6MT or DCT?

[Jim B]

I test drove an F80 with DCT before I ordered my M4. I've been driving manuals for 47 years and I see no reason for me to change now. The 6MT in my M4 is the best I've ever driven. I always drive in Sport mode and I really like the rev-matching on downshift feature. It doesn't hurt that I saved $2900 either.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

I understand, and I'm not arguing either.

I just think that "more fun" is very subjective.

"More fun" to you may not be the same for me, or everyone else.

Drive both, and then get the one you want, for your specific reasons.

The manual was extremely fun, but that fun would be offset by the times I don't feel like shifting (long trips, traffic, etc.)

The DCT is also extremely fun, and when I don't feel like it, I can just relax. And a lot of time, I'm just relaxing...enjoying the many other features that the M has to offer.

But, to each their own....you got what you wanted, and so did I. And everyone should.

I understand that. That's why I said "in my opinion" if you noticed.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by cntzl

I learned how to drive when I was 13-14 in a manual car. I drove only manuals until I was 22. I drove in every condition. Snow, heavy rain, heavy traffic, hours of mountain driving, or hours of highway driving etc. I'm now 26 and I drove AT cars for the last 4 years. During my MT years, I never said "Oh, this is so tiring, I wish I had an AT", not once! I never complained although, I have to admit, it was a little tiring sometimes, especially driving 7-8 hours straight. However, during my ownership of an F30 for the last 2 years, I remember saying "I wish this car had 6MT" several times. It got too boring too quicky. That's why I went with 6MT this time when I ordered my M4. My commute to work is always in heavy traffic both ways all the time and I still love the 6MT. I'm sure DCT can shift faster than I do and it probably has a different fun factor but those are not enough reasons for me to choose it over 6MT.

well said, same for me except i never owned an automatic.

[landshark99]

I love the DCT

[SMC23]

It was a no brainer for me. Plan to drive this car to the ground and the 6MT is the less costlier, proven, option in the long run (hopefully)!

[Richy Rich]

Originally Posted by cntzl

I learned how to drive when I was 13-14 in a manual car. I drove only manuals until I was 22. I drove in every condition. Snow, heavy rain, heavy traffic, hours of mountain driving, or hours of highway driving etc. I'm now 26 and I drove AT cars for the last 4 years. During my MT years, I never said "Oh, this is so tiring, I wish I had an AT", not once! I never complained although, I have to admit, it was a little tiring sometimes, especially driving 7-8 hours straight. However, during my ownership of an F30 for the last 2 years, I remember saying "I wish this car had 6MT" several times. It got too boring too quicky. That's why I went with 6MT this time when I ordered my M4. My commute to work is always in heavy traffic both ways all the time and I still love the 6MT. I'm sure DCT can shift faster than I do and it probably has a different fun factor but those are not enough reasons for me to choose it over 6MT.

I complain about this with my beater M4 every fucking day.

I also live in LA, so traffic here isn't comparable to anywhere else. So when it takes you 2 1/2 hours to go 10 miles, then tell me you won't bitch about the repetitive nature becoming tiring.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by Richy Rich

I complain about this with my beater M4 every fucking day.

I also live in LA, so traffic here isn't comparable to anywhere else. So when it takes you 2 1/2 hours to go 10 miles, then tell me you won't bitch about the repetitive nature becoming tiring.

I feel for you. Although I work in NYC, I live in the suburbs, and I get to truly enjoy driving my M (6MT). If I lived in the city, I'd only keep a car like the M for weekend getaways. There's no way to enjoy the car, 6MT or DCT, in that traffic.

[GrussGott]

What a great thread for psychologists. Granted there's not really any super deranged people here, but it's a fantastic melange of ego and identity disorders... which can be more interesting.

My damage, being a bit of an engineering dork, is the constant equating of DCTs to automatics - mostly because it's factually wrong since they're totally different gear sets (planetary vs synchros and such), not to mention that most planetary gear sets have torque converters (except the Benz AMG trannies).

Although I do get why that nerd point is lost on your meathead types.

[landshark99]

I have zero desire to go back to a manual shift, in fact BMW basically only keeps them around for the US market. The DCT lets me concentrate on the whole car when driving not just left foot talents.
I also agree confusing an AT with a DCT is factually incorrect, just like thinking the manual is completely manual when you have rev matching and clutch servos

[AIRPOWER]

You can try and apply all the engineering terminology and explanations that the DCT is not an automatic and the manual is not a manual or you can make it simple.......do you want a car that automatically shifts for you or do you want to do it yourself. And yes I understand you can manually shift the DCT if you want to.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. It's a personal choice. For me it was a no brainer. MT is synonymous with sports car but that is just my opinion.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

do you want a car that automatically shifts for you or do you want to do it yourself.

