Author: David Killion

I know this sounds like a Big Bang Theory episode and in some respects this topic is equally as geeky.  When purchasing a BMW M3/M4 today you must choose between two means of shifting; the traditional 6-speed, three pedal option and the uber-sophisticated M Dual Clutch Transmission (M-DCT), which Jeremy Clarkson affectionately refers to as a “flappy paddle” gearbox.

Without going into a boring list of advantages versus disadvantages, I can briefly explain to you why we chose the manual transmission.  First and foremost, was the $2900 premium BMW applies to the M-DCT.  Even for a $65,000 car, that is a fairly substantial uplift.  Granted, it shifts faster than a human and does rev matching that is nothing short of amazing, but the manual is lighter and also has rev matching in certain driving modes.

Secondly, since I have an E36 GTS3 race car with a 5-speed, and in the foreseeable future I cannot imagine having the disposable income own a race car with anything but a manual, I use my street car to keep me in practice.  Especially since my last race at Sonoma proved that even though I’m good with a manual, I am not beyond making a very expensive mistake (I shifted from 3rd to 2nd on the front straight while making a pass in the kink, luckily I caught it in time and saved the motor, but it was quite the ‘moment’).

My racing coach has also shared with me his technique of left-foot braking on non-shifting corners. It’s complicated and quite the exercise in muscle memory; however, now that I have practiced it, I definitely see the value.  I’m really afraid that if my street car had an M-DCT it would cause problems with this muscle memory  because I would be left-foot braking everywhere – even when downshifting.

Even though heel-toe shifting on the street is not the same as braking into turn 2 at Laguna Seca while trying to grab a lower gear, the movement is still the same.  The pedal arrangement on my E92 M3 was very similar to the E36, so I expect the F82 M4 will be close as well.  You would think I would know for sure already from the test drive, but I have not driven a manual F8x yet because they don’t get brought to the US unless special ordered.

Finally, I like to think of myself as a purist.  Being actively in control of every bit of the vehicle gives me a sense of satisfaction, even if shifting is occurring at snail-like human speeds instead of the instantaneous changes of a computer.  Those that complain about sitting in traffic while mashing a clutch clearly don’t share my same affection for the driving experience as this BMW owner.  I may not be this way much longer, but as for today I choose ‘driving engagement’ over comfort.

Maybe my next car will have an M-DCT, PDK (Porsche), or whatever the next generation of computer controlled shifting is going to be called.  But not this time.  For the next 36 months, I’ll be giving my left leg a workout.