Purchasing a 135i, scared of the DCT

[x336mr]

I understand that issues seem more prevalent while one is researching possibilities and that people sound off when something goes wrong and people usually remain silent when things go right. I want to say that first, but I also want to say, holy shit I can't imagine buying a used car for 20k to possibly run into a 13k bill should the transmission die.

I can't imagine purchasing a DCT without an aftermarket warranty. Just seems too risky. But damn if I'm not very intrigued with the transmission itself!

Oh well, stick is fun anyway...

[Steven135i]

Originally Posted by x336mr

I understand that issues seem more prevalent while one is researching possibilities and that people sound off when something goes wrong and people usually remain silent when things go right. I want to say that first, but I also want to say, holy shit I can't imagine buying a used car for 20k to possibly run into a 13k bill should the transmission die.

I can't imagine purchasing a DCT without an aftermarket warranty. Just seems too risky. But damn if I'm not very intrigued with the transmission itself!

Oh well, stick is fun anyway...

Im going to be honest Manuel is more fun to drive in my opinion and less money to fix if the clutch goes out.. but then again i have never drove DCT...

[04mazdaspeed]

I love driving stick...that said I purchased my 135i and only wanted dct. I love not having to row gears when I don't want to but can still "play" when I feel like it. Shifts are insanely fast and smooth.

[Esteban]

Have read on this forum about a lot of problems with the DCT, however, have not experienced any of them.

[quicksilver3121]

I've had the leaks but none of the performance issues that everyone else talks about. And god forbid it died on you... I don't know if you'd be looking at a $13k bill... if you went to a good Indy I'm sure you could get a used one installed for less than half of that.

Either way, make sure to get a solid warranty regardless. I didn't (didn't realize how some of them could cover so little) so got rid of it, now I feel like I'm driving an expense time bomb.

[captain slowly]

DCT issues seem to be either programming (which bmw has corrected over time) and leaks. Make sure there aren't any leaks and you'll be ok. I've owned a 2011 135i manual, and a 2011 135i DCT (the one in my sig). The manual was sold a year and change into ownership, but the DCT one has been with us for 6 years now. Basically, I love the way the DCT changes gear, the immediacy, no loss of boost, no unsettling the car during downshifts at the track (I go to Lime Rock a few times per year). Then there is NYC traffic... which takes away any joy one might have of shifting their own gears...
At the end of the day, get what makes you happy. I would think if you're spending $20k on the car, it probably has some warranty. If you're worried, buy an extended warranty for $2k and enjoy the car.

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Manual or bust. #savethemanuals

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeGeoff

Manual or bust. #savethemanuals

Technically, unless he was buying a NEW car that had a manual transmission, he would not be "saving the manuals".

[smrtypants44]

I also haven't had any of the mechanical issues that everyone else has had (67k miles).

Here is my opinion
DCT PRO:
Traffic
Its amazing on curvy roads

DCT CON:
Low speed operation can be uneven/jerky
Bad gas mileage

[quicksilver3121]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

I also haven't had any of the mechanical issues that everyone else has had (67k miles).

Here is my opinion
DCT PRO:
Traffic
Its amazing on curvy roads

DCT CON:
Low speed operation can be uneven/jerky
Bad gas mileage

I think I've heard of more MT's getting replaced due to legit mechanical issues than DCT's. The only DCT's I've seen replaced were because BMW tried resealing them multiple times under warranty but the leak kept coming back, so they decided to replace the trans than continue with the labor.

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by quicksilver3121

I think I've heard of more MT's getting replaced due to legit mechanical issues than DCT's. The only DCT's I've seen replaced were because BMW tried resealing them multiple times under warranty but the leak kept coming back, so they decided to replace the trans than continue with the labor.

I have 6MT and am on my 3rd clutch at 118K. Rear seal leak did mine in.
First clutch under warranty, second failure BMW split the cost 50/50.

Kinda disappointing because I have owned manual transmission cars since 1985 and clutches typically last 100K minimum.

[quicksilver3121]

Jeeze, what's it cost to replace the clutch? I've heard of some rear main seals going... I specifically asked BMW to check it out when they pulled my DCT out for a reseal but everything looked good.

Are the clutch issues common in the 6MT? I remember reading about synchros being bad but don't remember reading about multiple clutch issues.

And did BMW help with the third? That's ridiculous to go through so many.

Originally Posted by PA135i

I have 6MT and am on my 3rd clutch at 118K. Rear seal leak did mine in.
First clutch under warranty, second failure BMW split the cost 50/50.

