Transmission

seemebreakthis · 02-28-2010, 10:32 AM

Been driving my newly purchased E90 325i for a few weeks now. I find myself liking the steptronic mode more and more.

For one, the ride feels less jerky. I am finding either D or DS mode (more with D mode) will downshift at very strange times, e.g. halfway down a slope when you are not decelarating. Also, the starting motion in 1st gear when in D mode can be described as 'hesitant' at times. Stepping on the throttle pedal and the car does nothing for a second then it jerks to a blazing start. It sure takes some getting used to (or does my car have a problem?)

The steptronic mode also feels more in-control. THe guess work is gone on when the transmission decides to kickdown when you try to accelarate. THis is useful especially in Hong KOng when you go up those hilly roads. The whole driving experience is smoother also in general.

Which mode do you use the most?

Renus · 02-28-2010, 10:37 AM

My car ~> DCT, using D mode most of them time
Down slope ~> M mode with higher gear in order to keep rpm down
Up hill ~> D/M mode with higher gear too in order to keep rpm down too

little_croco · 02-28-2010, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renus

My car ~> DCT, using D mode most of them time
Down slope ~> M mode with higher gear in order to keep rpm down
Up hill ~> D/M mode with higher gear too in order to keep rpm down too

Renus, u do higher gear when descending slope?!?

JC/E93 · 02-28-2010, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renus
My car ~> DCT, using D mode most of them time
Down slope ~> M mode with higher gear in order to keep rpm down
Up hill ~> D/M mode with higher gear too in order to keep rpm down too

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_croco

Renus, u do higher gear when descending slope?!?

COOL ! Is it what the racers usually do ?

little_croco · 02-28-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC/E93

COOL ! Is it what the racers usually do ?

I think the crashers instead...

Delta0311 · 02-28-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seemebreakthis

Been driving my newly purchased E90 325i for a few weeks now. I find myself liking the steptronic mode more and more.

For one, the ride feels less jerky. I am finding either D or DS mode (more with D mode) will downshift at very strange times, e.g. halfway down a slope when you are not decelarating. Also, the starting motion in 1st gear when in D mode can be described as 'hesitant' at times. Stepping on the throttle pedal and the car does nothing for a second then it jerks to a blazing start. It sure takes some getting used to (or does my car have a problem?)

The steptronic mode also feels more in-control. THe guess work is gone on when the transmission decides to kickdown when you try to accelarate. THis is useful especially in Hong KOng when you go up those hilly roads. The whole driving experience is smoother also in general.

Which mode do you use the most?

The gear switching is computerized and all of the NA cars have that slight hesitation issue in D mode. A PBX chip can EASILY fix that for you though.

Renus · 03-01-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_croco

Renus, u do higher gear when descending slope?!?

U won't believe I am driving with M7 gear when descending slope

superdx · 03-01-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_croco

Renus, u do higher gear when descending slope?!?

He said he puts it in Neutral

little_croco · 03-01-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renus

U won't believe I am driving with M7 gear when descending slope

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdx

He said he puts it in Neutral

OMG.........

phawx · 03-02-2010, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_croco

OMG.........

M7? Neutral?

REVERSE!!!

(True story: I was driving my friend's DC2 Integra type R in Canada, and trying to shift into 6th gear on the highway, and for some reason it grinded. Then I realized... I was driving 5MT not 6MT.)

Renus · 03-02-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phawx

M7? Neutral?

REVERSE!!!

(True story: I was driving my friend's DC2 Integra type R in Canada, and trying to shift into 6th gear on the highway, and for some reason it grinded. Then I realized... I was driving 5MT not 6MT.)

Seldom N, but mostly in M mode on slope, wahkakak

Wolfman · 03-02-2010, 03:31 AM

Mostly D for daily commuting, since there is not much point to do DS if you are stuck in traffic on Nathan road. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I will do DS if I feel the urge and if there is an empty stretch of road. Steptronic I will do if I really want to step on it. And I don't have to worry about wrongly downshifting or upshifting since the computer will prevent you from damaging the engine, for the E90 anyway.

Minichamps · 03-02-2010, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phawx

M7? Neutral?

REVERSE!!!

(True story: I was driving my friend's DC2 Integra type R in Canada, and trying to shift into 6th gear on the highway, and for some reason it grinded. Then I realized... I was driving 5MT not 6MT.)

Was your friend in the car?

phawx · 03-02-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minichamps

Was your friend in the car?

No, but he was driving my Civic FG2 (8th gen Coupe Si, same engine as FN2)... and he kept it in 5th gear the whole way down the highway... so my engine was running boarder-line vtec at times LOL... I guess it's fair game...

ct087ct087 · 03-02-2010, 05:30 PM

Hi guys, i'm also new here as well as my E90. which gear would you use at startup when on M mode? 1st or 2nd?

seemebreakthis · 03-02-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct087ct087

Hi guys, i'm also new here as well as my E90. which gear would you use at startup when on M mode? 1st or 2nd?

Mostly M2, which I feel is adequate under most cases.

Occasionally M1 when I am at the front of another lane and I want to quickly switch lanes after the traffic light turns green

Still experimenting though. M2 already gives me loads of power...

seemebreakthis · 03-02-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Mostly D for daily commuting, since there is not much point to do DS if you are stuck in traffic on Nathan road. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I will do DS if I feel the urge and if there is an empty stretch of road. Steptronic I will do if I really want to step on it. And I don't have to worry about wrongly downshifting or upshifting since the computer will prevent you from damaging the engine, for the E90 anyway.

