E90 + DCT, who knew?

NetBoy · 10-19-2009, 03:35 PM

Last month I sold my 08 E93 M3 because of a baby on the way and other reasons.
Management gave the green light on a used 08 E90. My E93 was a 6MT but this time I had to get the DCT.

I was shocked at how hard it was to find a used E90 with DCT. I thought there would be no demand for this combo.
I found some for sale but the prices were jacked up. I called some of the dealers that sell near invoice and they found one 2009 loaded with DCT but wanted 1k below MSRP. Supply and demand.
There were two in Atlanta and they both sold close to MSRP. One Atlanta dealer said they planned on only ordering E90 with DCT.
I spoke to sales managers all over the US and learned this combo was getting high prices at auction, if there they could fine one.
Carmax had two for sale and they sold in a few weeks.

I was going to give up and get a 6MT E90. There were plenty of 08's and 09's for sale and the dealers were more than happy to lower their prices.

But I found a used E90 with DCT and the price was right. Drove it back home this past weekend. This is my fourth M3.
Took a lot of work, months searching, and 1,200 miles total driving. Oh, and intense negotiations with management

Sedan sales are low but BMW has a winner here.

Nawaaz · 10-19-2009, 03:41 PM

Congrats on the e90 M3 w/DCT.

I'm sure the 2 extra doors & DCT tranny will make the family life a lot easier now.

riyatch · 10-19-2009, 03:45 PM

congrats.
so how do you like the DCT. was the search worth it?

bavarian19 · 10-19-2009, 06:17 PM

I would still try to get a 6mt, but how is the dct?

ToddM3FutureOwner · 10-19-2009, 06:44 PM

congrats!! Management can be tough to deal with

URBAN LEGEND · 10-19-2009, 07:27 PM

DCT FTW again. 6MT FTL.

doba_s · 10-19-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I would still try to get a 6mt, but how is the dct?

DCT ROCKS!

ToddM3FutureOwner · 10-19-2009, 07:56 PM

does the DCT have the RPM matched downshifts like the IS-F trans?

URBAN LEGEND · 10-19-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddM3FutureOwner

does the DCT have the RPM matched downshifts like the IS-F trans?

All day long.

MTROIS · 10-19-2009, 08:04 PM

...so you had already done you break-in period by the time you got the car (so to speak!)

MTROIS · 10-19-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

DCT FTW again. 6MT FTL.

URBAN LEGEND · 10-19-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTROIS

lol!

ToddM3FutureOwner · 10-19-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

All day long.

awesome!! What is the big disagreement between the DCT and 6MT? It seems there is no grey area and you either love one and hate the other?

dolby · 10-19-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddM3FutureOwner

awesome!! What is the big disagreement between the DCT and 6MT? It seems there is no grey area and you either love one and hate the other?

I love both, but when technology progresses, I move on. There will always be the people who think old tech is better. Sort of like the ones that think LP records sound better than digital audio.

dolby

ToddM3FutureOwner · 10-19-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolby

I love both, but when technology progresses, I move on. There will always be the people who think old tech is better. Sort of like the ones that think LP records sound better than digital audio.

dolby

Thanks. I am doing some video searching now for the DCT to see how it behaves and sounds. I love the rev matching downshifts, sounds awesome!!

foosh · 10-19-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolby

I love both, but when technology progresses, I move on. There will always be the people who think old tech is better. Sort of like the ones that think LP records sound better than digital audio.

dolby

No, that is absolutely NOT the point. New technology is almost always better including DCT if you look purely at objective performance parameters.

The real point is for many of us is that manual transmissions are more "fun." A major part of the driving experience is the challenge for people like us. You have to enjoy the thrill of truly trying to master a manual. Few do.

DCT is simple, it does all the work for you. That isn't as much fun for many of us. When you're an amateur driving primarily on the street, carving off 10ths of seconds on a shift really isn't all that important. But, the driving experience is.

330CIZHP · 10-19-2009, 09:30 PM

Well said. A 6 speed manual holds its own. It has its own special place that will never be replaced by any electronic nanny driven transmission. It is purely subjective as to which one someone prefers. Each to his/her own.

To say, you give up nothing by switching from 6 speed manual to M-DCT is the most absurd thing by someone in denial and basically calling an orange purple. There are pros and cons for both. It is an apples to oranges comparison to begin with since experience of driving a manual is in no way replicated by driving a DCT car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foosh

No, that is absolutely NOT the point. New technology is almost always better including DCT if you look purely at objective performance parameters.

The real point is for many of us is that manual transmissions are more "fun." A major part of the driving experience is the challenge for people like us. You have to enjoy the thrill of truly trying to master a manual. Few do.

DCT is simple, it does all the work for you. That isn't as much fun for many of us. When you're an amateur driving primarily on the street, carving off 10ths of seconds on a shift really isn't all that important. But, the driving experience is.

dolby · 10-19-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foosh

No, that is absolutely NOT the point. New technology is almost always better including DCT if you look purely at objective performance parameters.

