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M2 Technical Topics > S55 Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust / Bolt-ons / Tuning > Manual or DCT

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      07-30-2018, 04:31 AM   #1
Traumatic
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Manual or DCT

A lot of people are saying manual over dct and the dct is quite harsh ?
I always thought the DCT gearbox was good and you can change how harsh it bangs the gear in anyway!

In my head i was always going to get the DCT, but is manual really the way to go Or is everyone just jumping on the manual bandwagon because it’s now the ‘cool’ thing to have ?
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      07-30-2018, 04:37 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Traumatic View Post
A lot of people are saying manual over dct and the dct is quite harsh ?
I always thought the DCT gearbox was good and you can change how harsh it bangs the gear in anyway!

In my head i was always going to get the DCT, but is manual really the way to go Or is everyone just jumping on the manual bandwagon because it’s now the ‘cool’ thing to have ?
You should be able to select how harsh the DCT is on the m2c. The original m2 you can't configure it, but the character of it changes depending on what mode the car is in (sport vs sport+).

As far as MT vs DCT, I'm staying out of that one. I'm sure you can find a DCT m4 to test drive, and maybe a MT M something.
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      07-30-2018, 05:07 AM   #3
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I'm having the same "problems".

Currently I have a M2C on order with a manual. In my mind I want to experience a manual on the track. But do I really?

I test drove a car with a manual recently, not an M car but a "sportier car" that had a manual, I was not impressed. It felt so slow to shift.

My current car is a Golf R MK7.5 with the DSG and I really like that box. Except for the stupid kick down that drives me crazy on the track since it is active even in manual mode...

Can you turn off the kick down on the M2C?


Anyway, do I really want the manual? I don't really know anymore. I think in my head I imagine it is is going to give me some "magical experience" but in reality it might not. Haha, yeah real problems I have
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      07-30-2018, 05:40 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Micke_B View Post
I'm having the same "problems".

Currently I have a M2C on order with a manual. In my mind I want to experience a manual on the track. But do I really?

I test drove a car with a manual recently, not an M car but a "sportier car" that had a manual, I was not impressed. It felt so slow to shift.

My current car is a Golf R MK7.5 with the DSG and I really like that box. Except for the stupid kick down that drives me crazy on the track since it is active even in manual mode...

Can you turn off the kick down on the M2C?


Anyway, do I really want the manual? I don't really know anymore. I think in my head I imagine it is is going to give me some "magical experience" but in reality it might not. Haha, yeah real problems I have
in manual mode it won't do anything for you except prevent a stall and prevent a money shift.

In auto kick down does drop to lowest gear.


if you want to drop to lowest gear in manual mode hit kick down and down shift paddle at the same moment. That's the only time kick down does anything in manual, and it's almost impossible to do by accident.
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      07-30-2018, 10:12 AM   #5
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I’ve read a few reviews that suggest that the DCT gearbox “is a better match” for the S55. Our very own MR feels pretty strongly about this.
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      07-30-2018, 10:16 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TucErDoc View Post
I’ve read a few reviews that suggest that the DCT gearbox “is a better match” for the S55. Our very own MR feels pretty strongly about this.
Having extensive seat time in both DCT and MT S55 cars I don't agree at all. The low end torque makes either transmission perform well. If anything this was much more true on the old S65 powered M3.

DCT is not great in automatic mode in my opinion. Very jerky and unfriendly. Its really good and fast when using the paddles though.
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      07-30-2018, 10:33 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
Having extensive seat time in both DCT and MT S55 cars I don't agree at all. The low end torque makes either transmission perform well. If anything this was much more true on the old S65 powered M3.

DCT is not great in automatic mode in my opinion. Very jerky and unfriendly. Its really good and fast when using the paddles though.

The DCT in my e92 M3 was jerky in Auto mode - almost reminded me of an e46 M3 SMG sometimes
The DCT in my M2 was slightly jerky once in awhile when I first got it, but a software update made it smooth as butter.

imho
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      07-30-2018, 12:51 PM   #8
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US demographics have so far saved the manual.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1519913
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      07-30-2018, 12:54 PM   #9
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Drive both then make the best decision for you, don't let others tell you what you should get.

With that said, get the manual.
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      07-30-2018, 12:57 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akkando View Post
You should be able to select how harsh the DCT is on the m2c. The original m2 you can't configure it, but the character of it changes depending on what mode the car is in (sport vs sport+).

As far as MT vs DCT, I'm staying out of that one. I'm sure you can find a DCT m4 to test drive, and maybe a MT M something.
Agreed - you can dial the harshness up or down with the additional options in the M2C - it's a nice thing to have (I use the different modes all the time on my F80).

