F85 transmission vs DCT vs previous transmission

[avi8tir]

How good is the new transmission? I had a 2013 X5 M and HATED the transmission... wasnt enjoyable at all in manual mode and always seemed to be in the wrong gear in auto.

Also, how does the F85 transmission compare to DCT? I had an a 2013 M5 and a 2014 M6 GC and drove both of those in S3 using the paddles 100% of the time. How is the F85 in S3?

Any comments and comparisons with the F85's new 8 speed would be appreciated. I did a brief test drive and found it interesting how it goes into "neutral" when you come to stop, just like DCT.

Thanks!!

[avi8tir]

hmmm.... nobody?

[tastelid]

I can't compare them for you but I find the transmission on my 2016 X5M to be great. I'm a motorcyclist first, so take that with a grain of salt, but it performs reliably, and well enough for my hooning on twisty roads.

[AlexLou1222]

I like the 8 speed in my M, it's fast enough for me and it acts like a DCT which is cool.
Shifting is smooth and fast, and I found that I finally using the manual shifter/paddle shifter on this car, ( I never enjoy using paddle shifter on my previous BMWs, granted they are not M so shifting is slow to react with my fingers )

[Drtsk]

I never drove the e70 model, so I can't tell you the difference.
But you compare to the DCT, there is no comparison. The DCT is much better tranny with the exception of 1st gear. I'm sure people with m3 4 5 know what I'm talking about. When you smash the accelerator from stop the car shakes violently, more so in the m4 than m5. Beside that DCT is great, on par with PDK.
With that being said, X6m has to be one of the best auto transmission I have driven. You will not be disappointed.

[Drtsk]

I'm glad I bought the x6m. The driving experience on the f86 is much than the m5. Of course, mine doesn't have the competition package. Go for a test drive you won't be disappointed with the tranny and the driving experience. If I wasn't so lazy I would drive it in paddle shifter with S3 all the time.

[HappyMan]

I was very tempted to test drive X5M after reading comments how great it drives and how enjoyable it to drive compared to M5 F10. I was almost thinking that I made wrong choice with my M5. So, I did test drive it today. And you know what? I didn't make a wrong decision with my M5. X5m while it drives really great, but M5 is better, more enjoyable and you feel the power, the surge. I didn't feel the power and surge like the M5. That's not a biased opinion guys. Oh, and I like the sound of Asd while accelerating wot in the m5 more.

[deathray]

I did have an E70 X5M before the F85 and, like you, I absolutely hated the autobox.

The new transmission in this one is almost indescribably better. This one has much quicker shifts, better feedback, better software in pretty well all modes and, most importantly, gear ratios that make sense. I would say that the transmission is the biggest driveability improvement made between the two models.

Compared to the DCT in the F10, the F85 auto is not as quick and not as direct for sure. That being said, The difference is not big enough that I miss the DCT much.

I had an E70 X5M, F10 M5 and E60 M5 in my garage. Aside from days where I needed cargo room, the E70 was a strictly wife vehicle because I HATED driving it.

Now, I would say I drive the F85 as much or more than either M5, especially if it involves long distance cruising.

[AlexLou1222]

The M5 does feel faster and handles better, hell, you can never fight physics. The extra torque and AWD can't really offset the 800 lbs difference in weight.

But I chose my X6M over M5/M6 because the AWD traction, ride height ( to make it an easier daily drive ), and the new gen interior is so much better than the F10's dated interior.

[HappyMan]

Originally Posted by AlexLou1222

The M5 does feel faster and handles better, hell, you can never fight physics. The extra torque and AWD can't really offset the 800 lbs difference in weight.

But I chose my X6M over M5/M6 because the AWD traction, ride height ( to make it an easier daily drive ), and the new gen interior is so much better than the F10's dated interior.

I don't think f10's interior in full leather is dated. In X6m's interior only ambient light is new and better. Nothing else!☺️

[Billaeon]

Originally Posted by HappyMan

I didn't make a wrong decision with my M5

Uhm....congrats?

[JNoSol]

I can't compare it to the previous gen X5M, because I never owned one. However, I owned an F80 M3 with DCT. What I can tell you is when driven the X5M in Sport+ and Shift Level 3, it is just as snappy as an M3 with DCT w/o the jerky side effects at low speed. The transmission hold RPMs in Sport+/Lvl3, just like the DCT. Great for engine braking.

I loved the M3's DCT, but hated how it jerks the vehicle at low speed.

[koxal]

i have driven e93 m3, f10 m5 and now the x5m.

transmission wise, you can hardly tell the difference between the f10 m5 and x5m. they are so close in terms of everything.

honestly, i enjoy driving my x5m more than f10 m5.
exhaust sound is much better/louder and awd makes driving more fun with that much power.

[noushy]

Message me and we can talk. I have owned three M6 cars in the past 9 years, two with SMG, one with DCT and now the X5M. I can give you personal insight into all three.

Noushy

[AlexLou1222]

share it here! Also throw in your B7 too! XD