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      01-23-2017, 04:49 PM   #1
tock172
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A Tale of Two 1-Series (6MT Vs. DCT Comparison)

Greetings fellow 1Addicts!

As some of you already know, I recently purchased another 135i, which brings my 1-series count up to 2. I'll let the article itself do most of the explaining, but in short another BMW enthusiast friend who's also a photographer and I agreed that we absolutely needed to do a dual 135i photoshoot considering how similar the cars are before I pass the old one along to her next lucky owner.

We were up and on the road before dawn to make it down to Silver Strand State Beach near Coronado, California. Lighting became harsh quickly, but I still think the photos turned out quite well, and I was fascinated to hear my friend's impressions of both cars.

So without further adieu, here's the article! (If you're local in San Diego and are a member of BMW CCA you'll also see a version of this in your next copy of Fahren Affairs.)

Twinning in a Pair of Space-Grey Metallic 135is
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2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2

Last edited by tock172; 01-23-2017 at 05:42 PM..
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      01-23-2017, 05:21 PM   #2
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Very nice review. I liked the fact that he had good things to say about both transmissions. The additional hp and torque, plus the improved throttle response of PPK probably influenced his comments about the DCT equipped car. Also, PPK's pops and crackles make it a little more exhilarating.

One minor item to note is that the car with the DCT and PPK only gets an additional 17 lb-ft of torque and not 32. Only the Steptronic gets the 32 lb-ft with PPK, according to this article.

Quote:
The good news is that whether you splurge for the hardware or not, the ECU reflash adds 20 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque to automatic-equipped models (17 for manual and dual-clutch-equipped models).
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Last edited by Esteban; 01-23-2017 at 08:24 PM.. Reason: deleted manual trans getting 32 lb-ft of torque cause that was wrong. I'm an idiot!
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      01-23-2017, 05:25 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Very nice review. I liked the fact that he had good things to say about both transmissions. The additional hp and torque, plus the improved throttle response of PPK probably influenced his comments about the DCT equipped car. Also, PPK's pops and crackles make it a little more exhilarating.

One minor item to note is that the car with the DCT and PPK only gets an additional 17 lb-ft of torque and not 32. The Steptronic and the manual get the 32 lb-ft with PPK, according to this article.
Thanks for the kind words. You're totally right about the PPK and I can't believe I screwed those numbers up! I should have remembered that the DCT gets 17 lb ft. (I actually edited the piece and added in specifics like that.)
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2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2

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      01-23-2017, 05:49 PM   #4
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Like the pics as well. Please tell your friend he did a great job!
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      01-23-2017, 10:08 PM   #5
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Very well written and a nice tribute. Me? I like to shift, myself

These are amazing cars. I feel like I'm watching the end of an era up-close. Before I die, Google will get me there at a steady (and "safe"?) 50mpg and all will be lost. Enjoy these cars while you/we still have them, this might be the last of this breed (at least as a BMW).
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      01-23-2017, 11:48 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mr.fabulous View Post
Very well written and a nice tribute. Me? I like to shift, myself

These are amazing cars. I feel like I'm watching the end of an era up-close. Before I die, Google will get me there at a steady (and "safe"?) 50mpg and all will be lost. Enjoy these cars while you/we still have them, this might be the last of this breed (at least as a BMW).
Oh man, I almost wish I wouldn't live to see self-driving cars on our streets, but it's coming... practically here now.

I'm sure most car enthusiasts cringe at the thought, but there are actually people who are looking forward to it.

Yes, enjoy these wonderful cars while we have them. They won't be here forever.

Heres to 1ADDICTS!
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      01-24-2017, 02:10 AM   #7
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Quote:
Moreover, driving the 6MT 135i made it become increasingly apparent that the manual transmission felt like an afterthought in BMW’s development of the 1-series. It almost seems as though it was a band-aid solution to please the manual transmission loyalists.
Most 1 Series are sold with a manual transmission, it's not an afterthought and it does not feel like one.

Nice pics, saw them actually on flickr before and was wondering if they were from a 1addict.
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      01-24-2017, 06:28 AM   #8
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Nice write up.

On the topic of how much horsepower the PPK provides, I thought both the manual and the DCT only got the 17 ft lbs upgrade and the full auto got the additional 32.

