Second hand 09 335i DCT

angusclark · 08-04-2010, 10:56 PM

I am considering purchasing this car, i have been wanting a manual 135i for quite a while. However after driving this car i was very impressed with the DCT.

What have peoples experiences been with modding these engine? Procede etc?

Any feedback in general relating to this car?

MFKN3 · 08-05-2010, 01:07 AM

I have always preferred and owned manuals, except if I get another BMW it will be a DCT because they are super fast and smooth.

Vishnu are still refining their DCT software I think. I don't think it's 100% complete yet, but useable. They have just got DCT in the US where Vishnu are based; so shouldn't be too long to wait. Definately would go for it. JP and a couple others have a procede in their DCT, perhaps they can chime in.

I like the 135i's but feel a large portion of their appeal is the engine. To me the 335i just seems like more car and luxury for your money and works out well when you compare a low km 2nd hand 335i with a new 135i. I bought a late 07 model in march 09 for $80k with 15,000km on the dial. It took several months to find the right deal though.

mmmmQuattro · 08-05-2010, 07:59 AM

Procede on DCT is not 100% ready, there is a bit too much lag and clutch slip. I have made some adjustments and that's improved things. It seems that if there is too much torque, then the clutch will slip.
There are times that I love the DCT and there are times that I don't really like it. I would generally get a manual, but my last 330 had the worst gearbox of any car that I have ever owned. I wasn't prepared to risk it again.
I looked at the 135 and still like the idea of a such a powerful engine in a small light car. However, it isn't all that light compared to the 335.
The 335 is, I think a much nicer looking car and seems definitely better finished off inside.

Back to the DCT, the times it is a pain is when you are parking or doing 3 point turns; it just seems to have a lag between first & reverse. You also don't get the ultimate control that you do with a manual. Doing a super quick launch (if you don't try launch control) is not that easy, but once you are going the changes are super quick.
What's good is that if you leave it in D, you can drive it like your grandma and forget it. The car's like any other. But if you flick it over to M/Sport and drive like a manual it's a totally different car. I am finding that I use the manual mode a lot more, but it uses a bit more fuel.
Have another drive in traffic and then in tight car parks. If you can live with that, go for a drive in the hills and then you will love the DCT.

VGR00 · 08-05-2010, 06:03 PM

Here is me 2cents worth ....

If I was buying a coupe then I'd go 335 over a 135 any day mainly because of size. If I wanted a pocket rocket, I'd buy the new Golf R. $20K less than a 135, just as quick, and personally I think the looks and finish is a few notches above a 1 series. $60K as opposed to $80K for a similar spec car. Yes ... we can make arguments for and against in other ways but $$$ is always a good starting point.

The VW / Audi DSG has been around for a while and I cant help but think BMW's entry into clutchless transmission world is too slow for such an innovative leading automotive manufacture.

MFKN3 · 08-05-2010, 06:39 PM

Good review JP. Man, that's a bit worrying about the clutch slip.... I would expect that's not something the could be remedied by the procede other than using less aggressive settings....

Have you checked if the clutch can be manually or software adjusted to improve the tension/tolerance?? The auto and manual 335i's are handling 500+ whp of meth and nitrous surprisingly well.

johnnydad · 08-05-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgr02

Here is me 2cents worth ....

If I was buying a coupe then I'd go 335 over a 135 any day mainly because of size. If I wanted a pocket rocket, I'd buy the new Golf R. $20K less than a 135, just as quick, and personally I think the looks and finish is a few notches above a 1 series. $60K as opposed to $80K for a similar spec car. Yes ... we can make arguments for and against in other ways but $$$ is always a good starting point.

The VW / Audi DSG has been around for a while and I cant help but think BMW's entry into clutchless transmission world is too slow for such an innovative leading automotive manufacture.

Perhaps they were waiting so see if they could afford all the warranty claims - I suppose with their 1.3 billion Euro profit this year they can

VGR00 · 08-05-2010, 11:53 PM

You might have a point there John. I do miss the sequential gearbox in the Alfa I had. While I had no problems with mine for the 4 years I had it, I know a lot of peaple who wern't as lucky.

mmmmQuattro · 08-06-2010, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsboost

Good review JP. Man, that's a bit worrying about the clutch slip.... I would expect that's not something the could be remedied by the procede other than using less aggressive settings....

