I have a 2005 545 6 speed manual. This is the first stick shift i have ever owned and driven. Is there a certain RPM that you should shift at when driving in the city? I normally shift at about 2k RPM to try to save gas when im not stomping on it. Is shifting at 2k RPM ok? And when i pull into my garage i dont give it any gas, i just let the clutch out slowly and let the car roll. Is that ok instead of bringing the RPM to like 1k and feathering the clutch?

 

I like to shift around 3-4k. Shifting at low RPMs to save gas is kind of a myth in my mind. I like to think of it like a bicycle and changing gears. if you're not going the right speed shifting gears actually makes you work harder.

That's how I pull my car in I just let the car roll in.

OH AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!

Michael

 

+1 on normal driving... spirited driving is another range

 

Refer to your manual, its works almost like a search function.

 

Geeez...ive been driving around like grandpa all this time haha.

Oh and since this is my first stick shift car, when you bring the RPMs up to say 5k to redline when doing "spirited driving", do you still let the clutch out slowly or do you just let it out quiclky?

Thanks for the info guys!

 

Sorry, I should've been a little clearer. What I was referring to with spirited driving is a car in motion already, not necessarily starting from a stop.

 

Depends if you want to floor it when you shift? If you floor it you pop the clutch out quickly so you don't burn the clutch. If you're just gradually increasing speed you let the clutch out slowly or the shift will be jerky.

Michael

 

Work on being smooth and precise with your shifts, never rush and never force the lever into gear. if you feel you missed push in the clutch, match revs and let out smoothly. Downshifting is a little trickier, but concepts are the same, be smooth and precise, match revs and let out the clutch smoothly. Ideally you would shift where the power starts to trail off but that isn't really practical on the street.. I regret getting a Step but I couldn't find a six speed in time.

 

I had a 325is before my E60 and shifted at 2500 rpm. In the E60, I've found that shifting at 3500 rpm is best...anything lower than that and the car kind of hesitates when I release the clutch.

 

Downshifting has been a little tricky for me. i recently just realized that matching the revs give you the smoothest downshift.

i just got back from driving and i was shifting anywhere from 3-4k rpm. the first time i tried it, i found myself going 55 in a 35 mph zone lol. i guess im just going to have to learn my car better, and keep driving till i get it right.