335i and DCT - any good?!

[JNW1]

Thinking about a change and a relatively recent (58 plate or newer) E92 335i looks to offer most of what I'm looking for. My preference is for a manual box but unfortunately there don't seem to be any around at the moment; there are quite a few autos about but having driven one a while ago I'm not that keen (the change was smooth enough but I found the paddles for the manual function a bit counter intuitive!).

However, I've also noticed that a few DCT cars are available and just wondered if anybody had any experience of one and if so what do you think? I tried SMG (in a E46 M3 CSL) before I bought my current car and found that a bit jerky; however, DCT is a fundamentally different system so hopefully it avoids that problem?

The other main question I have is around the reliability and durability of the system. I've read on another forum that the clutches can need costly replacement at around 40k miles and that doesn't sound too clever to me as I'd expect at least double that out of a clutch with a manual box. I've also heard stories of software glitches with M3's equipped with this transmission so does that affect 335i's as well?

I guess the main plus with DCT is better control than you'd get with a conventional auto but the only way I'll know if it's for me is to find one and have a drive. However, I'd be interested in the views of others, especially if there are any reliability issues with the system!

[aeropilot]

JNW1 said:

The other main question I have is around the reliability and durability of the system. I've read on another forum that the clutches can need costly replacement at around 40k miles and that doesn't sound too clever to me as I'd expect at least double that out of a clutch with a manual box. I've also heard stories of software glitches with M3's equipped with this transmission so does that affect 335i's as well?

40k miles..... yikes

And I've heard (not confirmed) that it's a £2k+ job to do as well...?

I was going to ask the same question soon as well, as I was looking to order a 135i auto in a few months time, but, as of now the Steptronic auto has been dropped on the 135i in favour of the DCT with the switch over to the N55 engine from the N54 as fitted previously (and which is in the 335i).

If I order a 135i it will be on the basis of longer term ownership, say 6-8 years, and the though of several £2k+ clutch changes on the DCT, not to mention any other horror stories, is making me think twice about buying a BMW.

[JNW1]

aeropilot said:

JNW1 said:

The other main question I have is around the reliability and durability of the system. I've read on another forum that the clutches can need costly replacement at around 40k miles and that doesn't sound too clever to me as I'd expect at least double that out of a clutch with a manual box. I've also heard stories of software glitches with M3's equipped with this transmission so does that affect 335i's as well?

40k miles..... yikes

And I've heard (not confirmed) that it's a £2k+ job to do as well...?

I was going to ask the same question soon as well, as I was looking to order a 135i auto in a few months time, but, as of now the Steptronic auto has been dropped on the 135i in favour of the DCT with the switch over to the N55 engine from the N54 as fitted previously (and which is in the 335i).

If I order a 135i it will be on the basis of longer term ownership, say 6-8 years, and the though of several £2k+ clutch changes on the DCT, not to mention any other horror stories, is making me think twice about buying a BMW.

Picked-up the 40k miles from another forum and from memory it related to a long-term test car that Car and Driver were running in the US. I presume the DCT system fitted to American spec cars is the same as we get in the UK so if that sort of clutch life is representative it's a major negative as far as I'm concerned. Again from memory but I think the bill to sort it out was something like $3.5k which squares with your figure of over £2k.

Wish I could find a manual...!