DCT that amazing?

[YianniM3]

Hey guys im currently in a 335 m sport manual and im shopping around for a f10 m5 but it seems that a manual one is so rare the closest one i can find is 200 miles away. I couldnt imagine driving anything other than a manual transmission, but is the DCT that good that people are buying that more? Or is it because its a 5 series and its more practical that way?



John

[PatrickC23]

I think the true 6-speed guys will opt for a manual. I've never been a manual guy and I can truly say I loved SMGII in my e46 M3 and now love the DCT. But if you like pushing the pedal, Id say look for the manual.

[boots]

I love manual cars. This DCT is really that good. Almost seamless shifting. You'd be amazed compared to the previous version. Night and day difference.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by nixta325

Hey guys im currently in a 335 m sport manual and im shopping around for a f10 m5 but it seems that a manual one is so rare the closest one i can find is 200 miles away. I couldnt imagine driving anything other than a manual transmission, but is the DCT that good that people are buying that more? Or is it because its a 5 series and its more practical that way?



John

bottom line here is that manuals are almost over. Ferrari, mclaren, Lamborghini, and even the latest 911 GT3 don't even bother with them. It's just a matter of a few years before manufacturers stop bothering with them.

Drive the little 200 miles and get the manual if that's what you like.

I don't even think stealth likes them. Could be wrong.

Urban legend headed back to guest mode.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by nixta325

Hey guys im currently in a 335 m sport manual and im shopping around for a f10 m5 but it seems that a manual one is so rare the closest one i can find is 200 miles away. I couldnt imagine driving anything other than a manual transmission, but is the DCT that good that people are buying that more? Or is it because its a 5 series and its more practical that way?



John

M DCT all the way for me, I would not buy a M5 with Manual.

[wrsbmw]

I am glad I chose DCT, it's really a great system. There are three shift modes in both automatic and manual. If you want smoother slower shifting, use the low speed mode but for responsiveness, D3 and S3 are it. I use S3 driving around most of the time. This isn't so good in rush hour type traffic so I switch to D1 when I get in that stop and go stuff. However, for road trips and highway driving where you are doing some passing and lane changing, S3 is the bomb. If you get out on some twisty roads, of course you want S3 and sport plus on steering and ride. Really the number of options to choose from in setting the car up makes it very versatile.

There I go sounding like a commercial again.

[Stash21]

Dct is very good. Also in my opinion better than audi s tronic.

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by wrsbmw

I am glad I chose DCT, it's really a great system. There are three shift modes in both automatic and manual. If you want smoother slower shifting, use the low speed mode but for responsiveness, D3 and S3 are it. I use S3 driving around most of the time. This isn't so good in rush hour type traffic so I switch to D1 when I get in that stop and go stuff. However, for road trips and highway driving where you are doing some passing and lane changing, S3 is the bomb. If you get out on some twisty roads, of course you want S3 and sport plus on steering and ride. Really the number of options to choose from in setting the car up makes it very versatile.

There I go sounding like a commercial again.

Agree, controlling the throttle in traffic blows, I switch over to D as well for this. Is there a way to keep it in 2nd gear (either D or S) as Ive found it is better for stop and go. Like some sort of winter mode?

[MCM5]

SMG vs manual, I'll pick manual.
DCT vs manual, DCT definitely my choice.

[mdosu]

it depends on what you look for in a car. I own a 6MT E90 M3, but had extensive time behind a DCT M3. The DCT is the best (non-manual) transmission I've every driven in a performance car. The shifts are quick but also smooth. The best part of the DCT is that it makes downshifting brainless and easy, which is a good thing if you just want to concentrate on driving instead of shifting.

If you're a die-hard MT guy, you'll likely get bored of the DCT. If you can swing either way, I would recommend the DCT. If you commute daily in traffic, you're likely going to want a DCT.

Note, the M5 6MT in its default mode has the automatic rev-match downshift (similar to the Nissan 370Z), that cannot be turned off in the default mode. (you have to put the car in Sport + to turn it off, but your throttle sensitivity would be different). I think this is a major item to note, b/c it doesn't give you a pure MT experience.

If the 6MT car was cheaper, there's no question I would get the 6MT in the M5 or M6, but since it's a no-cost savings option, I likely will swing to DCT. I drank the DCT kool-aid.

[Northern X5M]

My F10 M5 DCT is utterly amazing. This is my first DCT and I was so shocked the first time I ran it through the gears WOT. Increadible!

That said, I also love to bang the gears in my E39 M5 so much that I am seriously considering ordering a manual F10 M5. Initially I didn't want a manual in my DD as I have a few other toys with manuals to get my fix but I find myself longing for a manual almost daily.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

bottom line here is that manuals are almost over. Ferrari, mclaren, Lamborghini, and even the latest 911 GT3 don't even bother with them. It's just a matter of a few years before manufacturers stop bothering with them.

This is pretty much true.

OP haven't you ever seen this Carlos Lago review before. It's hands down the best analysis of the 6MT F10 M5 I've seen. The question he poses at the end is the right question to ask.

He's right though why would you want a 6MT in a Ferrari 458? The F10 M5 has the same power and much more torque than the 458 yet we have a manual option. I think that the only M5 a manual belonged in was the E39 M5 and that only came with a 6MT.

You should do like some of us did and get an F10 M5 with a DCT and then another lighter more sportier car like a Porsche that has a manual transmission which fits that type of car much better than a 4,300lbs sports sedan. My little Fiat Abarth daily driver is one of the most fun cars I have ever driven and it's a 5speed manual, it keeps me satisfied with my need to row through the gears and it's so nimble, only 2,400lbs. Getting into my M5 with a DCT is always a treat though and listening to the exhaust and the gear changes with the DCT is almost orgasmic. It helps that I have a very sweet sounding and loud exhaust though.

