Throttle Response MT vs DCT vs Mileage

[Hazey82]

So I’ve had the M3 for a couple months, its manual and done 2,500km (1550 miles). I find the throttle to be quite numb/Heavy even in sport/sport plus and it’s because I’m comparing to my E46. But this is not my point. FYI I did not baby the car during break in and its just had its first service.

The point is I drove the BMW driver training cars on the track yesterday which were DCT and had 5000km (3100miles) and the throttle was far more responsive to mine. I can only describe mine as feeling muted, tight or heavy.
The BMW cars felt more free revving and very sensitive and because of that I now get when people here and reviews say for a turbo car it’s quite responsive. Im just not seeing that in my car. I drove it in sport and tested same gear same rpm e.g 4000rpm, 5000rpm.
DCT just seemed to spool quicker and be lighter feel on the throttle

1. Is this a Manual vs DCT thing? or
2. Does the S55 really open up that much over the next few thousand km's contributing to the better throttle response? I just can’t see how this could be because it’s quite significant.

Just throwing it out there, when I have the window open, on medium throttle I can hear the induction and turbo spool, is this normal for the S55 or do I maybe have an intake leak that's causing the mute response. I might check the hoses and clamps..
Would be great to hear someone who has driven Manual and DCT. It’s enough to make me think the DCT is the better transmission than the manual. Don’t want this to turn out to be a manual vs DCT war though.

Remember this is not a "which is better Manual vs DCT" discussion. Please focus on my 2 questions

Cheers

[dinonz]

Dumb question - don't hate me - but you went for your 1200 mile service right? Just wondered if that service changes something, or maybe they forgot to set something after the service?

[Hazey82]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Dumb question - don't hate me - but you went for your 1200 mile service right? Just wondered if that service changes something, or maybe they forgot to set something after the service?

It had its first service. Engine and diff oil. The power is there and its my understanding nothing else is done to give you extra power. But as mentioned its not a power thing is a throttle response/lag thing

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Hazey82

It had its first service. Engine and diff oil. The power is there and its my understanding nothing else is done to give you extra power. But as mentioned its not a power thing is a throttle response/lag thing

I honestly have no idea, but I wonder if the BMW techs aren't supposed to press a magic button - I've heard of DCT owners mention "launch control will now be available" - I just wondered if certain behaviors and engine mappings weren't available until the BMW techs hit the button after that service. Wondered if there's a chance they didn't hit the magic button after yours?

[GrussGott]

Yeah, hopefully the McCoys don't start shootin over this agin, but I thought the same thing ... MT doesn't feel matched to this car for some reason I'm not smart enough to ID. I love MTs but not for me in this car.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Yeah, hopefully the McCoys don't start shootin over this agin, but I thought the same thing ... MT doesn't feel matched to this car for some reason I'm not smart enough to ID. I love MTs but not for me in this car.

I hope not. My 6MT arrives in the next 2 months. It will be awesome!

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I hope not. My 6MT arrives in the next 2 months. It will be awesome!

You'll have a real tough time being unhappy

[Never Convicted]

This is an important question, because as far as I know, the 6MT vs DCT choice has never been discussed on this board.

[MadZarBMR]

Curious what your typical shift points are for normal, spirited and aggressive driving? I agree that throttle response does seem muted and heavy below 3K RPM, but for me it really comes alive when you push it over 3K. Did you happen to catch what mode the DCT was in? If you drove it in manual, did you happen to catch at what RPMs you were shifting? This could just be a matter of how aggressive the DCT was set when you drove it. Whenever I drive a DCT in manual mode, I tend to over rev mainly because I am overthinking the entire shifting process due to always driving a 6MT. The result is the car feels much more alive.

I personally like that the car is somewhat subdued below 3K which makes driving around town much more manageable.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I hope not. My 6MT arrives in the next 2 months. It will be awesome!

I have the MT, love it for long canyon or country roads. What it's not good for is stop light to stop light racing or constant city driving. It's fast but not as quick as the DCT. Dropping the clutch will only leave you spinning in a cloud of smoke if you attempt to take a capable automatic off the line. You will always play catch up with an MT. No worries, you'll love it!

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

You'll have a real tough time being unhappy

Why is it every time I see you post I read your name as "GussGrott"?

Yeah - thanks for that. Every time I don't get the acceleration I expect from my M3 I'm going to imagine your avatar under my throttle and press really HARD!

[F30MSport]

I have a 6MT and previously drove the DCT M4 and there is no way it's numb compared to the DCT. The car pulls hard in every gear, not sure if you're in a higher year and mashing the gas (ex. If you're in 4th gear and doing 30mph don't expect to take off like a rocket).

For reference I've also owned an e39 M5 and there's no comparison with this car it's a totally different monster and I loved that car. No acceleration problem whatsoever.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by shortseller

I have the MT, love it for long canyon or country roads. What it's not good for is stop light to stop light racing or constant city driving. It's fast but not as quick as the DCT. Dropping the clutch will only leave you spinning in a cloud of smoke if you attempt to take a capable automatic off the line. You will always play catch up with an MT. No worries, you'll love it!

You're right - I will love it. Thankfully, I work from home - so my driving is mostly when I want to (i.e. not in peak hour traffic) and where I want to... I am so looking forward to this. I tried to like the DCT which really is amazing but I just can't give up the fun of 3 pedals and a gear shift. Don't care if it's slower or old school or anything - it's there for pure pleasure alone!

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by MadZarBMR

...I personally like that the car is somewhat subdued below 3K which makes driving around town much more manageable.

[gprgeorge]

I got a sprint booster drive by wire on my throttle. Makes the throttle response quicker. I've had one of these on each one of my M3. Makes the car very lively. I think there is also one called s Remus responder.

[Hazey82]

Guys guys lets stay on topic. Throttle response is the point here. I tested same gear same rpm.
The DCT just felt like it was more eager to go! Power was the same I'm talking about throttle response. It feels lighter. In mine it feels more heavy.

[DaBean]

Only thing that could cause that is that the DCT gears are slightly closer. Otherwise, the cars are identical (aside from the extra weight of DCT and the archaic third pedal on the 6MT)

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by DaBean

Only thing that could cause that is that the DCT gears are slightly closer. Otherwise, the cars are identical (aside from the extra weight of DCT and the archaic third pedal on the 6MT)

Enjoy your automatic

[Hazey82]

Guys guys lets stay on topic. Throttle response is the point here. I tested same gear same rpm.
The DCT just felt like it was more eager to go! Power was the same I'm talking about throttle response. It feels lighter. In mine it feels more heavy.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Hazey82

Guys guys lets stay on topic. Throttle response is the point here. I tested same gear same rpm.
The DCT just felt like it was more eager to go! Power was the same I'm talking about throttle response. It feels lighter. In mine it feels more heavy.

Ok - in all fairness... if you're a Kiwi I'll be nice. If you're Australian - game on

Sorry - I cannot see any reason for the difference you're experiencing. Wish I had something more to offer.

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by Hazey82

Guys guys lets stay on topic. Throttle response is the point here. I tested same gear same rpm.
The DCT just felt like it was more eager to go! Power was the same I'm talking about throttle response. It feels lighter. In mine it feels more heavy.

if anything i feel the dct throttle response is sometimes too touchy in sport and sport+

[Hazey82]

Originally Posted by HELLOimJ

if anything i feel the dct throttle response is sometimes too touchy in sport and sport+

I much preferred it because it was closer to feeling NA