Give me your DCT driving tips!

bellemastiff · 08-22-2014, 08:34 AM

Just got my M3 yesterday. Obviously there's no "wrong" way to drive this car (except in Auto mode), but I'm still looking for tips on how to get the most fun out of my DCT. I have some questions.

1) What gear do you use on the highway (65+ mph)? Do most people go to 7th for noise/fuel economy, then just kick down to 4th to pass someone, etc?

2) Say you're going 55mph on a country highway then come to a stop sign (DCT in S5). Do you downshift manually as you approach? Or let the DCT do it automatically?

3) Any reason to use S3 or S4 instead of S5 in M mode? (I don't track, and like stability control, so I'm not planning on using S6)

4) What MPH do 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear top out at? Seemed like it was ~35, ~60 and ~85 or something like that?

5) I was expecting to want to use the paddles (like I did w/ my 911 PDK) but the gearshift feels more natural to me. I guess this one isn't a question. :-)

6) When the car is cold (first 10 min's after startup), what RPM do you shift at? E.g. is 5k safe when the car is cold? Or 4k...

Thanks for any tips. Love this DCT and want to get the most out of it.

happos2 · 08-22-2014, 08:36 AM

4) 8600 rpm.

dmk08 · 08-22-2014, 08:38 AM

In Line

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellemastiff

Just got my M3 yesterday. Obviously there's no "wrong" way to drive this car (except in Auto mode), but I'm still looking for tips on how to get the most fun out of my DCT. I have some questions.

1) What gear do you use on the highway (65+ mph)? Do most people go to 7th for noise/fuel economy, then just kick down to 4th to pass someone, etc?

Unless I'm beating on it I'm in 7th. normally in D these days. Getting lazy lol.

2) Say you're going 55mph on a country highway then come to a stop sign (DCT in S5). Do you downshift manually as you approach? Or let the DCT do it automatically?

DCT cause my car is loud as shit

3) Any reason to use S3 or S4 instead of S5 in M mode? (I don't track, and like stability control, so I'm not planning on using S6)

S4 is money IMO. S5 is a little aggressive on downshifts for the street. I'm almost always in S4 when in manual mode.

4) What MPH do 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear top out at? Seemed like it was ~35, ~60 and ~85 or something like that?

no idea

5) I was expecting to want to use the paddles (like I did w/ my 911 PDK) but the gearshift feels more natural to me. I guess this one isn't a question. :-)

Depending on what I'm doing I use both. Easy to hit shifter in corners with wheel turned since the paddles rotate.

6) When the car is cold (first 10 min's after startup), what RPM do you shift at? E.g. is 5k safe when the car is cold? Or 4k...

2500-3k. Let it warm up. Because racecar :P

Thanks for any tips. Love this DCT and want to get the most out of it.

Amirsm3 · 08-22-2014, 09:32 AM

I got the GTS DCT software so I let the car go in D2 while it's warming up then when I'm feeling frisky I go S5. I also don't downshift when I'm street driving.

As far as the top speed in each gear, I'm sure you could find them with a quick search.

SenorFunkyPants · 08-22-2014, 09:42 AM

1)7th

2) Say you're going 55mph on a country highway then come to a stop sign (DCT in S5). Do you downshift manually as you approach? Or let the DCT do it automatically?

I shift down manually at ~1500rpm

3) Any reason to use S3 or S4 instead of S5 in M mode? (I don't track, and like stability control, so I'm not planning on using S6)

S2 has no "power shift" so is good for poor slippy road conditions if you still want to press on. S3 has only a little "powershift" so is good if like a less harsh shift at higher rpms.

5) I was expecting to want to use the paddles (like I did w/ my 911 PDK) but the gearshift feels more natural to me. I guess this one isn't a question. :-)

The paddles are great most of the time, stick is handy if you want to shift with the steering wheel turned and have lost track of which paddle to use.

6) When the car is cold (first 10 min's after startup), what RPM do you shift at? E.g. is 5k safe when the car is cold? Or 4k...

Probably no more than 2500 rpm and no going bananas until the temp hits 200F

Helmsman · 08-22-2014, 12:19 PM

1) Definitely 7th as long as you don't need to power. Coded the dash the other day for constant fuel gauge - huge difference when gear down/RPM up!

2) Basically always shift down manually to get the rev blip (S4), lovely...

3) S4-S5 = rev match/blip.

6) Always keep it in default D2 during initial warm up which means gear shift around 16-1800RPM with careful pedal. Once the temp start to move I continue for a bit in D3 to then push M with S4 programmed. I never push the engine above 4-isch before I have full temp and even like to have the oil gauge up running first.

