manual v dct

rossgc · 03-04-2009, 11:38 PM

I'm planning on buying an e90 soon. I've never owned a car with manual transmission. I know how to drive manual (not great, but good enough to drive any manual car). RIght now I am leaning toward getting the 6-speed rather than DCT, however I'd be interested in hearing other people's thoughts. I do enjoy driving a stick, but people have told me I will get sick of it after a while. ANother thing that concerns me after test driving is how stiff the clutch is, and whether I will grow tired of that.

I'd also like to say that I really enjoy driving, and I am buying this car as opposed to a luxury SUV (likely range rover) bc I know the m3 will be way more fun to drive. So basically, right now I am deciding whether the 6 speed will add to that fun for me, or ultimately detract from it and make me wish I got dct.

any thoughts, experiences, or advice is appreciated.

Paddy · 03-04-2009, 11:41 PM

Definitely (IMO) the 6MT will add to your enjoyment of the M3. You'll become one with the car!

makots · 03-04-2009, 11:53 PM

I love the 6MT all the way man! I don't believe in the flappy paddle gearboxes man. I think they are great too but I can't see myself driving a paddle shift. Nothing beats matching revs with a heel and toe downshift man! the DCT does give off a nice crack from the exhaust when changing gears. But that isn't enough to sway me away from the three pedals. haha. But i think you should just test drive both and see which one you like better. No one should be making the decision for you man! Be true to yourself, you'll be the one that will be driving it everyday! As long as it puts a smile on your face, we are all happy for you. haha.

Jimmer · 03-04-2009, 11:55 PM

You'll love either..... go with your gut.

FStop7 · 03-05-2009, 12:15 AM

Sometimes I think people start these threads as a joke, because there's no possible way they could seriously be starting yet another one.

sard · 03-05-2009, 12:24 AM

Best thing you can do for yourself is to drive someone's DCT the way you normally drive. Not with the Sales Advisor breathing over your neck "keep it under 4k rpm". Sounds like you've already driven the manual so yah.. it's a big investment so try your best to actually just test drive and see yourself.

gthirtyfizle · 03-05-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

Sometimes I think people start these threads as a joke, because there's no possible way they could seriously be starting yet another one.

Ronin13 · 03-05-2009, 12:46 AM

This thread has the potential to get ugly. I'd say get the 6MT. The clutch actually seems relatively light to me. The parts that detracted from my personal experience in this car were the longish throws and a desire for more directness in engagement. Not bad, same feelings I had about my last manual clutch M3. My concern is if you are trying to decide between a MT and an "auto". While DCT has an auto mode, you may be disappointed if your experience is with torque converter automatics and expect DCT to behave that way. It has some quirks that show up during the low speed commute. I really enjoy DCT. I always use manual gear selection and typically drive in aggressive street/track settings. Works great in that mode.

Doc · 03-05-2009, 12:49 AM

These threads are like apples .. one a day..

04S · 03-05-2009, 12:49 AM

Why do we have to keep seeing these threads. There are about 1000 of them. Is there any need to start another ?

gr8000 · 03-05-2009, 12:50 AM

PLEASE do a basic search before posting! There are multiple posts on this exact same issue with threads over threads containing user feedback. Have a read and if you still feel like you didnt have enough then go on and post a new post asking a more specific question.

Cab5er · 03-05-2009, 01:11 AM

Do it! What ever it was that you were going to to do.

JohnnyRoaster · 03-05-2009, 01:14 AM

Get one of each and sell the one you like less.

Seriously, it depends on your commute and traffic conditions. It also depends on if you are leasing or buying. The DCT could get very expensive after the warranty runs out. The whole transmission has to be purchased to the tune of 8-10 grand from what I have heard. It kind of sounds like you have already talked yourself into the manual. Drive both and go with your gut.

And please, do a search first next time.

