Yes Yes I know all the technical stuff twin clutches v torque converter and all that, what intrigues me is the difference in the driving experience, having recently bought a new 2.3i auto the major decision of the purchase was manual or auto, after finally deciding on the auto I'm amazed how good it is having never driven a modern automatic the changes are smooth and quick and there all the different ways of using it,so never having tried the DCT how does it improve on the auto in everyday driving.
The Difference, DCT and Auto
- Thread starter HillWalker
- Start date
My understanding is with dct the gearbox "talks" with the ecu management, ie the engine has an idea what's going on with the gear changes and when to expect them.
The normal auto box there is no connection between the 2 so engine timings/management won't be as connected/efficient.
This is my understanding, someone will prob prove me totally wrong.
The normal auto box there is no connection between the 2 so engine timings/management won't be as connected/efficient.
This is my understanding, someone will prob prove me totally wrong.
+1 for the last two posts. It pretty much predicts the next shift needed. Ao if you're in second gear for example, it already the 3rd gear ready for a shift depending on how you're driving and as soon as you need to upshift, the gear is selected right away and then it quickly readies the 4th gear and so on and so forth.
As a DCT owner I can say its so much more than that. The normal auto has a slightly vague feel. The DCT is instant. Hard, fast and brutal in sport modes, there's a real slam and kick to changes enhanced by the turbo on the 35i. Its hard to explain without experiencing it, but the DCT is so very different to a normal auto and I love it. The 35i with DCT is truly a beast, and you cannot compare the 23i and auto to it. Take one for a spin, you'll see what I mean.
jonnywells said:My understanding is with dct the gearbox "talks" with the ecu management, ie the engine has an idea what's going on with the gear changes and when to expect them.
The normal auto box there is no connection between the 2 so engine timings/management won't be as connected/efficient.
This is my understanding, someone will prob prove me totally wrong.
BMW has been using computer controlled automatics for some time now. Even my 1990 535i had a electronic connection between the DME and the transmission. I'm not sure how much talking there was though.
There could well be more and better communication between the ECU and a DCT, compared with the 8 speed auto. No idea.
Check some of my previous posts, I have detailed like 7 different modes with the auto pot.
For me in a 3.0 its manual sports (not sports+) its fast change, feels more responsive (in auto is way duller) the gar change is way faster, the reponse on throttle is amaizing and stiffer steering.
MPG is way better as im pushing the gear change early and up to 6th. Im talking +4MPG difference.
For me in a 3.0 its manual sports (not sports+) its fast change, feels more responsive (in auto is way duller) the gar change is way faster, the reponse on throttle is amaizing and stiffer steering.
MPG is way better as im pushing the gear change early and up to 6th. Im talking +4MPG difference.