The real point is for many of us is that manual transmissions are more "fun." A major part of the driving experience is the challenge for people like us. You have to enjoy the thrill of truly trying to master a manual. Few do.

DCT is simple, it does all the work for you. That isn't as much fun for many of us. When you're an amateur driving primarily on the street, carving off 10ths of seconds on a shift really isn't all that important. But, the driving experience is.

Good point....sort of like how I prefer a a single speed mountain bike.

I for one tried for years to master the manual and enjoyed ever minute of it. After having the DCT, I do not miss the manual one bit and I LOVE the connection I have with the car and the road. For me having the paddle shifters lets me feel a little more "one" with the car.

To the OP, I bought my car from ATL recently and did much better than $1k off MSRP. Have you tried other dealers in the area?

Dolby

ToddM3FutureOwner · 10-19-2009, 09:51 PM

Dolby - What dealer in Atlanta did you buy your car from?

dolby · 10-19-2009, 09:54 PM

Adrian from BMW of South Atlanta

ToddM3FutureOwner · 10-19-2009, 09:55 PM

Thanks Dolby

jblaze · 10-20-2009, 06:56 AM

i forgot to say, its manditory your baby throws up on the way from the hospital

careful in the M

10-19-2009, 03:35 PM	#1
NetBoy Private First Class 29 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southeast iTrader: (0)	E90 + DCT, who knew? Last month I sold my 08 E93 M3 because of a baby on the way and other reasons. Management gave the green light on a used 08 E90. My E93 was a 6MT but this time I had to get the DCT. I was shocked at how hard it was to find a used E90 with DCT. I thought there would be no demand for this combo. I found some for sale but the prices were jacked up. I called some of the dealers that sell near invoice and they found one 2009 loaded with DCT but wanted 1k below MSRP. Supply and demand. There were two in Atlanta and they both sold close to MSRP. One Atlanta dealer said they planned on only ordering E90 with DCT. I spoke to sales managers all over the US and learned this combo was getting high prices at auction, if there they could fine one. Carmax had two for sale and they sold in a few weeks. I was going to give up and get a 6MT E90. There were plenty of 08's and 09's for sale and the dealers were more than happy to lower their prices. But I found a used E90 with DCT and the price was right. Drove it back home this past weekend. This is my fourth M3. Took a lot of work, months searching, and 1,200 miles total driving. Oh, and intense negotiations with management Sedan sales are low but BMW has a winner here.
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10-19-2009, 03:41 PM	#2
Nawaaz Brigadier General 221 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Congrats on the e90 M3 w/DCT. I'm sure the 2 extra doors & DCT tranny will make the family life a lot easier now.
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10-19-2009, 03:45 PM	#3
riyatch Lieutenant 15 Rep 474 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vegas iTrader: (1)	congrats. so how do you like the DCT. was the search worth it?
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10-19-2009, 06:17 PM	#4
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	I would still try to get a 6mt, but how is the dct?
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10-19-2009, 06:44 PM	#5
ToddM3FutureOwner New Member 1 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Future Owner Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	congrats!! Management can be tough to deal with
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10-19-2009, 07:27 PM	#6
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 412 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	DCT FTW again. 6MT FTL. __________________ 22 Audi RS E-Tron GT 21 Model S Plaid
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10-19-2009, 07:56 PM	#8
ToddM3FutureOwner New Member 1 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Future Owner Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	does the DCT have the RPM matched downshifts like the IS-F trans?
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10-19-2009, 08:04 PM	#10
MTROIS Major 188 Rep 1,153 Posts Drives: on the wrong side of the Ocean Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	...so you had already done you break-in period by the time you got the car (so to speak!) __________________ 2019 M2C MT (ED + PCD) \| 2008 M3 Coupé MT \| 1995 M3 LTW MT \| BMW CCA HPDE Instructor
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10-19-2009, 09:51 PM	#19
ToddM3FutureOwner New Member 1 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Future Owner Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Dolby - What dealer in Atlanta did you buy your car from?
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10-19-2009, 09:54 PM	#20
dolby Second Lieutenant 43 Rep 262 Posts Drives: 2009 e90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Adrian from BMW of South Atlanta __________________ - 1998 E36M3/4 (retired) - 2005 E46 330i ZHP (totaled) - 2007 E90 335i Black/Blk/Alu Trim (retired) - 2009 E90 M3 - Jet Blk on Blk mDCT - 1987 E30 325is - track car conversion in progress
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10-19-2009, 09:55 PM	#21
ToddM3FutureOwner New Member 1 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Future Owner Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Thanks Dolby
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10-20-2009, 06:56 AM	#22
jblaze Private First Class 11 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 05 range rover vogue SE Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: France iTrader: (0)	i forgot to say, its manditory your baby throws up on the way from the hospital careful in the M
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