Cheers

krx927 · 08-27-2014, 08:10 AM

check the answers below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellemastiff

1) What gear do you use on the highway (65+ mph)? Do most people go to 7th for noise/fuel economy, then just kick down to 4th to pass someone, etc?

7th

2) Say you're going 55mph on a country highway then come to a stop sign (DCT in S5). Do you downshift manually as you approach? Or let the DCT do it automatically?

When I come to complete stop I let the car downshift.

3) Any reason to use S3 or S4 instead of S5 in M mode? (I don't track, and like stability control, so I'm not planning on using S6)

S5 is way to agresive for my feeling. I am sure the clutch is hurting every time you upshift

4) What MPH do 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear top out at? Seemed like it was ~35, ~60 and ~85 or something like that?

Here you have it in kmh
8400
1.Gang 67.5
2.Gang 110.1
3.Gang 149.9
4.Gang 192.4
5.Gang 232.2
6.Gang 268.3
7.Gang 330.5

5) I was expecting to want to use the paddles (like I did w/ my 911 PDK) but the gearshift feels more natural to me. I guess this one isn't a question. :-)

I also use gearshifter quite often, especially when driving normally. When I am pushing it I use paddles.

6) When the car is cold (first 10 min's after startup), what RPM do you shift at? E.g. is 5k safe when the car is cold? Or 4k...

I never rev it cold above 2,5k

Thanks for any tips. Love this DCT and want to get the most out of it.

Rupes · 08-27-2014, 08:35 AM

Funny how many of you don't rev it above 2.5k when cold. I do - maybe around 3.5k max, but usually not past that. Otherwise I feel like I'm lugging the engine, especially up a hill. Can't imagine lugging the car is somehow better for the engine than a slightly higher RPM.

This is just my thought. And don't get me wrong, i often shift below that. I think we all throw around things as gospel on these forums just because they've been said so many times. Does anyone have proof that driving a car to 3.5k RPM's when cold does any more damage than 2.5k? Of course not.

tinman831 · 08-27-2014, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

Funny how many of you don't rev it above 2.5k when cold. I do - maybe around 3.5k max, but usually not past that. Otherwise I feel like I'm lugging the engine, especially up a hill. Can't imagine lugging the car is somehow better for the engine than a slightly higher RPM.

This is just my thought. And don't get me wrong, i often shift below that. I think we all throw around things as gospel on these forums just because they've been said so many times. Does anyone have proof that driving a car to 3.5k RPM's when cold does any more damage than 2.5k? Of course not.

Just downshift if you're going up a hill. I think the not revving the car when cold is just a rule of thumb. There's no hardset rule on it.

miringrains · 08-27-2014, 09:27 AM

I'm assuming you havent had the car for very long, after some time it D mode because first choice. I guess thats what happens when you daily drive this car in NY

typicaltrabes · 08-27-2014, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miringrains

I'm assuming you havent had the car for very long, after some time it D mode because first choice. I guess thats what happens when you daily drive this car in NY

I daily my car in NYC and I almost never drive in D. Its too boring for me.

Jaypod · 08-27-2014, 09:48 AM

I think you need to spend more time driving your car and figure it out for yourself. A lot more fun than asking how to drive your car on the forums

bellemastiff · 08-27-2014, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miringrains

I'm assuming you havent had the car for very long, after some time it D mode because first choice. I guess thats what happens when you daily drive this car in NY

One of the many reasons I left Chicago for a more rural / small town area.

Driving a sports car in a city robs the experience of all of its joy.

redpriest · 08-27-2014, 02:34 PM

1) 7th
2) Downshift manually. Always in S5. Sounds amazing every time.
4) My fuel cutoff kicks in at 40/70/100ish mph - could just be momentum surging the car forward when it happens. I love how the car slams into gear. Shifting during fuel cutoff is fun.
5) I use the gearshifter too most of the time, especially during turns.
6) Personally I shift before 4k until 210 deg.

