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When is an M3 both Automatic and Manual?

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JohnW View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: When is an M3 both Automatic and Manual?
    Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 4:06pm
When it's a DCT apparently.

The DVLA V5 has my car listed as "Semi-auto", given it is a DCT.

When I came to renew for Insurance, the on line guidance states any "Tiptronic" (I.e. flappy paddle) is automatic, yet when I enter my registration it brings up a manual M3 on their systems, this is with any insurance site I try, so then has to be changed by hand (I won't say manually) to "Automatic" and surprise surprise, the premium rises slightly

Anyone else got DCT or SMG, what do you declare it as?

Edited by JohnW - 24 Jan 2017 at 4:42pm

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Roger123 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roger123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 5:05pm
I, too, have DCT and under heading D.3 on my V5C it states M6 AUTO.  My insurance also states the car is automatic.  I'm due for insurance renewal towards end of February, so it'll be interesting to see if they will quote me lower if I point out that I can manually select the gears using the steering column shift paddles!  I'm not holding my breathe...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Norrie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 12:49pm
Does the car have a clutch pedal? If it only has an accelerator and a brake then is must be an automatic? Many new cars are built with no clutch pedal, the new car gear shift change is quicker than can be done manually and as such pretty much phased out?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roger123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 5:53pm
I've come across two descriptions for cars equipped with DCT, namely Automated Manual Transmission and Semi Automatic Transmission.  In these types of transmissions should we say it is just the clutch that is 'automatic' rather than the actual gearbox?
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rpennington View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 6:42pm
When I worked for Mercedes Benz they did 3 types of gearbox on the A class,full manual,auto & semi of which you changed gear the same as a Manual but it only had brake & accelerator pedal. I think they called it semi auto.

Edited by rpennington - 25 Jan 2017 at 6:43pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Norrie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 7:33pm
It think that if a car is manual clutch less it is an auto, I have a column change, no clutch pedal, but also buttons on back of steering wheel, not paddles. This is known as ALPINA Switch Tronic.

This can be either used as an auto or you can select sports mode which automatically changes gear or you can use the buttons, but unlike some auto cars with this manual option it will not change gear if you forget and will lock it in on max revs until button pressed.

In terms of insurance risk, I am uncertain if auto really makes any difference? Unless I was track driving a car I cant see the point of a manual? Not with traffic queues as they are?


Edited by Norrie - 25 Jan 2017 at 7:41pm
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JohnW View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jan 2017 at 11:37am
It's a grey area IMO as far as DVLA and insurance is concerned as there are many differing systems, but can agree with the clutch pedal definition. Aware that the DCT has actually got two friction plate clutches that run wet.
 
 
The DCT bounces off the rev limiter too if I select manual change, but so did my previous B3 which had a Switch Tronic, which was the same as the Tip Tronic BMW call it, same as on the 335i it was based upon, apart from different software and buttons instead of paddles, yet the B3 had Automatic on the V5 and came up with Automatic on the insurance systems. The Alpina GT3 has the paddles (actually e90 LCI paddles) and the same box. The F01 may differ again.
 
 
When re-applying, my M3 came up as a manual on the insurance companies systems, so that was more confusing as to why? Being a stickler I went back, stated it was incorrect and changed it to automatic. It hasn't had a DCT box retrofitted either.
 
So then the system re-quoted at another £XX+ Confused, just because I have the luxury to change gear without a manual clutch when the electronics decide best? I would argue the premium should be less as it is less distracting, albeit 2/10ths quicker to 60mph.
 
I do have a manual licence, just fancied the DCT system as with the B3 I'm normally in heavy traffic and as some of you know had a major left leg op last year. All my previous cars right back to the first E36 I had were manual.


Edited by JohnW - 13 Mar 2017 at 1:30am

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Norrie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Norrie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jan 2017 at 12:20pm
I use A Plan at Thatcham, who are the BMWCCGB insurers, specifically because of this kind of problem. My car is insured an firstly an ALPINA to distinguish it from a 7 series standard car and also as an AUTO.

I don't know who you insure with, but it might be worth having a chat with A Plan at Thatcham (only this branch)and seeing their definition. Interesting debate.
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