F11 530d /535d ZF8 or DCT?
Discussion
Green George said:
Hi, I am looking for an approved used F11 (2014 onwards). I noticed on the BMW search engine there are two auto options of the ZF 8 speed or a DCT box. What are the pros and cons?
Interesting, the look of the BMW AUC database has changed, since yesterday. I didn't know the 5 series came with a DCT but read this, the only plus of the ZF8 which is an ordinary auto, tho very good, that I can imagine is maybe it's more economical?
http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/07/09/dct-transmission...
530D/535D only came with the ZF 8HP.
There is two slightly different versions though (and different 8HP variants to cope with torque and bhp are used throughout the BMW range) - the normal one and the sport one (from memory the 535D only ever came with the sport variant). The gearstick is slightly different between them so the difference is obvious.
The DCT was only ever in the M cars (in this case) the M5. But for the F90 even this now uses the 8HP.
There is two slightly different versions though (and different 8HP variants to cope with torque and bhp are used throughout the BMW range) - the normal one and the sport one (from memory the 535D only ever came with the sport variant). The gearstick is slightly different between them so the difference is obvious.
The DCT was only ever in the M cars (in this case) the M5. But for the F90 even this now uses the 8HP.
Edited by Ninja59 on Tuesday 12th September 10:06
Ninja59 said:
530D/535D only came with the ZF 8HP.
The DCT was only ever in the M cars (in this case) the M5. But for the F90 even this now uses the 8HP.
I believe there was a 1 series coupe with the 35i engine that had the DCT gearbox too - but very few exist.The DCT was only ever in the M cars (in this case) the M5. But for the F90 even this now uses the 8HP.
Edited by Ninja59 on Tuesday 12th September 10:06
just re-read your post - assume you mean 5 series when you say 'in this case'
gizard said:
I believe there was a 1 series coupe with the 35i engine that had the DCT gearbox too - but very few exist.
just re-read your post - assume you mean 5 series when you say 'in this case'
As this was the F10/11 platform then, yes, only 5 series, or technically "speaking" anything to do with the F01,F06,F10,F11,F12,F13, RR04 (not sure there are any other cars on the same platform).just re-read your post - assume you mean 5 series when you say 'in this case'
But interesting either way as in recent times nothing but M cars has had DCT and even that looks to not be continuing.
I believe it was this very website that reported 5 that BMW were dropping the M DCT for the ZF8 slusher. More disappointing is that they also intend to drop the manual from 3 series upwards and that everything below the 3 series, i.e. The 1 and 2 series, will be FWD 3 and 4 pots.
So here endeth the combination of RWD, straight six and manual box.
Every day I appreciate my manual 335i more and more, especially with the hydraulic steering.
So here endeth the combination of RWD, straight six and manual box.
Every day I appreciate my manual 335i more and more, especially with the hydraulic steering.
Mike335i said:
I believe it was this very website that reported 5 that BMW were dropping the M DCT for the ZF8 slusher. More disappointing is that they also intend to drop the manual from 3 series upwards and that everything below the 3 series, i.e. The 1 and 2 series, will be FWD 3 and 4 pots.
So here endeth the combination of RWD, straight six and manual box.
Every day I appreciate my manual 335i more and more, especially with the hydraulic steering.
TBH I just cannot see the point of a manual 5 series. I am surprised the F10 was even available with a manual as most of them I come across all have the ZF8 (or DCT for the M5).So here endeth the combination of RWD, straight six and manual box.
Every day I appreciate my manual 335i more and more, especially with the hydraulic steering.
What is wrong with the ZF8 to be used in the M Cars? The X5M/X6M never saw the DCT and came with the ZF8. In honesty having driven mine for with a ZF8 for 20k, and being very much an "anti" auto type, I am a convert and in real day to day driving rarely do I miss a manual.
The only real negatives of the ZF8 are when it is cold and the odd moment of slowness, but the rest of the time simply an awesome gearbox (something that not can be said for the 9 spd variants from many reports).
Ninja59 said:
530D/535D only came with the ZF 8HP.
There is two slightly different versions though (and different 8HP variants to cope with torque and bhp are used throughout the BMW range) - the normal one and the sport one (from memory the 535D only ever came with the sport variant). The gearstick is slightly different between them so the difference is obvious.
