6MT drivers please help..
04-04-2008, 09:21 AM
#11
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
First, EVERY car is a little different. The clutch take up point, engine response, and gear ratio differences will give you a different feel. Even a 535 and a 550 will drive slightly differently, as they have different engines and final drive ratios.
I've found that my 550 is easier to drive smooth than my E46 330. Why? I don't know.
The biggest thing I see with BMW (and other European makes) is that first gear seems to be very short, and second is much less so. I tend to find that you need to use the gas pedal a bit more than normal on a 1-2 shift. All it takes is practice. Besides, it is better than listening to the babbling morons that populate the radio, IMHO.
I've found that my 550 is easier to drive smooth than my E46 330. Why? I don't know.
The biggest thing I see with BMW (and other European makes) is that first gear seems to be very short, and second is much less so. I tend to find that you need to use the gas pedal a bit more than normal on a 1-2 shift. All it takes is practice. Besides, it is better than listening to the babbling morons that populate the radio, IMHO.
04-04-2008, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by SMG353' post='556073' date='Apr 4 2008, 09:13 AM
Why buy a clutch if you don't know how to drive one ?
04-04-2008, 10:35 AM
#13
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='556146' date='Apr 4 2008, 02:19 PM
How else would you learn? My sister got a manual as her first car at 16... she learned it! clutch is still fine... and it was a used car with 130K on the clutch already... and now its still on the same clutch. Depends how fast you learn.
04-04-2008, 10:59 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i, 6spd mtx, Monaco Blue w/Beige interior. Sport, Preimum, Logic 7/HD/I-Pod/USB, Nav sys, rear sunshade, HUD, PDC, Split seats,
Originally Posted by iversonm' post='556117' date='Apr 4 2008, 10:21 AM
First, EVERY car is a little different. The clutch take up point, engine response, and gear ratio differences will give you a different feel. Even a 535 and a 550 will drive slightly differently, as they have different engines and final drive ratios.
I've found that my 550 is easier to drive smooth than my E46 330. Why? I don't know.
The biggest thing I see with BMW (and other European makes) is that first gear seems to be very short, and second is much less so. I tend to find that you need to use the gas pedal a bit more than normal on a 1-2 shift. All it takes is practice. Besides, it is better than listening to the babbling morons that populate the radio, IMHO.
I've found that my 550 is easier to drive smooth than my E46 330. Why? I don't know.
The biggest thing I see with BMW (and other European makes) is that first gear seems to be very short, and second is much less so. I tend to find that you need to use the gas pedal a bit more than normal on a 1-2 shift. All it takes is practice. Besides, it is better than listening to the babbling morons that populate the radio, IMHO.
04-04-2008, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by SMG353' post='556073' date='Apr 4 2008, 09:13 AM
Why buy a clutch if you don't know how to drive one ? That's what I say, but you'll get the hang of it, hopefully before you have to replace the clutch.
After the second one you'll be a pro.
After the second one you'll be a pro.
04-04-2008, 12:54 PM
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My Ride: 04' 545i SMG , Oriental Blue, Congiac Leather Interior, Nav., Park Assist, Logic 7, Sports Pkg, Cross drilled slotted rotors, ceramic pads, SS Brake lines, free flow air filter and a supercharger (coming soon)etc.....all the good stuff
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='556060' date='Apr 4 2008, 11:59 AM
http://www.ehow.com/video_3234_drive-car-with.html (although it's not an E60 featured in the video, the information still applies...)
http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp
That video looks like somthing I would have seen when I was 16 and in Driver's education..LOLOLO
Good choice in video Rudy...
04-04-2008, 01:38 PM
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
Originally Posted by SMG353' post='556219' date='Apr 4 2008, 04:54 PM
Good choice in video Rudy...
Edit: Also, why does she mash the brake every time she shifts?
04-04-2008, 02:07 PM
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
[I don't currently have a manual but I have driven many in my life including 2 BMWs. I did find the BMW manual tranny cars to be more difficult to be smooth, especially those with high HP or very quick throttle response.
The first thing to do when learning a different car is to slowly release the clutch and learn the engagement point. Knowing this is critical to getting a smooth launch.
To get 1-2 smooth (and other shifts) you need to learn the RPM differences. As mentioned, most BMWs have a large drop 1-2 so it takes more effort to be smooth. For example, 20 in first may be 3300 rpm and 20 in 2nd is 2000 rpm. What you need to accomplish is completing the shift simultaneously with the RPMs dropping from 3300 to 2000 RPM. This sometimes requires a slight touch of the gas to sync the RPM just before releasing the clutch. Too much gas too quickly and you WILL burn up the clutch. Not enough of a blip along with a slow shift results in a jerk and a bog as the engine is forced into the RPM matching the road speed of the new gear.
The first thing to do when learning a different car is to slowly release the clutch and learn the engagement point. Knowing this is critical to getting a smooth launch.
To get 1-2 smooth (and other shifts) you need to learn the RPM differences. As mentioned, most BMWs have a large drop 1-2 so it takes more effort to be smooth. For example, 20 in first may be 3300 rpm and 20 in 2nd is 2000 rpm. What you need to accomplish is completing the shift simultaneously with the RPMs dropping from 3300 to 2000 RPM. This sometimes requires a slight touch of the gas to sync the RPM just before releasing the clutch. Too much gas too quickly and you WILL burn up the clutch. Not enough of a blip along with a slow shift results in a jerk and a bog as the engine is forced into the RPM matching the road speed of the new gear.
04-04-2008, 02:11 PM
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