One of my favorite aspects of the DCT vs. PDK - the Porsche didn't give you nearly as much ability to configure the shifting nature of the PDK. DCT is great in that regard.
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      07-30-2018, 01:40 PM   #11
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I opted for DCT in my build but I'm not sure if I will regret getting the manual. Main reason for DCT is because this will be my DD and driven in mostly hour long traffic each way. Haven't really driven the manual in the F80 or F87 but I heard the clutch is pretty light. Wonder if it's still worth going manual in long LA traffic everyday.

The DCT I had in the 2015 M4 was a bit rough but if you modulate the throttle in first and second, it's not too bad and you get used to it. Also I have driven a 2018 DCT M4 and there's a ton of improvements. No jerkiness at all when I drove one so I expect the M2C to be the same.

Last edited by HS_M2C; 07-30-2018 at 01:52 PM..
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      07-30-2018, 01:50 PM   #12
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Manual for me, the M2C wont be my DD.

I drive a Ford F-250 to go to work, so I need some fun on the weekend for tracking purposes and local meets!
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      07-30-2018, 01:58 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWboy6 View Post
I opted for DCT in my build but I'm not sure if I will regret getting the manual. Main reason for DCT is because this will be my DD and driven in mostly hour long traffic each way. Haven't really driven the manual in the F80 or F87 but I heard the clutch is pretty light. Wonder if it's still worth going manual in long LA traffic everyday.

The DCT I had in the 2015 M4 was a bit rough but if you modulate the throttle in first and second, it's not too bad and you get used to it. Also I have driven a 2018 DCT M4 and there's a ton of improvements. No jerkiness at all when I drove one so I expect the M2C to be the same.
I think I could deal with driving a manual in traffic, but I don't know about commuting in LA traffic. That is some nasty stuff!
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      07-30-2018, 03:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pz619 View Post
Drive both then make the best decision for you, don't let others tell you what you should get.

With that said, get the manual.
This. So much this.
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      07-30-2018, 04:16 PM   #15
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If you even ask, go manual. More engaging and less money.
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      07-30-2018, 08:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Micke_B View Post
I'm having the same "problems".

Currently I have a M2C on order with a manual. In my mind I want to experience a manual on the track. But do I really?
...
Anyway, do I really want the manual? I don't really know anymore. I think in my head I imagine it is is going to give me some "magical experience" but in reality it might not.
If you have to ask yourself "do I really want the manual", then you don't.
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      07-30-2018, 08:56 PM   #17
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Get the manual while you still can; its demise is sooner than you think..

#SelfDriftingCar:

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      07-30-2018, 09:37 PM   #18
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Current lci m2 6mt owner here and will be going dct on the m2c. Bay area traffic, plus a faster car overall persuaded me back to dct.
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      07-31-2018, 12:08 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pz619 View Post
Drive both then make the best decision for you, don't let others tell you what you should get.

With that said, get the manual.
Ha, classic.
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      07-31-2018, 12:22 AM   #20
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I have ordered for a DCT, but am struggling with this decision myself. All my sport cars have been manual. I even got my driver's license on a manual Camry of all things.

When my dad was teaching me how to drive many centuries ago (in the manual Camry), I would complain that everyone else was driving an automatic. He then told me, "If you want to remain my son, you better learn how to drive a manual."

Needless to say it stuck with me to this day and haunts me in my dreams.
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      07-31-2018, 12:47 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by csbear View Post
I have ordered for a DCT, but am struggling with this decision myself. All my sport cars have been manual. I even got my driver's license on a manual Camry of all things.

When my dad was teaching me how to drive many centuries ago (in the manual Camry), I would complain that everyone else was driving an automatic. He then told me, "If you want to remain my son, you better learn how to drive a manual."

Needless to say it stuck with me to this day and haunts me in my dreams.
That's hilarious! I don't think it's my place to tell anybody else what to get, but given that manual transmissions will soon become a thing of the past, I plan to get manuals for as long as I possibly can. It's a heart versus brain sort of thing. My brain says that DCT is technologically superior and just makes more rational sense. But, somehow, I just love rowing through the gears myself. So long as manuals continue to be offered, I'll keep getting 'em.
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      07-31-2018, 12:54 AM   #22
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If you’re seriously asking this question, I’d wager that you were also seriously considering the Tesla Model 3, or as their fanboys call it: M3. Smh.

I haven’t driven stick since a 2004 WRX and chose to equip my LCI with the 6MT. Long live the standard. If you can’t drive it, go buy the Audi or Tesla. Hah.

Then again, if you’re actually in Europe, I can appreciate the pride you might have for the German engineering of the DCT. It might be smart to get it while you can. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ZF replaces it in the next iteration.

Last edited by cornercase; 07-31-2018 at 01:00 AM..
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