DCT in the 135is ??

[KathyFG]

Hey guys-

I currently drive a 128i 6MT and am considering getting the new 135is- but I have no familiarity with the DCT- can anyone explain this to me in "layman's terms"? I am wondering should I go for the DCT or should I stick with the manual transmission? Was wondering what the "driving impression" differences are. I love the 6MT on my 128i.

Thanks for any advice or input.

Kathy G
Denver CO

[socal135]

DCT in the 135is produces faster shifts than a manual. You control when the car shifts with paddle shifters. You also get the launch control option.

[blf1]

DCT stands for double clutch transmission. In auto mode it shifts in milliseconds and even faster in sport mode. The paddle shifting is a lot of fun.

[fullboost]

DCT posts faster 1/4 mile times but in hind sight I wish I would have gotten the 6mt. It's more fun to me and I feel a little more connected.

[1speedbike]

In laymen's terms DCT is just a very very fast automatic transmission.

In mechanical terms... though it can operate automatically, there is no torque converter, and it uses two clutches to alternate between gears, so it isn't a "traditional" automatic transmission.

You can control the shifts with the paddle shifters if you like to shift yourself (same as the "manual mode" in a regular higher-end auto tranny), or you can leave it up to the computer.

[ErvGotti]

You'd have to drive the DCT and see how you feel. I love the feel and fun of the 6MT. I had a Z4 35i with DCT for a loaner for 2 days one time and as cool and fast shifting the DCT was, I missed the feeling of actually pushing in the clutch, slamming the shifter in gear, and popping the clutch when I wanted to go on a spirited drive. Not to mention practicing rev match heel and toeing. I will say one thing I hate about manuals though, driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Other than that I probably will never own an Auto/DCT unless it was my only option ie cars like the GTR.

[socal135]

Originally Posted by ErvGotti

You'd have to drive the DCT and see how you feel. I love the feel and fun of the 6MT. I had a Z4 35i with DCT for a loaner for 2 days one time and as cool and fast shifting the DCT was, I missed the feeling of actually pushing in the clutch, slamming the shifter in gear, and popping the clutch when I wanted to go on a spirited drive. Not to mention practicing rev match heel and toeing. I will say one thing I hate about manuals though, driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Other than that I probably will never own an Auto/DCT unless it was my only option ie cars like the GTR.

I hear you. I would have bought a 6MT as well, but on occasion my wife drives the Bmw and I take the hybrid when I go on long trips. I would cringe at thinking about my wife driving anything but an auto. The DCT adds a nice balance.

[ejm3]

I test drove it and it was basically an automatic.
Unless you're frequently doing timed quarter mile runs its unlikely you'll be able to notice any difference over a "normal" automatic. I think BMW claims a .3 second improvement 0-60 over the MT.

Test drive a DCT and see what you think. The DCT is great but its still probably going to come down to do you want a manual or an automatic. At least it did for me. As others have noted they got the DCT and still long for a 6MT so think hard before switching.

[Rockstar1487]

i have a loaner 328i with dct right now and its not nearly as cool as my 135i 6MT. the only thing that i do like about the dct is how smooth the shifts are but i think you might be better off just keeping your 128i and going to the 135i 6MT. you'll be happier that you did.

[KathyFG]

yeah, the more I think about it, and read, I think I will stick with the 6MT if/when I get the 135is- I love my 6MT in the 128i too much- so much fun! Thanks for all the great input!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Rockstar1487

i have a loaner 328i with dct right now and its not nearly as cool as my 135i 6MT. the only thing that i do like about the dct is how smooth the shifts are but i think you might be better off just keeping your 128i and going to the 135i 6MT. you'll be happier that you did.

The 328 does not come with a DCT. In the USA its in the 135i, 135IS, 335IS & Z4 IS

[socal135]

Check out launch contol in the DCT before you take the car back to the dealer.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by KathyFG

yeah, the more I think about it, and read, I think I will stick with the 6MT if/when I get the 135is- I love my 6MT in the 128i too much- so much fun! Thanks for all the great input!

Good choice. After all, the DCT is still an auto. If I had had a choice when I bought the car, 6MT all the way

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

The 328 does not come with a DCT. In the USA its in the 135i, 135IS, 335IS & Z4 IS

I think the new 328s the f30 chassis does come with dct i believe because its a 7 speed tranny. I could be wrong but I believe it does. However the previous generation e90 328s for sure did not

[Diver21]

I love the DCT. Amazingly smooth and fast.

Half of my travel day in spent in stop and go traffic. There, I 've got no interest in clutches I operate. DCT's great there. At other times, if I want to take control of the shifts, I can. I don't feel I need to push a clutch pedal to feel connected ...

Now, on my dearly-departed 2003 Z4 with SMG, that was abysmal technology!

[dorkdog]

If you know anything about contactors and relays you might consider that the term 'make before break' is an analogue to the DCT. One clutch captures the destination gear as the other releases the current gear. Simplified, but that's about it.

[dorkdog]

... and the SSK really makes the 6MT nice. Snick Snick!

It all depends on what you in your mind equate with 'driving'. I've had MT since 1974 so it'll be MT in 2014.

[CL 19]

Originally Posted by Bmwbreed

I think the new 328s the f30 chassis does come with dct i believe because its a 7 speed tranny. I could be wrong but I believe it does. However the previous generation e90 328s for sure did not

I believe the F30 doesn't come with DCT at all. It has 8 speed auto and it is considered smooth for traditional automatic. That might be the reason you think it has DCT. Like the previous guy said, DCT only comes in "is" cars for non M and I think Z4 35i also has it.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Bmwbreed

I think the new 328s the f30 chassis does come with dct i believe because its a 7 speed tranny. I could be wrong but I believe it does. However the previous generation e90 328s for sure did not

The “Sport Automatic” looks to be an 8 speed Steptronic with paddle shifters & more aggressive shift software for $500 extra. Its still a Steptronic auto not a DCT.

A DCT is a twin wet clutch assembly fronting a standard manual gearbox with computer controlled shifting. The Steptronic is a Torque Converter fronting a standard auto planetary gear/clutch pack assembly transmission.

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

The “Sport Automatic” looks to be an 8 speed Steptronic with paddle shifters & more aggressive shift software for $500 extra. Its still a Steptronic auto not a DCT.

A DCT is a twin wet clutch assembly fronting a standard manual gearbox with computer controlled shifting. The Steptronic is a Torque Converter fronting a standard auto planetary gear/clutch pack assembly transmission.

Thanks buddy. Like I said I've been wrong before. Couldn't remember what I read about the f30 for sure.

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by CL 19

I believe the F30 doesn't come with DCT at all. It has 8 speed auto and it is considered smooth for traditional automatic. That might be the reason you think it has DCT. Like the previous guy said, DCT only comes in "is" cars for non M and I think Z4 35i also has it.

Ya you're right about the f30 my bad but if dct only comes in Is cars how does the plain 135i have it if you don't get 6mt. I know that for a fact. When I was ordering my135i the only options were 6mt and dct. The 135 had steptronic up til 2010 but for 2011 and above it was dct or 6 speed only

[zamboni]

Even the F1 cars are running DCT, in DCT mode you can still control the shifting and never have to worry about the clutch. I have not test drive the 135i with DCT but on my M3 it's a very nice tranny to have, you nave an option of either select manual or auto mode if desire.