This weekend I will need to find a long stretch of road and practice steptronic acceleration. DS is still giving me quicker acceleration and I am sure this shouldn't be the case....

Wolfman · 03-02-2010, 10:37 PM

Delete-double post.

Wolfman · 03-02-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seemebreakthis

Been driving my newly purchased E90 325i for a few weeks now. I find myself liking the steptronic mode more and more.

For one, the ride feels less jerky. I am finding either D or DS mode (more with D mode) will downshift at very strange times, e.g. halfway down a slope when you are not decelarating. Also, the starting motion in 1st gear when in D mode can be described as 'hesitant' at times. Stepping on the throttle pedal and the car does nothing for a second then it jerks to a blazing start. It sure takes some getting used to (or does my car have a problem?)

The steptronic mode also feels more in-control. THe guess work is gone on when the transmission decides to kickdown when you try to accelarate. THis is useful especially in Hong KOng when you go up those hilly roads. The whole driving experience is smoother also in general.

Which mode do you use the most?

D and DS mode should not be very jerky and there should not be much of a delay in accelerating. The 325i's N52 engine (or N53 for newer models, post-2007) is naturally aspirated and does not have turbochargers, so you can also rule out turbo lag as the cause for the delay. There may be something wrong with the ECU? Assuming your car is brand new and not second-hand, it should still be cover by warranty. Call Bmw service centre for check-up and repair, if necessary.

FotiosF90M5 · 03-02-2010, 10:40 PM

I have my tranny in manual mode literally 95% of the time. Its just habit now to put it in drive and push it to the left and down once for second. I have to stop myself from doing it in the wifes X5 because its such a habit.

ct087ct087 · 03-03-2010, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seemebreakthis

Been driving my newly purchased E90 325i for a few weeks now. I find myself liking the steptronic mode more and more.

For one, the ride feels less jerky. I am finding either D or DS mode (more with D mode) will downshift at very strange times, e.g. halfway down a slope when you are not decelarating. Also, the starting motion in 1st gear when in D mode can be described as 'hesitant' at times. Stepping on the throttle pedal and the car does nothing for a second then it jerks to a blazing start. It sure takes some getting used to (or does my car have a problem?)

The steptronic mode also feels more in-control. THe guess work is gone on when the transmission decides to kickdown when you try to accelarate. THis is useful especially in Hong KOng when you go up those hilly roads. The whole driving experience is smoother also in general.

Which mode do you use the most?

Totally agree and i have the same experience. D mode does have delay (sometimes) for kickdown. I think D mode is designed for saving gas.....not sure. DS mode is definitely much better.

ct087ct087 · 03-03-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seemebreakthis

Mostly M2, which I feel is adequate under most cases.

Occasionally M1 when I am at the front of another lane and I want to quickly switch lanes after the traffic light turns green

Still experimenting though. M2 already gives me loads of power...

M1 gives you much torque for sure but it won't go fast. so, at what RPM that you shift up to M2?

02-28-2010, 10:32 AM	#1
seemebreakthis Private First Class 28 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW i4 M50 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Transmission - which mode do you use most? Been driving my newly purchased E90 325i for a few weeks now. I find myself liking the steptronic mode more and more. For one, the ride feels less jerky. I am finding either D or DS mode (more with D mode) will downshift at very strange times, e.g. halfway down a slope when you are not decelarating. Also, the starting motion in 1st gear when in D mode can be described as 'hesitant' at times. Stepping on the throttle pedal and the car does nothing for a second then it jerks to a blazing start. It sure takes some getting used to (or does my car have a problem?) The steptronic mode also feels more in-control. THe guess work is gone on when the transmission decides to kickdown when you try to accelarate. THis is useful especially in Hong KOng when you go up those hilly roads. The whole driving experience is smoother also in general. Which mode do you use the most?
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02-28-2010, 10:37 AM	#2
Renus Lieutenant 28 Rep 528 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (1)	My car ~> DCT, using D mode most of them time Down slope ~> M mode with higher gear in order to keep rpm down Up hill ~> D/M mode with higher gear too in order to keep rpm down too
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03-02-2010, 03:31 AM	#12
Wolfman Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Mostly D for daily commuting, since there is not much point to do DS if you are stuck in traffic on Nathan road. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I will do DS if I feel the urge and if there is an empty stretch of road. Steptronic I will do if I really want to step on it. And I don't have to worry about wrongly downshifting or upshifting since the computer will prevent you from damaging the engine, for the E90 anyway.
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03-02-2010, 05:30 PM	#15
ct087ct087 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 211 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: HK iTrader: (0)	Hi guys, i'm also new here as well as my E90. which gear would you use at startup when on M mode? 1st or 2nd?
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03-02-2010, 10:37 PM	#18
Wolfman Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Delete-double post.
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03-02-2010, 10:40 PM	#20
FotiosF90M5 ///M Specialist South Shore BMW 770 Rep 7,108 Posts Drives: 2021 M5 Comp BHG/Silverstone Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Shore, MA iTrader: (62)	I have my tranny in manual mode literally 95% of the time. Its just habit now to put it in drive and push it to the left and down once for second. I have to stop myself from doing it in the wifes X5 because its such a habit. __________________ 2021 M5 COMPETITION LCI Brands Hatch Gray on SIlverstone, carbon roof, comp wheels, Mperf splitter, carbon pro spoiler, carbon diffuser , carbon paddles, executive pkg. Dinan HAS, RaceChip, dinan spacers, FC stud kit, etc
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