What Auto?

Speedy

Member
Ok, so need to swallow some pride here but, how does one tell the difference between a Steptronic and its DCT counterpart without driving the car?

Looks wise whats the difference?

Thanks
 

ChefDJ

///Member
Speedy said:
Ok, so need to swallow some pride here but, how does one tell the difference between a Steptronic and its DCT counterpart without driving the car?

Looks wise whats the difference?

Thanks

Are you asking about watching the car go, or just looking at the car standing?
 

Speedy

Member
Just looking at the car standing? I inquired about one, and had some photos sent through.

To me the setup looks the same as my 330D steptronic did, but the seller assures me its DCT.

Hope that makes sense?
 

Arbee

Honorary ///Member
What car is it? Sometime the model, year and description will give you the answer.

In the E90 range. Only some 335's came out in DCT. And of course the M3. Other than those, nothing else.
 

ChefDJ

///Member
No difference on the interior, unless you see one with the paddle shift behind the steering wheel as steptronic never had that option, as far as I know.

What car is it? Year model?
 

Speedy

Member
Thanks guys, 09 135i, it does has paddle shift behind the wheels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Del-Bosc

Active member
Speedy said:
Thanks guys, 09 135i, it does has paddle shift behind the wheels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09 135i never came in DCT, only '10 onwards. So unlikely it will have paddles behind the steering unless it is the steptronic with the silver things on the steering?
 

Kish2604

Administrator
Staff member
The dct has the spaceship design joystick on it while the step auto has the normal gear lever, I stand to be corrected but I think the dct has the press button park function on the gear lever...

Care to post the pic of the one you have inquired about...
 

Speedy

Member
Will post a pic in the am (it's on my work pc) yes it's the silver paddles behind the wheel.

I tried one of the vin decoder sites but all it states is automatic.

Thanks for the help gents


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ChefDJ

///Member
This is the DCT:


attachment.php
 

Speedy

Member
Ok great, it definitely not that design, looks identical to my steptronic so I am guessing the seller was being optimistic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ChefDJ

///Member
Speedy said:
Ok great, it definitely not that design, looks identical to my steptronic so I am guessing the seller was being optimistic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I didn't know there was a visual difference in the gear lever itself :dunno:

But research proved otherwise :dunno:
 

dvst8

///Member
Paddle shift was available on steptronics.

Best bet is to take the VIN to any dealer and they would be able to provide a build sheet.

:thumbs:
 

ChefDJ

///Member
This is an interesting topic...

What other BMW's come standard with DCT? And do all DCT's have the paddle shift?

I ask as I'd like to know if a 2009 750Li has DCT, as it does not have paddles?
 

OppositeLockMT

Active member
As far as I know the only DCT models available to begin with were the 1 and 3. The 7 has never had paddle shifters - though the LCI might as it now has the 8 speed auto, but I doubt it.

All DCTs come with shifters standard, though you could get shifters on an auto as well...but that was as an optional extra.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
Tiptronic was a VW brand feature.

Those gearshifts are also not model specific, it was introduced on many cars as part of the LCI upgrade.

I may be wrong here, but I have seen e90 320's with those. not the sport button, but they "chromey" look alike gear lever.

Use a VIN decoder.
 

Magneto

New member
It's definitely not DCT. If it were you would have the gear lever as shown by ChefDJ and it would be a 2010 model at least. If you need further convincing, drive the thing.
 
Top