Also on the topic of the DCT, I wonder if your impressions would change if you had some extensive seat time with it in stop and go traffic.
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      01-24-2017, 08:42 AM   #9
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Good write up, pics & great comparison. I think the DCT w/ PPK makes all the difference. Reduces lag & improves throttle response. I get the feeling some love, some hate it. Personally mine is smooth as silk & great to drive.
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      01-24-2017, 09:48 AM   #10
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This is my daily driver with 100% city driving and about 50% in medium to heavy traffic; so he pretty much nailed why some of us go DCT. They are small enough to fit in anywhere you need to park, nimble, quick. In short, they are just great cars.
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      01-24-2017, 10:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dthltm View Post
This is my daily driver with 100% city driving and about 50% in medium to heavy traffic; so he pretty much nailed why some of us go DCT. They are small enough to fit in anywhere you need to park, nimble, quick. In short, they are just great cars.
I second that!

p.s. You only experience heavy traffic 50% of the time? Lucky guy!
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      01-24-2017, 10:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VRG_135 View Post
I second that!

p.s. You only experience heavy traffic 50% of the time? Lucky guy!
Where do you commute to and from? I now start and end my work day later, like 9-6 and work out after work in the office gym, to help avoid traffic!
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      01-24-2017, 10:36 AM   #13
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Where do you commute to and from? I now start and end my work day later, like 9-6 and work out after work in the office gym, to help avoid traffic!
McKinney to Southlake. 121 was great.......in 2011. Now its not much different from LBJ or 75.
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      01-24-2017, 10:58 AM   #14
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Thank you everyone, I'm the one who wrote the comparison and shot the photos. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. I certainly had a fun time driving, photographing, and writing about them! I tried to stay pretty subjective and keep my true opinion to myself.

That said, if I were in the market for a 135i I would most likely shoot for a 135is with DCT, or 135i with DCT and the PPK. Alpine White being my top choice, followed by Montego Blue, Le Mans Blue, Marakesh Brown, and lastly Sedona Red or Crimson Red.
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      01-24-2017, 11:27 AM   #15
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My commute is 18-25 min. in moderate traffic due to current construction. Once they finish the new overpass work I'll be back to 15-20. ;-)
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      01-24-2017, 01:13 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangplank View Post
Good write up, pics & great comparison. I think the DCT w/ PPK makes all the difference. Reduces lag & improves throttle response. I get the feeling some love, some hate it. Personally mine is smooth as silk & great to drive.
I also have the DCT and mine works flawlessly with either the AC on, or off with the windows down (most of the time) while listening to the sweet sounds of the PE with PPK. No throttle lag, idle fluctuation or lurching forward. Almost always drive in manual with sport. Fast, crisp shifts up or down that never miss a beat.
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      01-24-2017, 01:43 PM   #17
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Awesome write-up! And great cars. I still need to drive a DCT car someday.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Oh man, I almost wish I wouldn't live to see self-driving cars on our streets, but it's coming... practically here now.

I'm sure most car enthusiasts cringe at the thought, but there are actually people who are looking forward to it.
I am one of the ones looking forward to it, but not for every-day driving. My DD would likely still be a very "manual" and "pure" car, but having the option of going out to a bar and not worrying about how much I can drink would be wonderful lol. Beyond that, the fact remains that SO ****ING MANY DRIVERS SUCK.

I for one welcome the idea of removing some humans from this equation, especially since the vast majority that would make such a switch are likely the accident-causing types anyway. Additionally, I find the idea of maintaining independence in old age whilst not endangering others with slower reflexes and reduced senses is very appealing.
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      01-24-2017, 02:58 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Matticus91 View Post
I am one of the ones looking forward to it, but not for every-day driving. My DD would likely still be a very "manual" and "pure" car, but having the option of going out to a bar and not worrying about how much I can drink would be wonderful lol. Beyond that, the fact remains that SO ****ING MANY DRIVERS SUCK.

I for one welcome the idea of removing some humans from this equation, especially since the vast majority that would make such a switch are likely the accident-causing types anyway. Additionally, I find the idea of maintaining independence in old age whilst not endangering others with slower reflexes and reduced senses is very appealing.
For certain services that otherwise might cause safety issues, like transporting the elderly or being the designated driver, it would be fine as far as I'm concerned. I just wouldn't want to see it be the 'norm', like you see in some futuristic sci-fi movies. Haha
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      01-25-2017, 03:48 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matticus91 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
...there are actually people who are looking forward to it.
I am one of the ones looking forward to it...
Told ya... (Haha just having some fun)

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      01-25-2017, 08:50 AM   #20
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So, spill the beans. Which one you keeping?
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      01-26-2017, 11:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dthltm View Post
This is my daily driver with 100% city driving and about 50% in medium to heavy traffic; so he pretty much nailed why some of us go DCT. They are small enough to fit in anywhere you need to park, nimble, quick. In short, they are just great cars.

^^^ What he said. This is why I DCT (yes that is a 7 lane wide highway with everyone going <5mph)









Also I kinda agree with the author of the article when he mentioned the 6MT in these cars (and also the E9Xm cars as well) seemed like an after thought. The 6MT 135 cars I drove all had kinda longish rubbery throws.
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      01-26-2017, 11:27 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
Most 1 Series are sold with a manual transmission, it's not an afterthought and it does not feel like one.

Nice pics, saw them actually on flickr before and was wondering if they were from a 1addict.

Not in my area. 6MT cars are kinda rare (plenty of autos to choose from here)
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