Originally Posted by dlevi67' post='358479' date='Nov 20 2006, 08:47 PM

When I'm at a standstill (in D, DS or M1) and trying to move off gently, it seems to take a while before the transmission "takes" - revs get up to 1500/1800 or so, then the car moves and revs go down. Why on earth does it do that when it has more torque available than a tugboat?

If I push on the accelerator, then there's no hesitation, and it's DSC time. But the passengers don't always appreciate banging their heads against the headrests.

Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='358490' date='Nov 20 2006, 08:37 PM

Hmmm...i understand. Before you said about the programming problem i was thinking exactly at the opposite, about the construction of the steptronic. I was thinking about the torque converter which untill it locks up or when the acceleration input delivers the torque through it, there might be the 'normal' heistation just like you would partially engage the clutch at low rpms. It's just like when you drive a manual and you travel at low speeds and low rpms, and you just ensure that you won't stall the engine and partially engage the clutch. I dunno if i made myself clear enough. I may be wrong though.
BTW did you notice that when in M1 and you lift off the brake pedal to start moving slowly (like in heavy traffic) the car moves and accelerates way slower than in D or DS?! I didn't get that. I wonder why...

Originally Posted by dlevi67' post='358534' date='Nov 21 2006, 02:07 AM

No, I think the "lag" effect is probably due to torque converter construction. The slamming at slow speed is programming (I think - just get the box to put 1st when at a complete standstill, or earlier on).

Both can be avoided. My E39 535i was very smooth and responsive even at low speeds, despite having lower torque than the 535d. Heck - if I'm trying to drive smoothly on a manual (4,5,6 cylinders), my clutch would be fully released at 1000 rpm, not slurring at 1800. Thank God it's a well designed/insulated engine from a NVH point of view.

Never noticed the difference you mention; is that accelerating or just letting the car go ahead at idle? I'll experiment on Wednesday.

Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='358545' date='Nov 20 2006, 10:30 PM

Just leting the car go at idle, and even accelerating but very softly. In M1 it will be less responsive it seems. Or less torque flows in M1?! But in DS 1st gear is as well selected....let me try to see if in DS is not the same as in M1 so that i can be sure it's not the gear you're in (because in D it's in 2nd gear). But then again that hasn't got anything to do with it... I'm so confused right now.

Originally Posted by dlevi67' post='359295' date='Nov 22 2006, 09:22 PM

Yep. Same impression on mine, but I'd say it's just slower, not less responsive. Perhaps there is a torque limiter that is there by default when you engage 1st manually???

Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='356545' date='Nov 16 2006, 01:58 AM

I for one don't think the 535d will get a manual. It would be too risky in reliability. 580 NM coming from the new uprated diesel king is quite alot and the main diference between this and most of the 3 liters manuals that were remaped to +600NM is the torque delivery. You can remap as much as u like a single turbo and it will not deliver at low rpms as the TT and that may be a problem with the manual gearbox since the torque curve is wider.

Originally Posted by Lucky' post='356836' date='Nov 16 2006, 06:53 PM

Sorry, my friend, I don't believe that any 330d can really deliver 300 hp and 650 nm of torque. It's a fact that the standard manual gearbox is not designed to handle such a huge torque value and the same is for the clutch, that will worn out very quickly. In any case, unless those car receive plentiful of care and attention and a sort of preplanned, very costly and internsive, maintenance, there very few chances that such an overtuned engine will survive for long.

Originally Posted by Tiago' post='356923' date='Nov 16 2006, 11:29 PM

I think that you are forgetting something: E46 330d has 184hp/192hp and E46 330cd has 204hp. And the two 330cd with 300hp and 650nm are real. The only thing that you need to care is that without a racing clutch you must not pull hard at low rpms above 3rd gear.

Originally Posted by Lucky' post='358379' date='Nov 20 2006, 03:27 PM

Yes, I know, and for this reason I don't believe any seriuos tuner will tune a 3.0 L series production engine to deliver 50% MORE power and torque without a lot of mechanical modifications (to say : heavy duty clutch, better cooling, better lubrication of moving parts, possibly heavy duty gear sprockets and possibly more).

All the electronic tuners on the market (well, all the most reputed ones) offer software tuning with, on average, about 15% increase in power and torque. You can squeeze more from your engine, no doubt, but the mechanical reliability will greatly suffer and the driving quality too as well.

Originally Posted by PoleApart' post='358502' date='Nov 20 2006, 11:08 PM

This is exactly what I hate. I can't exploit gaps in oncoming traffic which I would comfortably go for in any manual because I never know what the slushbox will be up to. I think turbo lag may be a factor which amplifies what the torque converter is up to.

On the other hand I drove my dad's new E320 CDI recntly and it behaves much more predictably so it can be done.