[baege]

I am not trying to resolve the never ending DCT vs manual debate...we all know it depends on what one enjoys

however, it did occur to me recently as I miss manual, that perhaps some engines actually match up with a DCT better than a manual

the GT3 engine for example given the frenzied way it revs to 9000 rpm, perhaps a DCT that hang with that frenzy works better than a manual that interrupts it?

whereas for example an engine that is not all about the revs, like a big displacement engine that has good low end torque fits a manual better since its not a big deal if the revs fall between shifts and its not all about keeping a frenzy going

the R8 is my first DCT after a bunch of manuals, and while I miss manual, I do wonder if the DCT actually fits the frenzied maniac that the V10 is

curious about people,s experiences on this

[RugbyBro]

S65 mates much better with a DCT

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by baege

perhaps some engines actually match up with a DCT better than a manual

For performance, all engines match better with DCT.
For "experience", "engagement", and ludditeness, manual may appeal more to some.

DCT is way more expensive than MT or automatic, thus it can only be found in high-end performance cars. The rest get an automatic. Few leftovers get MTs, though frequently with software-limited torque.

YMMV,
a

[freakystyly]

More design and development work is spent on any automatics 100%.

Manuals seems to be "slap in whatever works and send it".

[Alfisti]

I dunno how you sit down for dinner with all those splinters in your arse from fence sitting for so long.

[25 V8 IS]

The DCT in my F87C was a fantastic piece of equipment that suited the car very well. I couldn't imagine that car with a manual as the DCT worked so well.

[m630]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I dunno how you sit down for dinner with all those splinters in your arse from fence sitting for so long.

Lets add more fun, I mean considerations for the OP.

Get an exotic with an F1 that blends the best of both other options.

[XutvJet]

I owned my 2016 M235 6MT with an MPE LSD and Stage 2 mods for several years. Awesome car and I love having a manual transmission; however, BMW's 6MT execution in the F series cars isn't great. It felt half-assed with the clutch feel and engagement, the rubbery shifter feel, erratic clutch bite point leaving in 1st, a difficult to manage smooth 1-2 shift, and the somewhat long gearing. The 6MT was pretty decent when driven in anger, but in daily driving, it could be somewhat annoying.

Once I got my Cayman 6MT, I started looking for OG M2s and decided I'd give the DCT a try. After owning the M2 for about 1.5 years, the DCT seems very well matched to the N55. It has perfect gearing and per my Draggy, my stock M2 is just as quick in the 1/4 mile (ET and MPH wise) as my Stage 2 M235 was. Talk about efficiency with the DCT or the lack there of with the 6MT. I really didn't think the M235 lagged too much on the full throttle shifts, but DCT says otherwise. With the DCT, it's just a constant rush of power. Switching between the driving modes can make for a wildly different driving experience too. It can be very docile in Comfort and emulate a planetary automatic perfectly or be almost too high-strung in Sport+, barking the tires on the 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 shifts when in manual mode. The DCT isn't perfect though either. It can be lurchy and a bit annoying in bumper to bumper and crawling traffic.

I would not have a PDK in my Cayman though. The 6MT in that car is too good. Just wish Porsche didn't make the gearing so damn long. The car would be a total blast with 15% more gearing in 1, 2, and 3.

Nothing is perfect though.

[M2CSDaily]

Absolutely. Love the DCT in my M2CS and think it matches the engine perfectly. I had two Porsche 991s, first pdk and then I bought into the online nonsense that manual is a better fit….it wasn’t. Horribly long gearing, no torque, 7 gears, didn’t like it at all. That said, I do think that certainly cars only make sense with a manual, like the c6 z06 I had, a DCT or other auto would have felt strange. I think manual is good for certain cars, typically small or old school, but it’s by no means a universal solution, especially if the gearing is too long and all the power is up top