The DCT was only ever in the M cars (in this case) the M5. But for the F90 even this now uses the 8HP.
My 2011 335i is DCT...There is two slightly different versions though (and different 8HP variants to cope with torque and bhp are used throughout the BMW range) - the normal one and the sport one (from memory the 535D only ever came with the sport variant). The gearstick is slightly different between them so the difference is obvious.
The DCT was only ever in the M cars (in this case) the M5. But for the F90 even this now uses the 8HP.
Edited by Ninja59 on Tuesday 12th September 10:06
Dave
Ninja59 said:
TBH I just cannot see the point of a manual 5 series. I am surprised the F10 was even available with a manual as most of them I come across all have the ZF8 (or DCT for the M5).
What is wrong with the ZF8 to be used in the M Cars? The X5M/X6M never saw the DCT and came with the ZF8. In honesty having driven mine for with a ZF8 for 20k, and being very much an "anti" auto type, I am a convert and in real day to day driving rarely do I miss a manual.
The only real negatives of the ZF8 are when it is cold and the odd moment of slowness, but the rest of the time simply an awesome gearbox (something that not can be said for the 9 spd variants from many reports).
Must be a very different ZF8 box to the one fitted to the current 520d... That box makes sapped all the fun out of driving spiritedly. Very disconnected feeling, simply too many gear changes made it feel like the car was misfiring all the time and sport mode just made the diesel rev higher, which just seems to make more noise. What is wrong with the ZF8 to be used in the M Cars? The X5M/X6M never saw the DCT and came with the ZF8. In honesty having driven mine for with a ZF8 for 20k, and being very much an "anti" auto type, I am a convert and in real day to day driving rarely do I miss a manual.
The only real negatives of the ZF8 are when it is cold and the odd moment of slowness, but the rest of the time simply an awesome gearbox (something that not can be said for the 9 spd variants from many reports).
Maybe it suits a petrol better, but the ZF8 seems far less engaging than the DSG boxes I have tried. Not tried an M DCT though.
I spotted a high spec manual F10 535i the other day. 13 plate and 40k miles. Must be one of the only ones in the UK, certainly the only one for sale. I bet it will be very desirable one day...
Mike335i said:
Must be a very different ZF8 box to the one fitted to the current 520d... That box makes sapped all the fun out of driving spiritedly. Very disconnected feeling, simply too many gear changes made it feel like the car was misfiring all the time and sport mode just made the diesel rev higher, which just seems to make more noise.
Maybe it suits a petrol better, but the ZF8 seems far less engaging than the DSG boxes I have tried. Not tried an M DCT though.
I spotted a high spec manual F10 535i the other day. 13 plate and 40k miles. Must be one of the only ones in the UK, certainly the only one for sale. I bet it will be very desirable one day...
It depends on your point of view and driving nature. Granted I have options for my day to day commute of twisty A Road or motorway. I find the ZF8 perfect for either - although on both there is significant levels of traffic, in BMW's case the gearbox takes about 8 weeks to full adapt to your style and type of driving after that period the changes should be significantly smoother. Maybe it suits a petrol better, but the ZF8 seems far less engaging than the DSG boxes I have tried. Not tried an M DCT though.
I spotted a high spec manual F10 535i the other day. 13 plate and 40k miles. Must be one of the only ones in the UK, certainly the only one for sale. I bet it will be very desirable one day...
Changing to sport mode locks out 8th and holds on to gears longer. In addition, if memory serves the Active Sound changes as well (goes for any recent or current model).
In brutal honesty I think the ZF8 is not the issue more that you drove a 520D. Ultimately the gearbox is only trying to make the best of the engine it is mated to (and depending on mode decides how quickly it will move through the gears trying to be economic).
Post 2015 of course they were also linked to the sat nav and downshft prior to arriving at say roundabouts (subject to the maps being updated).
As for disconnection that goes for any form of auto type box, but I accepted that (as I currently also have a manual car as well (which will be going soon).
The biggest reason for BMW beginning to dump the DCT was the packaging requirements/size/weight of a DCT and the fact that they were not actually really that much quicker than the ZF8 in the most recent guise and if based on my colleagues M4 the ZF8 does a better job of being a full auto (probably mostly thanks to the TC).
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