|
|
|
08-30-2010, 11:43 PM | #1 |
Colonel
702
Rep 2,548
Posts
Drives: '08 135i, '88 325is
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver, CO
|
DCT review from a 6MT guy
I just dropped my car off at the dealer for the seat belt tensioner recall and ended up getting a 2011 135 coupe with the DCT for a loaner car. The N55 cars definitely have different sounds between the turbo spool, exhaust note while accelerating and decelerating. I also like that the throttle blips when manually downshifting. I've driven the loaner about 30 miles so far and here is a quick initial review:
I'm glad they changed the paddle functionality to have one paddle for downshifting and the other for upshifting. This seems much more intuitive for me. I drove a Steptronic/paddle equipped 135 a couple of years ago and never really liked the push and pull method of shifting. I preferred using the shift knob itself in that car. Back to the DCT, I really wish the paddles were mounted to the steering column instead of the wheel. I've thought before that the DCT would be great for the track, but I think the paddles moving with the wheel would really drive me nuts. Even on the street, there were several times when I was coming out of a turn and wanted to upshift, but the paddle wasn't yet at my fingertips, as my right hand was positioned at 3 o'clock. One thing that really stood out was the brief pause or lag when applying the throttle to accelerate. While experimenting with this, I seem to think it is related to the larger single turbo on the N55 and not the DCT itself. The "lag" seemed to always be there when applying the throttle with the revs below 3000 RPM. Putting the DCT into regular, sport, or manual modes didn't seem to make a difference. Applying the throttle above 3000 RPM however, there was an instant response. This "lag" was nothing like the turbo lag in say, my WRX, but it is something I have never noticed in my 135. I've also driven a couple of 335s with the N54 and Steptronic and didn't notice any behavior similar to this. This loaner only has 1600 miles on it, so maybe it's still just breaking in. I look forward to driving it some more tomorrow, but I wouldn't say that it has completely won me over at this point. It is definitely a cool piece of technology though.
__________________
Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.
|
08-31-2010, 01:15 AM | #4 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
107
Rep 1,552
Posts
Drives: '19 M2C | '20 100AE ND2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Phx, AZ
|
Quote:
As for the paddles being mounted on the wheel instead of the column, I agree with you there. However, I've grown accustomed to using both the paddles and the shift lever when paddles aren't easily accessible. While autocrossing though, I tend to downshift before I have to turn the wheel excessively so it's a non-issue except for low speed turns in city driving.
__________________
2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT
2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 06:27 AM | #5 |
Major
199
Rep 1,457
Posts |
You can not really be serious wanting the paddle stationary not moving with steering wheel. The whole world and a half wants the other way around hence bmw changed it...
When my hands are at 9 and 3 o o'clock position, I barely move them even on tightest turns on street. I would def. not want them be stationary. Track or street it is a discipline not to move your hands unless necessary. .02
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 09:25 AM | #7 | |
Resident Kerbalnaut
479
Rep 10,703
Posts |
Quote:
But I guess that you can't ease everybody |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 10:18 AM | #8 | |
Colonel
702
Rep 2,548
Posts
Drives: '08 135i, '88 325is
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver, CO
|
Quote:
While on the street, lets say I'm at a red light waiting to take a left turn. The light changes and I start off in first gear. While part way through the turn, I will shift into 2nd gear to continue accelerating smoothly at a lower RPM (on the track, I definitely wouldn't be shifting mid corner). While driving the 6MT, I think nothing of this shift because I have to take my right hand off the wheel anyway. With the DCT, the wheel was turned left while my hands were still positioned at 9 and 3. My fingertips reached for the right paddle to upshift, then realizing the paddle was around the 11 o'clock position. I suppose I could also use the console shifter in a situation like this. An example on the track would be when I'm exiting a corner and now accelerating. While exiting the corner, I may still be "unwinding" the car, so I have not yet returned the steering wheel to center, but I am ready for an upshift.
