E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

6 speed manual advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-30-2008, 09:05 PM
  #11  
Members
 
bimmer_w's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530i Alpine White, Sport Package, 6MT, Auburn interior 2007 Acura TSX, Black on Black, 6MT, OEM Body Kit 2000 Honda CBR929RR, Yellow, Pazzo Racing adjustable brake/clutch levers, Sato rear sets, full Micron Exhaust, double bubble windscreen.
Default

Originally Posted by silvergray5456spd' post='636049' date='Jul 30 2008, 02:58 PM
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?

just drive it like you stole it....
Old 07-31-2008, 03:57 AM
  #12  
Members
 
silver530sportwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 530xiT Titanium Silver, 6-speed Manual, new style Start/Stop ignition, Black Dakota Leather, anthracite maple wood trim, heated seats front and rear, heated steering wheel, headlight washers, automatic tailgate, auto dimming mirrors, Logic 7, 6-disc changer, sport seats, shadow line trim, rear sun blinds, PDC, adaptive xenons, 18" style 123 wheels, , navigation, voice control, bluetooth, BMW roof rack + bike attachments,
Default

Because of the low torque range, I usually skip shift to improve mileage. Usually I shift 1 to 3 then to 5 or to 6 on an open road.
Old 07-31-2008, 05:11 AM
  #13  
Members
 
zx97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hi,

Depending on what you are looking for, you have to drive very differently.

If you want to be fast, you want to get as much power as possible quickly, so you have to change your gear up at 6100 RPM and keep around this number. You oil engine has to be at 80?C if you don't want to break your engine, 20km and you're done.

Check on this power curve (which is for an VW New Beetle, I didn't find it for your car) :



The max power comes at 2000 RPM, so you don't need to go more than 2000 RPM . It is a diesel of coursethat's why it's so low.

If you want to reduce gas comsuption, just be smooth and change your gear as soon as you can, to know if it's ok, you just have to check that the engine doesn't have problems because the RPM are too low after you 've changed your gear up.

Use your engine-brake to stop you rather than the brake pedal, this by staying in reasonable driving regimes naturally.
Old 07-31-2008, 07:19 AM
  #14  
Members
 
Yeah Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SURREY
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: Black E60 M5
Default

I guess you US boys don't have much exposure to the manual cars. Rather than get answers from a forum where people can only give you general advice (without seeing your driving or conditions etc). I suggest you take 1 or 2 lessons with a driving instructor to learn the correct way of driving a manual.

Not being patronising but you'll find with a professional you'll be able to match speed with gear with rpm better
Old 07-31-2008, 08:30 AM
  #15  
Contributors
 
Ricracing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Default

Originally Posted by silvergray5456spd' post='636049' date='Jul 30 2008, 09:58 PM
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 have been driving stick shifts for some 30 years now (luckily no more).
All I can say (without writing a full page) is, that try it out.

Any Beamer is as it best after some 3,500 - 4,000 rpm to max rev

Some hints:
- Do not slide the clutch more that you absolutely have to!

- Spirited driving do need the very fast action. Practice!

- Attend a race school near by you!
Old 07-31-2008, 10:54 AM
  #16  
Members
Thread Starter
 
silvergray5456spd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='636753' date='Jul 31 2008, 12:30 PM
I have been driving stick shifts for some 30 years now (luckily no more).
All I can say (without writing a full page) is, that try it out.

Any Beamer is as it best after some 3,500 - 4,000 rpm to max rev

Some hints:
- Do not slide the clutch more that you absolutely have to!

- Spirited driving do need the very fast action. Practice!

- Attend a race school near by you!
3500 - 4000 rpm to max rev!?! cmon now im trying to get from point A to point B with out getting a ticket lol!

Next summer i do plan on attending race school!
Old 07-31-2008, 03:14 PM
  #17  
Senior Members
 
bimmerluuvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 06' 530 Alpine/Auburn/Dark walnut, Sport, Premium, Sirius, 35% Tint Upcomming mods: M166's/Exclaim UHP's, Mtech
Default

Originally Posted by silvergray5456spd' post='636851' date='Jul 31 2008, 02:54 PM
3500 - 4000 rpm to max rev!?! cmon now im trying to get from point A to point B with out getting a ticket lol!

Next summer i do plan on attending race school!
Is there a race school in Nassau County, NY?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TopPMP
E61 Touring Discussion
102
05-02-2023 04:20 PM
TopPMP
Complete Car Sales
6
08-10-2020 04:15 PM
jfife83
E60 Discussion
0
07-25-2015 04:14 PM
Bimmer4Him
F10 Discussion
0
07-16-2015 05:50 PM
PMorganRacing
Press Articles & Your Comments
0
07-13-2015 11:31 AM



Quick Reply: 6 speed manual advice



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:19 PM.