appreciate the extra involvement. Before I bought my M3 i thought if they had done a manual E60 M5 I would have got one of them instead, I love the power of the Nissan GTR but the twin clutch puts me off them aswell, some might call me narrow minded but I know what I enjoy & two pedals isn't the way forward for me.
This question is entirely dependent on how you plan to drive the car. I was anti DCT, then I drove one, great technology that allows you to focus on other areas of your driving and I figured that the extra cog suited the nature of the engine a little better. However, after some thought I stuck with manual on the basis of my usage and that I would most likely get bored in time once the novelty had worn off, the car is already a little too refined as standard. I'm not sure the extra cost for a used DCT is warranted either, but if stop start traffic is a big part of your normal journeys then DCT is probably a more suitable option.
Edited by daz05 on Friday 1st March 00:54
daz05 said:
This question is entirely dependent on how you plan to drive the car. I was anti DCT, then I drove one, great technology that allows you to focus on other areas of your driving and I figured that the extra cog suited the nature of the engine a little better. However, after some thought I stuck with manual on the basis of my usage and that I would most likely get bored in time once the novelty had worn off, the car is already a little too refined as standard. I'm not sure the extra cost for a used DCT is warranted either, but if stop start traffic is a big part of your normal journeys then DCT is probably a more suitable option.
Spot on explanation, when I drove the DCT M3 I was blown away with its quick shifting & it matched the high revving v8 very well, but my heart lies in a manual but if I was doing 30k miles a year the DCT would be a no brainer if you had money for the fuel costs! Edited by daz05 on Friday 1st March 00:54
I know I would get bored very quickly with DCT as our TT has the S-Tronic box in it & I know they are totally different cars but just putting your foot down & holding on doesn't excite me & playing with the paddles is great on the playstation but not so great in a road car.
I'm finding this thread quite heartening for two reasons.
Firstly, that there are still plently of us who love a manual gearbox for the interaction that it provides above all else. We appreciate that it may not be the fastest way of changing gear, but in a car as quick as an M3 it makes no difference in the real world; I can get to speeds in my manual car that would set me into serious trouble with the Police pretty quickly if a decide to go for it.
The other thing is that no one's having a go at the DCT box. It's nice to see intelligent comments accepting the positives and negatives of both types. I so often read these threads which end up as a manual v DCT slagging match with both camps claiming to have 'the best'. The truth is there is no 'best', it's all down to personal preference and emphasises the need for a good long test drive. If having done that you fall for the DCT, then good luck and enjoy your purchase.
Either way, the M3 is a fabulous car with such depth of ability that it takes quite a while to get to know properly.
Firstly, that there are still plently of us who love a manual gearbox for the interaction that it provides above all else. We appreciate that it may not be the fastest way of changing gear, but in a car as quick as an M3 it makes no difference in the real world; I can get to speeds in my manual car that would set me into serious trouble with the Police pretty quickly if a decide to go for it.
The other thing is that no one's having a go at the DCT box. It's nice to see intelligent comments accepting the positives and negatives of both types. I so often read these threads which end up as a manual v DCT slagging match with both camps claiming to have 'the best'. The truth is there is no 'best', it's all down to personal preference and emphasises the need for a good long test drive. If having done that you fall for the DCT, then good luck and enjoy your purchase.
Either way, the M3 is a fabulous car with such depth of ability that it takes quite a while to get to know properly.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff