Considering an SDrive35is - Transmission Concerns

[HEY32G]

Seriously considering a 35is, but I'm a manual transmission guy. I had a 335i w/ a manual - loved it, and an '07 Z4 3.0si w/ an automatic - the transmission drove me crazy. Of course it wasn't a true dual clutch, but still shifted pretty quick. The problem I had with it was that it would shift for me when I didn't want it to. For instance I would think I was shifting from 3rd to 2nd and a split second before I would do it, the car would do it for me, so when I hit the paddle, it would actually go from 2nd to 1st. Ugh! I swore my next car would be a plain old manual transmission, but the 35is is so appealing!

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[jparnes1]

If you have to get a DCT then you can still maintain control by throwing the shift lever over to the left and shifting manually with the paddles. It's not quite the same as having a third pedal, but you'll be shifting the transmission, instead of the car shifting for you. If you don't throw the lever over and just use the paddles, the car reverts back to automatic mode after a short period of time. Moving the lever to the left prevents this and keeps it in manual all the time

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

If you have to get a DCT then you can still maintain control by throwing the shift lever over to the left and shifting manually with the paddles. It's not quite the same as having a third pedal, but you'll be shifting the transmission, instead of the car shifting for you. If you don't throw the lever over and just use the paddles, the car reverts back to automatic mode after a short period of time. Moving the lever to the left prevents this and keeps it in manual all the time

Thanks. Does it EVER shift for you? What happens at redline?

Also, does the 35i come with the same DCT?

[Tangent]

I'm pretty sure the 3 and 1 series DCTs are the same units and they're attached to essentially the same engine. It's worth driving it to see if you like it or not. For me the engine made a huge difference in whether I could live with that trans. I test drove a 135i with the DCT and just didn't like it. Right after that I test drove an E90 M3 with the DCT and loved it; that high-revving V8 was a perfect fit for the fast-shifting transmission. If you do end up liking it you'll certainly have a much bigger selection of BMWs that you could buy anyway; manuals are getting damn hard to find...

[bobmos]

When I was hunting for my Z4, my priority was a manual shift. I test drove a DCT, and I must say I was blown away by the performance. Nearly bought it on the spot!

When I sat down that night to think about it, I realized that if it was only for a year or two, the DCT would be great... but my intentions were to keep it at least 3-5 years, and ultimately the manual was the way to go for me.

A bit tougher to find a nice manual, but patience pays off.

I am glad I did as the manual is top notch and I thoroughly enjoy every minute driving it.

[NoQuarter]

I made sure both my sons first car was a manual. I understand the pleasure of a manual transmission.

That said... I Love shifting my DCT manually. I don't require stepping on the third pedal to feel like I am controlling when the car shifts.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

Thanks. Does it EVER shift for you? What happens at redline?

Also, does the 35i come with the same DCT?

Yes it's still basically an automatic. You can't over rev it. And it will downshift for you when you slow down to stop or turn.
I had a Z4 with DCT and now have the 6MT. I'll never shift as fast, but I enjoy the 3 pedal experience much better.

[ljkiter]

From the other thread
Its just not as satisfying. Here are my experiences so far that makes me enjoy the manual on the daily.

1. Controlling launches. I get full reign of what RPM I want to launch from instead of a mechanical launch. We still live in a time where having an auto launch is silly to most enthusiasts.
2. I always get asked if its a manual and people always say "thank goodness its not auto". Granted I would like a dct on a track only car and dct is faster.
3. With 3 pedals, its more like a dance with the car and not so much, smash and go. Downshifting and keeping your RPM up will spin your tires in gear 2 and 3 feels good brah.
4. I'm keeping this car for the long run (<100,000 miles) and wouldn't want to fix a DCT issue down the road. DCT might be more reliable, nobody knows yet but when I was shopping for my z4, there were several with transmission work done right before the warranty expired or after (some warranty lets you buy coverage to cover high cost items like transmission).
5. Nobody asks to drive your car (unless they are car enthusiasts)

Cons
1. One money shift and the whole transmission can get fucked. I accidentally went to second from third but it wasn't at high rpms. I now know to back hand from 3>4.
2. You can go super smooth if you have a passenger AND dogs. 1>2 has to be super careful and slow or else they get tossed around and vomit.
3. Going up a tow truck with a flat tire. Shits scary and I'm still n00bish.
4. Driving stick when your wife is mad is no fun. haha

[HEY32G]

Thanks guys! You've done a spectacularly pathetic job of convincing me to get a DCT car!!

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

Thanks guys! You've done a spectacularly pathetic job of convincing me to get a DCT car!!

Save the manuals!

[ljkiter]

stickshyft for lyfe yo!

[ljkiter]

don't get embarrassed and have to explain DCT to every person thats gonna ask you "is it stick?"

[HEY32G]

If more of you had bought a stick, it would be a helluva lot easier to find a used one!!

[ljkiter]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

If more of you had bought a stick, it would be a helluva lot easier to find a used one!!

haha I got lucky and got one from zpost. 35i stick which rims already on. couldn't beat that

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by ljkiter

haha I got lucky and got one from zpost. 35i stick which rims already on. couldn't beat that

Jack ass!!

Just kidding. Congrats on it, I hope I can do that. Not in a big hurry, I figure prices will just come down while I look.

[ljkiter]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

Jack ass!!

Just kidding. Congrats on it, I hope I can do that. Not in a big hurry, I figure prices will just come down while I look.

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...rchSource=SORT

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by ljkiter

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...rchSource=SORT

Thanks, for doing that, but I've run that search and here's what really hacks me off, of those 23 cars 13 of them are actually DCT's that the dealer lists as a manual transmission. So Annoying!

And of the ones that are true manuals, only one of them has the sports package.

Like I said it will be a more difficult find, but I'm not in a big rush.

[NoQuarter]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

Thanks, for doing that, but I've run that search and here's what really hacks me off, of those 23 cars 13 of them are actually DCT's that the dealer lists as a manual transmission. So Annoying!

And of the ones that are true manuals, only one of them has the sports package.

Like I said it will be a more difficult find, but I'm not in a big rush.

I have spent a lot of time on the car search sites and have learned to never enter criteria for type of transmission. It is mostly wrong and it is wrong both ways. Autos are actually manuals when you look at the pics, Manuals are actually autos when you look at the pics, then they make up names of something in between like automanual, or try and use the manufacturers name like steptronic or whatever they call their particular transmission.

[HEY32G]

Alright I have to confess, I test drove a 35i with the DCT and I didn't mind the paddles at all. Actually I thought it was fun. I'll go eat some crow now.....

[NoQuarter]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

Alright I have to confess, I test drove a 35i with the DCT and I didn't mind the paddles at all. Actually I thought it was fun. I'll go eat some crow now.....

I like the paddles too, but at least I get to pretend a little more if I use the shifter!

Heading to Gingerman this spring and the paddles will come in handy for sure.

[ljkiter]

Originally Posted by HEY32G

Alright I have to confess, I test drove a 35i with the DCT and I didn't mind the paddles at all. Actually I thought it was fun. I'll go eat some crow now.....

Must be getting gray hairs

[ljkiter]

I admit, I've never drove the DCT. Is it true that you get a beautiful burp when you downshift?