M2 Competition - Manual or M-DCT - Which is Best?

In this video I test a manual M2 Competition back-to-back against my M2 Comp with the M-DCT gearbox.
Which is best? Let's find out!
For more info about advanced & performance driving & riding, visit my website www.reglocal.com & give me a follow on Twitter @RegLocal

[@jamessmith-hb9ej]

I think Deep inside you prefer manual 😉✌️

[@duriandj]

Gotta justify that purchase somehow!

[@maximt1401]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Insightful explainers, lovely roads, and cool aerial footage,. Thank you Sir

[@olicarwardine7332]

Fantastic drone shots. Another great video Reg!

[@johncoughlan5613]

Another brilliant video, please keep them coming.

[@maxtorque2277]

For me, the time i miss a manual strangely is actually when i'm stuck in traffic, or just pottlering around, because it gives me something to do! When trying a bit harder, i really miss a DCT and being able to gain other advantages like Left foot braking, and going back to a 3 pedal car, sometimes it makes you realise just how long one of your hands is off the wheel (and hence your arms and the wheel are imbalanced) at some potentially critical times. But when none of that matters, i miss shifting gear, simply as a task in itself, because wow, being stuck in traffic is BORING!!! :-)

[@RegLocal]

Best cure for boring traffic is a motorbike!

[@paulcs2607]

A superb video! Love the drone footage. I’m gonna watch the whole video again! I’m about to place an order for an M2C (coming out of an auto M140i) and I’m trying to work out which gearbox. Perfect timing. I also love your videos having recently passed my advanced (with a First!). So which gear box for me? I think it has to be manual. Why? Because what I have found with the paddles is I find it is too easy to go too fast and flick away the gears. I think the manual will slow me down and use more of the engine towards better flow. But yes, there is no right and wrong. Thanks again. Your are a great teacher and expert driver! Keep it up.

[@JonathanTyas]

Had this decision myself. Mine will be a long term car so thought manual for reliability. However the DCT being stronger, faster and having a higher top gear sold the DCT to me. I would have felt like I had second best if I’d gone manual. The manual I believe is a little short legged on the motorway.

[@donpepito11]

Now this is what I call a good and clear review! Thank you.. I still dont know either what I want now :D:D:D

[@JonathanTyas]

Just watched the full video, that’s the verdict I expected. Both good the manual has extra involvement, the DCT is close to the top of its game so great as well, toss a coin!

[@MauriceLeane]

Reg, great video keep up the great content. Can I ask a question regarding the M2? What mpg do you get in normal mixed driving? Also at 70mph what are the revs in the DCT and your friend’s manual M2. Thank you.

[@johncoppock3823]

Glad you enjoy the auto and look forward to the left foot braking. I would really miss left foot braking if I had to switch back from a 2 pedal auto to a manual. Funny though I really wish I'd done my advanced test years ago when I still had a manual. Don't have my own car at the mo, but when I'm lucky enough to get one, wonder if I should get another manual, even if the legs would vote for the auto.

[@markburton5170]

I have an M2 c with a manual box. I have other cars in the garage with paddle shifts and I I often take the manuals because driving them gives me much more satisfaction on any sorts of road. Modern paddle shift gearboxes are superb whether they are automatics or dual clutches but driving manuals gives more satisfaction. For me. I would like to be able to turn off auto rev matching without having to turn the traction control fully off. I am surprised that as such a keen and skilled driver reg likes auto rev matching because for me it removes part of the satisfaction of using a manual. I left foot brake in automatics but don't miss it in manuals.

[@supertouring22]

I've always preferred a manual but I think that was because the auto technology was never as good. Now I think it is there and is a viable alternative. If I ever get the choice in the future I will certainly give it a try.

[@meathook2448]

Those roads look like they’re a blast to drive on (when there’s not a ton of cars on the side of the road)!

[@wonkothesane2288]

Luke, feel the DCT side!

[@DavidJohnston58]

I had to go automatic some years ago with spinal problems my back tires in traffic using clutch. Funnily enough took last two RoSPA tests in auto and was queried as to why I didn't come in a manual. Currently have Seat Ateca FR Sport with DSG which is pleasant enough, paddles are there and i use them from time to time. Performance more than enough for me.