But to answer your question, yes the DCT is THAT amazing. The best transmission I have ever used.

[Tom C]

For me....the DCT is a much better option for such a heavy car and for any sort or regular heavy traffic conditions. The DCT in the M5 is MUCH MUCH smoother and just as quick as the DCT in my old GT-R. Throw in the fact that it has a seventh gear it only adds to the advantages. Sure it will never be as involving as a manual but maybe as I get older I am beginning to place more importance on convenience.

[Bokke]

^^ +1

I was a manual only guy until my E90 M3 when I went, somewhat apprehensively, to the DCT. I can tell you I have not looked back and never even thought about the 6MT in the F10.

I would ask the same question as Lopez, "why would a purist want a 560hp, twin-turbo, heavy, luxury German sedan?"

[Swashplate]

I am not a flappy paddle fan. But i will agree the current flaps are the cats pajamas. Again, This is a totally individual decision. The manual gearbox in the F10 M5 is fantastic and is as good as. Manuals get.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Looks like Porsche is next in line for manual dump. 2014 911 turbo and 2014 GT3 will have no manuals.

[chong0]

as a diehard MT fan (i waited 7 months for a cayenne MT) I can not imagine driving without rowing through the gears. My commute each way is about 30 miles and the car itself is joy, but rowing through the gears keeps me awake and makes the drive better IMO. there was only one option for me for a sport sedan and the M5 is the only one. i am old school.

that being said, stop and go traffic is seemingly more of a pain in this car especially with the auto stop/start. very hard to keep smooth, but a part of me also wants to accelerate the balls off of this car. you can argue to disable auto start/stop, but my green side argues to keep it on to preserve that 0.1 mpg.

heel-toe is still easy, as in all bmws but autoblip removes this and driving around in sports+ throttle is silly for normal driving in the MT.

comparing the DCT i drove at M school vs my current MT at the track, there is no comparison and DCT is way faster. since i went through my brake pads and rotors after 1 event (BMW is not warrantying this and it's FU*King ridiculously pricey), this point is no longer an issue and my track days are done in this behemoth.

bottom line: MT keeps me awake, enhances my drive. if you will track, get the DCT.

[M54ccibo]

Every car ever owned up to the E60 M5 was MT. With exception of S6 on the SMG wished I had MT. On the F10 M5, DCT all the way. Super cool to row gears, and be physically connected to all of the power but for some reason it just doesn't seem like the right match.

Kudos to those who did choose MT on our cars though, sticking with what makes THEM happy.

[nugent]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

This is pretty much true.

OP haven't you ever seen this Carlos Lago review before. It's hands down the best analysis of the 6MT F10 M5 I've seen. The question he poses at the end is the right question to ask.

He's right though why would you want a 6MT in a Ferrari 458? The F10 M5 has the same power and much more torque than the 458 yet we have a manual option. I think that the only M5 a manual belonged in was the E39 M5 and that only came with a 6MT.

You should do like some of us did and get an F10 M5 with a DCT and then another lighter more sportier car like a Porsche that has a manual transmission which fits that type of car much better than a 4,300lbs sports sedan. My little Fiat Abarth daily driver is one of the most fun cars I have ever driven and it's a 5speed manual, it keeps me satisfied with my need to row through the gears and it's so nimble, only 2,400lbs. Getting into my M5 with a DCT is always a treat though and listening to the exhaust and the gear changes with the DCT is almost orgasmic. It helps that I have a very sweet sounding and loud exhaust though.

But to answer your question, yes the DCT is THAT amazing. The best transmission I have ever used.

What a great profile this man has!

[s4awd]

I drove both. The DCT is great. So was the GTR's DSG. But I chose my M5 with a MT. If something ever happened to my car and I had to get another one. I would get MT again no doubt. It's just fun shifting. What can I say. Most every review say although the DCT is more suited to the car, they admit that shifting a 560hp M5 is fun. Evo magazine liked it as well. If you want to go really fast around a racetrack get DCT but if you like to heel toe, this thing is just plain fun. It also heels and toe for you if you want

[chong0]

Originally Posted by chong0

as a diehard MT fan (i waited 7 months for a cayenne MT) I can not imagine driving without rowing through the gears. My commute each way is about 30 miles and the car itself is joy, but rowing through the gears keeps me awake and makes the drive better IMO. there was only one option for me for a sport sedan and the M5 is the only one. i am old school.

that being said, stop and go traffic is seemingly more of a pain in this car especially with the auto stop/start. very hard to keep smooth, but a part of me also wants to accelerate the balls off of this car. you can argue to disable auto start/stop, but my green side argues to keep it on to preserve that 0.1 mpg.

heel-toe is still easy, as in all bmws but autoblip removes this and driving around in sports+ throttle is silly for normal driving in the MT.

comparing the DCT i drove at M school vs my current MT at the track, there is no comparison and DCT is way faster. since i went through my brake pads and rotors after 1 event (BMW is not warrantying this and it's FU*King ridiculously pricey), this point is no longer an issue and my track days are done in this behemoth.

bottom line: MT keeps me awake, enhances my drive. if you will track, get the DCT.

oh yeah, and here's the other reason...

[py0413]

If want a manual and can live with it to drive daily, get one before it's too late. For a car like the M5, I'd chosen DCT because I drive it everyday and often got stuck in traffic ( not very long time but still not pleasant) however, despite PKD does pretty much everything better on a 911, I still can't believe they are getting rid of the manual tranny.