DCT N55 at track...do you like? - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

Blue Marlin · 10-24-2010, 06:45 PM

Just sold my C6 vette & need something with 4 seats now. I drove a 11' 135i with the DCT 7sp. and must say it was impressive. I was intending on driving a 6sp. but they had none on the lot. My question is......how do you guys with the DCT like it on the track? I do track days at Sebring and Homestead along with some occasional autox and was curious to see how those of you that track the car car like it. Thanks for any input.

MarkR171 · 10-24-2010, 06:49 PM

No tracks in Hawaii but I love it for autocross. It lets me left foot brake easier and allows me to downshift back to 1st for the lower speed sections. Also, both hands on the wheel all the time.

135forthewin · 10-25-2010, 05:40 PM

I never got my 1 out to sebring, but I think it'd be a decent car for the track stock. Some people complain about understeer, but it's nothing varying tire sizes and a good alignment can't fix (to an extent).

I thought this video was pretty impressive, the car seems balanced and relatively eager to turn in. Check it out:

JimD · 10-25-2010, 06:01 PM

I have not driven a 135i with the DCT but I drove a M3 with a DCT at a 2 day M school a few weeks ago. We drove M3s witht he DCT and M5s and M6s with SMGs. The M3s were faster and more fun. The SMG was OK but there was noticable lag when you called for a new gear. The DCT (in M mode) shifted right now. Downshifts had nice throttle blips. I've driven the same track in a lower speed setup in an autocross with my manual transmission 128i convertible. I can heel and toe, at least some of the time, but I am not nearly as fast or as consistent as the DCT. I think it would make anybody faster than they are with a manual. You just cannot shift as fast as this transmission. The mechanics of shifting take no real thought for me (with the possible exception of heel and toe) but it is still easier to just tweak a paddle than it is to work the clutch and gear shift lever.

For track use, I think the DCT is great in the M3. I would be surprised if the DCT in the 135 is not similarly great.

Jim

msos · 10-29-2010, 05:31 PM

I have had mine on PBIR and Homestead now and Sebring next week November 7th.......my first impression is as follows:

On the PLUS side, quickes up and downshifts humanly possible and never into the wrong gear, also if you are in too high a gear and you floor it, it will downshift on its own, and if you are too high revs, it will upshift for you. This helps for your first few outings especially while you are getting used to the car on track, the DCT does some of the thinking for you.

On the NEGATIVE side, its much harder to be sure you are in the correct gear and at times I find I have downshifted to too low a gear as the engine is quiet (with helmet on), here a 6 speed physically putting it in gear is more natural as we all know which corner you are going to take in which gear after a while on the same track..............

Sebring will be the big test as its much longer more technical track as my first 3 events were more to "set" the suspension and I have NOT been very focussed on the DCT.......All in all, I am thinking BOTH are excellent choices.....as this is my daily driver too, the DCT has come in very useful when on the phone in the car or in traffic, but if this were more of a regular track toy I think I would possibly opt for the 6 speed if I could change my mind............

Blue Marlin · 11-02-2010, 06:45 PM

Thanks for the input guys. MSOS; Sebring is a fun track and Chin does a great job (assuming your going to the chin event there). Be sure to bring some painters tape or something else to protect your paint...it's a pretty rough track. Maybe I will see you there.

m3bs · 11-03-2010, 03:56 AM

I just spent two days at VIR instructing in a E92 M3 with DCT. I'm a long-time 6-speed advocate, but I'm convinced DCT is the way to go now.

Luis C. · 11-05-2010, 03:11 PM

Noone is faster than DCT! Totally love it! It even makes the "heel and toe" for you. Absolutely amazing! Nevertheless, it takes away the essence of racing. I'll get over it, I'm sure! jajajajajaja!

msos · 11-05-2010, 06:19 PM

knowing I was going to track the car, i had the 3M clear bra cover on front end done before my first event. hope to see those at Chin on Sunday at Sebring.....come say hi, I am in Black 135i

Biasasaja · 12-15-2010, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis C.

Noone is faster than DCT! Totally love it! It even makes the "heel and toe" for you. Absolutely amazing! Nevertheless, it takes away the essence of racing. I'll get over it, I'm sure! jajajajajaja!

+1

DCT if you're serious on track but 6mt if u wanna have fun

JimmyT · 12-15-2010, 12:26 PM

video looked like the driver was having a blast and keeping both hands on the wheel in stressful driving is a plus!!!

rev27 · 02-02-2011, 11:37 PM

DCT is the way to go it's faster, quicker, smoother and you can shift in the middle of a high speed turn. But if you want to learn a Real Art... Get a Manual! before it's a lost Art.

Groundpilot · 02-03-2011, 02:25 PM

You can change the gear in the middle of the high speed turn with dct, but if you are not very smooth with your steering input and your right foot, it still can upset the rear of the car. I agree that dct is the way to go now. All my previous cars had MT, but after i got SMG on my first BMW e46m3 and now much improved DCT, i never looked back.