[@DontPanicDear]

Great video thanks Reg 😀 DTC is fun for a while, but for me manual wins due to interaction. I’ve not got a BMW anymore though 😐 I am lucky and have two cars at home now.... My Manual Cayman 718 GTS Girlfriend’s PDK 991.2 Carrera S I find the PDK is best for either flat out, or totally relaxed. Long road trips are great, zooming across Germany and into the Czech Republic a few times a year 😀 The manual box is better for everything else in between, which is 90% of my driving in the Cayman GTS. It’s more varied and interesting and I am the ‘Drive Mode’ selector! Very little of my time in the car is traffic-jam slow, or Lewis Hamilton fast. With the Man-box, I can vary the style and speed of any change at any point and the car is an extension of me. Driving is more tactile, direct and delicate, which means it’s engaging over a wider repertoire. Off topic.... Strangely, in Germany at big speeds, the Cayman is WAY more planted and stable. Feels sucked to the tarmac. The 911 is more busy at the helm and fidgets slightly, needing micro corrections. All electric cars will be two pedal anyway, so for now I’ll get as much fun out of manual cars as I can. Two pedals are my preference for pushbikes 🤪

[@nessuno5403]

Two pedals are the choice of top elite motorsport formula too :P

[@ciduk]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to say about left foot braking, I regularly use left foot braking when driving both manual and automatic gearboxes.

[@m2comp369]

It's a silly idea especially on a DCT or automatic! Brakes are designed to kill the throttle on cars these days as there's a smart software interlock built in with the intention to save lives. It will also annoy drivers behind you, constantly showing them the lights thinking you're slowing down.

[@michaelggriffiths]

Great video! What are your thoughts on motorcycles with DCT? I have one for touring on and it's very capable. I'm considering the Africa Twin next.

[@philspaghet]

WHat's the point of dct in motorcycles when they're already sequential?

[@Potts1966]

It took me a year to get happy with a VW DSG gearbox but I'm happy with it now. Do I miss a manual? Maybe sometimes. I drove 30 years with manuals, but I don't regret the DSG choice and I'd have one again. (and probably will, although I do slightly miss the skills of heel and toe and double de-clutching rev matching)

[@kassiomarxrochanogueira8710]

To be honest I think it's possible to enjoy any car, be manual or auto.

[@nott404]

Good vid. How are the ergonomics in the manual?

[@michaelcox4344]

Hi Reg, I'm the new proud owner of a manual M2 Competition having owned a M240 previously. Unlike you I find that the clutch pedal has an excessive amount of travel which I have partly resolved by fitting a clutch stop on the floor thus reducing the amount of travel before the clutch engages. But the question I wanted to ask you is "do you think the resting height of the pedal is excessively high". With the car stationary, I can depress the pedal at least an inch before the clutch starts to disengage allowing first gear to be selected. This suggests to me that this amount of "free play" is not required. Did you find the pedal high? Thanks

[@m2comp369]

I've got the DCT but, the overriding factor is driving in traffic. Driving in a city and using it as a daily, the last thing I want is a third pedal and I'm old school too!

[@johnhall4917]

Automatic is the future with all of these hybrids and electric vehicles taking over. You obviously still get mild hybrids with manual transmission such as some Fords. Trying to find a manual car in the USA is quite difficult.

[@usherspike]

I guess it’s a personal preference, cause I wanted DCT and after 3 or 4 pull in it I lost interest in the car it’s self until I drove the Manuel especially from 3rd to 4 gear and 4 to 5 gear, my favourite 😁😁love it, but I do believe is is personal preference.

[@ghostinthemachine76]

I thought long and hard before buying my Octavia vRS with a DSG. Like you, I always thought sporty cars should have a manual box, until now. Do I regret buying the DSG version? Not one bit.

[@nessuno5403]

Cute car, but don't go confusing the 2 ;)

[@nessuno5403]

What? The bite of the larger brakes (the 2NH option) is stronger than the standard ones, which are instead smoother. Trivia: the 2NH are standard on the M2 CS brakes (the caliper is red, like those on the aftermarket M Performance catalogue, instead of silver as the M2 Competition option).

