[Porschefile]

I had the chance to take a E92 M3 DCT to the track yesterday and I was really impressed. The main differences are the power and the way they feel in the corners, the M3 has way more power AND is more stable through high speed corners (because the stock Cayman suspension is less than optimal and the stock M3 suspension on sport is stiffer). I took the M3 to VIR, and I have done several track days at VIR in the last year in the Cayman. The only mods to the M3 are eisenmann race exhaust, ATE brake fluid, Yokohama AD08's and H&R springs.

Powertrain: The engine sounds amazing and has great power top end and pretty good torque. The thing never over heated, and I was running it hard. The transmission is awesome, it is fun, sounds great downshifting (I can heel toe but it doesn't sound as great and consistent), and easily shaves a second or more off each lap. The Cayman engine feels weaker obviously, but the torque isn't drastically different.

Handling: The M3 on the sportiest suspension setting feels very planted on the track. It has very little body roll and feels stable at speed (150 or so at VIR and it felt great). I can carry 5 mph or so more through the upper esses at VIR than I can in the Cayman, but the Cayman is faster through oak tree. The m3 feels heavy in the slow sections whereas the Cayman is more nimble.

Brakes: Uh oh, the M3's only major fault. I was running stock pads and rotors and I was not pleased at all with the stopping power. They had decent feel but lacked stopping power even before I overheated them. I got pad fade bad several times after long straights, to the point that I had to brake much earlier in case they failed. The rotors are completely warped after one hard track day. I ran the Cayman with stock brakes and it had no issues whatsoever, and had more bite and torque.

Overall the M3 is a somewhat superior track car overall, especially with the DCT. I really enjoyed running it around VIR. Put some brakes on the M3 and it's the way to go, especially considering it is comfortable and has a back seat. I may have to come back to BMW's

My Laptimes: 6MT Cayman S with GT3 seats, harnesses, harness bar, performance friction 97 pads, ate fluid, nitto nt05's (285/235), GT3 cup brake ducts: 2:21 at VIR full

E92 M3 with Eisenmann race, Yoko AD08's (295/245), ATE fluid, H&R springs: 2:17 at VIR full

Video doesn't seem to be embedding properly.

[jadeddjay]

i like the helmet cam

[Porschefile]

Yeah it works really well. It's relatively cheap too, $299 for the HD version that includes all mounting hardware I believe. I tried to use the adhesive mount in the Cayman and all you could see was my interior, it wasn't high enough.

[Porschefile]

BTW does anyone know how the E46 M3 SMG would compare? I can't pony up the cash for a DCT E92 right now but I am thinking about getting an E46 M3.

[330MX]

Nice post and vid. It didn't seem like it in the video, but did the DCT ever fight you for an upshift when you didn't want one?

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by 330MX

Nice post and vid. It didn't seem like it in the video, but did the DCT ever fight you for an upshift when you didn't want one?

Nope the DCT was flawless. Shifted when I wanted and only when I wanted. And it is smooth enough to shift in corners at speed. I used every gear except 1 and 7, and downshifted several places that it just doesn't make sense to downshift in a 6MT because you won't make back the .5-1 second you lose shifting down and back up. I was in M Dynamic Mode with S5.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by 330MX

Nice post and vid. It didn't seem like it in the video, but did the DCT ever fight you for an upshift when you didn't want one?

The ONLY complaint I've ever heard for the DCT is it'll occasional prevent you from shifting DOWN, not up.

The one I drove at Auto Club Speedway was a little hesitant to give me 2nd going into turn "9" but that was a first year production DCT. Don't know if they fixed it.

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The ONLY complaint I've ever heard for the DCT is it'll occasional prevent you from shifting DOWN, not up.

The one I drove at Auto Club Speedway was a little hesitant to give me 2nd going into turn "9" but that was a first year production DCT. Don't know if they fixed it.

They did. The latest software fixes most of the hiccups the system previously had. The only time it denies downshifts now is if it would overrev the engine. Wish S6 was available with MDM on though, I wasn't comfortable tracking someone else's $70k car with traction fully off so I had to stick with S5.