[newguy8]

Hi guys,

Provisionally ordered my M2 - still need to decide between Manual vs DCT.
Drove an M4 with the DCT - was great and a blast to drive for sure.
But if I'm honest a little too laid back and disengaged without shifting the gears myself.

I know DCT changes slicker,quicker and more efficient etc. - but surely the difference in speeds isn't noticeable for the average driver.

I think I'd rather "drive" the car, the paddles just don't quite do it for me.

Launch control- for those that have DCT when do you realistically use this feature?


I'm in the camp of this being my first BMW and M car at that.
DCT also stretches the limits of my budget so I'm quite heavily leaning towards manual.
Any input would be great guys!

[Driver37]

Am I the only one who prefers the "notchy feel" of older vehicles?

I wouldn't buy a stick past the E46 M3.

(I would rock an e60 M5 in a stick because holy cow that DCT is horrid)

However, when I drive the M4s and M235s in a 6 speed it feels a bit numb. It actually feels disengaged to me... Like its a stick for beginners.

Just my .02

[Hazey82]

Originally Posted by newguy8

Hi guys,

Provisionally ordered my M2 - still need to decide between Manual vs DCT.
Drove an M4 with the DCT - was great and a blast to drive for sure.
But if I'm honest a little too laid back and disengaged without shifting the gears myself.

I know DCT changes slicker,quicker and more efficient etc. - but surely the difference in speeds isn't noticeable for the average driver.

I think I'd rather "drive" the car, the paddles just don't quite do it for me.

Launch control- for those that have DCT when do you realistically use this feature?


I'm in the camp of this being my first BMW and M car at that.
DCT also stretches the limits of my budget so I'm quite heavily leaning towards manual.
Any input would be great guys!

You have answered your own questions mate. Get the manual. I'm like you. You will get bored of DCT. You want to be in control and more engaged. Launch control is marketing bullshit. You will probably use it once when you first by the car and that's it. It will probably be the last manual offered in a BMW so get one while you can.

[Transfer]

Except for drag races, there is no reason ever to use launch control.

[chmura]

Manual for me. This is suppose to be a raw M2 and manual is the only way to own this car!

Plus I want to keep this car past warranty ends. No way I will keep a dct BMW after warranty.

[OrangeCrush]

Manual.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by chmura

Manual for me. This is suppose to be a raw M2 and manual is the only way to own this car!

Plus I want to keep this car past warranty ends. No way I will keep a dct BMW after warranty.

Do you know the prices for both if they have to be replaced? I'm going with manual for sure, just curious.

[Reid]

Originally Posted by Driver37

Am I the only one who prefers the "notchy feel" of older vehicles?

I wouldn't buy a stick past the E46 M3.

(I would rock an e60 M5 in a stick because holy cow that DCT is horrid)

However, when I drive the M4s and M235s in a 6 speed it feels a bit numb. It actually feels disengaged to me... Like its a stick for beginners.

Just my .02

I have had E36 M3, E46 M3, E92 M3, F82 M4, all with manual transmissions. The F82 easily has the best transmission out of the bunch. The M2 is getting the transmission out of the F82, which is great news.

F82 > E46 > E36 > E92

[chmura]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Do you know the prices for both if they have to be replaced? I'm going with manual for sure, just curious.

I don't know the exact price but it's $$$.

Usually independent shops won't touch a dct trans. And if you go to a dealer they will basically tell you to replace the entire trans. Which they will charge you an arm and a leg. Not worth going to the dealer unless it's warranty work.

For me owning a dct long term is not with the headache. Dct is only good for a lease vehicle IMO.

[dmboone25]

I've never used it on my 981 CS PDK - I am not even sure how to do it.

I think it's more of a gimmick than anything

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Funny how some things transcend generations of vehicles.

The discussion around DCT dependability is one thats been on the M3/M4 forums back to my E92 days...As are the it will cost more to repair and should be for a lease vehicle only points of view.

I don't recall any dependability issues with DCT - at all. Loved mine. It was rock star solid.

I get the love for manual as a reason not to get a DCT, but dependability is not a reason to forgo DCT. At least that I'm aware of.

[vampire81]

never used LC on my 135i with dct..
though the dct can be engaging if u drive in manual mode, i still miss the manual and thats what i ordered

[Corinne]

I have never owned an automatic or DCT car. When I test drove a series 2 the other day, it had the 8 speed sport auto gearbox. Very smooth, worked well with manual gear changes both on the paddles and the stick and I thought it perfect for the numerous traffic jams I suffer when commuting. However my main problem was that I never knew which gear I was in, even when changing manually, without looking at the number on the instrument panel. Since I don't see myself doing THAT when driving, I don't think I'm going to go for DCT. It does feel disconnected as everyone says. It'll be manual for me I think.

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by Corinne

I have never owned an automatic or DCT car. When I test drove a series 2 the other day, it had the 8 speed sport auto gearbox. Very smooth, worked well with manual gear changes both on the paddles and the stick and I thought it perfect for the numerous traffic jams I suffer when commuting. However my main problem was that I never knew which gear I was in, even when changing manually, without looking at the number on the instrument panel. Since I don't see myself doing THAT when driving, I don't think I'm going to go for DCT. It does feel disconnected as everyone says. It'll be manual for me I think.

