Twin-clutch transmissions will be offered across a wider range of BMW 3 Series models Down Under by early 2009.

Debuted last month in the convertible variant of the V8-powered M3 supersports coupe, BMW's dual-clutch transmission is a seven-speed unit built in conjunction with Getrag.

The M3 gets the track-ready variant of the dual-clutch sequential manual dubbed M-DCT. In addition to flip-top M3, the transmission is now available in the coupe variant. When the four-door sedan version of the M3 arrives in December of this year, it will arrive with the choice of transmissions also, BMW says.

Though details are tight on the version that will be rolled out into the cooking model 3 Series range, it's understood the transmission is essentially the same, minus the M car's Drivelogic functionality (more details here).

The paddle-shift transmission arrives as part of the midlife makeover for the E90 3 Series range (more here). BMW Australia says DCT (no 'M') will replace the automatic transmission variants of the twin-turbo six-cylinder 335i coupe and convertible models. That means, initially at least, the M3 sedan will be the only four-door 3 Series with a dual-clutch transmission.

BMW says there are no plans to offer the DCT transmission with the mechanically identical 135i.

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