FIRST PIC'S - BMW M3 w/ M Double Clutch Transission

BMW has made an already great car even better with the addition of the M Double Clutch Transmission w/ Drivelogic.  This transmission replaces the SMG first seen in the last generation M3 and currently in the M5.



The Double Clutch is similar to the much heralded DSG Transmission currently used by Audi / VW in their lineup of vehicles.  Sadly I wasn't able to drive the car pictured as it was already sold and being prepped for delivery to its new owner, however a comparison between manual and double clutch M3's is forthcoming.



Personally, I still prefer a clutch, however for those people condemned to sit hours on end in traffic inching along the addition of the Double Clutch to the M3's option list is a welcomed enhancement.

A special thanks for David Bartol and Johnny B at www.bmwofnashville.com/ for the chance to get a few pictures prior to delivering the M3 to its new owner.

Ironman273 - 5/6/2008 5:17:39 PM

+5 Boost

I did get to drive the one we got >:-) It's very crisp in shifting. I didn't flog it, obviously, but it drove marvelously.

sector - 5/6/2008 5:20:15 PM

0 Boost

I hope they tested this before putting it out there... but knowing BMW, they'll just leave it to the resident guinea pigs - its customers!

tattedtwice - 5/6/2008 5:37:03 PM

-1 Boost

Yea! Kinda like honda and that craptastic 5 speed auto they used that failed over and over and over and over and over and over.......
The same one they were so ashamed of they tried to file an injunction to keep the mass public public from finding out. Talk about their poor expecting customers.

sector - 5/6/2008 5:56:30 PM

+5 Boost

no, they replaced transmissions under warranty, no questions asked... they also extended the warranty to 7yrs/100,000miles. Funny thing is, right about that time, year 2000 or so, the 3-series had catastrophic trans failure, where the car would not reverse!

Dr550 - 5/7/2008 2:00:14 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah, pigs like mud. Just like the Toyota/Lexus V6 "sludge" engine. The ES300 customers now know their cars are Camry's with wood steering wheel.

SouthBayM5 - 5/6/2008 5:57:29 PM

+3 Boost

Can't wait to try this gearbox out. I've been driving the SMGIII since 2006 and it is definitely not for everybody. If you think of it as a manual with an automatic mode and understand its limitations, then it is great. From what I hear about this gearbox, it will satisfy those who want the automatic with a manual mode feel (plus it shifts faster than SMG). The only thing that bugs me is that it is a semi-wet clutch, so there could be a little more drivetrain loss (SMG has a dry clutch). I'll reserve my judgment until I try it.

rickbmw - 5/6/2008 6:23:51 PM

+2 Boost

I have had my new M3 for 2 weeks. The DCT is great. Best of both worlds. Automatic mode is smooth and very quick. 5 settings. Manual mode has 6 settings. No jerkiness like SMG had. No power loss when the car shifts up to higher gear. Overall I am very pleased.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2008 11:20:25 PM

+1 Boost

Sweet! I cannot wait to test drive the M3 sedan with this!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2008 11:29:26 PM

+2 Boost

By the way... 00J... you made the same mistake as 001 in the title. It is first "PICS" not first "PIC'S." "PIC'S" is possessive.

MunichRob - 5/7/2008 12:13:06 AM

+1 Boost

Now if they could only get it in the M6 & M5...

Yonder7 - 5/7/2008 6:11:29 AM

0 Boost

Does it comes with paddle shift?

Ironman273 - 5/7/2008 8:57:25 AM

+2 Boost

Actually it comes with some really nice metal paddles. You can see it in the second picture as the white/silver thing sticking up on the inside right side of the steering wheel.

henbmw - 5/7/2008 1:17:12 PM

0 Boost

Hey, thats my car!

w209w114 - 5/8/2008 11:41:20 AM

+1 Boost

Is that an Aftermarket Speaker on the door???? Please say so

jochet - 5/9/2008 10:53:43 PM

+1 Boost

I drove the car two days ago,shifts are smoother than my 550, very fast with OMG brakes. BMW really did this one right.