How do you know what gear you are in on a manual car?
I don't really see the difference, you either know what gear you are in or you have a look (display or shifter).

Fine, it is a bit easier to remember what you shifted to in a manual car as it is a physical shifter but not a huge difference.

[Denk]

Originally Posted by Corinne

I have never owned an automatic or DCT car. When I test drove a series 2 the other day, it had the 8 speed sport auto gearbox. Very smooth, worked well with manual gear changes both on the paddles and the stick and I thought it perfect for the numerous traffic jams I suffer when commuting. However my main problem was that I never knew which gear I was in, even when changing manually, without looking at the number on the instrument panel. Since I don't see myself doing THAT when driving, I don't think I'm going to go for DCT. It does feel disconnected as everyone says. It'll be manual for me I think.

It really helps to be able to hear what the engine is doing. I drive DCT by sound and feel. It's 7 gears as opposed to 8 which helps. I didn't like so many gears on the M235i I test drove plus I couldn't hear the engine enough. So yeah, popping through gears it was easy to get lost a little without looking at the display. The M2 "should" have more engine presence for the driver than the standard 2 series which will help navigating DCT.

As much as I love DCT, if I pick up the M2 it'll most likely be a 6MT.
It's the sweetest manual I've driven in an M car.

[doberzus]

In the 6MT... YOU are the LC.

I love that because: you don't have to press 10 buttons to get LC setup, you don't have to wait for warmup and cooldown of the DCT, and if you know how to drive the 6MT properly, the LC(or you) never fails to engage. The LC in the M3/M4 is not practical, plus the DCT has a lag in 1st from a standstill that drives me crazy.

Nothing beats the full control of a 6MT for driving pleasure. The M2 will be an absolute pleasure with the 6MT and many, many thanks to BMW for still offering it as a no cost option

[Makman]

I have also not decieded yet even tho I orderd one with DCT. Its so hard...I miss the manual and I think it would be superfun in a M2 but the auto is just so good all around...

[DrKevM5]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

Funny how some things transcend generations of vehicles.

The discussion around DCT dependability is one thats been on the M3/M4 forums back to my E92 days...As are the it will cost more to repair and should be for a lease vehicle only points of view.

I don't recall any dependability issues with DCT - at all. Loved mine. It was rock star solid.

I get the love for manual as a reason not to get a DCT, but dependability is not a reason to forgo DCT. At least that I'm aware of.

DCT has been pretty much bullet proof in its latest iteration. I've had to replace my clutch twice in my manual F10 M5. Never had an issue with my SMG cars, and that's with heavy track usage. DCT is even better.

[newguy8]

thanks all

Certainly leaning to manual at the moment - the cost savings over DCT help me in my situation.
My dealer is trying to get me a 235i manual test drive so I can decide once and for all.
In addition I've never tracked a car- would definitely look to do it in the future but certainly majority will be "canyon carving" as such, which I think I'd enjoy more in a manual.

[J88]

Had a GTR and have to say the paddle shift on that when you were giving it some on a spirited drive and on track was great. Around town it was rubbish until the software update.

The launch control was great too, but other than showing off, doing drag racing and launches at sprint events it wasn't much use.

The feel of a manual is hard to beat though

[DDR MFS]

First DCT owned is on my current E92 335is. Literally sat on the decision until my dealer called and said I needed to make a decision or lose the build slot back in 2013.

Love the DCT paired with the N54 and it is sharp in regular drive mode and lethally crisp in "Sport" mode. I have used LC at auto-X events and depending on the course, I find have found it both useful and unnecessary depending on the layout. Agree that for straight lines or messing around on a strip, it is great but if you are cutting the corners, then it's sort of situationally dependent.

That said, I am deciding between a F80 and F87 (four V two doors is the deciding factor). I suggest going to the dealer and testing a 6MT M235i/235i. My dealer let me borrow a 335is for the day in DCT before buying and it sold the deal for me. Also used the F80 DCT at the M School and it was perfect in my opinion for the motor. Drove by feel and sound and agree that you either know what gear you are in or you don't (ADD scan the instruments).

All this said, I am going to take my own advice and at least test drive a M235i in 6MT to see how it feels. I am considering going back to the manual but only for this car. F80 with DCT is definite but I think the M2 may warrant a 6MT based on its formula as a new approach to the lightweight, rabid 2002, E30, etc...

Again, take it for what it is worth and best of luck!

[MrOhnoez]

Originally Posted by Driver37

Am I the only one who prefers the "notchy feel" of older vehicles?

I wouldn't buy a stick past the E46 M3.

(I would rock an e60 M5 in a stick because holy cow that DCT is horrid)

However, when I drive the M4s and M235s in a 6 speed it feels a bit numb. It actually feels disengaged to me... Like its a stick for beginners.

Just my .02

Well...The E60 M5 was a SMG not a DCT