08-22-2014, 08:34 AM	#1
bellemastiff Enlisted Member 2 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: SW Michigan iTrader: (0)	Give me your DCT driving tips! Just got my M3 yesterday. Obviously there's no "wrong" way to drive this car (except in Auto mode), but I'm still looking for tips on how to get the most fun out of my DCT. I have some questions. 1) What gear do you use on the highway (65+ mph)? Do most people go to 7th for noise/fuel economy, then just kick down to 4th to pass someone, etc? 2) Say you're going 55mph on a country highway then come to a stop sign (DCT in S5). Do you downshift manually as you approach? Or let the DCT do it automatically? 3) Any reason to use S3 or S4 instead of S5 in M mode? (I don't track, and like stability control, so I'm not planning on using S6) 4) What MPH do 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear top out at? Seemed like it was ~35, ~60 and ~85 or something like that? 5) I was expecting to want to use the paddles (like I did w/ my 911 PDK) but the gearshift feels more natural to me. I guess this one isn't a question. :-) 6) When the car is cold (first 10 min's after startup), what RPM do you shift at? E.g. is 5k safe when the car is cold? Or 4k... Thanks for any tips. Love this DCT and want to get the most out of it.
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08-22-2014, 08:36 AM	#2
happos2 Dingleberries 76 Rep 1,246 Posts Drives: Gray E92 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (3)	4) 8600 rpm.
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08-22-2014, 09:32 AM	#4
Amirsm3 Brigadier General 514 Rep 3,482 Posts Drives: 2011 Space Grey e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Williams/Flagstaff, AZ iTrader: (3)	I got the GTS DCT software so I let the car go in D2 while it's warming up then when I'm feeling frisky I go S5. I also don't downshift when I'm street driving. As far as the top speed in each gear, I'm sure you could find them with a quick search. __________________ 2011 e90 M3 Space Grey DCT ZCP- eAs, BMW Performance, Agency Power, Macht Schnell, iND, Milltek, Volk, Challenge, Stoptech, Ohlins BMWCCA:518970
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08-22-2014, 09:42 AM	#5
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	1)7th 2) Say you're going 55mph on a country highway then come to a stop sign (DCT in S5). Do you downshift manually as you approach? Or let the DCT do it automatically? I shift down manually at ~1500rpm 3) Any reason to use S3 or S4 instead of S5 in M mode? (I don't track, and like stability control, so I'm not planning on using S6) S2 has no "power shift" so is good for poor slippy road conditions if you still want to press on. S3 has only a little "powershift" so is good if like a less harsh shift at higher rpms. 5) I was expecting to want to use the paddles (like I did w/ my 911 PDK) but the gearshift feels more natural to me. I guess this one isn't a question. :-) The paddles are great most of the time, stick is handy if you want to shift with the steering wheel turned and have lost track of which paddle to use. 6) When the car is cold (first 10 min's after startup), what RPM do you shift at? E.g. is 5k safe when the car is cold? Or 4k... Probably no more than 2500 rpm and no going bananas until the temp hits 200F
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08-22-2014, 12:19 PM	#6
Helmsman Major General 4467 Rep 7,110 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	1) Definitely 7th as long as you don't need to power. Coded the dash the other day for constant fuel gauge - huge difference when gear down/RPM up! 2) Basically always shift down manually to get the rev blip (S4), lovely... 3) S4-S5 = rev match/blip. 6) Always keep it in default D2 during initial warm up which means gear shift around 16-1800RPM with careful pedal. Once the temp start to move I continue for a bit in D3 to then push M with S4 programmed. I never push the engine above 4-isch before I have full temp and even like to have the oil gauge up running first. Cheers
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08-27-2014, 08:35 AM	#8
Rupes Major 1056 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Funny how many of you don't rev it above 2.5k when cold. I do - maybe around 3.5k max, but usually not past that. Otherwise I feel like I'm lugging the engine, especially up a hill. Can't imagine lugging the car is somehow better for the engine than a slightly higher RPM. This is just my thought. And don't get me wrong, i often shift below that. I think we all throw around things as gospel on these forums just because they've been said so many times. Does anyone have proof that driving a car to 3.5k RPM's when cold does any more damage than 2.5k? Of course not.
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08-27-2014, 09:27 AM	#10
miringrains Banned 72 Rep 702 Posts Drives: '11.5 M3 E93 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	I'm assuming you havent had the car for very long, after some time it D mode because first choice. I guess thats what happens when you daily drive this car in NY
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08-27-2014, 09:48 AM	#12
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	I think you need to spend more time driving your car and figure it out for yourself. A lot more fun than asking how to drive your car on the forums
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08-27-2014, 02:34 PM	#14
redpriest Colonel 2147 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Porsche 911 GT3RS [0.00] 2021 Porsche 718 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	1) 7th 2) Downshift manually. Always in S5. Sounds amazing every time. 4) My fuel cutoff kicks in at 40/70/100ish mph - could just be momentum surging the car forward when it happens. I love how the car slams into gear. Shifting during fuel cutoff is fun. 5) I use the gearshifter too most of the time, especially during turns. 6) Personally I shift before 4k until 210 deg.
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