[Phyrexia]

The xHP TCU flash does this. I do not know if the BM3 TCU flash does.

Originally Posted by BWbimmer

Is there a way to see which gear I am using when I'm driving in full automatik? Can this be coded? In normal conditions its just "D"

[kern417]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Skipping two whole gears? Man you're hardcore....I started skipping 4th to 6th with my w203 kompressor benz, then with the s4 and now the f30. I'm so used to it that i now do it out of habit, rather than necessity. Maybe today I'll check out 5th gear...lots of 35-45mph side roads in my neighborhood..

For me I typically use it for highway on ramps/off ramps. Downshift to 5th to have a little more torque coming out of a high-speed curve.

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Any BMW drivetrain engineers reading this topic must be shaking their heads in disbelief.

If BMW MT users are so "all over the place" in how they use MT, I can image the engineers thinking it's a good move that many models now only come with AT.

I thought the idea of driving 'stick' was to be man and machine in harmony, a skill set built around the necessity of full control. 'Rowing gears' was where it is at, with MT! Reading this thread, I'm now not so sure at all.

I mean, the auto is the same way. I've seen people trying to start in 2nd, code out 8th or add 8th to sport mode, etc. Until we get away from gears and move to a true cvt then gear selection will always be a topic of discussion, automatic or manual.

Originally Posted by Desertnate

None of that has changed. These conversations just show a five speed manual was a pretty good idea and mighte be the best configuration if you get the gear ratios right. Maybe 6 or even 7 speed manuals found today simply have too many gears, kind of like the newer 9 and 10 speed automatics. They are always hunting for the gear or simply never get into the top gears at all.

The main difference is do you want to add a taller 6th gear, or shorter 1-4 gears and make 5th your 1:1. I'm surprised we get so much out of our short gearing, but again it's due to our differential's gearing. No complaints IMO, as long as the gearing keeps you within a 2000rpm powerband when shifting at redline, it's dialed in. Especially with B58s that have all their power between 5k-7k

[Zara]

I use 5th all the time on highways.. Even when I'm going at higher speeds. 6th for me is for loooong chill cruising at a steady speed without having to pass anyone.

[im_an_alien]

6th has plenty of passing power without needing to downshift.. even in comfort

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by Zara

I use 5th all the time on highways.. Even when I'm going at higher speeds. 6th for me is for loooong chill cruising at a steady speed without having to pass anyone.

This ^^^

It's the same in 8AT auto transmission. You can stay on 7th if you want to but dropping gear to 6th is more efficient to use passing over at higher speed.

So back to 6MT... try using 6th gear for everthing... let see how is your mpg when it's time to fill up... dropping to 5th gear has its purpose it make the engine efficient during speeding up.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

6th has plenty of passing power without needing to downshift.. even in comfort

For me that is what MT is really all about, full use of the box with plenty of flexibility.

We've had lots of experience with MT in small engine and low powered cars in the UK, over the years. The official NEDC fuel consumption testing used to have a 56mph steady speed consumption test. Many manufacturers tried to get good figures with a long 5th gear. Many got it wrong for driveability. Was as if there was a 'hole' in the ratios, which in fact there was.

Having a lot of experience with MT in many different vehicles, I much prefer a set of ratios where top gear is useable, rather than simply a long overdrive ratio.

I ran a Rover/Honda TC with a very close ratio 5-speed box. 5th was only 18.2mph per 1,000rpm. With an engine that had little torque at low revs and a high rev limit, the ratio spread worked, docile when driven around town, and very flexible when working it. Yes, a long 6th gear would have been a good addition for high peed cruising, but in day to day driving it was brilliant.

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

6th has plenty of passing power without needing to downshift.. even in comfort

The difference between the modes is more throttle response than actual power from the engine. Sport and comfort will get you a much quicker response with less movement of the pedal. Passing in 6th while in Eco Pro is a frustrating experince.

More to your point, I too was suprised at how easily I could pass in sixth while at 60+ mph. If I'm trying to slot into a gap of faster moving traffic I'll typically pass in fourth or fifth, but if I have plenty of room in the lane to my left, I'll leave it sixth and easily get around the slower moving traffic.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by kern417

I mean, the auto is the same way. I've seen people trying to start in 2nd, code out 8th or add 8th to sport mode, etc. Until we get away from gears and move to a true cvt then gear selection will always be a topic of discussion, automatic or manual.

Electric motors are sorting that problem out.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Is anyone else finding 5th gear useless? I go from 4th to 6th, it's been months since I was in 5th. Whatever 5th gear can do, 4th and 6th can do better....discuss

Seems a bit like my '83 GTi with a close ratio 5sp. It was great running through 1-4 but 5th was so buzzy if you were actually on a highway trip. Luckily the transmission design had 5th gear right at the end of the case. I got essentially an overdrive 5th gear from Germany that was used in another current car.

My buddy who worked at a tranny shop opened the end of the case right on the car and swapped gears for me. That gave me a close ratio 4 speed with a overdrive 5th gear that would drop the revs right down to let me cruise at high speed on the highway without the engine sounding like it was going to blow up. Got great trip mileage too!

[kern417]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Electric motors are sorting that problem out.

[MT4life]

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

I use my 5th all the time! I have a lot of "highways" that have 45, 50 MPH speed limit, and that's when I'm in 5th gear. I like to keep my RPM around 2k to 2.5k

Same exactly
I’m in 5th half of my commute

[zambarossa]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Skipping two whole gears? Man you're hardcore....I started skipping 4th to 6th with my w203 kompressor benz, then with the s4 and now the f30. I'm so used to it that i now do it out of habit, rather than necessity. Maybe today I'll check out 5th gear...lots of 35-45mph side roads in my neighborhood..

Dude I sometimes go 2nd to 6th. With so much torque, most gears can be redundant. Hitting 60 mph in 2nd merging onto the highway, what's the point of going through all the gears if the intent is to just cruise after that.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by zambarossa

Dude I sometimes go 2nd to 6th. With so much torque, most gears can be redundant. Hitting 60 mph in 2nd merging onto the highway, what's the point of going through all the gears if the intent is to just cruise after that.

Lol this is funny. It sounds like you drive like me. Every on ramp is a drag race.

I tend to ring out 3rd, and then a choice has to be made. 6th, or county jail?

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by zambarossa

Dude I sometimes go 2nd to 6th. With so much torque, most gears can be redundant. Hitting 60 mph in 2nd merging onto the highway, what's the point of going through all the gears if the intent is to just cruise after that.

Lol... so your 2nd all the time... then 6th wow... where you from... here in LA traffic... you gotta use them all gears

[zambarossa]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Lol... so your 2nd all the time... then 6th wow... where you from... here in LA traffic... you gotta use them all gears

I like to accelerate hard to the speed limit, then cruise. 1st/2nd to 40mph, then straight to 6th. In fact I do stay in 2nd quite a bit sometimes, just to hear the exhaust pops and crackles .
I was in LA last week, sure traffic is bad, but may places where you could easily use 6th.
P.S. Would have loved to have my bimmer on Sunset or when I went through Topanga/Mullholand/Canyon/Decker. What a lovely drive.

[430inPR]

I use all 6 gears, and once on highway speeds over 65 find myself grabbing the stickshif to change gears, only to realize I don't have a 7th! (Anybody else do this?)

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by 430inPR

I use all 6 gears, and once on highway speeds over 65 find myself grabbing the stickshif to change gears, only to realize I don't have a 7th! (Anybody else do this?)

Me too...