Is BMW's new Double Clutch Transmission better than the automatic gearbox?

I’m looking at buying a secondhand BMW 335i. I had one of the first in 2006 and always regretted selling it. I can’t drive a manual due to a disability. Looking at the BMW website, there appear to be some described as automatic and others as having the Double Clutch Transmission. I’m not clear whether the DCT has replaced the ordinary automatic box. Having done some research, there appears to be no consensus on the merits of DCT over automatic. What do you think?

Asked on 9 August 2012 by DE, via email

Answered by Honest John

The only 335is I have driven have been either manual or torque converter 6-speed automatics, not 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmissions which replaced torque converter autos in the 335i in July 2008. There were some issues of lag between changes, but these were rapidly resolved with a software upgrade. The DCT is programmable by the driver, which can take a bit of getting used to. Latest BMWs have 8-speed torque converter automatics. Test here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/bmw/bmw-3-series-e.../

Tags: double clutch automatics automatics reliability

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