[ksspacegray07]

soo im getting out of a 328 6 speed mt, looking for a 335is in 6mt, but all's I ever find is the DCT

Just wondering if anyone could chime in that has came off a 6mt and into an is with DCT

I personally love driving manual, would love someone to persuade me

[mythek]

the general consensus is dct shifts faster than manual. but it really come down to personal preference. from my personal experience, I find manual still allows me to have better/more control than shifting with paddles.

[vanondemand]

DCT especially if your in the city.

[Gizm0]

If you are a MT lover, don't but an AT, you'll regret it... OK the AT shifts quicker, but can't equal the rewards and pleasure provided by a mt if you are like me...

[alexg212]

I have a dct 335is. No regrets. The test drive didn't give me a real feel for it, but it is super smooth and crisp. When stuck in traffic it's always nice to put it in auto mode. You can definitely feel the difference between dct and a regular AT though, no matter what mode.

[Miller335]

I'm a die hard manual kind of person but I would be OK with a DCT knowing it's an actual clutch and not a torque converter.

At least that's how I would justify it.

Plus that tech is far from being GEN1 now, that would make me feel better.
When those manufactures were making their first DCT/SMG/PDK etc transmissions I thought the people who were buying those cars for long term use were mad.

[nanceman]

Don't give up! I've got a 335is 6MT and damn do I love that thing (plus, as you mention, it's more rare than you can believe). Like has been said, it doesn't matter how advanced automatics or automated-manuals get, either you'll want the manual or you won't. I've spent some time driving a DCT and a good amount of time with the new ZF 8AT and the entire time it felt like I was commuting rather than driving, and, to me, that is a difference I could never live with.

Like I said, I haven't gone from MT to DCT completely, but I did test drive other 335is' before I got mine and while the DCT was fun, for me personally I could tell the novelty, if you will, wore off and I seriously missed the involvement and complete control an MT gives you. And when I say control I mean on the street to rip past someone then settle back into a cruise without the logic controls trying to hold gear and aggressive throttle mapping. I completely understand that for an all out race car where you're at the limit all the time the DCT has HUGE advantages.

This is NOT a 6MT vs DCT post, but a personal preference insight. If you love manuals stick with them, or else you will be disappointed.

[ashmostro]

A DCT really does not feel like an AT. I hate the slushbox feel of a torque converter more than the fact that I'm not rowing gears. Yes being able to "index" your gear is easier on an MT particularly on the track, but you do get used to the concept on the DCT by listening to the car and driving by feel.

On the street, I find DCT to be very fun and pretty much 90% of the time am in full manual mode anyway (using the paddles or the slapshift).

I miss driving a 6MT maybe once a month. FWIW.

[Aubie4Pres]

Came from a 6MT 535 E60 to my DCT 335is vert. Having driven manuals my whole life I had my reservations. I must say I very rarely miss the 6MT, especially since I do a small commute each day. As others have mentioned it does not feel like a AT and when in manual sport mode running through the gears it's a blast.

Will all that said, when I can afford a weekend/track toy it will be manual.

[P-rex]

The 335is was specifically made for the DCT.... The only 3 series with it (non-M).... and only the DCT can give you the added overboost...

If you want manual... get a 335i and mod the diffuser and PPK to come clues to the power

IMHO

[captainaudio]

If you prefer an MT and don't think you will be happy with the DCT I would go for the MT. They are definitely out there but it may take a while to find one.

On the latest generation ZF Automatics the torque converter is only used for smooth starts and is locked up once the car is moving. The 8 speed ZF is actually available without a torque converter (a multi-plate clutch is used instead) although at this point BMW does not offer a car with that option.

I have driven examples of both back to back on a track and in terns of driver interface and feel the ZF AT and the DCT are almost indistinguishable.

[Gizm0]

A quick autotrader shows a few MT 335is within 100 miles of NYC...


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...52285869&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...58467412&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...55430807&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...58029841&Log=0

[ashmostro]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

If you prefer an MT and don't think you will be happy with the DCT I would go for the MT. They are definitely out there but it may take a while to find one.

On the latest generation ZF Automatics the torque converter is only used for smooth starts and is locked up once the car is moving. The 8 speed ZF is actually available without a torque converter (a multi-plate clutch is used instead) although at this point BMW does not offer a car with that option.

I have driven examples of both back to back on a track and in terns of driver interface and feel the ZF AT and the DCT are almost indistinguishable.

I agree the new at is quite impressive.

[jwzimm]

One thing that has bugged me about the DCT's is their repairability. As I understand they are monumentally expensive to replace the clutches once they wear out (and yes, they do wear out; they are clutches afterall). Can anyone speak to this?

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

One thing that has bugged me about the DCT's is their repairability. As I understand they are monumentally expensive to replace the clutches once they wear out (and yes, they do wear out; they are clutches afterall). Can anyone speak to this?

I can't imagine having to change the clutch on this monster...

[orneryduck]

I'm actually aiming to sell my current car and possibly get a 335, primarily because I prefer shifting and have missed it since falling into an automatic.

The DCT is not really an automatic; mechanically it is a manual but the computer assists with the throttle, timing and fully-manages clutch engagement. The purpose of the second clutch is so that the projected next gear can be pre-loaded to reduce the time between clutch engagements. A person with an MT will never be as fast as a DCT, especially given the mechanical benefit of the secondary clutch and gear set.

I have not driven a DCT yet to comment but the opinions are generally positive from a performance standpoint. There is a reason that many professional race cars use this type of gearbox. It reduces the risk of operator error, reduces time at which power is not being applied and offers the consistency of an automatic without the performance and feedback drawbacks associated with a torque converter. I still really want an MT, but I'm keen to try a DCT in order to form a fair opinion.

[Mardio]

I would obviously suggest you test drive the dct and see what you think. For me traffic is just too much for a manual. As stated above the fast shifting is pretty amazing.

[The Cleaner]

What you need to do is decide is you want a Manual 100% of the time or would you like a Manual when you want it and an Auto when you want it. I have had all 3 types of transmissions, auto, manual and DCT. My choice is a DCT over the other 2 by a very large margin. The DCT has several personalities depending on what mode you choose a manual has only 1. The DCT is also unique to the 335is so equipping it with a manual seems like you would be missing something, I mean you can buy any 335 manual and save money.

I cant speak to maintenance first hand but so far there is not much on the M3 forums to indicate it has a short or expensive cost of ownership. What I do read about are people that think the DCT will act just like an Auto and it does not. First gear in the morning can have a little shutter and reverse will be slow to engage and will feel like the clutch is engaging as you start to move, more like a manual.

[JohnnyCanuck]

I have a 6MT, but my wife's car is an Audi with the DSG. I enjoy driving her car because I do it rarely, but there is no matching the control I feel of the car with a true MT. That's especially true in winter weather.

It's a shame that there are fewer and fewer cars with manual gearboxes. While modern dual clutch trannies shift faster, you still lose a touch of that connected feel and you definitely lose an element of control, especially if you do a lot of engine braking (which I do ... I get seven or more years out of a set of brake pads easy).

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

I can't imagine having to change the clutch on this monster...

Hahaha! Holy hell!!

Some interesting reading: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=503610&page=2

$12k+ for the tranny if it fails.

[kdbryce]

Idk if I'd do it, man. I haven't driven the dct, and I'm sure it's absolutely amazing, but I know if I ever switched I would always miss the 6mt. I know for sure I'd regret it.

[The Cleaner]

The Clutchs on a DCT are serviceable so a new transmission is not required. The Clutch lists for 2400, once they get more mainstream that price will drop. Labor is 1500.00.