1on135_deal · 02-04-2011, 04:35 AM

video of dct 135 on track u can see how he drives pretty good

10-24-2010, 06:45 PM	#1
Blue Marlin Registered Drives: Z06 corvette Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: florida Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	DCT N55 at track...do you like? Just sold my C6 vette & need something with 4 seats now. I drove a 11' 135i with the DCT 7sp. and must say it was impressive. I was intending on driving a 6sp. but they had none on the lot. My question is......how do you guys with the DCT like it on the track? I do track days at Sebring and Homestead along with some occasional autox and was curious to see how those of you that track the car car like it. Thanks for any input.
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10-24-2010, 06:49 PM	#2
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: SLK55 AMG Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,531 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00]	No tracks in Hawaii but I love it for autocross. It lets me left foot brake easier and allows me to downshift back to 1st for the lower speed sections. Also, both hands on the wheel all the time. __________________ 2007 SLK55 AMG - Black on Gray/Black - AMG 030 Performance Package 2011 135i - Traded ///M-Sport - Dual Clutch - Harman Kardon - Bluetooth - iPod - Shadowline Kidney Grill - 225/255 Star Specs - Hotchkis Front Sway

10-25-2010, 05:40 PM	#3
135forthewin Lieutenant Drives: sideways Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 544 iTrader: (0)	I never got my 1 out to sebring, but I think it'd be a decent car for the track stock. Some people complain about understeer, but it's nothing varying tire sizes and a good alignment can't fix (to an extent). I thought this video was pretty impressive, the car seems balanced and relatively eager to turn in. Check it out: __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.

10-25-2010, 06:01 PM	#4
JimD Colonel Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 2,156 iTrader: (0)	I have not driven a 135i with the DCT but I drove a M3 with a DCT at a 2 day M school a few weeks ago. We drove M3s witht he DCT and M5s and M6s with SMGs. The M3s were faster and more fun. The SMG was OK but there was noticable lag when you called for a new gear. The DCT (in M mode) shifted right now. Downshifts had nice throttle blips. I've driven the same track in a lower speed setup in an autocross with my manual transmission 128i convertible. I can heel and toe, at least some of the time, but I am not nearly as fast or as consistent as the DCT. I think it would make anybody faster than they are with a manual. You just cannot shift as fast as this transmission. The mechanics of shifting take no real thought for me (with the possible exception of heel and toe) but it is still easier to just tweak a paddle than it is to work the clutch and gear shift lever. For track use, I think the DCT is great in the M3. I would be surprised if the DCT in the 135 is not similarly great. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09

11-05-2010, 06:19 PM	#9
msos always been a BMW fan......... Drives: 2011 Porsche 997 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: FLA Posts: 101 iTrader: (0)	clear 3m front end treatment knowing I was going to track the car, i had the 3M clear bra cover on front end done before my first event. hope to see those at Chin on Sunday at Sebring.....come say hi, I am in Black 135i

10-29-2010, 05:31 PM	#5
msos always been a BMW fan......... Drives: 2011 Porsche 997 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: FLA Posts: 101 iTrader: (0)	I have had mine on PBIR and Homestead now and Sebring next week November 7th.......my first impression is as follows: On the PLUS side, quickes up and downshifts humanly possible and never into the wrong gear, also if you are in too high a gear and you floor it, it will downshift on its own, and if you are too high revs, it will upshift for you. This helps for your first few outings especially while you are getting used to the car on track, the DCT does some of the thinking for you. On the NEGATIVE side, its much harder to be sure you are in the correct gear and at times I find I have downshifted to too low a gear as the engine is quiet (with helmet on), here a 6 speed physically putting it in gear is more natural as we all know which corner you are going to take in which gear after a while on the same track.............. Sebring will be the big test as its much longer more technical track as my first 3 events were more to "set" the suspension and I have NOT been very focussed on the DCT.......All in all, I am thinking BOTH are excellent choices.....as this is my daily driver too, the DCT has come in very useful when on the phone in the car or in traffic, but if this were more of a regular track toy I think I would possibly opt for the 6 speed if I could change my mind............

11-02-2010, 06:45 PM	#6
Blue Marlin Registered Drives: Z06 corvette Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: florida Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input guys. MSOS; Sebring is a fun track and Chin does a great job (assuming your going to the chin event there). Be sure to bring some painters tape or something else to protect your paint...it's a pretty rough track. Maybe I will see you there.

11-03-2010, 03:56 AM	#7
m3bs Lieutenant Drives: '11 M3 ZCP, 95 M3 Track Toy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 540 iTrader: (1)	I just spent two days at VIR instructing in a E92 M3 with DCT. I'm a long-time 6-speed advocate, but I'm convinced DCT is the way to go now.

11-05-2010, 03:11 PM	#8
Luis C. New Member Drives: 2011 135i Le Mans Blue M Packa Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Guaynabo, P.R. Posts: 16 iTrader: (0)	Noone is faster than DCT! Totally love it! It even makes the "heel and toe" for you. Absolutely amazing! Nevertheless, it takes away the essence of racing. I'll get over it, I'm sure! jajajajajaja!

12-15-2010, 12:26 PM	#11
JimmyT Redneck Engineer Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 435 iTrader: (0)	video looked like the driver was having a blast and keeping both hands on the wheel in stressful driving is a plus!!! __________________

02-02-2011, 11:37 PM	#12
rev27 Registered Drives: 135i 7spd dkg Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	DCT is the way to go it's faster, quicker, smoother and you can shift in the middle of a high speed turn. But if you want to learn a Real Art... Get a Manual! before it's a lost Art.

02-03-2011, 02:25 PM	#13
Groundpilot Lieutenant Drives: 135I DCT , e92 M3 DCT,535 I Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: long island,ny Posts: 592 iTrader: (0)	You can change the gear in the middle of the high speed turn with dct, but if you are not very smooth with your steering input and your right foot, it still can upset the rear of the car. I agree that dct is the way to go now. All my previous cars had MT, but after i got SMG on my first BMW e46m3 and now much improved DCT, i never looked back. __________________ David

02-04-2011, 04:35 AM	#14
1on135_deal First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 135i & 2011 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY Posts: 345 iTrader: (0)	video of dct 135 on track u can see how he drives pretty good __________________ "you blink I shift" DCT

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