Yeah and for other people it's not an "if" but a "how". As a nerd, I'm not just buying the car, but also the engineering. It's an art thing. Oddly with phones and shit I"m a late adopter. but with bikes, boats, and cars I'm in it for the engineering as much as what it does.

[landshark99]

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

You can try and apply all the engineering terminology and explanations that the DCT is not an automatic and the manual is not a manual or you can make it simple.......do you want a car that automatically shifts for you or do you want to do it yourself. And yes I understand you can manually shift the DCT if you want to.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. It's a personal choice. For me it was a no brainer. MT is synonymous with sports car but that is just my opinion.

one correction: for most of us with a DCT only the clutch is controlled by the car, every one I know shifts their DCT

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

You can try and apply all the engineering terminology and explanations that the DCT is not an automatic and the manual is not a manual or you can make it simple.......do you want a car that automatically shifts for you or do you want to do it yourself. And yes I understand you can manually shift the DCT if you want to.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. It's a personal choice. For me it was a no brainer. MT is synonymous with sports car but that is just my opinion.

Even on the 6MT, some of the shifting functions are done "automatically" (sychromesh, clutch damper, rev-matching, etc...) .

[TheLegend]

They're both great transmissions. Honestly I can understand if your a die hard manual guy your gonna want a manual car, but this superiority complex has to go, if it makes you feel manlier to operate your own clutch so be it. It's not like the majority of the DCT owners don't know how to drive manual. I have a dct M4 and my daily driver is a focus st 6mt. I enjoy both transmissions in their own right. If I can afford two m4 with one dct and one MT I would. I've driven manuals that also feel disconnected from the car. The focus st has tall gears, rev hang, long rubbery throws, driving the manual transmission didn't feel all that engaging as I was expecting.. In my old 335i the clutch delay valve drove me nuts. Now my old sti that 6mt now that was a fantastic transmission that made me feel connected.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by TheLegend

They're both great transmissions. Honestly I can understand if your a die hard manual guy your gonna want a manual car, but this superiority complex has to go,

Personally I think most of the superiority talk in this thread has come from the DCT guys and not from the 6MT guys ... but who cares.

[landshark99]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Personally I think most of the superiority talk in this thread has come from the DCT guys and not from the 6MT guys ... but who cares.

I would suggest that comes from calling the DCT an automatic

I also agree my STI had a really great MT

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Personally I think most of the superiority talk in this thread has come from the DCT guys and not from the 6MT guys ... but who cares.

DCT guys feel they have the superior technology
6MT guys feel they are superior as drivers



I know, I am generalizing. But I still think it sums it up well .

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

DCT guys feel they have the superior technology
6MT guys feel they are superior as drivers



I know, I am generalizing. But I still think it sums it up well .

I have a 6MT and although I consider myself to be an excellent driver, I have no delusions about driving superiority.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have a 6MT and although I consider myself to be an excellent driver, I have no delusions about driving superiority.

I did say it was a generalization, so it does not apply to everyone.

But re-read the 100 pages or so of this thread, and you'll see that my statement isn't that far off .

[Viking123]

I have mostly owned manuals and my current M3 is a manual. That said, I am strongly considering switching to a DCT when my lease expires (mostly because I can't know what I truly prefer unless I also try owning a DCT).

My only concern is winter driving on snow/ice. For people who have owned both, do you feel like you have less control with a DCT in the winter? For example, do you get stuck from a standstill more easily because you can't use your clutch to modulate? Do you miss being able to use your clutch to instantly go into neutral to reduce friction (e.g. If your rear tires are starting to slide around a corner)?

[AIRPOWER]

Originally Posted by landshark99

one correction: for most of us with a DCT only the clutch is controlled by the car, every one I know shifts their DCT

I believe I said I understood that in my original post, therefore your correction is invalid.

Also if you own a DCT and manually shift the gears doesn't that defeat the purpose of it? Could have saved yourself $2900.

[AIRPOWER]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Even on the 6MT, some of the shifting functions are done "automatically" (sychromesh, clutch damper, rev-matching, etc...) .

True but last I checked unless I MANUALLY shift to the next gear I will redline and probably blow my engine. My 6MT has no option to AUTOMATICALLY do this for me like the DCT. Like I said over engineer all you want.