Comments on: BMW to introduce dual-clutch gearbox

By: BLISS

BLISS — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 14:47:35 +0000

ANOTHER OPTION….GOOD

By: AdibzumbaAbihganulah

AdibzumbaAbihganulah — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:04:34 +0000

Madcapp, you’re right. And the Veyron’s 7-speed DSG transmission comes from Ricardo.

By: 1487_GM_SALES

1487_GM_SALES — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:53:40 +0000

Just buy a Saab and be done with it. At least then it won’t break down all the time

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:55:04 +0000

A dual clutch transmission such as this or Volkswagens DSG is really 2 component assemblys working together. First is the Borg-warner supplied dual clutch assembly. Then/second, you need a transmission partner. So far in German stuff its been Getrag, but there’s no reason it could not be ZF, or anyone else for that matter. Getrag may have worked some sort of exclusive with Borg-Warner, I’m not sure. That’s not significantly different from any conventional manual transmission…clutch might come from Valeo and transmission might come from Muncie.

By: AgmLauncher

AgmLauncher — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:29:47 +0000

Madcapp, so then is Getrag the only transmission company that makes the APPLICATION for this mechanism (at least in consumer vehicles that is)?

Seems kind of strange :/

By: neko

neko — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 03:54:10 +0000

This is interesting considering that Chrysler also has a dual clutch transmission from… you guessed it, Getrag coming out. I wonder if it was a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler, if so this should be a very exciting time for both companies. It can boast improved fuel efficiency and even shave an estimated 1 second off of 0-60mph times. Chrysler is using a 6-speed setup in their cars and 7-speed in their trucks and vans.

By: Veda

Veda — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:50:59 +0000

The SMG was a mixed reaction, the DCT should be far better to compete with Audi’s.

By: rey323

rey323 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:04:22 +0000

Doublearon21, don’t bother expecting a response. He/she/it doesn’t believe any of that bullcrap anyways. Just likes getting a rise out of everybody. Anyways, I wonder if they will add DCT as an option to the 335i?

By: Captain Spadaro

Captain Spadaro — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:39:54 +0000

“…will feature a shift lever similar to the one found on the X5…”

DO NOT WANT

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:23:24 +0000

doublearon21, don’t waste your breath waiting for an answer: in case it comes it will be bull**** anyway.
Here is a practical question if you are mechanic: what causes feeling that gear engages at the different level of clutch release. As an example when shifting into first it is almost midway through the pedal travel and much lower 2-3-4-5-6. Reverse it’s almost at the top of the travel? Should I be concerned or just automatic clutch adjusting itself on its own?

By: doublearon21

doublearon21 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:04:42 +0000

GM_Sales-please respond to this because I really wanna know if you are actually serious, and if you actually believe your own nonsense. And if you actually believe yourself, name your source. More than half my family works for GM or in the automotive business, so I can verify or shoot down you source. And just so you know I have a very close friend that works for the company that builds ALL BMW TRANSMISSIONS (I hope you didn’t miss that), its a little company called…..wait for it…… GETRAG, the company that builds quite possibly the best manual gearboxes ever(ask anyone with knowledge in this area), not GM. Oh and yeah BMW should definitely stop build their own, award winning, #2 and #3 BEST engines as awarded by WARD and have GM who doesn’t even have an engine in the top 10, build them. Oh and by the way BMW has had a engine in the top 10 best engines for over 5 years running (3.2 M3 engine mostly). And just so you’re not questioning my knowledge, I am a nationally certified ASE mechanic who family has owned a large automotive service chain for the last 5 generations, and wouldn’t ya know it the vehicles we service the most…….GM products, I’m not saying they’re crappy vehicles, it is just that sacrifice quality for quantity. I can almost swap a GM FWD 3.1/3.4/3.8 blindfolded, that is how many I have done. SO PLEASE do respond with your best GM_SALES, I really would like to see your proof.

By: Htay5500

Htay5500 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:47:49 +0000

gmsales: lmao, you should be a comedian, nice joke!

By: Hugh Jass

Hugh Jass — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:31:51 +0000

Perfect. Now give us diesel as well. That’s right – diesel in California.

By: jamaicandude

jamaicandude — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:27:59 +0000

The technology is cool and all, and there’s no denying the performance value of both BMW’s outgoing SMG box… and dual clutch systems as well. And, they’re extremely fun to drive hard… but a gear head like me will never tire of a good old fashioned manual transmission.

By: 1487_GM_SALES

1487_GM_SALES — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:51:24 +0000

Is this also going to be a GM transmission? BMW already uses GM automatics so it would make sense to let GM design such a complex, sophisticated DSG. They’re the only ones who’ll get it right.

People will never again buy one of those ****ty BMW manual gearboxes again once this comes out. They already buy the Automatics because they know GM builds the best in the world and maybe BMW will let them build the best SMG in the world?

BMW should outsource their engines to GM while they’re at at it. At least then they’d be reliable.

By: mkM3

mkM3 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:37:28 +0000

To ///m:

This transmission is everything that SMG is, and more. Its functionally the same from the user perspective, it just shifts a lot faster. And it has auto modes just like SMG. This will essentially obsolete SMG, and the next M5/M6 will get something similar.

By: Fletch

Fletch — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:53:57 +0000

The MT will not be made obsolete by the DCT, but we will see a reduction in MT’s in the near future. It is true that DCT shifts faster than MT and provides equal or better fuel economy. The reason MT’s are here to stay is that people like driving them and the market is dictated by the customer.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:33:15 +0000

What’s funny, Agm, it that the modern dual clutch mechanisim, which makes this transmission possible, is an American development. It comes from Borg-Warner in Detroit. The problem is that US auto makers are too arrogant, cheap, and stupid to implement modern technology. Look at how long GM has persisted with pushrod engines, rear drum brakes, and 4 speed slushboxes. And you wonder if the big 3 needs new management to replace the out-of-touch greyheads that are running the US auto industry into the ground. No brainer.

By: AgmLauncher

AgmLauncher — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:07:45 +0000

Its improvements like these that constantly keeps American auto manufacturers behind :/

If Cadillac could surprise everyone with DCT in the 2008 CTS, then it would be amazing.

Maybe GM can catchup a little faster this time.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:52:02 +0000

Its about time. The twin clutch gearbox completely obsoletes the manual transmission because its 10,000 times better. This is where the entire automotive industry is going, and if you don’t get it, you need to open your narrow little mind, which isn’t gonna happen, because you can’t fix stupid.

By: ///m

///m — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:25:50 +0000

Errgghh!!! I drive a manual and I wouldnt drive anything else but they’re getting rid of the whole SMG semi-auto tranny… Has anyone driven a car with SMG?? Its awesome! Probably one of the coolest transmissions I’ve ever used… I was also using one in an M6 so maybe that made it a lil more special. But I was hoping they would make this double clutch gearbox a semi-auto

By: Commodore

Commodore — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:25:30 +0000

Sounds fun [to drive]

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:51:17 +0000

Great news for left foot challenged. I believe ability to drive manual transmission is akin to playing complex musical instrument – enhancing the brain.