Kinda disappointing because I have owned manual transmission cars since 1985 and clutches typically last 100K minimum.

[Havocsteve]

Either way you slice it, there isn't replacement parts to fix these transmissions. So pick whichever one isn't leaking and have fun. (Both the DCT and manual transmissions have had issues like manual not being to go into reverse).

I have a 2011 DCT 135i and it's been perfect. Only issue I had was when the A/C was on and coming into slow traffic it would rev hunt and stall. Did the SIB update (which helped) but then went for a PPK update thanks to a maXbimmer forum member which in turn made everything better.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeGeoff

Manual or bust. #savethemanuals

THIS^

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by quicksilver3121

Jeeze, what's it cost to replace the clutch? I've heard of some rear main seals going... I specifically asked BMW to check it out when they pulled my DCT out for a reseal but everything looked good.

Are the clutch issues common in the 6MT? I remember reading about synchros being bad but don't remember reading about multiple clutch issues.

And did BMW help with the third? That's ridiculous to go through so many.

I'm on my 3rd clutch, the first 2 failed. Clutch 1 was when I bought the car new. Clutch 1 went at 51K and since it was so close to 50K BMW paid for it. Clutch 2 went at around 90K. Was the rear main seal. BMW paid for 1/2 the cost. 1/2 the cost was around $3,000 for the job. Clutch 3 is going strong, I am currently at 118K with no issues.

[quicksilver3121]

Originally Posted by PA135i

I'm on my 3rd clutch, the first 2 failed. Clutch 1 was when I bought the car new. Clutch 1 went at 51K and since it was so close to 50K BMW paid for it. Clutch 2 went at around 90K. Was the rear main seal. BMW paid for 1/2 the cost. 1/2 the cost was around $3,000 for the job. Clutch 3 is going strong, I am currently at 118K with no issues.

Jeeze... that job would have been $6k??? How is it so expensive???

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by quicksilver3121

Jeeze... that job would have been $6k??? How is it so expensive???

My bad. I just found my invoice. The clutch replacement performed by my BMW dealership was $3088 total. I paid half $1544.

[OzWoz]

First things first, I love manual boxes. Had an old Porsche Cayman before my 135i and went around with various t-shirts with manual transmissions on them. My favourite was "Millennial Anti-Theft Device".

When it came time for the 1'er to be in my poseession, I went for a DCT. Manual 135i's are as rare as hens teeth in Australia and tend to be on the N54 cars which are getting high on the mileage side. At first I was in the "no way" camp with the DCT as I've never owned an auto' in 20 somehting years of driving. After a couple of test drives, and using lazy-bastard-mode (D) in traffic, S mode when the traffic cleared (not too impressed with S, as it kept kicking down under hard throttle) and finally manual mode, I was hooked.

I miss heel and toe'ing, as it took me a while to learn, and because I'm driving less and less during the week, when I get my M2, I'll likely go for a manual. They are definately satisfying.

That said, I don't regret the DCT because of the versatility and the lightning gear changes. My car has an MHD stage 1, which has the option to stop the S mode kicking down under hard throttle (so problem sovled). Now feels a lot better and there's a nice throttle blip on downshifts.

Anyway, I know I'll get kicked off this thread!, but as a die-hard manual fan, the DCT isn't the Devil after all :-)

[x336mr]

Originally Posted by OzWoz

Anyway, I know I'll get kicked off this thread!, but as a die-hard manual fan, the DCT isn't the Devil after all :-)

Oh no, I agree. It think the DCT is pretty awesome and I'm leaning toward DCT. I'm just curious if people with the DCT and no active warranty are worried about a repair that would cost ~50% of their car's value.

I sure am.

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by x336mr

Oh no, I agree. It think the DCT is pretty awesome and I'm leaning toward DCT. I'm just curious if people with the DCT and no active warranty are worried about a repair that would cost ~50% of their car's value.

I sure am.

If you're worried, either buy an extended warranty, or buy a manual. Problem solved.

[Sid_E88]

Can vouch for the DCT. I've driven many a manual car and banging through gears is definitely an engaging experience, but I'll be damned if the DCT didn't immediately make me smile when upshifting while WOT in manual mode. It's ridiculously fast, reminds me of Porsche's PDK. The tach needle instantly snaps back when you shift and you get some nice dual clutch sounds. There have been close to 40k miles put on mine so far and the car hasn't had any tranny issues (knock on wood). DCT is definitely not your traditional "auto".

[Matticus91]

You're not immune to issues with a manual trans, I had mine replaced due to dead synchro on 2nd to the tune of $5,000, that was around 50k miles on a 2013.