DCT review from a 6MT guy

[JasonCSU]

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.

[DWRAT]

The lag I belive is in the trans itself.

From a dead stop if you punch it hard it take a second before it goes.

[MyCorvette]

If you push the 'sport' button on which is below the shifter, you will find the 'lag' is greatly reduced - at least for my own car.

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by DWRAT

The lag I belive is in the trans itself.

From a dead stop if you punch it hard it take a second before it goes.

Yes, if you punch it hard from coasting at a low rpm, there will be a slight lag in throttle response. If you ease the throttle, that lag is less evident. Sport/Manual (lever to left, not just shifting in D) modes help with this too.

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.

[Evice]

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

[GeeRam]

Fixed paddles are less practical, and would only work if fitted with a total circle paddle as you can see on most of the current WRC cars.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

Fixed paddles are less practical, and would only work if fitted with a total circle paddle as you can see on most of the current WRC cars.

This is why I don't understNd why people don't like the push pull. You don't have to search for a paddle...either one works so it doubles the surface area for you to find it.

But I guess that you can't ease everybody

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Evice

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

Yes, you are right that it is a discipline to keep your hands at 9 and 3 (even while turning) and not move them unless necessary. That is how I was taught and exactly the reason why I would want them stationary. Here are a couple of examples for my reasoning:

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.

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by DWRAT

The lag I belive is in the trans itself.

From a dead stop if you punch it hard it take a second before it goes.

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.

[Caleb]

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...

[JasonCSU]

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."

[Evice]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Yes, you are right that it is a discipline to keep your hands at 9 and 3 (even while turning) and not move them unless necessary. That is how I was taught and exactly the reason why I would want them stationary. Here are a couple of examples for my reasoning:

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.

well that's the problem.. by not moving your hands, I meant when your wheels are pointing straight, put 3-9 then never lift them! When you are turning the wheel, keep them where they were at, because 3-9 while wheel was pointing straight, means may be 11-5 while turning right.But if you don't lift them at all, you will see that paddles will be always at your finger tips, at all times. Your hands go around the clock freely with proper sitting position from steering wheel, which is generally your wrists can freely on top of the steering wheel, when your arms semi-flexed.

[Rikx1M]

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?

[BrokenVert]

^ I've done that. I lol every time I do it at autox

[MarkR171]

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

[Evice]

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.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Evice

well that's the problem.. by not moving your hands, I meant when your wheels are pointing straight, put 3-9 then never lift them! When you are turning the wheel, keep them where they were at, because 3-9 while wheel was pointing straight, means may be 11-5 while turning right.But if you don't lift them at all, you will see that paddles will be always at your finger tips, at all times. Your hands go around the clock freely with proper sitting position from steering wheel, which is generally your wrists can freely on top of the steering wheel, when your arms semi-flexed.

Ok, so you are in constant grip with the wheel and not letting go while turning. Yes, this method will keep the paddles at your fingertips, but you may end up crossing your arms while taking a tight turn. I do recall being told to do this in a beginner driver school when I was 15. The method I was taught at high performance driving schools is to always keep your hands at 9 and 3 and to "shuffle" the wheel when turning. Following this method, your hands would physically stay at the same location which is why I would want fixed paddles.

[Evice]

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

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Evice

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

That's what BMWCCA instructors teach as well. If you are in the proper driving position/distance from the wheel, you can keep both hands at 9-3 on the wheel for most turns.

[Emerson]

Am I the only one here that uses the lever over the paddles?

[Xylarax]

Originally Posted by Nox

Am I the only one here that uses the lever over the paddles?

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.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by Evice

When you are turning the wheel, keep them where they were at, because 3-9 while wheel was pointing straight, means may be 11-5 while turning right.

Right. How often does anyone need to shift while the steering wheel is rotated more than 90 degrees.

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.