__________________
Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 10:39 AM | #9 |
Lieutenant Colonel
31
Rep 1,917
Posts |
Absolutely. I've driven the E92 M3 with DCT as a co-worker has one and that's the thing that hit me the most was the lag when you start from a dead stop. It is much shorter if you punch the throttle. I think the lag is on purpose to get a smooth launch when not punching it.
__________________
2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport
Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport |
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 11:47 AM | #10 |
Private First Class
13
Rep 111
Posts |
Jason, where did you take your car in for service? Schomp, Murray, Gebhardt? I want to try and get a 135 /w DCT loaner too when I go in for the seatbelt recall...
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 12:07 PM | #11 |
Colonel
702
Rep 2,548
Posts
Drives: '08 135i, '88 325is
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver, CO
|
I took my car into Schomp. I was surprised to see the 135 loaner as they usually have 335s and X5s. When the advisor took my info he said, "you've gotta take our DCT 135, you're going to love it."
__________________
Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 01:34 PM | #12 | |
Major
199
Rep 1,457
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 03:04 PM | #13 |
MSgt (ret)
578
Rep 2,114
Posts
Drives: VO 1M #739/740
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Where the car was born
|
Initially I felt the same...they should move
but now I have 1700 miles on it and they feel right....if I'm turning, I adjust or don't take the turn in Manual mode.
But my biggest beef is that according to my calibrated fingers, the right side paddle seems to have less clearance between it and the windshield wiper stalk than the left side has with the turn signal stalk.... A couple of times I've made a quick grab for the paddles, only to engage my wipers...but never the left lever.....anyone else notice that? |
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 03:21 PM | #15 |
Lieutenant Colonel
107
Rep 1,552
Posts
Drives: '19 M2C | '20 100AE ND2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Phx, AZ
|
That's not a 1 series specific problem. I've seen many drivers hit their wipers, turn signals or even the horn while driving the course
__________________
2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT
2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait |
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 04:12 PM | #16 |
Major
199
Rep 1,457
Posts |
m-steering wheel is plenty of support imo. and if I am saying 3-9 it might 2.45 - 9.25, but not exactly 10-2. There are really nice thumb location giving a very comfortable steering wheel feel on msport steering wheel. can't speak of the rest.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 04:22 PM | #17 | |
Colonel
702
Rep 2,548
Posts
Drives: '08 135i, '88 325is
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver, CO
|
Quote:
__________________
Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 04:27 PM | #18 |
Major
199
Rep 1,457
Posts |
my experience is that tight turns can really be done without crossing your arms in 1er. If you are crossing your arms, you are not in proper driving position where your arms make like a V shape giving you planty of play room. This is how i drive on track, and public roads. if you extend your arms, then you will cross them and eventually be like a contortionist. rofl
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 04:45 PM | #19 | |
Apex Everything!
999
Rep 4,378
Posts
Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cedar Park, TX
|
Quote:
__________________
2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer).
My pet project: https://stickershift.com |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 04:53 PM | #20 |
:)
0
Rep 49
Posts
Drives: '10 BSM 135i
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
|
Am I the only one here that uses the lever over the paddles?
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 05:50 PM | #21 |
Enlisted Member
5
Rep 38
Posts |
No way, I use both all the time. I can't say I use paddles in this moment, all I can say is that I actively use both. Whatever I'm feeling like at the time I want to make my selection, choice is great.
Also, I'm in the "paddles shouldn't follow you" camp as well. When I test-drove a vehicle with the push-pull i also thought it was less intuitive, but I now see how that could be a better system. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 08:42 PM | #22 | |
Colonel
37
Rep 2,084
Posts |
Quote:
FWIW I slide the wheel through my inside hand for up to 180 degrees rotation without crossing, and I shift my hands to 12 and 6 before starting the turn for up to 270 degrees. There's no way I could shuffle my hands that fast or that smoothly. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|