E90 M3: Manual or DCT?

[jeff_denning]

Having sampled the SMG in the e60 M5 and also in a CSL i still havn't changed my mind.
MANUAL FTW!!

+1 dude, about to say the exact same thing.
When I was hunting around for an M5 I knew owning an E60 V10 beast of a car is special, but the straight forward manual in my E39 M5 is a much more rewarding drive.

Manual all the way :thumbs:

 

[M3_FTW]

Having sampled the SMG in the e60 M5 and also in a CSL i still havn't changed my mind.
MANUAL FTW!!

+1 dude, about to say the exact same thing.
When I was hunting around for an M5 I knew owning an E60 V10 beast of a car is special, but the straight forward manual in my E39 M5 is a much more rewarding drive.

Manual all the way :thumbs:

Cant argue about the manual part, but even with SMG the V10 is > E39. You cant compare them. Rewarding is subjective, I got much more of a thrill out of my E60 than I did with all the E39 M5's I have driven.

 

[jeff_denning]

Having sampled the SMG in the e60 M5 and also in a CSL i still havn't changed my mind.
MANUAL FTW!!

+1 dude, about to say the exact same thing.
When I was hunting around for an M5 I knew owning an E60 V10 beast of a car is special, but the straight forward manual in my E39 M5 is a much more rewarding drive.

Manual all the way :thumbs:

Cant argue about the manual part, but even with SMG the V10 is > E39. You cant compare them. Rewarding is subjective, I got much more of a thrill out of my E60 than I did with all the E39 M5's I have driven.

Agreeing to disagree.
Personal preference is my E39 over the E60 anyday :=): To me feels like more of a drivers car, more planted etc etc - don't wanna derail the thread too much though, sorry OP.

 

[Philip Foglar]

For technology sake, I hope that DCT is better overall compared to SMG, E60 M5's sadly break gearboxes and diffs, so owning out of motorplan is beyond just brave! Also, for all that I've heard and read, E60 M5 is only "good" when driven as if stolen - haven't been in one of driven one so only relaying what I have heard a number of times. Basically, prospect of potentially owning an E39 M5 or an E60 M5 - I would not hesitate for the E39. E60 M5 is epic, provided everything is working and you love on a track...

Back to the E90 M3, I stand by what I said earlier, but the newer DCT technology seems to be considerably more sound, as is the rest of the drivetrain I gather. E46 M3 CSL was intended as an all out track car, doesn't even have a radio or AC as a measure to keep weight down!

 

[M3_FTW]

I hate that misconception regarding the CSL. They in fact did have aircons and radios. No cost options but I have only ever seen 1 CSL in SA that didn't have them

 

[Philip Foglar]

I hate that misconception regarding the CSL. They in fact did have aircons and radios. No cost options but I have only ever seen 1 CSL in SA that didn't have them

Maybe then oversees, UK etc. Over here not having AC in particular would be a pain, so then radio won't make much difference.

 

[Douglas]

Back to the E90 M3, I stand by what I said earlier, but the newer DCT technology seems to be considerably more sound, as is the rest of the drivetrain I gather. E46 M3 CSL was intended as an all out track car, doesn't even have a radio or AC as a measure to keep weight down!

The CSL was intended to be a more of a track toy and was not very comfortable to drive as a daily driver (even with an aircon :=). The SMG transmission was better than SMG 1 but still a little uncomfortable as a daily driver. Manual vs. DCT depends on your priorities.

Issues with DCT:
1. Lightning fast gear changes
2. Passive driving in stop start traffic is a bonus
3. How comfortable are you using launch control
4. The blip is cool (as I have said many times :rollsmile


Issues with manual:
1. More fun on the track
2. Launching is easier if you fancy a bit of a dice at the lights
3. More involvement for the purists
4. Probably cheaper to maintain when out of motorplan (depending on how kind you have been to the gearbox and clutch)

 

[213]

:thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Back to the E90 M3, I stand by what I said earlier, but the newer DCT technology seems to be considerably more sound, as is the rest of the drivetrain I gather. E46 M3 CSL was intended as an all out track car, doesn't even have a radio or AC as a measure to keep weight down!

The CSL was intended to be a more of a track toy and was not very comfortable to drive as a daily driver (even with an aircon :=). The SMG transmission was better than SMG 1 but still a little uncomfortable as a daily driver. Manual vs. DCT depends on your priorities.

Issues with DCT:
1. Lightning fast gear changes
2. Passive driving in stop start traffic is a bonus
3. How comfortable are you using launch control
4. The blip is cool (as I have said many times :rollsmile


Issues with manual:
1. More fun on the track
2. Launching is easier if you fancy a bit of a dice at the lights
3. More involvement for the purists
4. Probably cheaper to maintain when out of motorplan (depending on how kind you have been to the gearbox and clutch)

That's my general feeling! :thumbs: