2011 1-series rumored to get DCT tranny

[Bender]

rumor (bet this makes 3er owners angry):

Alrighty folks, the crew over at BimmerFile have strong evidence that the 2011 1er will offer a 7speed Dual Clutch Transmission as an option. They are sure that a 6 speed manual transmission will remain. Many have speculated that a DCT would only be offered in the upcoming performance variant of the 1 series. It would feature the same transmission from the current Z4 and a few European-market BMW products. Strong birdies have pointed at the builds starting in March.

Exclusive: 2011 BMW 135i & 335i Get New Engines - BimmerFile

 

[Centurion]

Why would it? The Golf and Jetta has a DSG option but Audi A4 and A8 buyers aren't bitter right? Besides that, the next gen 3-Series is bound to get the same option anyways.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Why would it? The Golf and Jetta has a DSG option but Audi A4 and A8 buyers aren't bitter right? Besides that, the next gen 3-Series is bound to get the same option anyways.

Exactly. DSG/DCT is going to be the new Automatic...at least it will become standard for the Japanese but the German's will still find a way to charge you for it. LOL

 

[klier]

3er already has DCT anyways Well, the 335i coupé/cabrio that is It's not exactly common on the 3er...

Good news. DCT should be be optional on all Bimmers imo!

 

[Sayyaaf]

I agree, this might piss purists but I'd say abandon manual and replace it with DCT

 

[klier]

Why abandon? Why not next to eachother. DCT for the 'gadget freaks', manual for the 'purists', and of course automatic for the 'lazy'

Edit;

Can a mod merge this thread into the official next gen 1er thread????? It will become awefully confusing with a lot of different thread for one car.

 

[bum-man]

Would be nice if they also started with some high output 4-cylinders for the US market.

 

[Sayyaaf]

Why abandon? Why not next to eachother. DCT for the 'gadget freaks', manual for the 'purists', and of course automatic for the 'lazy'

Edit;

Can a mod merge this thread into the official next gen 1er thread????? It will become awefully confusing with a lot of different thread for one car.

I don't know but I think to sell a manual BMW should arrange a driving licence kind of testing before you buy it, there are really stupid ppl with sticks these days.

 

[Nikos120i]

I'd say 'bout time!

Competition has DSG gearboxes for quite some years now...not to mention turbo engines.

Good idea!

 

[Centurion]

Why abandon?

Costs. Having three different transmissions is very expensive. Especially when one is likely to fall outside the bubble of popularity.

 

[braaf]

Sweet, can't wait. Although it's only a rumour.

 

[Mr Robert]

I agree, this might piss purists but I'd say abandon manual and replace it with DCT

I'd say abandon all slushboxes and replace them with DCT

 

[NarutoRamen]

I'd say abandon all slushboxes and replace them with DCT

That's what I said dude...make DCT into the next Automatic. Keep the 3 pedals for those who want. Just get rid of the F__king automatics.

 

[klier]

Costs. Having three different transmissions is very expensive. Especially when one is likely to fall outside the bubble of popularity.

Everything would be available and compatible with eachother. The cost increase should be minimal. I quite like having three options. The E63 6er had three options too (manual, auto and SMG), so it would be nothing new for BMW. Current 3er already has DCT, manual and auto, so let's hope this continues

 

[NarutoRamen]

The E63 6er had three options too (manual, auto and SMG), so it would be nothing new for BMW.

That was in a world where money was thought to grow on trees. Companies have smartened up now, at least I hope so, and they've realized that they can't continue to throw money away like that.

 

[klier]

Yeah, and now we live in a world where every part in every BMW is interchangeable, and adding an already existing transmission would not cost much. It could even be more expensive not adding it because people might change brand...

BUT, I could definitily life with the Porsche way for BMW. Porsche got rid of auto transmission in favor of PDK in the 911....

 

[NarutoRamen]

BUT, I could definitily life with the Porsche way for BMW. Porsche got rid of auto transmission in favor of PDK in the 911....

That's what I'm saying. With a dual clutch, the Automatic becomes redundant.

 

[Centurion]

^^
Preach.

Everything would be available and compatible with eachother. The cost increase should be minimal. I quite like having three options. The E63 6er had three options too (manual, auto and SMG), so it would be nothing new for BMW. Current 3er already has DCT, manual and auto, so let's hope this continues

That's because we are in a transition phase where dual clutch systems are slowly phasing out automatics. For Porsche it has been a quick a painless process because they only have a few cars. BMW will start by only offering DCT and Manual for the 1-Series and then the 3-Series. In 3-6 years, the only beemers with the automatic options will likely be the SUVs, the 7-series and possibally 6-Series.

The cost of having three transmissions in indeed a high-cost. Development of transmissions and engines go hand in hand, and the more you transmissions the more complex and costly R&D is. Because gearboxes might need modifications to be compatible with a new engine. Testing cost money and so does stocking of spare parts and training dealers to service a new gearbox.

Dual clutch transmissions are perfectly suited replacements for automatics in the vast majority of passanger car. Shifting is super smooth and there is the benefit of rapid gear change for more sporty drivers. It's an amazingly well-rounded system which have even prompted some manufacturers to drop the manual option for certain models.

 

[klier]

No, because an auto transmission works much better in 'D' mode....Believe it or not, for some, paddle shifters without a clutch is still too much of a workout..

 

[Centurion]

No, because an auto transmission works much better in 'D' mode

I'm not to sure about that. Maybe someone who have driven a DCT equipped car will join in on the discussion. DSG in the Golf shift dead smooth in D mode, in fact, an average person would easily mistake is for an automatic.