m3 in heavy traffic

[2Late]

I have an m3 on order with MT. It looks like I will be moving in the near future to the Virginia area. I know that there is often heavy traffic there and am considering changing my order to the DCT. Anyone have experience of either in heavy traffic?

Normally I would go for an "automatic" in traffic but have read a few posts about about the DCT being touchy at slow speeds.

[bimmergoat]

If it's Northern VA//DC/MD forget about it. Get the DCT. Traffic is a nightmare in DMV!!!!

[GlobalScientist]

I'd think a stick has more control in heavy traffic. Get driver's assist if you want that extra protection!

[04RC51]

The DCT is only as touchy as your right foot. If you don't know how to drive, it will be touchy and your drive will reflect it. The E92's DCT was amazing and they have made the F82's unit even smoother IMO. Work of art!

[ThomasM4]

I've never had issues driving my DCT smoothly at low speeds. My wife doesn't either and she rarely even drives the car.

[accce]

I was in bumper to bump traffic this weekend on the Washington beltway. The DCT works great. Just put it in D and you will be fine.

[RickMonet]

6MT will work fine in traffic too.

But depends if you are stuck in bumper-to-bumper 5 mph traffic for 1 hour each day - that would suck in any car.

[bdoooh]

6MT in efficient mode in traffic has been great. Smooth.. Holds revs.. Rev matches to downshift even into first so you can keep up with traffic every time it moves and aren't that moron that leaves a 3 car gap.

Plus.. Keeps your left leg active which according to scientists by moving your legs more you live longer lol

[dclowd9901]

Car and Driver reported the DCT as being overly aggressive and rough feeling and recommended the manual for both cars.

M4 - "The most aggressive slams into the next gear too hard for street use, but we were annoyed that the slower settings take longer to respond to commands from the paddles."

M3 - "The more-relaxed settings don’t just soften shifts, they slow the response time of the shift paddles. So in the beginner modes, you pull the paddle and wait before the shift occurs. If you want shifts now, you will have to be OK with hard shifts. Even without firsthand experience, we’ll go ahead and assume that the manual is better."

I drove a manual 2014 m5 and hated the way the clutch felt (always kicking at the most inappropriate part of the uptake).

Does the DCT really feel that aggressive? I drove the M3 and don't remember the DCT feeling crummy at all (the BMW Genius had me "double click" the M to put the car in what I would assume is Sport + mode). But it could've just been the M3 high...

[dr2ray]

The DCT is not that sloppy. This is my first DCT, the rest of my cars have been manuals, and I adapted to it quickly. Parking was a chore until you figure out the creep function. I'd get the DCT.

[savaho]

I was in bay area traffic last week and the DCT worked flawlessly. You experienced it yourself so what does it matter what car and driver says? If you're in stop-n-go traffic why the hell would you want to use paddle shifters anyway?

[jbraslins]

DCT in medium S2 setting is perfect. qucik and smooth.

[gthal]

DCT is not too abrupt or rough other than in S3. S2 and it is fast and smooth.

Anyone who thinks a 6MT in extended/heavy traffic is a good idea have never experienced it (or not for long). The 6MT is perfectly fine in traffic but after about an hour of it moving a few feet at a time and it gets old real quick.

If I lived in the 'burbs or if the car was a weekend only car, I'd pick the transmission I liked. If I lived in an area with really bad and extended bumper to bumper traffic, the DCT is an absolute no-brainer. Period

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by dclowd9901

Car and Driver reported the DCT as being overly aggressive and rough feeling and recommended the manual for both cars.

M4 - "The most aggressive slams into the next gear too hard for street use, but we were annoyed that the slower settings take longer to respond to commands from the paddles."

M3 - "The more-relaxed settings don’t just soften shifts, they slow the response time of the shift paddles. So in the beginner modes, you pull the paddle and wait before the shift occurs. If you want shifts now, you will have to be OK with hard shifts. Even without firsthand experience, we’ll go ahead and assume that the manual is better."

I drove a manual 2014 m5 and hated the way the clutch felt (always kicking at the most inappropriate part of the uptake).

Does the DCT really feel that aggressive? I drove the M3 and don't remember the DCT feeling crummy at all (the BMW Genius had me "double click" the M to put the car in what I would assume is Sport + mode). But it could've just been the M3 high...

Maybe in maxed out sports settings its very tame in the efficient modes and low tranny settings.

[solstice]

Personally I'd rather save my money and swap to a 328i with a smooth AT if my commute was a mess of mostly extended stop and go traffic.

[hoffa3]

I have DCT and see HEAVY traffic daily no my way home from work. as everyone states it is as touchy as your right foot. I think it is 100% fine, I would think it would be a lot better than stickshift for traffic.

[tmaung]

In all seriousness, based on where you live and where you work, you may or may not hit traffic. I'm reverse traffic each day and only takes me 12 mins to work from Tyson to Alexandria area and about 18 mins going back home. I've had 6MT and DCT in my previous cars and I'm going back to 6MT because I get bored. To each their own though. DCT was no joke and super quick but I wanted the third pedal.

[ss134]

DCT is smooth in modes 1 and 2 and aggressive in 3- perfect for creeping along in traffic or instant blistering fast shifts when you want. Just choose the correct mode and it's excellent at both.

[IEDEI]

if you don't buy a manual because of "traffic"....then you don't drive a manual correctly in traffic and deserve an autobox.

If you know how to drive a manual properly in traffic....it's no big deal.

I DD my 1M through NYC every single day....I know about traffic. It's the same gearbox as the M3's and it is fantastic.....no need for a lazy DCT. Just learn how to leave gaps in bumper to bumper traffic....try to be in 2nd gear and take it easy.....traffic is no big deal.

Nothing against DCTs....they are great gearboxes....but no substitute for a manual IMO.

[Antipathy]

I HIGHLY recommend you reconsider moving to VA. I live in NOVA and the roads are the most policed out of any state in the US, and we have the lowest speed limits. We also have ridiculous personal property taxes, annual car safety inspections, and 2 year emissions testing. All revenue generating schemes.

If you go over 80mph or 20mph over the speed limit, you can get slammed with a reckless driving ticket which is a CRIMINAL offense here. This means jail time + heavy fees and a criminal record.

I cannot wait to move out of this god-forsaken state.

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by Antipathy

I HIGHLY recommend you reconsider moving to VA. I live in NOVA and the roads are the most policed out of any state in the US, and we have the lowest speed limits. We also have ridiculous personal property taxes, annual car safety inspections, and 2 year emissions testing. All revenue generating schemes.

If you go over 80mph or 20mph over the speed limit, you can get slammed with a reckless driving ticket which is a CRIMINAL offense here. This means jail time + heavy fees and a criminal record.

I cannot wait to move out of this god-forsaken state.

He's right. I wouldn't go anywhere near VA after reading this:

http://jalopnik.com/never-speed-in-v...-in-1613604053

[humpday]

Originally Posted by Antipathy

I HIGHLY recommend you reconsider moving to VA. I live in NOVA and the roads are the most policed out of any state in the US, and we have the lowest speed limits. We also have ridiculous personal property taxes, annual car safety inspections, and 2 year emissions testing. All revenue generating schemes.

If you go over 80mph or 20mph over the speed limit, you can get slammed with a reckless driving ticket which is a CRIMINAL offense here. This means jail time + heavy fees and a criminal record.

I cannot wait to move out of this god-forsaken state.

This is all true. It's hard to really flex this car's muscles in NOVA for all the reasons above. I'm outta here in a month, and it can't come soon enough.

BTW, DCT is awesome. Amazing piece of engineering.