Quote:
Originally Posted by Nate2046
You're a bit out on a limb there. My 2011 e92 is my first ever automated manual and I think its a pretty brilliant contraption.
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Maybe... Sorry, didn't mean it quite that hard, it's just one opinion, I'm not saying I'm right and maybe I should have been more diplomatic ;-) I drove the M3 DCT and 6 speed and a few days later the Audi with DSG. Prior to that I also tried PDK which I liked best of all but still not more than a stick ! I much preferred the DSG to DCT (but admittedly it wasn't back to back), I found it was shifting as "I" would have in automatic mode more (and the stupid exhaust fart on upshifts really amused me). But, and that's where I contradict myself, the DSG has a history of unreliability and expensive repairs. And the M3 sounds glorious! Is DCT rock solid long term ?
So, back to my original point, the stick shift version IMO is more fun on those cars, it's going away in the industry (bag one while you can) and the V8 M3's mileage is abysmal, in fact so is the S4 but slightly better. I felt more "immediacy" in the S4 with incredible torque on quattro delivery, the M3 needed more revs and felt heavier to me (again not a free for all test drive, but a few hard corners)... I think the 997 might be best at MPG, incredibly ;-( I also think that once you set foot in an E92 (or B8 S4) it will be hard for you to still consider a 996, it feels downright 1999 in there ;-) Not the same as getting in a classic, just dated not in a good way. Never liked 996 interiors, and I had a few.
PS: Edit: Talked to my friend who has a manual E92 M3, and and asked him if he was stil happy with it after 2yrs. He said overall yes, but he was worried about some engine issues, and was tired of being 100% reliant on the dealer for everything as all that can be encoded/encrypted on a modern Bimmer is. Even the battery has to be "programmed".
AFAIK the Audi is the same. Get a Porsche I guess ;-)