Comments on: BMW unveils seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

By: LexusSoarer

LexusSoarer — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:05:59 +0000

^^^ Hell yeah it’ll be better than the SMG’s, especially that terrible one in the Z4. The E46 M3’s SMG wasn’t exactly that bad, but it still was pretty heavily criticized.

I think this is going to be awesome, I’d do some crazy shiz-nit for a brand new M3 coupe in all white with 19 inch forged white wheels.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:23:40 +0000

Whether it’s a manual or a paddle shift, it comes down to what the car is actually packing. You can have your paddle shifters in your M3’s or GT-R’s but I’ll keep my manual in a ZR1 and smoke everyone…. (Wish I could have a ZR1…) haha

By: mysuitssotight

mysuitssotight — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:46:53 +0000

At least it will be better than the previous SMG transmissions.

By: F3INT))AP3X

F3INT))AP3X — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:26:24 +0000

The manual is a fun toy no doubt guys, but if you want to shift a stick instead of squeeze a paddle then you will be doing so inside the confines of my rearview mirror. There is just no way a manual tranny is going to be better than paddles; the only thing the manual has going for it anymore as johnnycanuck said, is its ability to be abused. You can still drift easily with paddles so the only real thing I see that you cannot do are alternative drifting techniques like clutch kicking and machine gun shifting and so on. So as far as what each transmission type can and cannot do, there isn’t much difference, I guess some people just have a need for the tactile response that a shifter brings.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:58:59 +0000

Well said ZO6ified.

By: Z06ified

Z06ified — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:10:47 +0000

This is a better option than a traditional automatic, and I hope these types of transmissions eventually replace the automatic and put the power sapping torque converter out to pasture. But this is not a replacement for a traditional manual in terms of fun to drive and driver involvement. Anyone who thinks it is either has never driven a traditional manual, or is playing too many video games.

By: The Stig

The Stig — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:13:20 +0000

The M-DKG deserves to be an option on all BMWs where possible, including diesels.

By: LuckyLou

LuckyLou — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:45:20 +0000

3 pedals till I die but I can appreciate the technology behind this new tranny. I’ll take feel/control over faster shifting/0-60 times any day. Meshing a few perfect shifts in a row on ANY car can make me grin from ear to ear.

By: Astonman12

Astonman12 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:32:46 +0000

oo haha ok.

By: corvette

corvette — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:30:14 +0000

Aston it was more towards my friend who is up the ass crazy for BMW.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:18:16 +0000

Yeah Astonman12 but it’s still an “automatic trans” in the sense that you can either shift manually, and then switch it into automatic mode for when you get lazy. Like I’ll stick with three pedals, It’s also not as complex and I bet these trannies are very sensitive and can’t be heavily modified like the traditional trans.

Lol I’m not arguing one bit because yeah the C6 I rode in was a “clutchless” automatic whose sport mode enabled you to select the gears and didn’t if I recall upshift for you while you were still in a gear. (it did however not redline for the safety of the trans)

But yeah this has two clutches…

By: Astonman12

Astonman12 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:02:52 +0000

no need to get salty, corvette.

By: corvette

corvette — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:50:10 +0000

good for them…

By: Astonman12

Astonman12 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:40:19 +0000

yea ive driven the GTI with the DSG too. It is fantastic.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:29:48 +0000

Ive driven a GTI and Audi with automated manuals and they are way, way better then any slush box auto. The directness of the power is just like std manual and the shifts are ridiculously quick, all while keeping hands on the steering wheel. But the fun factor is down and the challenge of getting the manual just is more rewarding to me.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:24:47 +0000

For those who think this stuff wont trickle down, wake up. BMW does nt make this tranny, while they co-developed it and its outsourced. So any manufacturer can throw down the bones to put it in their cars. Usually it takes a year or 2 before co-developer (in this case BMW) will start allowing builder to license out.
Sounds like a awesome tranny, but cost and complexity would make me apprehensive for the 1st 2 years of production.
If were voting, put me in the 3 pedal crowd.

By: Astonman12

Astonman12 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:22:09 +0000

SS4LIFE, I believe that the paddle shifted automatic transmission that was in the C6 you rode in was indeed just a fully automatic transmission with an “autostick”ish setting with the paddle shifters. This new BMW transmission is actually a true manual but with 2 electronically controlled clutches and no third pedal. It is also different to drive and as hard as it is to believe, some people do claim that it is as fun if not more fun than a traditional manual with a clutch. This is new technology.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:00:16 +0000

7 gears? Damn it’s a good thing it isn’t a manual trans. It’d be like driving a frieking Semi-truck.

So ok the dual clutch 7 gear tans, not only is slightly quicker but also improves efficiency because of smaller gear ratios also saving fuel?

I also agree with Johnnycanuck I’ll stick with three pedals until they stop making them. Manual’s are way too much fun, (except in stop and go bumper to bumper traffic) I rode in a C6 with the available 6spd auto with paddle shifters, and yeah it looked cool but didn’t look very fun. Still cool technology.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:52:55 +0000

This is great news!

By: autonut

autonut — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:36:59 +0000

Astonman12, you are not minority in the US. Heck, most of kids never saw one and don’t know how to use it. Hopefully this technology does not require huge engine output to work.

By: maximus

maximus — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:26:27 +0000

transmission news is boring

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:20:11 +0000

I’ll take mine in a redesigned M5, please!

By: Poisonous Cinquecento

Poisonous Cinquecento — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:03:18 +0000

As Ive said in previous posts, Caddilacs will never come close to Germans ingenuity, no matter how many Voltron kits they put on their cars.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:54:12 +0000

That needs to ne in EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

By: rms492

rms492 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:40:29 +0000

Consumer Reports will give it the “black dot” for reliability problems.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:38:46 +0000

Sorry, but for sheer enjoyment there are still 50% more ways I can abuse my car with 3 pedals as opposed to 2. Clutches are cheap. **** eating grins are priceless.

By: Astonman12

Astonman12 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:24:49 +0000

screw the manual, this transmission sounds niiiiiiiiice. faster shift times, faster 0-60 times, good stuff. I like paddle shifting better than manual anyway, althought I think I am in the minority on that.

By: JoshL

JoshL — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:24:31 +0000

sounds great. Ferrari and BMW are the only ones really competing bc all the others suck at making F1 trany’s

By: autonut

autonut — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:22:58 +0000

Girls power!

By: Commodore

Commodore — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:21:05 +0000

Pretty damn sweet soundin