Most Comfortable Setting on DCT

[frankzlin79]

Still haven't gotten my car yet....a used 2007 M5 (30,000 miles) about 30 min away for $49,000 asking looks mighty attractive.

Anyway, on a M3 DCT car, which settings would yield the most comfortable ride for normal, everyday city driving? Also, in the D modes, is it as smooth shifting as a regular 3-series automatic?

Is the DCT that much of an improvement over the M5s SMG III?

[jamesisel]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

The best setting is 6MT.

yessir!!!

[gthirtyfizle]

YESSSIRRRR

[Blake]

^^^ nevermind these 6MT oldtimers....

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

Still haven't gotten my car yet....a used 2007 M5 (30,000 miles) about 30 min away for $49,000 asking looks mighty attractive.

Anyway, on a M3 DCT car, which settings would yield the most comfortable ride for normal, everyday city driving? Also, in the D modes, is it as smooth shifting as a regular 3-series automatic?

Is the DCT that much of an improvement over the M5s SMG III?

my city driving "goldilocks" setting is D3 with no gizmos on. D3 gives you enough to enjoy the power while being comfortable hopping through red lights. D1 and D2 start in 2nd gear and shifts really low in rpms. it's boring. D3 is right below harder shifts. D4 and D5, you'll feel it. with EDC off and DSC on full using D3, it sails around the city streets with ease like any other passenger car.

as far as smoothness compared to 3 series steptronic, there is no comparison. it's so configurable that if you want it to be soft, you will feel nothing on the shift. if you want to feel it, you just dial it in. there really isn't a single class in DCT that compares to steptronic. i hate to use the 'formula 1' example, but if they use a dual clutch transmission, it must be good, right?

again, SMG III is no comparison. DCT outperforms SMG III is almost every category as well. what it all boils down to is preference. some people can't imagine not driving a 6MT....and there's nothing wrong with that, but if you want as close to 100% as you can get in this car, DCT is the only way to go. my 2 cents...

[frankzlin79]

Nice comment blakepilot. Any other opinions?

[Blake]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

Nice comment blakepilot. Any other opinions?

like what?

[adamr]

S3, D3 for me ... most comfortable setting ... so ditto what ^^ he said above ....

[footie]

Originally Posted by adamr

S3, D3 for me ... most comfortable setting ... so ditto what ^^ he said above ....

ditto,

S4 and S5 are too harsh with the surge, on daily driving I'm not a big fan of either setting, plus on a remotely greasy surface the surge can upset the tail when least expected which is not what is required when you have 420hp below your right foot.

In auto D-mode I generally use either the default setting of D2 or shift it to D3 but when speeds of 60~80mph is the norm (Instate/Motorway driving) I think D4/5 is perfect as it kicks down a gear or two with the slightest flex of the toe and shifts gear as smoothly as any of the other D-mode settings.

[AZ-BMW]

Originally Posted by blakepilot

as far as smoothness compared to 3 series steptronic, there is no comparison. it's so configurable that if you want it to be soft, you will feel nothing on the shift. if you want to feel it, you just dial it in. there really isn't a single class in DCT that compares to steptronic. i hate to use the 'formula 1' example, but if they use a dual clutch transmission, it must be good, right?

again, SMG III is no comparison. DCT outperforms SMG III is almost every category as well. what it all boils down to is preference. some people can't imagine not driving a 6MT....and there's nothing wrong with that, but if you want as close to 100% as you can get in this car, DCT is the only way to go. my 2 cents...

+1
I'm still within the break-in period, but DCT is outstanding

[swamp2]

The nice thing about M-DCT is that the comfort level and similarly the level of sportiness to the feel is both mode and driving style dependent. Hence if you like the rev matching and surge of S4 you can also enjoy very smooth shifts if you are at light to medium throttle/agressiveness.

D1 is so chill. Starting in 2nd and you just about have to floor it to get any downshifts.

[ase2dais]

for the meantime D works for me until breakin over, with occasionally M-DCT I find myself in trouble at most times hitting 5.5k... this DCT is just too awesome and quick , it will get me in trouble in no time.

DCT is sweeetttttttttt!