[@paulrobinson3528]

Look at all those cars parked up, you wouldn't think we're still in some sort of lock down would you? I prefer manuals for driving excitement and engagement.

[@DjNikGnashers]

I've not driven an M2 comp, but I have driven quite a few new BMW's with a DCT, and I have to say, I actually prefer the ZF8 in my M140i. It's a lot smoother when you are driving normally, and I don't notice it's any slower when pushing on in sport+ and sport gearbox mode (maybe a few miliseconds) than a DCT. All of my previous cars (5 BMW's in the previous 6 cars) have been manuals, and they have all been ok, just not brilliant. The worst thing about a manual BMW is the CDV (clutch delay valve) and I have always removed it, and massively improved the clutch feeling.

[@buggs9950]

Huh, I'd never heard of a clutch delay valve before. I need to check my Jag for one, I just cannot pull away smoothly in it and downshifts are tricky. Thinking about it now a delay in the clutch engaging makes all the sense in the world. Thanks! It also holds the tickover at about 1800rpm with the clutch in but only when when moving, it's bloody annoying to be honest..

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@buggs9950 Not sure if your Jag has one, as I have not owned a Jag. All my BMW's over the past 20 years have had a CDV, it basically is a valve with a smaller hole than the pipe so the clutch fluid goes through it more slowly. That way, if you dump the clutch quickly, it still allows the clutch plate to engage smoothly, which is good in some ways, and makes the clutch last a lot longer. Unfortunately, it kills any clutch feel.

[@nessuno5403]

Comparing the ZF8 and in an M140i to a DCT in an M2 is a joke. Unless, you do all your driving at normal speeds and in urban environments. The DCT is distinctly superior for a proper SPORTS CAR, which the M2 is and the M140i is not. You really need to experience it at speed, ideally on the track to see how the DCT makes more sense than a syrupy ZF8, which is actually quite perceptibly slow in those conditions.

[@jamesallen9733]

Can't beat a proper gearbox, when it's out of warranty I know what I'd rather have esp. being a BMW

[@dj-cronos281]

Which one’s worse bcs i’m looking at original m2’s second hand and am not certain which is more reliable for making it my daily driver and high mileage car

[@maxtorque2277]

oh yeah, one more thing. The slower your car is, the more you miss a manual! Your M2 is realistically so fast when extended that the DSC suits it. Pull a paddle, BAM, next gear and off you go, so the time you spend changing gear feels, relatively speaking like a long time. In a car with half,m (or a quarter lol!) of the power, the time spent in that "neutral time" is a very much lesser percentage of the time you are accelerating for. Your M2 does 0-100mph in a smidge under 12 seconds, that is really pretty fast in the real world, compare it to say my old 306 gti-6, the high performance hot hatch du jour in 1998, which took, 24 seconds! literally twice as long....

[@JonathanTyas]

Max Torque I agree on that, I’ve had great fun driving a Ford Ka of all things in the back roads and getting the right gear was a big part of that. With the M2 you have other things to think about, forward planning and have I got traction for example !

[@JonathanTyas]

Max Torque They will do 0-100 in just under 10 secs for the competition version, quite impressive for what these days is quite a junior performance car.

[@JasonV8S550]

I often have the same quandary about "Did I buy the right M2 Competition gearbox". I have never really liked BMW manual gearboxes, I also find them to have a loose sort of feeling. I have been spoiled by Porsche manuals.

[@RegLocal]

Interesting point Jason. There would be no question about buying a PDK Porsche because their manuals are so nice to use!

[@twizzbharat2577]

@@RegLocal PDK is EXTREMELY good too best in the game. I'd get manual though in almost any sports car.

[@stevenfoleyuk9404]

DTC is the best , most drivers would still prefer the manual .

[@meathook2448]

This sounds like my wife when I ask her where she wants to go to dinner! 😂

[@adimuftic9930]

There is reason why dct is $2900 more because is better I love stick so much but lol c’mon people lol

[@nessuno5403]

In some markers, the manual and DCT cost the same. So, I am sorry, but that's a dumb comment you made :)

[@dm9817587]

Manual or auto ... young or old... fun or daily... clever or dumb..🤣