C17MooseDriver · 03-05-2009, 01:25 AM

03-04-2009, 11:38 PM	#1
rossgc New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: texas iTrader: (0)	manual v dct I'm planning on buying an e90 soon. I've never owned a car with manual transmission. I know how to drive manual (not great, but good enough to drive any manual car). RIght now I am leaning toward getting the 6-speed rather than DCT, however I'd be interested in hearing other people's thoughts. I do enjoy driving a stick, but people have told me I will get sick of it after a while. ANother thing that concerns me after test driving is how stiff the clutch is, and whether I will grow tired of that. I'd also like to say that I really enjoy driving, and I am buying this car as opposed to a luxury SUV (likely range rover) bc I know the m3 will be way more fun to drive. So basically, right now I am deciding whether the 6 speed will add to that fun for me, or ultimately detract from it and make me wish I got dct. any thoughts, experiences, or advice is appreciated.
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03-04-2009, 11:41 PM	#2
Paddy Captain 74 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 18' M2, AW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Definitely (IMO) the 6MT will add to your enjoyment of the M3. You'll become one with the car!
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03-04-2009, 11:53 PM	#3
makots First Lieutenant 49 Rep 341 Posts Drives: '08 e92 M3 AW 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (2)	I love the 6MT all the way man! I don't believe in the flappy paddle gearboxes man. I think they are great too but I can't see myself driving a paddle shift. Nothing beats matching revs with a heel and toe downshift man! the DCT does give off a nice crack from the exhaust when changing gears. But that isn't enough to sway me away from the three pedals. haha. But i think you should just test drive both and see which one you like better. No one should be making the decision for you man! Be true to yourself, you'll be the one that will be driving it everyday! As long as it puts a smile on your face, we are all happy for you. haha. __________________ 2008 AW/BLK M3 6MT / Eisenmann Race / H&R / HID Angels / 3D Front & Rear Lip / UUC SSK / TE37 / Turner Pulleys / 4.10FD & 2 Clutch Salisbury Diff / Escort 9500ci
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03-04-2009, 11:55 PM	#4
Jimmer Private First Class 8 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i with MPE Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (0)	You'll love either..... go with your gut. __________________ Certified High Performance Driving Instructor - BMW of North America, Porsche Club of America / Chief In-Vehicle Instructor - Fleet Safety International Gone but not forgotten: 2008 E92 M3; Eisenmann Race Exhaust / Dinan 3.62 Limited Slip Differential / Dinan Software / Dinan High-Flow Intake / Dinan Camber Plates / Dinan Lowering Springs / Dinan Sway-Bars
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03-05-2009, 12:15 AM	#5
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	Sometimes I think people start these threads as a joke, because there's no possible way they could seriously be starting yet another one. __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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03-05-2009, 12:24 AM	#6
sard Major 235 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	Best thing you can do for yourself is to drive someone's DCT the way you normally drive. Not with the Sales Advisor breathing over your neck "keep it under 4k rpm". Sounds like you've already driven the manual so yah.. it's a big investment so try your best to actually just test drive and see yourself.
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03-05-2009, 12:46 AM	#8
Ronin13 First Lieutenant 21 Rep 362 Posts Drives: E92 M3, RRS Supercharged, S2K Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: STL, MO iTrader: (0)	This thread has the potential to get ugly. I'd say get the 6MT. The clutch actually seems relatively light to me. The parts that detracted from my personal experience in this car were the longish throws and a desire for more directness in engagement. Not bad, same feelings I had about my last manual clutch M3. My concern is if you are trying to decide between a MT and an "auto". While DCT has an auto mode, you may be disappointed if your experience is with torque converter automatics and expect DCT to behave that way. It has some quirks that show up during the low speed commute. I really enjoy DCT. I always use manual gear selection and typically drive in aggressive street/track settings. Works great in that mode.
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03-05-2009, 12:49 AM	#9
Doc Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 288 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW/Blk sunroof 19s Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town, South Africa iTrader: (0)	These threads are like apples .. one a day..
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03-05-2009, 12:49 AM	#10
04S Captain 174 Rep 837 Posts Drives: M4 xDrive, X5 40i and U11 X1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Why do we have to keep seeing these threads. There are about 1000 of them. Is there any need to start another ?
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03-05-2009, 12:50 AM	#11
gr8000 Major 72 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	PLEASE do a basic search before posting! There are multiple posts on this exact same issue with threads over threads containing user feedback. Have a read and if you still feel like you didnt have enough then go on and post a new post asking a more specific question.
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03-05-2009, 01:11 AM	#12
Cab5er Colonel 80 Rep 2,339 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 (Sold) 13 A1 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fremont, Hainan iTrader: (22)	Do it! What ever it was that you were going to to do. __________________ E90 ///M3/ AW/ Fox Red
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03-05-2009, 01:14 AM	#13
JohnnyRoaster Captain 42 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 09 Jerez Black M3 Sedan Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Outside Beantown iTrader: (0)	Get one of each and sell the one you like less. Seriously, it depends on your commute and traffic conditions. It also depends on if you are leasing or buying. The DCT could get very expensive after the warranty runs out. The whole transmission has to be purchased to the tune of 8-10 grand from what I have heard. It kind of sounds like you have already talked yourself into the manual. Drive both and go with your gut. And please, do a search first next time.
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03-05-2009, 01:25 AM	#14
C17MooseDriver Captain 20 Rep 878 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	__________________
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