[ejm3]

When I bought my 135 convertible in 2012 I had three options for transmissions:
Automatic
DCT
6-speed MT (which is what I bought)

I was just looking at the BMW configurator for an M240 and I see two options, the base 8-speed auto or a manual.

So in the 2-series is the DCT only available on the M2?

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by ejm3

When I bought my 135 convertible in 2012 I had three options for transmissions:
Automatic
DCT
6-speed MT (which is what I bought)

I was just looking at the BMW configurator for an M240 and I see two options, the base 8-speed auto or a manual.

So in the 2-series is the DCT only available on the M2?

Yep, the ZF8 is probably deemed 'sporty' enough not to have all 3 options on the base cars.

[morphomeman]

Only 'real' M models have the DCT and it looks like that won't last much longer. Soon all cars will have the Z8. It is that good.

[ejm3]

Honestly over on the 1-series forums it seems that there's been issues with the DCT and they are very expensive to fix.

[RoundelM3]

I don't believe the GM-based 6-speed auto was available on the 135i - that trans was available on the 128i, but you couldn't get the DCT on the 128i. I had a BMW CCA friend who bought a 2012 135i and the DCT was his only option other than 6MT. Not sure the DCT from back then is the same model as what's being used now in the F-series M cars, and in either case, they are not inexpensive to repair.

[wdc330i]

Wasn't the DCT reserved for just the 135is? Thought the regular 135i got the auto. But not sure about that.

[ejm3]

I could have sworn the one I test drove (actually a late 2011 model) was a DCT and it was a $1k option at that time. So my assumption was that there must be a "base" automatic but I could be wrong.

I remember my CA telling me that it was the same DCT as in the M3 at the time and it was actually .3 seconds faster 0-60 than the manual.

I went for the manual anyway.

[mdputnam]

I have a 2012 135i with the performance power option and the DCT option. I also own a 2016 M235i with the ZF8. At the time I ordered the 135i there were three transmission choices a manual, a Steptronic automatic, and the DCT. The Steptronic was BMW's plain jane automatic with a loosely coupled torque converter similar to your Mother's Toyota Camry. Between the DCT and ZF8 my impressions are that the DCT is a slightly smoother shifting and more responsive transmission when shifting up or down the gears than the ZF8 when the ZF8 is in its quickest shifting mode. For daily commutes and daily driving all three transmission are perfectly adequate.

[ejm3]

Originally Posted by mdputnam

At the time I ordered the 135i there were three transmission choices a manual, a Steptronic automatic, and the DCT. The Steptronic was BMW's plain jane automatic with a loosely coupled torque converter similar to your Mother's Toyota Camry.

Yes this is what I seem to recall back in 2012.

Anyway I still love my 135 convertible and will someday replace it with the equivalent 2-series model. Probably another manual.