Have you checked if the clutch can be manually or software adjusted to improve the tension/tolerance?? The auto and manual 335i's are handling 500+ whp of meth and nitrous surprisingly well.

The clutch slip only happens when turning a corner.
Shiv told me that he has purchased a 135 DCT which he is now using for testing. The main difference is the 135 has a N55 motor so they have to port it back to the N54
I am hoping it will all be resolved soon.

08-04-2010, 10:56 PM	#1
angusclark Private 7 Rep 70 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Second hand 09 335i DCT I am considering purchasing this car, i have been wanting a manual 135i for quite a while. However after driving this car i was very impressed with the DCT. What have peoples experiences been with modding these engine? Procede etc? Any feedback in general relating to this car?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-05-2010, 01:07 AM	#2
MFKN3 Colonel 151 Rep 2,236 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	I have always preferred and owned manuals, except if I get another BMW it will be a DCT because they are super fast and smooth. Vishnu are still refining their DCT software I think. I don't think it's 100% complete yet, but useable. They have just got DCT in the US where Vishnu are based; so shouldn't be too long to wait. Definately would go for it. JP and a couple others have a procede in their DCT, perhaps they can chime in. I like the 135i's but feel a large portion of their appeal is the engine. To me the 335i just seems like more car and luxury for your money and works out well when you compare a low km 2nd hand 335i with a new 135i. I bought a late 07 model in march 09 for $80k with 15,000km on the dial. It took several months to find the right deal though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2010, 07:59 AM	#3
mmmmQuattro Major 282 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: f83 / E93 335 / E70 X5 40d Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 320 E91 M-Spor ... [0.00] 2009 335-E93 M-Sport [0.00]	Procede on DCT is not 100% ready, there is a bit too much lag and clutch slip. I have made some adjustments and that's improved things. It seems that if there is too much torque, then the clutch will slip. There are times that I love the DCT and there are times that I don't really like it. I would generally get a manual, but my last 330 had the worst gearbox of any car that I have ever owned. I wasn't prepared to risk it again. I looked at the 135 and still like the idea of a such a powerful engine in a small light car. However, it isn't all that light compared to the 335. The 335 is, I think a much nicer looking car and seems definitely better finished off inside. Back to the DCT, the times it is a pain is when you are parking or doing 3 point turns; it just seems to have a lag between first & reverse. You also don't get the ultimate control that you do with a manual. Doing a super quick launch (if you don't try launch control) is not that easy, but once you are going the changes are super quick. What's good is that if you leave it in D, you can drive it like your grandma and forget it. The car's like any other. But if you flick it over to M/Sport and drive like a manual it's a totally different car. I am finding that I use the manual mode a lot more, but it uses a bit more fuel. Have another drive in traffic and then in tight car parks. If you can live with that, go for a drive in the hills and then you will love the DCT.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2010, 06:03 PM	#4
VGR00 Major 58 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane - Australia iTrader: (1)	Here is me 2cents worth .... If I was buying a coupe then I'd go 335 over a 135 any day mainly because of size. If I wanted a pocket rocket, I'd buy the new Golf R. $20K less than a 135, just as quick, and personally I think the looks and finish is a few notches above a 1 series. $60K as opposed to $80K for a similar spec car. Yes ... we can make arguments for and against in other ways but $$$ is always a good starting point. The VW / Audi DSG has been around for a while and I cant help but think BMW's entry into clutchless transmission world is too slow for such an innovative leading automotive manufacture.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2010, 06:39 PM	#5
MFKN3 Colonel 151 Rep 2,236 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	Good review JP. Man, that's a bit worrying about the clutch slip.... I would expect that's not something the could be remedied by the procede other than using less aggressive settings.... Have you checked if the clutch can be manually or software adjusted to improve the tension/tolerance?? The auto and manual 335i's are handling 500+ whp of meth and nitrous surprisingly well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2010, 11:53 PM	#7
VGR00 Major 58 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane - Australia iTrader: (1)	You might have a point there John. I do miss the sequential gearbox in the Alfa I had. While I had no problems with mine for the 4 years I had it, I know a lot of peaple who wern't as lucky.
	Appreciate 0 Quote