[mattkim85]

Like the title says, does the ZF transmission give you the satisfaction of shifting like a DCT? I know I know. Manual shifters would scuff at "satisfying shift with DCT." But the reason I ask is, I have driven and shifted an Auto transmission(not sure if it was ZF) in previous 650i models and I felt disconnected. Going to go for a test drive next week but was curious of how current owners felt.

[Ironwood]

If you ride around the neighborhood in first gear like my wife did the first day, I imagine it is very satisfying to discover the additional gears. Right after she left for work I got a phone call, "Honey, come outside and fix this please". She hadn't yet learned about paddle shifting, "what's that?", and was so confused with the electronic gear shift.

True love. I truly do love her car.

[new2the3]

I am only 900 miles in, but this is my perspective. There are only 3 transmission settings. Level 1 is the early shifting / slow, lazy comfortable shifts. Feels like any other auto.

Level 2 in D mode drives way better. I would equate this to "sport" setting on my prior 2017 f30 330i (not referring to DS mode, just the overall sport). When in sequential mode and level 2, it's fine but nothing impressive. I haven't gone above 5500 rpm but the shifts are not exciting at all. In fact, in my prior f30, anything above 4k rpm when getting on the gas it would shift with a nice thud/bump into the next gear that made it feel like a solid/fun shift. It's strange my old car seemed to have more drama when it shifted.

Level 3 mode - have not used it in drive as it intensely holds gears, but whenever I am shifting myself I pretty much exclusively use s3 mode. The shifts are quicker and you get a nice exhaust pop when shifting into the next gear under high load, but it's still fairly uneventful.

I drove my 2009 135i 6mt yesterday and that helped put things in perspective with the transmission. There is really minimal sportiness in the feel of the auto shifts. It shifts quick in level 3 but it's so smooth that it's not exciting. A little thump/bump into the next gear would be nice and I have read this does occur in the higher rpms (6k+) but I have not experienced that yet.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by new2the3

I am only 900 miles in, but this is my perspective. There are only 3 transmission settings. Level 1 is the early shifting / slow, lazy comfortable shifts. Feels like any other auto.

Level 2 in D mode drives way better. I would equate this to "sport" setting on my prior 2017 f30 330i (not referring to DS mode, just the overall sport). When in sequential mode and level 2, it's fine but nothing impressive. I haven't gone above 5500 rpm but the shifts are not exciting at all. In fact, in my prior f30, anything above 4k rpm when getting on the gas it would shift with a nice thud/bump into the next gear that made it feel like a solid/fun shift. It's strange my old car seemed to have more drama when it shifted.

Level 3 mode - have not used it in drive as it intensely holds gears, but whenever I am shifting myself I pretty much exclusively use s3 mode. The shifts are quicker and you get a nice exhaust pop when shifting into the next gear under high load, but it's still fairly uneventful.

I drove my 2009 135i 6mt yesterday and that helped put things in perspective with the transmission. There is really minimal sportiness in the feel of the auto shifts. It shifts quick in level 3 but it's so smooth that it's not exciting. A little thump/bump into the next gear would be nice and I have read this does occur in the higher rpms (6k+) but I have not experienced that yet.

smooth shifting was done on purpose, to make this car more ‘track-ready’. Last thing you want on the track is your car jolting with every shift. Despite being silky smooth, the shifts are incredibly fast. People who specifically want jerky shifts, should consider beamers with the B58 drivetrain (more drama, less speed).

[corn18]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

People who specifically want jerky shifts, should consider beamers with the B58 drivetrain (more drama, less speed).

No jerky shifts with my B58 drivetrain.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by corn18

No jerky shifts with my B58 drivetrain.

really? my 2019 X3 M40i had nice, jerky shifts in Sport+. Did they change it for 2020?

[Wills2]

No the ZF8 in the X3M has none of the feel of MDCT, none.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

really? my 2019 X3 M40i had nice, jerky shifts in Sport+. Did they change it for 2020?

I don't know if anything changed by my 2020 WOT in sport+ shifts smooth as silk. I can't even tell it shifts except for a faint exhaust burp.

[ghstm2]

Heck yes! It's fun if you set it to quickest shift speed I think it's 3 and push it to redline.
The noises it makes is exhilarating

[Fast Intentions]

Ehhh to be honest It isn't as fun as the DCT.. but it's not bad just not as fun.. on the flip side at least It doesn't jerk as bad as the dct did..that shit was horrible

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by Fast Intentions

Ehhh to be honest It isn't as fun as the DCT.. but it's not bad just not as fun.. on the flip side at least It doesn't jerk as bad as the dct did..that shit was horrible

Lighter, cheaper, smoother, and no clunky shifts is the reason the ZF8 has replaced DCT's in the BMW and Audi lineup. I actually feel this transmission suits an SUV like this better than a DCT. That said if I was purchasing an M2 or M3 I think I would rather a DCT.

[Fast Intentions]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Lighter, cheaper, smoother, and no clunky shifts is the reason the ZF8 has replaced DCT's in the BMW and Audi lineup. I actually feel this transmission suits an SUV like this better than a DCT. That said if I was purchasing an M2 or M3 I think I would rather a DCT.

I agree. For an SUV this is better. But not as satisfying as DCT IMO... I hated how jerky It was but It was a lot of fun

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Lighter, cheaper, smoother, and no clunky shifts is the reason the ZF8 has replaced DCT's in the BMW and Audi lineup. I actually feel this transmission suits an SUV like this better than a DCT. That said if I was purchasing an M2 or M3 I think I would rather a DCT.

from what I have gathered, the reason is the cost of developing a new dct capable of handling the torque and hp of the new m cars.

the last gen m3 and m5's basically maxed out the capabilities of the longitudinal engine mounted getrag dct, which is why you had to buy aftermarket clutch packs for higher tunes. these clutches may not be up to bmw's standards of wear and smoothness for mass market.

it also has to do with suv levels of towing, which even Porsche resorted to torque converters on their Cayennes. The current gen Macans are PDK, but have low tow ratings and even the Turbo Macan is limited I believe based on the PDK, which is why they are much slower to the X3/X4M. FYI- zf makes both the zf8 and the pdks.

I had an x5m, and the zf8 was no dct at all. no comparison to me.

[moff]

In manual / S3, I think that there should be a jolt in shifts and as per the US car and the UK B58 cars a snap of the exhaust when changing at full power.