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| 10-18-2009, 09:12 AM | #1 |
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New s35i DCT: initial impressions / review
Background: 8th BMW; coming out of an '07 E93 335i Steptronic, Dinan Stage I tuned.
The car: s35i DCT sports pkg, sound pkg, premium pkg, nav; DSB, ivory interior. Impressions... Hey, it really is a sports car! Entirely different feel from 3-series: much tighter, quicker, more agile. Pure driving. That's a lot of engine! This is my third N54 powerplant and by far the best installation. Power is very accessible. Car's weight not noticeable. The DCT is wonderful! I use paddles exclusively. Surprised that all gears are useful in most driving conditions. 7th is not at all a tall gear and the distance between gears is really smooth and well graduated. In my E93 I normally would drop 2 gears to go from cruising to move-it. With DCT's gearing, a 3-gear drop is often more useful for a really big punch. In manual/paddle mode, the car drops to 1st at a stop (vice 2nd with the E93/Step combo and no problem with this setup). You can upshift and start from a stop in 2nd, but it's a little puny and 1st is really better. But be prepared to upshift very quickly — 1st is a really short gear. Problem turning from a stop — paddles are not where you need them to get from 1st to second with the wheel full over. Solution is to make the 1st-to-2nd shift with the gear lever. Not tricky. And a nice job of engineering the clutch slippage in reverse and 1st — very smooth. Overall DCT is the crispest, most flexible, and most responsive geartrain in my experience. The engine sounds are great! The exhaust burbles and farts on gear shifts in a very sports-car way, barks on upshift under power, generally sounds just wonderful. Interior is also splendid! The leather is really upscale; smooth as butter. Surprised to find alcantara inserts in the sides of the seat backs. Also on the door panels above the arm rests. Lived with alcantara wheel and seats in '04 330i ZHP and have no worries about its durability. Premium sound system is OK. Hey, it's really a sports car. Not quiet. Sound system competes with ambient noise and good enough is good enough. But the CD vs CD changer vs iPod vs radio vs HD radio vs USB input vs onboard music storage is a pretty complex environment and I haven't yet figured it all out. So far, it strikes me that this is could be better integrated and that it's a collection of add-ons rather than one system. But can get to everything without much trouble. I think music selection is a co-pilot job or cue it all up while you're stopped — this is not something to play with on the move. Nav system and iDrive are best ever! Being able to send Google Map destinations to the nav system (via BMW Assist messages) is just slicker than deer guts on a doorknob. I do find the new nav display a bit harder to read than the old one, though, especially with polaroids. In all, the new iDrive is just fine and the nav better than its predecessor systems. Trunk is pretty big top up, pretty hard to get to top down. But the convenient-loading feature is very useful for top-down access. Interior storage is tight. But the parcel shelf/net behind the seats is very useful, as are the fold-out door storage bins. Center console is relatively biggish; locks when car is locked. Comfort access is very good. I'd never buy a car without it. Dash displays are very good. Seat comfort is excellent. Folding top is industrial orgami — zero concern (30K miles in E93 and not a glitch with the folding roof). Interior is spacious — for a sports car. Normal vs Sport vs Sport+. I drive in Sport exclusively and find it just fine. Might go to Normal for highway cruising. Sport+ is a track setting IMHO. The car is an absolute blast to drive. Handling is wonderful. The great thing about buying a new-design BMW early is that you get all the latest innovation and technology, stuff you never dreamed of short years before. In the case of the E89, it's the packaging of well-tuned technologies (DCT, N54, iDrive, seating, controls display, climate control) with evolved handling systems and gracious interior and exterior design. I think this car is a home run. Pricey ... but sometimes money is a cheap commodity. |
| 10-18-2009, 09:28 AM | #2 |
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Best forum review so far. Hit all the points I was concerned about. Mine comes in Dec and I can't wait. My 07 335i setup is exactly like yours but I'm keeping it for my daily driver. This is my 3rd BMW. 1st was 03 330ci.
The only thing you left out was the Color of your ride. Primo on the car choice and the review! JZ |
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| 10-18-2009, 10:09 AM | #3 | |
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| 10-18-2009, 11:35 AM | #4 |
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Awesome review. I completely agree and reading a good review like this confirms my purchase decision. The DCT is an absolute pleasure and the general fit/finish on the car is way beyond my '03 Z4 (which I traded in) and is awfully close to my '08 750i.
Only two things I would have done differently if I was custom ordering one (I got a silver 3.5 DCT off the lot): the premium sound and the pass-thru loading. When I trade this baby in on 30 months (got the incredible lease deal here in the US), I'll definitely splurge for those amenities. Thanks again for the review! Adam |
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| 10-18-2009, 01:43 PM | #5 |
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Great review. Keep an eye on that fuel pump. Believe it or not, BMW is still installing bad fuel pumps on brand new model cars with N54. Mine is getting replaced on Tuesday. Unbelieveable...
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| 10-18-2009, 07:40 PM | #6 |
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Loved reading this review, thanks for sharing!
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| 10-18-2009, 09:22 PM | #7 |
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Drives: 2017 G30 540i M Sport
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2007 BMW 335i Coupe [0.00] 2012 BMW 335i Sedan [0.00] 2006 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2017 BMW 540i [0.00] 2015 BMW 428 Gran C ... [0.00] |
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| 10-19-2009, 04:25 PM | #9 |
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Yes indeed a nice write up.
I look forward to finally driving the DCT in a few days. Last week I purchased a car from a SoCal and is being trucked to Raleigh. 2008 550i Carbon Black/Cream Beige - Nicely Equipped 20" DPE Signature ST7 - Pirelli PZero Neros Retired 2006 M Roadster 2006 330i 2002 M Coupe 1996 328i |
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