Search found 114 matches

by Charles421
Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:19 am
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: 'Spirited' Driving?
Replies: 24
Views: 7975

Re: 'Spirited' Driving?

I noticed you have a WRX - revs fall slower in turbocharged cars than NA cars. With my 335i I just have to be patient between shifts. You can either: A: Wait until the revs fall to the point where the next gear picks up and release the clutch quickly. B: Use the clutch to take up the difference in R...
by Charles421
Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:35 am
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Shifter notchiness going from first to second
Replies: 28
Views: 5816

Re: Shifter notchiness going from first to second

That's a great way to think about it - the rev-matching gear. I'll have to remember that.
by Charles421
Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:31 am
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Shifting into first while moving
Replies: 24
Views: 27887

Re: Shifting into first while moving

The important thing that you have to realize is that you really should avoid doing it. What's happening when you put pressure on the gear shifter towards 1st gear is that the synchros are working hard to match shaft speeds. Once the synchros have done their job, the trans will shift into 1st gear. ...
by Charles421
Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:55 pm
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Shifting into first while moving
Replies: 24
Views: 27887

Re: Shifting into first while moving

After some looking into, that is correct, it is a lack of synchro capacity. ~36 MPH in my car, which is redline in 1st.

Edit: hm i think all modern cars w/ synchros would have this ... it's not a "feature" per my BMW's manual then. :oops:
by Charles421
Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:01 am
Forum: Rants and Raves
Topic: That's All I Need!
Replies: 3
Views: 864

Re: That's All I Need!

It is a tad crazy how much electronics are in a typical car, even econo-boxes let alone something like a BMW 7-series. No wonder there are reliability problems associated with higher-end cars. German car companies have gotten much better with electrical reliability over the last 5-6 years but still ...
by Charles421
Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:59 am
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Shifting into first while moving
Replies: 24
Views: 27887

Re: Shifting into first while moving

Some cars have a 1st gear lockout when engages after a certain speed. Mine does.

In the unlikely situation I'm moving at a crawl where 2nd is too high, I'll move the shifter from N > 1. However don't just ram the shifter forwards; I push it against the gear until it goes in on its own.
by Charles421
Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:55 am
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Engine braking - any negatives?
Replies: 17
Views: 4866

Re: Engine braking - any negatives?

Eh I don't have anything to add except I downshift going towards a light if I know it's going to turn green. I would sooner downshift on my own time at my preferred RPM than do it at some unknown speed closer to the light.
by Charles421
Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:48 am
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Shifter notchiness going from first to second
Replies: 28
Views: 5816

Re: Shifter notchiness going from first to second

I was paying a bit more attention to the resistance in shifting from 1st to 2nd. It seems that if I wait and let the RPMs drop more than I've been doing, the gearbox lets me slip in easily. Likewise, if I upshift into 2nd earlier, it's an easy shift. What I've been doing that results in shifter res...
by Charles421
Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:57 pm
Forum: Tranny Talk
Topic: Fuel Economy and different octane levels/gas stations
Replies: 18
Views: 3163

Re: Fuel Economy and different octane levels/gas stations

Use the fuel grade specified in your owner's manual.
by Charles421
Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:54 pm
Forum: Manuals in the News
Topic: Manual for the U.S. Market Only!??????
Replies: 8
Views: 3207

Re: Manual for the U.S. Market Only!??????

I think the new 6 is beautiful. Too big and not sporty enough for me, however. But it is remarkable it is offered with a 6-speed.

6 speed + BMW twin-turbo V8 ... :D
by Charles421
Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:20 pm
Forum: Tranny Talk
Topic: Winter Tires
Replies: 57
Views: 10453

Re: Winter Tires

I'm most definitely buying winter tires as my 19" max. performance summer tires will go nowhere and aren't supposed to be used under 35-40*F. Winter setup - I haven't decided whether to run square with 225s/235s all around or stick with staggered (square should be better for traction). Standard...
by Charles421
Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:08 pm
Forum: Rants and Raves
Topic: Identify them
Replies: 23
Views: 2968

Re: Identify them

32/42 :|
by Charles421
Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:04 pm
Forum: Rants and Raves
Topic: BMW Z4 Saves Weight by Eliminating Engine Block
Replies: 2
Views: 845

Re: BMW Z4 Saves Weight by Eliminating Engine Block

I would have to test that start/stop feature before I bought it. Hard to imagine it would not affect the driving experience, especially stop and go traffic. I'm glad my 335i does not have this "feature". That said the N20 looks like a promising engine. It has more umph than the N52 NA inli...
by Charles421
Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:07 pm
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Improvements - open to suggestions
Replies: 57
Views: 9076

Re: Improvements - open to suggestions

The only time rev-matched downshifting is useful (from what I can gather) is really for downshifting for power such as to pass someone on the interstate - you want to rev-match because you want to maintain speed rather than slow down, so you don't really want to ease gently off the clutch as you ap...
by Charles421
Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:16 pm
Forum: Manual Driving Tips
Topic: Improvements - open to suggestions
Replies: 57
Views: 9076

Re: Improvements - open to suggestions

Welcome, and kudos for driving what sounds like a difficult car! About approaching stoplights/stop signs - the car should be in gear when you are moving; if you put it in neutral, you don't have full control of the vehicle (no ability to accelerate, mainly). As krimsonidol noted, you can simply leav...